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"Checkmate. You’re not even in my league."

The central protagonist of Persona 5 is a second-year high school student, who transferred from his rural dwelling to the prestigious Shujin Academy in order to continue his academics, on accord with the terms of his probation when a false charge of assault now brands him with a criminal record. In his initial outlook, he’s shunned by those of his peers and seen in contempt by the public. His story is one of a youth thrust into unjust circumstances where he bares little influence against impossible odds and an immoral society. Yet what dwells beneath his exterior is a restless spirit that seeks out the will for rebellion, and craves freedom for those of similar misfortune. In his endgame, he hopes for a prospering future where he can engrave genuine change to an otherwise nefarious world.

In the unfolding events of his journey, Ren Amamiya makes the choice to confront a violent dispute concerning an aggression between an innocent woman and a drunken figure. In his attempt to help cease the onset, he’s unaware that the assailant is none other than Masayoshi Shido, an upcoming politician heralded to become Japan’s next prime minister. In an unfortunate twist, Shido later sues the youth for his actions and uses his influence to sway favor and have him charged. With minimal chance to lay his case, Ren is given one year of probation. He’s forced to move from his old life and travel to the distant region of Shibuya, and lives in the coffee shop of LeBlanc under his temporary guardian, Sojiro Sakura, who is acquainted with his parents and owner of the establishment.

Furthermore, his terms also constrain Ren to enroll into Shujin Academy, where his reputation soon carries into his school life. He’s effectively ostracized by everyone around him, but discovers similar peoples like himself who also face discrimination almost like his own. Recognizing the malfeasance that inhabits the school, his drive for exemption leads him to uncover the cognitive boundaries that make up the collective consciousness. In lieu of this, he recognizes his state in the world as that of the Trickster; destined to defy the predetermined future and change society. Accompanied by those within the Velvet Room, he wields the forthcoming strength of the Persona to do battle against the treacherous shadows and finally fight back against those otherwise more malicious than him.

Collaborating with those who’d eventually become his newfound friends, they assemble to take the nation of Japan by storm. Together they form the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, a secretive guild that devotes themselves to "stealing" the hearts of corrupt officials and reforms society. Operating from behind the scenes of unsuspecting eyes, Ren Amamiya adopts the codename of ’Joker’ in the battle to clear his name and combat the hypocrisy and ingrained essence of slavery which overtakes most of the system. From the advent of their heists on authorities, the Phantom Thieves have acquired a revered if ambiguous notoriety; that they’re willing to breach beyond the preconceived boundary of morality and the law, if it means being able to strive towards an ideal vision of righteousness.

▪ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐃𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐒

· Full Name: Ren Amamiya
· Nicknames: Akira Kurusu, Inmate, Senpai, Renren, Masked Boy
· Aliases: Leader, Trickster (Lavenza), Joker (Codename)
· Birthdate: c. 1999-c. early 2000
· Affiliation: The Phantom Thieves of Hearts (Leader)

· Ethnicity: Japanese
· Gender: Male
· Hair Color: Black
· Eye Color: Gray
· Height: 175 cm (5’9")

· Family: Unnamed Mother, Unnamed Father
· Education: Transfer Student (Shujin Academy)
· Orientation: Heterosexual
· Current Relationship: None (Single-LI)
· Significant Other: None (??/??/????)

· First Appearance: Persona 5
· Japanese Voice: Jun Fukuyama
· English Voice: Xander Mobus
· Chinese Voice: JiangShan Gu (谷江山)
· Visual Portrayal: Hiroko Ino

▪ 𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄

In all of his illustrations, Ren is portrayed as a tall youth who boasts a slim to athletic physique. His skin complexion is shown to be slightly pale, and his most notable characteristic is consistent in the unkempt, black hair that falls just over his hues. While he has grey eyes in most of his artwork and concept imagery, they’re occasionally colored different depending on the context. He typically dons a set of large glasses with black frames alongside his casual clothes, though its revealed that these are fake and only serve to uphold the aesthetic of an unassuming look. In the art that features him wearing his glasses, his eyes are rounded and soft. Portraits that depict him without his lenses are starkly contrasted with a sharper look in his hues, usually giving off a refined or intense gaze.

Beyond a very plentiful wardrobe, his most prominent clothing is that of the school uniform worn in the halls of Shujin Academy, which consists of a black blazer with red buttons. The emblem of said school is stitched to the left pocket on his chest, coupled with a white turtleneck shirt with chevron detailing along the collar beneath his blazer, coupled to a pair of slim black pants decorated with a red plaid pattern. In his anime rendition, its shown that he dons black suspenders under his blazer that hook to his waist. His uniform is usually worn with black, laced dress boots. In the proceeding months of the summer season, his school clothes are more laid-back and partially relegated to that of the formal white polo shirt, which he keeps partially untucked, and leaves the suspenders.

When garbed as the trickster, Joker’s attire is fashioned with an ornate black coat, with three ankle reaching tails and a defined collar. Both sleeves are embellished with large cuffs, each sporting two buttons and articulate linings running along the arms and backside. He also fashions a high-necked waistcoat garnished with golden accents complimenting a pair of cinched black pants coupled to an eloquent set of blackish brown winklepickers boots with heightened heels. His only accessories are that in his bright red gloves that reflect his marginally dark attire, and a white domino mask which serves as the focal point of his aesthetic. Its described as a bird-like domino mask that conceals his upper facial features with black defining highlghts, decorated in a fashion similar to eye-liner.

▪ 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘

Naturally as a custom of the Megami Tensei medium, he’s classified as a silent protagonist. Much of his character and internal judgment are defined and elaborated by the player across his journey. In spite of this, he also seems to have a more established palette of quirks that contrast him from the likes of prior protagonists. Some of his range hints at a slight indifference to those around him, but other takes also suggest a more cheeky and playful connotation. Said latter qualities are especially the frame of his character in the themes of the game, that deepen his notion of confidence against even life threatening odds. From the advent of his introduction, he conveys a thrill for the dramatic and active flair, much to the awestruck (and sometimees annoyance) of his kindred comrades.

In almost all of his portrayals across each canon, his character on a first glance is quiet and socially well mannered, contrasting the criminal reputation branded to his character. He seems to recognize the emptiness in justifying himself to an otherwise ignorant society, so thus doesn’t defend himself and almost resigns to his tarnished identity to some capacity, even if disheartened. Although bonds didn’t come to him easily in the beginning, forthcoming friends recognize his desire to help peoples through their injustices, regardless of the criticisms and opposition he may face. He doesn’t cave in times or pressure, nor does he bend to dogmatic order and authority. He develops more of an open mind, adopting newer and positive traits throughout the time that he’s spent with his friends.

Under the guise of Joker, his core aspects and ideology gear towards a decree for rebellion and free will for those confined by regulation. Befitting the archetype of the gentleman thief, Joker keeps up a charismatic tone and exudes mystique. When in his element, his tenacity is bolstered to far more notable emphasis, that he revels in taunting his adversaries and waging his bets. But above all, his focus remains tethered in calling out those otherwise more vile in the world. He’s proven himself as a competent and well-rounded leader of the Phantom Thieves, valuing the input of his friends while placing genuine trust in their support. He’s analytical and cunning, able to match even the sharpest minds and remains as cool and level-headed throughout the execution of a tasked assignment.

▪ 𝐀𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒

Christened as the Trickster by the dwellers of the Velvet Room, the source of strength that bolsters the heights of Joker’s potential all stem from the cognitive boundary. With the corporeal belief and perception of mankind holding the Phantom Thieves to high esteem by the apex of their career, the scope of their tenacity has acclimated to an astounding notion. In the world where all thoughts and feelings are given form, the virtuous praise in the Phantom Thieves literally serve as their strength and perseverance against impossible odds. Joker routinely displays superhuman attributes typically consistent with a respective amount of brawn, a heightened affinity for agility and acrobatics, along with a remarkable resilience and sharpened reflexes that all coincide with his career as a thief.

Chief among his techniques is the summoning of his Persona, a powerful spirit of legend that fights at Joker’s beckon call. These supernatural entities hone a wide variety of curses and mystical spells tailored for various forms of combative coverage. From an offensive standpoint, Joker can leverage such properties as control over numerous elements and wrought status afflictions to overpower his foes in battle. Conversely, his defensive preservations can vary with protective barriers and shields alongside healing capabilities to replenish the damage he does sustain in conflict. Being a herald of the Wild Card skill, Joker isn’t bound by a singular Persona and can alternate among a diverse cast of support, each boasting very unique qualities with strengths and weaknesses in accordance.

Amidst his diverse cast of Persona is the enigmatic Arsène, the ’Pillager of Twilight’ which embodies the rebellious spirit that dwells within. Beginning his journey, Arsène personally teaches the valued fundamentals of battle, serving as the forefront to all Persona integrated afterwards. There are the spirits which he can assimilate from the Shadows, and stronger forces that he can produce through the act of fusion. Moreover, the strongest bonds with his friends also yield the potential to hone the strength of the Ultimate Persona, which are dependent on the Arcana that Joker pursues. Absolute in the highest of the pantheon, is none other than Satanael, the biblical angel of vengeance, called forth in the confrontation to execute the false god of control Yaldabaoth and free humankind.

Even without his spiritual properties, Joker remains effective with an assorted palette of equipment tailored for stealth and infiltration. In almost all of his assignments, he’s depicted a sparse array of knives and handguns, implying decent knowledge in the handling of said weapons. He often uses a grappling hook to traverse long distances, and employs smoke bombs for evasive tactics. For when his replenishment spells are unable to fill their use, Joker can still fall back on medical ailments and acquired healing items to revitalize his health or magics. But outside of all other attributes, Joker is still an ordinary human in the core of the real world, and thus is relegated to said limitations. Even with this in mind, he continues to exercise a satisfactory level of gymnastics and athleticism.