Picture of the Week# 8

The winner of this week’s Picture of the Week is~ Naoto from Persona 4!

Naoto Shirogane

Naoto Shirogane (白鐘 直斗, Shirogane Naoto) Voiced by: Romi Paku (Japanese), Jessica Straus (English)

Persona: Sukuna Hikona and Yamato Takeru of The Fortune arcanum

Young, serious-looking, and possessing an androgynous appearance, Naoto almost always wears an officer’s cap, conveying an appearance not unlike the classical gakuran school uniforms of the late 19th century. Combined with body language and gestures, she is reminiscent of Raidou Kuzunoha, combined with the protagonist of Persona 3. Similar to Takaya of Persona 3, Naoto uses a revolver in combat. A well-known detective, Naoto was dubbed the “Detective Prince” by the media, though still attending Yasogami High.

Naoto’s Persona is Sukuna Hikona of Fortune Arcanum, a Persona that is smaller than its own user and wears a cape that resemble butterfly wings over a blue suit and shorts. It uses an energy sword longer than itself and is capable of using almighty, light, dark, & physical skills. When Naoto’s Social Link, Fortune, is completed, her Persona will evolve into Yamato Takeru.

Naoto’s Shadow is a robotic doppelganger, equipped with large toy like laser guns, rocket feet and a jet pack; this form represents Naoto’s resentment towards being treated as a child by the police as well as her views on the police force being dominated by men. In the end her one true desire was to accept herself for who she was. Naoto’s Midnight Channel dungeon is a scientific military complex based off of Japanese superhero shows for children, filled with mechanical shadows and falcon symbols.

In The Fortune S.Link, Naoto receives a challenge by a criminal known as the “Phantom Thief” and her S.Link events involves the protagonist solving the case along with her. Naoto seems reluctant at first calling it a waste of time, but as the case goes on, she becomes more enthusiastic in solving it. Eventually the Phantom Thief is revealed to be one of her family’s servants, under her grandfather’s orders, who had her search for childhood memorabilia. When the case is over, Naoto realizes what the purpose of the case was and regains her passion for being a detective. She also decides that she’s not a detective to uphold her family tradition, but because she wants to be and thoroughly enjoys it. She is one of the female characters with whom the protagonist can have a romantic relationship.

She is my favor character from the game.  Almost got to her part…not quite yet…but almost~