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How the Arcana Inspired ALL of Persona 3 (Main Cast Analysis)

LadyVirgilia・53 minutes read

The Persona 3 game incorporates Carl Jung's collective unconscious and archetypes through the tarot's Major Arcana, symbolizing characters' personal growth and development. Each character's representation of a specific tarot arcana highlights their struggles, growth, and ultimate contribution to the protagonist's journey towards wisdom and self-realization.

Insights

  • Persona series draws heavily from Carl Jung's concepts like collective unconscious, archetypes, and tarot for themes of wholeness and self-discovery.
  • Each main character in Persona 3 embodies a specific arcana, such as the Fool's Journey, reflecting growth, challenges, and transformation.
  • Character development in Persona 3 intricately weaves Jungian concepts into individual stories, showcasing struggles, growth, and the importance of relationships in shaping identity and understanding.

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Recent questions

  • What is the significance of the Fool arcana in Persona 3?

    The Fool arcana in Persona 3 symbolizes new beginnings and taking a leap of faith. It represents possibilities and fresh starts, embodying the essence of starting a journey with an open mind and heart. In the game, the protagonist is associated with the Fool arcana, emphasizing their role as the central figure in the story's unfolding narrative known as "the Journey."

  • How does Mitsuru Kirijo embody the Empress arcana in Persona 3?

    Mitsuru Kirijo in Persona 3 embodies the Empress arcana, representing nurturing and supporting others. She cares deeply for her peers and is willing to protect her loved ones, showcasing qualities of unconditional love and care. Despite her struggles with sacrificing her own desires for the benefit of the Kirijo Group, Mitsuru's diplomatic nature and ability to create a welcoming space for others to share their feelings exemplify the positive aspects of the upright Empress arcana.

  • What traits does Akihiko Sanada exhibit as the Emperor in Persona 3?

    Akihiko Sanada in Persona 3 personifies the Emperor arcana, teaching about power and order through his disciplined training routines and assertive leadership style. While he initially struggles with impatience and an inflexible mindset stemming from past feelings of powerlessness, Akihiko's growth involves overcoming these negative traits. He learns to encourage others rather than assert his opinions, evolving into a more balanced and effective leader within SEES.

  • How does Koromaru embody the Strength arcana in Persona 3?

    Koromaru in Persona 3 exemplifies the Strength arcana, focusing on mastering animalistic instincts for emotional well-being. He fights shadows to protect his friends and the Shrine, showcasing the upright Strength tarot's qualities. Koromaru's maturity is evident in his acceptance of rejection without aggression, knowing when to comfort others, and being a stalwart defender of SEES when needed, demonstrating the essence of the Strength arcana.

  • What role does Pharos play in Persona 3, representing the Death arcana?

    In Persona 3, Pharos represents the upright Death arcana, encouraging the protagonist to embrace challenges and make the most of opportunities. His presence signifies the necessity of transformation through destruction and facing hardships head-on. On the other hand, Ryoji embodies the reverse Death, offering a way for SEES to avoid despair by erasing memories of impending doom, reflecting society's tendency to avoid difficult truths. The Death arcana in the game highlights the theme of necessary change and growth through adversity.

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Summary

00:00

"Persona 3: Tarot, Archetypes, and Journey"

  • Persona series themes based on Carl Jung's ideas: collective unconscious, archetypes, tarot for "wholeness"
  • Persona 3 emphasizes arcana, protagonist as Fool, main story "the Journey"
  • Each arcana from 0 to 13 represented by main characters in Persona 3
  • Surfshark VPN sponsor mentioned for online protection
  • Jung's collective unconscious, archetypes linked to tarot in Persona
  • Major Arcana in tarot linked to individual's journey to wisdom
  • The Fool symbolizes new beginnings, taking a leap of faith
  • Upright Fool arcana signifies possibilities and new beginnings
  • First 13 arcana represented in Persona 3 main story for Fool's Journey
  • Death arcana marks a transition to a new self in the Fool's Journey

14:39

Persona 3 Characters and Their Archetypes

  • The Priestess, represented by Fuuka in Persona 3, possesses keen intuition and the ability to sense the unnatural attributes of shadows, translating them for others.
  • Fuuka's insecurities and excessive trust in others' opinions reflect the reverse Priestess, leading her to doubt her skills and seek validation from her peers.
  • Fuuka's growing confidence is evident through her social link interactions, where she learns to value herself and her abilities.
  • The Empress, embodied by Mitsuru Kirijo, represents nurturing and supporting others, as seen through her care for her peers and her willingness to protect loved ones.
  • Mitsuru's struggles with the reverse Empress include sacrificing her own desires for the Kirijo Group's benefit, showcasing the negative aspects of overbearing care.
  • Mitsuru's diplomatic nature and ability to create a welcoming space for others to share their feelings exemplify the upright Empress's unconditional love.
  • The Emperor, personified by Akihiko Sanada, teaches about power and order through his disciplined training routines and assertive leadership style.
  • Akihiko's struggles with the reverse Emperor include his impatience and inflexible mindset, stemming from a feeling of powerlessness from his past.
  • Akihiko's growth involves overcoming his negative traits, learning to encourage others rather than assert his own opinions, and evolving into a more balanced leader.
  • The Hierophant, represented by Shinji Aragaki, embodies a guiding figure who imparts knowledge and guidance to others, offering valuable insights to both SEES and Strega.

29:26

Shinji's Sacrifice Guides Others to Redemption

  • Shinji saves people in a sketchy part of town and reveals the truth about Fuuka's disappearance.
  • Shinji warns Akihiko about his obsession with power, citing an example on June 23rd.
  • Shinji explains the true nature of Strega's personas and takes pills himself.
  • Shinji demonstrates the reverse aspects of the Hierophant, suffocated by rigid social and moral order.
  • Shinji struggles with guilt and self-sabotage, refusing to rely on others for advice.
  • Shinji's final moments act as a guiding light for Ken and Akihiko.
  • The Lovers arcana focuses on love, intimacy, and relationships, emphasizing the importance of genuine connections.
  • Yukari struggles with trust and distancing herself due to past hurts, but eventually learns to take responsibility and mend relationships.
  • The Chariot arcana teaches stability, self-confidence, and courage in the face of change, with Aigis embodying both the upright and reverse aspects.
  • The Strength arcana explores mastering animalistic instincts for emotional well-being, with Koromaru exemplifying productive channeling of his nature.

44:07

Koromaru and SEES face fate and justice.

  • Koromaru fights shadows to protect the Shrine and his friends, embodying the upright Strength tarot.
  • Koromaru's persona's stats are on par with SEES members, representing the upright Strength without needing to evolve.
  • Koromaru contrasts Shinji's Castor, who never evolves due to dwelling in reverse Hierophant traits, leading to his early death.
  • Koromaru displays maturity by accepting rejection from SEES without aggression and knowing when to comfort others.
  • Koromaru is a stalwart defender of SEES, showing aggression when needed and saving them during a critical moment.
  • Jin Shirato, representing the Hermit, lacks the upright traits of solitude and self-reflection, focusing solely on aiding Takaya.
  • Jin's lack of self-reflection and focus on Takaya's goals showcase the shortcomings of the Hermit archetype.
  • Takaya, representing the Fortune, believes in fate and uses it to justify his actions, leading to apathy and harm to others.
  • Takaya's defeatist attitude and belief in fate hinder his growth and cause harm to innocent people.
  • Ken Amada, representing Justice, seeks revenge without considering the full truth or understanding the concept of balance and fairness.

59:09

"Persona 3: Journey to Wisdom"

  • The Justice teaches the Fool about moral and karmic balance, emphasizing true justice's objectivity over personal feelings of fairness.
  • The Hanged Man symbolizes being caught between two paths or worlds, with Chidori facing a dilemma between Strega and her feelings for Junpei.
  • Chidori's passive nature contrasts with Jin and Takaya's unwavering beliefs, leading her to a crossroads where she must make a decision.
  • Chidori's confinement at the hospital changes her perspective, allowing her to enjoy moments with Junpei and ultimately make a sacrifice to save him.
  • The Hanged Man archetype highlights the necessity of sacrifice and the fine balance between life and death, leading to inner peace.
  • Pharos represents the upright Death, encouraging the protagonist to embrace challenges and make the most of opportunities.
  • Ryoji, as the reverse Death, offers SEES a way to avoid despair by erasing their memories of impending doom, reflecting society's avoidance of death and hardships.
  • Destruction is sometimes necessary for transformation, as seen in how SEES members matured through adversity during the Dark Hour.
  • Apathy is a prevalent theme in Persona 3, with the protagonist demonstrating a passive demeanor and a reluctance to engage with life.
  • The World arcana represents the culmination of the Fool's Journey, where the protagonist gains wisdom and understanding through interactions with various people and situations.

01:14:15

"Relationships and archetypes crucial in final battle"

  • Social link rank-ups symbolize the protag's knowledge and effort in relationships, providing vast resources and powerful personas for the final battle against Nyx Avatar in Tartarus, where the Fool’s Journey is mirrored in game mechanics.
  • Understanding each specific archetype Nyx shifts into during the battle is crucial due to different stats and affinities, requiring wisdom to counter each form; obtaining the World arcana necessitates combining all relationships made in the game, playing a pivotal role in blocking Nyx from reaching humanity.
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