"Gonna Short-Circuit My Identity" - Repressed Selves and Sexual Identity

It takes a good few days before you get the next hint of who might be on the Midnight Channel. Shortly before another long night with rain, there is a special report on biker gangs, and on one particular guy - Kanji Tatsumi.

According to Dojima, the younger student broke up some biker gangs while in middle school, due to them keeping his mother up with their noise. His family runs a textile store, meaning that Yukiko knows of him and his family, but most know him as a delinquent and a dangerous person due to his joining/breaking up motorcycle gangs.

Unlike the other four in the team, Kanji is the first outside of the team that requires the others to try to figure him out. While Yukiko and her family knows his family, that doesn't make her or Kanji 'friends' in any real sense. Most of the times when Kanji meets up with the group for the next few days, the result is a lot of arguments or yelling, as well as the four racing off in the face of possible attack after saying something that is misunderstood by Kanji. Along with Kanji, a strange, slender young man appears as well, asking or observing things that the others don't, and causing Kanji to question some things.

[...he's interested in me...?]

Sexual Orientation, Identity, and Repressed Selves

As everyone has dealt with various repressed identities, but a lot of them revolve around a variety of things with focuses on one particular issue or thing. That ends up being central to what their Shadows go after and feed on.
In this case, just a few mutterings overheard from Kanji gives us a hint of the type of person he is - for all his bluster and anger, he's obviously insecure and lashes out at either misunderstandings or when confronted by the implication that he's 'odd' or 'different'. He goes after the four at least twice over misunderstandings, After Kanji's disappearance and his Shadow's appearance on the Midnight Channel, you once again run into the slender detective, who admits that Kanji seems to have issues with being called 'odd'.

A lot of this has to do with Kanji's gender and sexual identity, though most of it is focused on his sexual identity. Kanji is a tough guy - you don't beat up bikers while in middle school without having been a tough guy. However, there are certain things you see in the anime and game that give him away as having some non-masculine gender focuses - his family, and thus Kanji himself, work in a textile shop. Mostly, his mother sells the textiles, but Kanji has a lot of love for her and probably has done his best to learn the trade as well, despite his new ways of dealing with noise and the like (which is to say "beat it until it leaves"). In the anime, Kanji first meets the Protagonist when he drops a small, cute keychain that he created himself, and the group quickly learns that while Kanji presents an outwardly tough exterior, a lot of that is a defense against how he feels towards some others, and that he's not always sure how to approach girls or guys because of his outside-of-gender interests.

The main point, though, is that gender-wise, Kanji identifies as a male. Sexuality-wise, Kanji is very confused and dislikes talking about it. The 'guy' he is meeting with who's 'interested' in him is a slender, young man who appears to be have a very androgynous look to him. Around him, Kanji is very flustered and obviously has no idea what to say. He's hardly any better around Yosuke and Chie, despite being told they were in a relationship.

Based on what we see of Kanji, even before his Shadow appears, it's heavily implied he's not sure what he likes and seems concerned about how to deal with a guy being 'interested' in him. While it seems like Kanji could be gay, I'm going to say it's also possible he could be bisexual or from a possible combination of various romantic/sexual groupings. He might also be mostly romantic towards guys but bisexual in general - while he is very awkward with the slender man he talks to, he's quick to fall back on his normal annoyance and anger with Chie asking possibly similar questions.

Sexuality in Japan is complex, just from what I managed to look up briefly. LGBT+ culture is around in Japan, not only through yaoi and yuri, but also with many celebrities who have come out as homosexual. The overall thought with the military is "it's allowed, so long as it doesn't start fights", so a slightly more relaxed version of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" that the US had, and while in some cases it's accepted, homosexual couples are not completely given the same rights as heterosexual couples. However, it's only recently that areas of Japan have started to consider allowing same-sex marriage and giving equal rights, but it is not yet a country-wide thing.

But then again, Kanji is just starting high school, and with a reputation already. No matter what he does, he's bound to not get into areas that will make him less socially awkward, but actually more. Coupled with his confusion as to what he likes and possibly people making fun of him for his ability to sew and such, he has a few things to work through. When his Shadow does manifest after Kanji is thrown in, we have it becoming very stereotypical of homosexual men (in the English version, he has a lisp and talks in a way that most men who are coded homosexual talk like) and he's going into a "steamy bathhouse". Bathhouses have been associated with homosexual romances, especially homosexual males. Basically...he's one big bara stereotype (bara = muscular gay man...not quite a bear but some are close)

(No, he is not naked, but he's close. Yes, roses are a thing for him. Yes, I found every part in the anime where the Protagonist and Yosuke was nervous or overly "do not want" to be freakin' hilarious because of later stuff they pull. And despite his look, Shadow Kanji is one of the first major fights you have that ends up being hard no matter what.)

Personal Head Canon: Kanji

If I have to pin down a full label on Kanji, it would go like this - cis male, bisexual, possibly homo or biromantic. Again, I used the "Chasing Amy" reference because Kanji shows that he finds girls attractive, but he seems more inclined (due to how his Shadow acts) towards possibly going out with a guy and that is a main focus of his confusion. He is attracted (sexually) towards both sexes but he is probably more drawn towards guys as far as if he thinks about a long-term relationships. This doesn't mean he won't be able to find a girl attractive in both a sexual and a romantic way. I do think that is his main source of confusion.

In relation to Kanji doing 'girly' things, a lot of this seems to come from him working around people who sew and do such things all the time, meaning that until he got into school, he probably thought that was 'normal'. It's only upon interactions with others of his age that he finds it abnormal, and tries to do his best to hide it. I don't know why sewing is a 'girly' task, though...I've tried to sew, it's time-consuming and hard, depending on what you do. And textiles (i.e weaving and the like) were often masculine tasks until the early 19th centuries - the original Luddites were protesting their jobs being taken over by machines and women.

So now it's time to run in and save Kanji from the Shadows, and to see if he might give us any new information about the kidnapper and killer.

Next up: Steamy Bathhouse Analysis

"Trapped In A Maze of Relationships" - Social Links In Inaba (April-May)

CLOSER TO THE TRUTH

During your time at Yasoinaba High School and in Inaba, the Protagonist gets a chance to create various new Social Links, mostly by becoming more involved in the school and in groups within the school. A majority of these are created during 'down time' or between major events. In this case, between the time the Protagonist arrives in April, and the beginning of May, after saving Yukiko. Each new link allows for a great potential in the creation of new Personas for the Protagonist - as the Zero Card, the Protagonist's special power allows him to hold multiple Personas. If he has a Rank or multiple ranks in that specific Link, the card's power and potential grows beyond what there already is, allowing for very powerful cards, or for the Protagonist to take any role in the group as-needed, from support to defensive to power-hitter. It also allows for access to some elements that the others don't have - for example, Zio (Lightning), Hama (Light), or Mudo (Darkness) that some Shadows are weak against. It also means that, if a character is not in the group, that the Protagonist can use their element just in case it's needed. Between the time you start getting S.Links and you rescue Yukiko, three new S.Links appear.

The Fool Card (0): The Investigation Team

Shortly after saving Chie and Yosuke, this bond is formed. The Investigation Team covers anyone who is saved or joins the team to help figure out who murdered Yamano and Saki. At the end of May, the team consists of Yosuke, Chie, Yukiko, and the Protagonist.
The Fool Card is known as the Zero Card, and technically this represents the Protagonist. Based off the anime and the game itself, my personal headcannon for the Protagonist is that he dislikes being alone because of his family's continual moving and leaving for their jobs. Because of this, he makes friends easily, and interacts with people easily as well. This allows him to make multiple friends and connections, and no matter how you play him (arrogant to shy), he manages to win people over simply by being himself and by showing his ability to help others out. However, when he does make a connection or befriend someone, his main focus is that he's strongly dependent on them, and thus will do all he can to defend them. In both the anime and game, his Persona only shows up when his friend or friends are in danger.
The Fool Card is a card that is very much up for interpretation in some cases, but often represents someone going forward on a journey or someone starting something, though they are walking in a bit blind. Often, the Fool is shown so amazed by the world that he doesn't realize the dangers ahead, and is often warned by at least one traveling companion. The Investigation Team being part of the Fool Rank seems to indicate this of everyone, but I believe it mostly indicates this of the Protagonist and his role as their leader. The Protagonist is new to the area, doesn't know everyone or everything going on, and has to walk through and lead the team while 'blind' - not knowing everything that goes on and having to rely on others to stop him from dangerous situations. Right now, the team as a whole don't trust the police, mostly because of the supernatural nature of the crimes, and while not always knowing the danger ahead, will still work to find out what is going on and to fight whatever they come across.

The Strength Card (VIII): Fellow Athletes

During the Protagonist's time in working to save Yukiko, the school Sports Teams begin to meet. In this case, because it's a small town, the two teams you can join are the Soccer or Basketball teams. Both are captained by two secondary characters who are lifelong friends - Kou Ichijo and Daisuke Nagase. Both have their own issues and both are happy to help out the other with cleaning up or with their respective teams.
The Strength Card is one that refers to both physical strength, but also mental and spiritual. It often shows a woman taming a snarling lion. The idea being that, despite her meek appearance, the woman is strong in every way - mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually - that she can overcome any anger or fears that present themselves. While some have her closing the lion's mouth, it's never shown in her forcing the lion's mouth closed, but rather slowly holding it and easing it shut. This does show for the Athletes - while both are physically strong in the beginning, as captains of their respective teams, both have to grow into the other aspects, and are helped by one another, as well as by the Protagonist.

The Sun Card (XIX): Ayane Matsunaga/Yumi Ozawa

A week or so after the start of the sports club, two different cultural clubs - Music and Drama. In both, you meet a young woman who becomes the focus of the Sun card. In both cases, the girls want to help something or someone out, but are not quite sure how to do so. The Sun tends to denote clarity and success, while in reverse position it means a lack of success or a temporary depression. Of the two girls, Ayane most personifies the Sun reversed - she wants to help out the band however she can, but cannot help out in the capacity she would like to (that is, playing trombone). Very shy and prone to apologizing, Ayane still does her best and manages to get a lot done, even if she might slip up a few times.
Yumi, in contrast, is one of the best actresses in the Drama club but is quick to say that she enjoys pretending to be 'someone else'. Her home life is not the best, and a serious incident results in her trying to figure out her feelings for someone she normally would try to not think about. Both slowly work through to figure out what they need, and with the help of the Protagonist, reach the conclusion that helps them not only grow, but gain more maturity as well.

After rescuing Yukiko, there is a lull, both in the actions as well as in the weather. As the rain doesn't fall for some time, this allows for the Protagonist to quickly make other S.Links, or to work on the ones he has before break, and after the midterms (yes, you have to take a test. Most is stuff you'll know if you paid attention to the questions asked or the lectures). However, these S.Links are also important, and not only add to your ability to create Personas, but get you closer to two others around you.

Justice (XI): Nanako Dojima

Nanako is a precious ball of cuteness and the personification of the cinnamon bun that is too pure for this world. She is also your six-year-old niece who is far too grown up for her own good, and she enjoys singing the Junes jingle.

Now that I have that out there...the reason for most of Nanako's way of acting and her ability to take care of herself is because of her father's job, which demands long or unusual hours, and her mother's tragic death. Her tarot card is interesting as well - Nanako represents what her father strives for (as a police officer) and also is a major reason for the characters to push forward in saving anyone they can. Nanako represents an innocent, but she is also one who vaguely understands that something is going on and how important it is. Justice in tarot is just that - balance, fairness, truth, and law. While Nanako doesn't quite have it reversed for herself - she is very truthful- she does have it on the side, leaning more towards that, because she is told things she believes to be the truth but that are shown to be lies. Her S.Link opens up after her father is forced to work during the week off, and as such she spends most of her time with the Protagonist and his friends, who all take a shine to her and proceed to spoil her as much as possible. This will never change, and will be for all of your friends you get.

As Nanako realizes she has someone she can confide in and begins to view the Protagonist as her 'big brother', she begins to open up more about her fears and wishes. Though she's shy early on, Nanako's ability to open up to the Protagonist, as well as his friends, makes it so that they seek out justice in order to live up to what Nanako represents.

Also her meaning this card will not end well, I just know it.

The Hierophant/Pope (V): Ryotaro Dojima

Ryotaro Dojima, Nanako's father and the Protagonist's uncle, is a police officer who is charged with solving a murder in a small, sleepy town. He is not Andy Griffith by a long shot, but he is close enough (widower with bumbling deputy/sidekick and small child? Small town? That's close enough). Dojima trusts his gut about the case, but the oddness of the deaths he has to deal with means that he's also at a loss on who caused the deaths or how they died.

As Nanako represents Justice in the sense of her prompting others to seek it out, Dojima's role as the Hierophant seems to focus on his status and the fact that he is a detective, thus granting him power and the ability to lead. The secondary name for the card, as Pope (the High Priestess as it's feminine equal, the Popess) seems to denote his power to bless or curse what he sees fit. Dojima spends much of the game trying to figure out the odd deaths that occurred in his town. Just as much, he's unable to stop himself from noticing the odd way the Protagonist or his friends act in certain ways (to be fair, you're hanging out at Junes a lot, in the electronics department with the manager's son, who has changed a bit, not to mention a girl who disappeared for days on end but has no idea where she was, and you were nearly arrested because your dumbass friend was playing with imitation weapons in a public area). Dojima being Nanako's father, and therefore the father-figure for the Protagonist while he's in Inaba, also plays into that card being given to him. Dojima is older and is charged with helping others grow, and acts as a very strict parent, but one who understands that most of it comes from tragedy as well as his inability to really talk to children or teenagers outside of an investigation. He seeks the same thing as the Protagonist and his friends, but his inability to realize what is really going on, due to his lack of knowledge about the 'other world', means he can act as a guide to the group on what's going on, helping or hindering their investigation.

The Hermit (IX): Fox

There is not a lot to say about this S.Link, other than yes, you read right, you befriend a fox. The fox lives in the shrine within Inaba's Central Shopping District, and appears to you during your break. With the shrine in disrepair due to a lack of funds, the Fox mostly asks you to help make wishes come true, as written on 'ema'. This leads to more money for the shrine, and the fox helping out by charging you to heal your SP during the time in the other world.

Considering the Fox is annoyed in the Other World, I think that's why it charges you for the healing.

The Hermit tends to denote a state of being alone or introspective, but close enough to watch over or see others. The Fox is isolated and spends most of it's time alone, but will come out to help others and aid them in their needs as well. It seems to do this so it can gain from it, but also so that it can help out those it's watched for so long to finally have their wishes fulfilled.

The days between the end of April and the middle of May are fairly quiet and with little going on beyond school and waiting for some sign of whoever will be taken next. The lack of rain means that the Midnight Channel is not operating, and thus no strange disappearances or deaths are given.

Revised Analysis 2: The Midnight Channel and Weather

Periods of calm and chances to relax or review what happened occurs a lot after Saki Konishi's death and as you stagger out the time it takes to rescue Yukiko Amagi. While the weather does have some instances of clouds or rain, it doesn't always occur for a long time or suddenly, instead slowly creeping up. But during these calms, no one is attacked or mentioned a great deal, though the news might bring up one or two people. As all of the victims thus far have been on TV in some case, or connected to the first killing, the next may still be connected to Yamano in that capacity, or might simply appear on TV.

Weather, for a long time, has effected TV reception before the invention of HD. As the TVs in the area are mostly from 2011, most are analog in some cases, meaning weather can still effect them in some cases. Antennas in general can be effected, but that has gone down as technology grew. The fact that the opposite weather appears in the TV World (foggy when it's clear, clear when it's foggy) means that figuring out the best way to deal with fog and to protect whoever is next shown is key to discovering the killer, as well as stopping the attacks.

Next: Repressed Selves and Sexual Identity 

More on the Persona (Elements, Folklore, and Transformation) - Konohana Sakura the Priestess

PERSONAS: The Dungeon

In Yukiko's Castle, the higher up the Protagonist and others go, slowly gets more and more dark, covered more in red fog over the white fog that covered the lower four floors. From floor 5 up, the shade is a dark red, and Yukiko's inner thoughts play more and more when you reach each floor, as does some of what she says when greeting people who come to the Inn. The voice soon turns into her real thoughts, yelling at the reporter and demanding he leave her alone. The monsters here are stronger, often mixing with the theme of castles (Knights and Kings are included). Floor 5 turns into a maze of sorts - while it's circular, getting close to a door will mean being sent to another part of the floor, and having to figure out how to get to where you need to go before you face the Avenging Knight.

Yukiko's Castle - Floor 8

Reaching the top, we find a large open area leading to a throne, behind which is a red flag with two wings that spread out behind the Shadow, making it look like a bird ready to take off or in flight. Much of the idea of escaping, of 'getting away' from the 'cage', is played on at this level, as is her need for a Prince to protect her. The Charming Prince, who is summoned to aid Shadow Yukiko, is a bit of a pain to fight against, and will heal Shadow Yukiko as much as he attacks or incapacitates the group.
It's here that Yukiko's Shadow announces that the group are her 'princes', including Chie in the statement and when she begins to complain about her own inability to leave, as well as the fact that she's trapped at the Inn and no one has been able to help her. Like the other Shadows, her dialogue shows not only her darker feelings, but also shows Yukiko's shyness to be partly due to her own self-doubt and fears, as well as her dislike of the Inn and the time it takes up in her life, not to mention the idea of having her 'destiny' planned for her.

The Priestess: Konohana Sakura

The third massive Shadow you face, this is the first one to have 'underlings' or to summon other Shadows to attack you before or during the main attack. The Shadow itself is a large, red bird that often spreads it's larger-than-the-cage wings out while casting spells or summoning her Prince. The continued motif of a caged bird, who has outgrown her cage and needs to escape, is still played here, as is the fear of leaving the cage as well - for all that Shadow Yukiko does her best to escape the cage, she never fully leaves it. If anything, she simply uses it as part of her attack and reason to continually fight, never leaving despite the fact that the door is open and she has the means to escape. The Prince, summoned often after a bit, will do his best to attack the three there to save Yukiko, but once he is defeated, he cannot be summoned back. If anything, he only serves to show the possible toxic thinking that added to Yukiko's suppressed self. The Prince comes when she summons, and does help, but he is not eternal and will not remain by Yukiko's side when 'defeated'.

After Yukiko accepts her dark self and what she felt about her family's Inn, as well as her own position, the Shadow transforms into Konohana Sakura. One of the few Personas who's called by her full name, Konohana Sakura is based on a Japanese Goddess, the wife of the god Ninigi and a symbol of delicate earthly life, especially that of the cherry blossom. After her marriage, when she became pregnant, the god believed she'd been unfaithful. Angry, Konohana entered a door-less hut and set it on fire, declaring any child that survived to be the son of her husband. Considering her triplets survived, the god was showed to be the father.

While Shadow Yukiko is all red, with only her head showing any human part to herself, keeping the black hair and features of Yukiko despite being red and almost unrecognizable. It also lives in a golden cage, one atop a chandelier. All of these things show that the prestige and privilege of living in a 'historic inn' has only served to trap Yukiko, and her red color, the heart-shape on the breast of both Shadow Yukiko and Konohana Sakura also adding to her search for love of some sort, or someone to help her as well. I believe as Konohana, though, this represents various types of love, such as friendly or even familial love, instead of just the idealized love of a 'prince'. 

Once transformed to a Persona, Konohana looks more like a female hero than Chie's own Persona - with flowers and the pink and white color that often are connected to sakura blossoms or with feminine things. Konohana Sakura, unlike Chie's ability to cause massive damage, also ends up with powerful healing and offensive powers. As with the Protagonist and Yosuke, Chie and Yukiko end up with powers that can defeat the others - Chie's Ice against Yukiko's Fire.

The Priestess Card is one of hidden knowledge, of intuition and mystical, hidden knowledge. The ability to heal (as in REALLY heal) has always been put to mystical knowledge. Fire itself could also be part of a mystical or important journey into hidden knowledge - in the Western World, the Virgins of Hestia were said to keep a sacred flame alive for centuries, protecting Rome. Though not the strongest physically, Yukiko and Konohana Sakura are a great one who protects and heals the group, as well as showing her ability to also defend or help in a fight with a great deal of power.

ELEMENT

Element: Agi (Fire)

             Weakness: Bufu (Ice)

Fire is an element that has had a huge impact on humanity and on what humans can do or where humans can survive. It's associated in the classical Greek and Roman traditions with passion and energy. One philosopher, Heraclitius, believed Fire gave rise to all other elements, Fire is often split into various types - Hindu belief splits Fire into that of actual fire, lightning, and the sun. {source: Wikipedia}

In many cases, fire is also considered both a creative and destructive force - like water, it can take any form, but unlike water or many other elements, it's not one that exists on it's own. Fire can only come about if it's created and given something to transform.{Source: The White Goddess}

Yukiko, for her work and being able to deal with school and helping out at the Inn, shows a great deal of energy and ability to work anywhere. Her facing her self results in her beginning her transformation and change, and her work at a hot springs and Inn also ties her to the element of Fire, more in the Hearth sense. The fires that associated with family and home seem to be what helps out Yukiko the most, and what she associates with the most, though her anger and how she channels it to fighting or standing up for herself as she goes from shy to bolder also begins to show. She is passionate about what she wants to do, and after the events in the castle, she begins to show that even more. The association with hot springs, another thing that connects to fire, also adds to her control over fire as her element.

Though Yukiko's element is not as strong against water, there is still that chance of coming into a harmony - once again, hot springs - and as she grows closer to the Protagonist, she begins to show more of her passion and determination, as well as her transformation from someone who is too timid to speak for what she wants to someone who is ready to learn more about herself and to use her intuition to push for what she really wants and what she believes she needs in her life. Though she is still feminine and appears delicate, she is also ready to ignite a firestorm as needed.

One more story to mention...well, also a link.

At one point on Mythbusters, they created a Sawdust Cannon, in order to see about proving something in a viral video. A family member, who worked in a sawmill once during his life, mentioned that it would work, before it did. The reason being that while sawdust and wood chips are small and, compared to bigger pieces, fragile, they have the scary ability of catching fire and spreading among all of them, really quickly. As such, when there was a fire near the sawmill, the fire department was on-call to that area nearly every day for months afterwards, because a small spark had the chance to set fire to more of the sawdust that the mill produced. With Yukiko's focus on fire and cherry blossoms, I believe you have the same idea - the small things that can, with the right spark, turn very dangerous.

Next: Social Links In Inaba (April-May)

"Abound with So Much Information" - Yukiko's Castle Analysis Finale

Returning to Yukiko's Castle, there are 8 Floors, during which you face one major Shadow before the final boss. In this case, Yukiko's Shadow continues the theme of the Locked Away Princess, as someone who needs to be rescued. Many of the Shadows at this point are harder to really analyze - some appear in many other locations or in different forms, but some are more in-tune with the Castle's theme. This is also the first dungeon in which you face a sub-boss, the Avenging Knight, who works to protect the "Princess" and test her "Princes".

Reaching the top of the Castle, the group finds Yukiko and her "Princess"/Shadow self. The Shadow calls Chie and the others her "Princes", and is quick to push for one of them to 'take her away' from the Inn and Inaba itself, feeling herself trapped but needing someone else to let her free, to 'save' her.

[I am a Shadow, the true self...]

Yukiko Amagi: The High Priestess Konohana Sakura

Met on the first day of school but not really spoken to by the Protagonist or others due to a high demand at the Inn, Yukiko is soft-spoken and is asked out by a male student from another school (more on him later). The gossip overheard is about the "Amagi Challenge", possibly on asking her out and Yukiko failing to understand or simply outright rejecting people. She is often seen with Chie, who seems to dominate the conversation or try to bring Yukiko out a bit by talking about the Inn her family runs or by praising her looks, which Yukiko isn't always comfortable with.
Yukiko starts to open up after this, and show off a side of her that before, only Chie had seen, especially when it comes to her odd sense of humor and overall ability to help and support others. She still remains shy but also begins to realize and do things she wants, over what has been expected of her. Though soft-spoken, she works her best to help out, both as support but also as a counter to Chie. Like the Protagonist and Yosuke, Chie and Yukiko are strong in their attacks against each other, but also most vulnerable. Yukiko also begins to stop trying to hold in all of her emotions, especially towards her perceived 'destiny' of running the Amagi Inn. It's her old attempt to hold in her feelings, of being 'trapped' in a situation she cannot (or will not) get out of herself that results in her attempting to get the idea of being 'saved' by a 'prince'. Her calling Chie her 'prince' means she views Chie in a status as someone who 'saves' her and that, perhaps, she feels obliged to return a 'favor' towards for that.
One noted thing about the Shadows after this is how they begin to appear after this. Yosuke and Chie's Shadows looked like themselves, save with the yellow eyes. Princess Yukiko, the Shadow, ends up dressed up and powerful enough to control at least two sub-bosses during a battle. It's also interesting to notice the motif of Yukiko's ideal and how it manifests. Her clothing and the castle itself is Western in design, very different from the traditional Eastern that Yukiko possibly views as more of her own trappings. The dress, as opposed to the kimono that Yukiko is wearing when kidnapped, is also Western in design, and though revealing in some cases (showing shoulders), it's not too revealing either. A Princess to be rescued from the place that trapped her, though, fits well into Yukiko's wish to escape her life, but her fear of how to do it without help.

TAROT ANALYSIS

The High Priestess (II), Reversed

Also called the Popess, the High Priestess, or Priestess, often holds wisdom or is in a place where wisdom, especially about the feminine side, can be found. She has and shows knowledge as well as intuition, and will often sit before the entrance to a sacred temple. The Priestess is often dressed in Pagan or Christian symbols of a high authority - the Popess has the Papal Crown, the Priestess has a curved moon or horns that often represent the Goddess or the Moon. She is often seated and waits with esoteric knowledge in the area. The card is often representing the person asking for information, a person they will meet, or a secret or mystery of the feminine, including intuition, wisdom, or even sexuality.

Reversed, the High Priestess becomes associated with an inability to hear or listen to your own intuition or power. The message is not getting across, or something is missing from the information given to you, and while others might even find you appealing, either you cannot hear them, or don't understand what they want{Source: Psychic Revelation}. In the Fool's Journey, the High Priestess represents the mysterious unconscious and unrealized potential, and paired with the Magician, represents the unconscious, inactive power while the Magician represents the more active drawing of energy {Source: Learn Tarot}.

Yukiko's inability to see herself as powerful in her own right, as well as able to do what she wants, over what is told to her, has resulted in her being uncertain of her own power and beauty. She feels the need for someone else to pull her out of the situation, and doesn't realize how powerful she can be on her own, or how much she can do to start on her own before she might need that help. 

THEME: Escape and Inner Strength

Yukiko's Shadow tends to point out the lack of strength Yukiko feels towards escaping what she believes as her 'trap' on her own, and her inability to ask for help. Yukiko's focus on her own problems and Chie's own focus on her own problems as well also tie them together. They both lack the inner strength to really move forward and understand themselves, but after the two hard lessons in who they might really be, and how important the other is to them, it's obvious the two have become closer and wish to continue growing. The two connected cards of the dungeon - the Chariot and the Priestess - show their growth and what they will both focus on. Chie's movement-driven card and one that focuses on controlling the elements within yourself, as well as being able to know when and how to move forward, compliments Yukiko's intuition-driven card. The two need to focus on who they are and how they can grow, as well as realize what they need to move forward. Instinctively, both knew that something had to change and that they needed to be the ones to do so on their own, as well as be the ones who initiated their own transformations. In Chie's case, she had to admit that she did have the darker feelings about Yukiko as a friend, and for Yukiko, she had to admit that she hated working at the Inn and having her life dictated, but also that she can't just wait for someone to swoop in and save her. Both needed to escape their darker self and realize their own power, as well as realize how they worked off each other and how they could better improve their friendship. 

Rescuing Yukiko, sadly, only gives us little to nothing to go on for finding the culprit. She doesn't know who attacked her or how she got into the Midnight Channel. However, upon returning to school after her ordeal, Yukiko shows herself willing to become part of the investigation team and to help find whoever it is that wanted to kill her.

Information about the Killer - April to May 2011

- The Killer is targeting people in Inaba
   - Up to this point, the Killer has only targeted women
   - Each female was connected to the first victim, Mayumi Yamano
     - Saki Konishi found Yamano's body after her death
     - Yukiko Amagi possibly had interactions with Yamano at the Amagi Inn
       - Yukiko's mother collapsed due to stress, possibly while dealing with Yamano
- Yukiko remembers a doorbell and someone calling to her
- Each victim appeared on TV and on the Midnight Channel shortly afterwards
   - Mayumi Yamano reported her affair with a council member and was later suspended due to the attention the story had gotten, as well as pressure from the council member's wife, a famous enki ballad singer
      - A classmate was overheard saying that his 'soulmate' was Yamano shortly before her death, meaning she appeared on the Midnight Channel
   - Saki Konishi was interviewed due to her finding the body, though her face was obscured and her voice changed, the Protagonist vaguely recognizes her after meeting her once
      - The Protagonist first sees Konishi when he watches the Midnight Channel and his ability to go into TVs, showing his ability to call on a Persona. She is confirmed by Yosuke and Chie as having been on the Channel, then again by Yosuke as on a second time before her death
    - Yukiko was interviewed after the news learns that Yamano stayed at their Inn, but the interview changed quickly from about Yamano to about Yukiko
       - The day before, Yukiko is shown in her kimono on the Midnight Channel. The next day, her Shadow begins the 'show', changing the way the Midnight Channel operates

Questions:
    - Why change the format?
    - Why focus on women?
       - Why Yamano?
    - Who else has the ability to enter the TV and do they enter with their victims?


Next Up: More on the Persona - Konohana Sakura

More on the Persona (Elements, Folklore, and Transformation) - Tomoe the Chariot

PERSONAS: The Dungeon

The second floor of the dungeon in Yukiko's Castle is an open area with room for seating. The middle is huge, and no matter how often you go through that part of the castle, you never encounter anything besides Shadows - Chie's or Yukiko's. The two advance the plot in some way, or pause it before things can move forward.

Yukiko's Castle - Floor 2

This is the second dungeon in which two people who are connected in some way end up within the same dungeon and facing their Shadows. In this case, both are girls who are unhappy with an aspect of their life, and feel the need to either 'escape' or to be 'freed' in some other way. Chie's focus is on her external looks and her envy of Yukiko, while missing Yukiko's needs. What prompts Chie's Shadow to arrive is Chie hearing Yukiko's voice, talking about how she hated her name, but how Chie's compliments end up giving her courage, or at least more confidence while wearing a certain color.
As explained in the last blog, Chie and Yukiko both are two people 'trapped' in the castle that Yukiko's repressed side created. In some ways, both want a way 'out' and are looking for the easiest way, but Chie's issue is a lack of movement, or movement in a dangerous way that can result in self-destruction. Chie's views on her feminine side, or a lack of one based on her 'prettier' friend, has lead to a great deal of envy and self-hate over that. The result is her being overly protective of Yukiko, to the point of feeling like she needs to control every aspect or have Yukiko feel bad about herself in order for Chie to feel better by acting as the "protector".
Going with the Prince theme and the theme of being 'rescued', Chie being the 'prince' with the Protagonist and Yosuke, Chie is facing down a great evil before dealing with the main antagonist/evil that is guarding and holding the 'Princess' hostage. Most of the myths dealing with a princess in a castle leaves the Prince having to overcome multiple obstacles, especially personal ones, in order to save or even regain the ultimate goal. Chie, as the 'prince', must overcome her personal demon and darkness in order to move forward and help Yukiko with hers.

The Chariot: Tomoe

The second massive Shadow you have to defeat, Chie's Persona transforms first into the massive and starts to show off more of how the repressed feelings, especially deep ones, can change the original Shadow into something showing more of issues or darker beliefs that they have. After it's defeat and Chie's acceptance, the Shadow transforms into the Persona called Tomoe.

The Persona is based off the female samurai Tomoe Gozen, a tough and beautiful warrior who is known for going into battle with an over-sized sword and is spoken about in The Tale of Heike and was said to have fought during the Genpai War (1180-1185). A woman who took multiple heads of her opponents and was proclaimed both beautiful and deadly, and who is one of the well-known female warriors in Japan. 

Shadow Chie has long, dark hair, with pale skin and a lot of yellow on it, as well as the smiling face over the pointed, full-head cover it wears (like the pin Chie wears). She wears mostly a a BDSM outfit and carries a whip, held up by struggling girls in outfits who look like Yukiko. She holds chains attached to the Yukiko's, and will use her hair and whip against anyone she turns her gaze to, especially against Yosuke (who has a strong element against her Shadow). Afterwards, while the long black hair stays, the outfit becomes more like a female version of the Bruce Lee tracksuit, with armor and a double-edged spear she uses to attack her enemies.

The Chariot, which works on movement and belief in one's self, is exemplified in Tomoe as she is often the one who attacks with a strong physical attack, and has to level up before she gains her element attack. While not the leader, she is one of the strongest members of the team, especially against many of the earlier Shadows that you face off against.

ELEMENT

Element: Bufu (Ice)

              Weakness: Agi (Fire)

Ice is often an element used to distinguish a variety of water elements in fiction. Ice is a transformation of water, created in extreme temperatures (as opposed to steam, created at the other extreme). Water is considered a powerful element in many cultures, and often it is in or near water that something is created or destroyed. Perhaps the most famous quote about water that works for Chie and that exemplifies her and her card is one by Bruce Lee:

         [Don't get set in one form, adapt it and build your own, let it grow, be like water. Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water. Now you put water in a cup, it becomes the cup; you put water in a bottle it becomes the bottle; you put water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.] {Source: Wikiquote}

Chie has to build herself up and adapt to the situations she's in. The Chariot is about movement and continuing forward with confidence. To move and be 'like water', Chie has to change and adapt to her new role and to her new opinion about herself. Through this and with the Protagonist's help, she begins to see that she does have a feminine side and admirers in her own right. She becomes who she needs to be, and adapts to what she needs to be.

Ice, though frozen, can sometimes have water flowing underneath. Huge pieces of ice, such as glaciers, often are much larger underneath the surface and are used to show the difference between what people see versus who you really are. Ice can, if thick enough, be safe to cross and create new landscapes, but if weak in any point, it can become extremely dangerous. Not only that, but depending on how well you're able to deal with such a cold element, you can create beautiful things like ice sculptures, castles, or even huge icicles that capture the light amazingly. But because of the way it's formed - with such cold - ice is also a dangerous element as well, just as water can be. 

Chie shows herself to be more than simply a girl who enjoys fighting movies and who practices what she sees on the shows. She proves to have feminine qualities, but also manages to show herself as more than just the tomboy she attempts to be, and shows all that she can be and how good she is.

Next Time: Yukiko's Castle - Finale

"So Much Information" - Yukiko's Castle Analysis Part 1

I have broken up Yukiko's Castle dungeon into parts due to it being the first 'long' dungeon encountered in the game. Unlike the Twisted Shopping District, with only one room and minimal monsters, Yukiko's Castle serves more as a place for the player to learn how to best utilize their abilities and partners, though they are stopped short on the first trip through due to the events that first happen for the castle.

After Yukiko's 'show' begins, Chie demands coming with the group, and introduces them to a place to buy weapons and armor, as well as the Shopping District. This gives the Protagonist access to places to buy food and items to recharge their points (SP and HP) as well as access to the Velvet Room, the mysterious place where Igor and Margaret reside and where they can register Personas or even fuse them into stronger or newer Personas.

Welcome to the Velvet Room

Identified in the first few parts as the location of Igor and Margaret, who tell fortunes and look at the tarot cards, the two doors to the Velvet Room (in the Shopping District and the entrance to the TV World) allow the Protagonist to enter and do one of two things - Register or Buy Persona from the Compendium held by Margaret, or ask Igor to Fuse Persona in his possession together to create stronger or different Persona. If the Protagonist has a S.Link in the given Persona's Tarot, they gain special powers, often leveling up and gaining more power as a result. This is why S.Links are so important and why they become so important as the game progresses, to where even having a small link will allow for more power or a stronger Persona. At this point in the game, Two and Three-Card spreads are allowed to create Fusion Personas, with Three-Card spreads often resulting in more-powerful creations, depending on the level of the Persona. Also note that the level of the Protagonist determines the level allowed for fusing and creating new Personas.

Yukiko's Castle - Entrance to Floor 2

The entrance and appearance to Yukiko's Castle is that of a traditional Western Castle, with the group walking up to where a large gate is open to the swirling doorway inside. Outside, rearing horses appear as statues lining the entrance. Horses rearing in such a way tend to mean fright, aggression, excitement, disobedience, or even in pain {Source: Wikipedia}. Stallions rearing are often signs of a fight (stallions are also considered 'studs'). Horses are also viewed as 'free spirits', so it's possible that the statues out front show some of Yukiko's concern over her inability to break 'free', and her wish to do so no matter what the cost (note that rearing can cause harm to the animal and the rider in some cases). The horses might also indicate Chie's Shadow Self having a hand in the creation - Chie is a 'free spirit' also reigned in, but she is more prone to 'rearing' and attacking others, especially to protect Yukiko. 

Because of Yukiko's disappearance, Chie has joined and rushes into the castle, hoping to find Yukiko and save her despite the warning from both the Protagonist and Yosuke. Thus, the first objective while searching Yukiko's castle is to find Chie and save her from whatever is in the castle, as she does not have the glasses to see clearly, nor a Persona to fight off Shadows with. The lack of a Persona also means she's just as likely to run into her Shadow Self and be attacked.

The first floor is littered mostly with the Shadows from before, a few other ones as well, but overall the rush to ensure Chie's safety is what comes first. For whatever reason, Yukiko's Shadow Self does not appear in this first encounter outside of appearing on the TV to announce her goal of finding a Prince. It could be that Yukiko's Shadow wishes to test Chie, or that Chie's repressed self has scared off Yukiko's. It's only after Chie reappears with her Persona that Yukiko considers Chie one of her 'Princes'.

[I am a Shadow, the true self...]

Chie Satonaka: The Chariot Tomoe

Another classmate encountered in the first day, Chie Satonaka is a tomboy who enjoys fighting films and who often hangs out with Yukiko. Chie has lived in Inaba her whole life, though she doesn't always know all of the people there as well as Yukiko. The two have been friends for a very long time, and Chie shows a great deal of concern for Yukiko, especially when she starts working more and more at the Inn, as well as when she's kidnapped. Chie's fear for her is what drives her into the castle ahead of everyone, ignoring Yosuke and the Protagonist's calls for her to wait for them.

Chie is often upbeat and optimistic, and though she is a tomboy in general and will use incidents with the boys (Yosuke in particular) to get steak lunches out of him, or even demand discounts, she is still feminine in her own ways. She and Yosuke often play off each other as comic relief of the group, with Chie being more like a male version of him in some cases. She is often approached by boys who want to ask her about Yukiko, which has lead to a lot of her insecurities. It's on this, and Yukiko's seeming dependence of her, that her Shadow preys on, pointing out Chie's own insecurities and her need for Yukiko to need her. Chie does need friends - she very obviously enjoys her time with all the others, and accepts everyone pretty quickly when the group begins to grow. Though she is quick to attack, especially when her friends are in danger, or suggest violence against the perpetrator of the crimes, Chie also will sometimes pull back from attacking others she knows, or will defend them no matter what the circumstance. She, like Yosuke, is a huge asset to you during the game, and while others can fill her role as a very heavy fighter (especially later on), she still does her best to help out and works with the group to learn more about herself and to be happy with both her feminine and masculine side.

Chie's Shadow self appearing as Chie works to free Yukiko means that this is the second dungeon where the trials are meant for at least two people, though this time there is a chance you can save both instead of arriving too late for one. Despite this, the Shadow isn't going to pull any punches either - she's quick to point out Chie's need for Yukiko and her dislike of herself compared to Yukiko's own beauty and femininity quickly come out, and the presence of others only makes Chie more agitated by what the Shadow is saying, as well as more willing to not accept the Shadow as what is really inside of her and what she really feels about Yukiko. Like Yosuke's need for people to pay attention to him and stay with him, no matter what, Chie's need for friends that need her as well manifests in a dangerous way.

TAROT ANALYSIS

The Chariot (VII), Reversed

The Chariot in general means movement, a control over said movement, self-assertion, and going into victory or war. The card itself shows a man or person of high rank in a chariot or similar vehicle, holding the reigns of two animals or mythical figures, one black and one white. The ability to control those animals while drawing a chariot is a very dangerous thing, and the results means years of experience and dedication, as well as being able to have animals that are just as well-trained and controlled. In some cases, the Chariot can also represent other modes of travel, like a car or similar.

Thus, the Chariot reversed is someone who has lost control, who has low self-esteem, and who lashes out or abuses those around them. If we continue with the car reference, the Chariot upright is a car that has someone who knows what they're doing, who is able to do whatever they need the car to do. The Chariot Reversed is an upside-down car, one that's crashed, and all the issues that comes with it. In the Fool's Journey, the Chariot is the Fool, having grown up and managed to gain control and an assertiveness over his powers and his abilities, gaining control of his environment.

Chie has to gain control of herself, of her darker self and of her unwanted emotions, in order to move forward and change, to regain that assertiveness and to have it be genuine instead of fake. 

THEME: Friendships and Loyalty

Chie's push to find Yukiko is due to how close they are as friends, as well as how much Yukiko means to Chie and vice-versa. Even if it was Chie in the Shadow World instead of Yukiko, I don't doubt that Yukiko would go through everything to save her as well and make sure she was alright. Their loyalty to each other is a major theme in the Castle dungeon - from Chie's attempts to save Yukiko that ends in her facing her own Shadow, to Chie helping Yukiko after they face off against Yukiko's Shadow. Chie even being called one of Yukiko's 'Princes' shows Yukiko's belief that Chie could act in the role the Prince was assigned, taking her away from Inaba and her ties to the Amagi Inn. While Yosuke and the Protagonist hold some connection due to the S.Link they created, as well as their shared 'newness' to the Inaba area, Chie and Yukiko have known each other for far longer, and know each other well enough to understand the dangers that come with such a close friendship. As Shadow Chie showed, sometimes even close friendship and such deep loyalty can be toxic, However, it also gives Chie something to work on as she realizes that she cannot always act as she had, and that she must find herself, as well as be a better friend to Yukiko, if she is to move forward. By doing this, and by admitting to the guys as well that this is something that is within her, Chie not only gains more friends outside of Yukiko, but shows her ability to grow and become a better person.

Next time: More on the Persona - Tomoe

"A Maze of Relationships" - Social Links and Changing Midnight Channel

After facing Yosuke's Shadow and gaining a Social Link, the two are determined to figure out the reason for the murders and what is going on. This creates a new scene as the Protagonist agrees to aid in figuring out the murders.

CLOSER TO THE TRUTH

Before the next big boss is faced, the Protagonist forms his first Social Link, a bond between people that allows him to slowly get them to open up and, if they are part of the team, to give them a special ability as more of the bond is unlocked. The more information the Protagonist has about the person, the closer they are and the stronger the bond.

This is important for the Protagonist and his power, as well as for the game in general. Each bond is treated to the "Thou art I" part, but added with it is not only the name of the card, but also that the bond will bring you 'closer to the truth'.

In some cases, such as with bonds between those who create Personas like Yosuke, the 'truth' is two things - their truth (i.e. why they have such a powerful suppressed self and what their 'true' self is) as well as the truth of the murders and who is throwing people into the TV World. Other bonds allow for one to learn more of the 'truth' behind a specific person, normally allowing for more of the Protagonist's abilities to be trained, but also allowing for some time away from the murder and instead to invest in the community and to help whoever the Protagonist is able to help. Social Links (S.Links) are often created either by saving the person and them later joining the group to solve the crime, or by meeting them or talking with them in everyday life. Some S.Links require a high enough Social Qualities to start or move forward. 

Social Qualities

There are five main Social Qualities that you can advance in order to help with tests, get a part-time job, or even to start or advance certain S.Links. Each of the five are tied with choices you make or what you do in your spare time. In the first play through of the game, they all start at the bare basics, but the second play through should allow you to bring over all the qualities that you once had (as this is my first playthrough, I started with the basics...this is a long game and I have put it aside for other games before, sadly). 

The Five Qualities are:

- Understanding - 

     This will allow you to show your awareness of others around you. It allows you to empathize towards others and their pain. Higher Understanding allows for more solidarity with others.

- Knowledge - 

     This comes mostly from classes and studying, so this particular set applies mostly to book-knowledge and the ability to understand said knowledge. Higher Knowledge means you will get rewarded for test scores. 

- Courage - 

      Courage comes from being able to either be upfront with someone about something, call someone out, or otherwise show your ability to stand your ground, no matter what. In the game, you can often gain Courage by eating some of the food you find in the fridge that is...questionable. (In many cases very questionable)

- Expression -

      Like Understanding, Expression has to do with empathy, but this focuses more on being able to show your empathy over empathizing with them. Higher Expression allows you to speak with people who might otherwise be closed off.

- Diligence - 

      Diligence deals mostly with being able to keep dates or follow through with something that you might not always want to do. Higher Diligence allows you to do certain things more often.

The Continued Mystery

Not long after going into the world and encountering Shadows and Personas for the first time, someone new appears on the Midnight Channel. Chie is very sure that person is Yukiko Amagi, who had appeared that night in an interview about the whereabouts of Yamano before her death. However, despite appearing on the TV, Yukiko is fine and simply had to work at the family-run Amagi Inn. That night, the Midnight Channel comes in clear, but it's not quite Yukiko who we see on the TV...

Revised Analysis 1: The Midnight Channel

During the last few days, Yukiko appeared on the television in some way three times - the main broadcast in which she is asked rather inappropriate questions by an interviewer about being so young and pretty in her kimono (he was there to interview her about Yamano's time there and instead went into talking about Yukiko's look and her youth), with her back turned and wearing the kimono but appearing to look 'out' at something in the Midnight Channel, and finally, in her 'princess' dress, in what Yosuke describes as like 'bad television', entering a castle to find herself a Prince (or 'score a hot stud', depending on the translation) in the new Midnight Channel.

In the beginning of the story, the Protagonist passes by a television playing the news about Yamano's affair and her being let go of at the station. When we see her being attacked, there's a hint of it being like turning to a tv that isn't quite in focus, with static sounding and the picture grainy, enough to see that it's possibly Yamano, but not enough to see any other details. When seeing Saki Konishi on the TV, the picture is far more grainy and out of focus, but it shows her enough to know she's in pain. The Protagonist learns from Yosuke, the day Saki's body is found, that she appeared again on the Midnight Channel, appearing to be in agony.

This seems to be an escalation of what is going on, or it could simply be the Midnight Channel warping, now that there is a chance of 'saving' those within it. Yukiko's disappearance after appearing on the Channel may hint at the first part being a 'teaser' for who is to come, with the next part being the 'show' itself. With Yamano and Saki Konishi, we didn't see any 'shows', but rather them being hurt or put into the TV, and we see the results of the 'dungeon' they were put in later on. With Yukiko, you get an idea of what her repressed self is feeling, and there seems to be a hint that this a deeper and possibly darker 'repressed' self than the others, or that her placement within the TV has allowed for the Shadows to more easily move around her than with the others. The time between a dense fog and Yukiko disappearing into the TV World seems to indicate that the Shadows are not as angry or easily riled up, as they were with Saki and Yamano's appearance in the TV. It would also explain the changed format, allowing for a look into the psyche and what the group will be facing over no hints at all of what happens and instead only showing them being attacked.
If this is the case, then the ones on TV who are focused on by the media have a high chance of being next on the Midnight Channel. As Chie mentions before Saki Konishi's death, the reason for her being on the Channel might be that the media was showing her interview so often, so people had 'Saki on the brain'. That seems to result in showing who appears next as the 'preview', and then the one who appears on the Midnight Channel 'program' that their Shadow uses to hint at the issues set deep within the person's mind, and which created them in the first place.

Next up: Analysis of Yukiko's Castle Part 1