|| NSFW-focused portrayal of Persona 5's protagonist. ||
The protagonistΒ ofΒ Persona 5, canonically namedΒ Ren Amamiya (which appeared in several spin-off media before becoming his default name in the 2022 re-release ofΒ Persona 5 Royal), is a second-year transfer student atΒ Shujin Academy, being placed there to continue his academics due to his ongoing probation resulting from being falsely framed for assault.
At the beginning of the game, he has sacrificed himself for the sake of protecting another person, having lost all power or influence in the world as a consequence. However, beneath his quiet demeanor is a strong-willedΒ Wild CardΒ leading the Phantom Thieves and capable of exploiting theΒ MetaverseΒ to affect reality. To his teammates, his code name is Joker, and to the residents of theΒ Velvet RoomΒ he is known as the Trickster. The protagonist is the leader of the rebelliousΒ Phantom Thieves of Hearts, a group which aims to change society by touching the hearts of people and performing illegal heists.
As per tradition of the Megami Tensei franchise, he is a silent protagonist, whose personality is based on the player's actions and decisions. However, he appears to have more established traits than any of the previous protagonists. His dialogue options range from somewhat indifferent to outright cheeky. The game allows for quite a number of playful, snarky or audacious answers, including teasing his friends. He also taunts his enemies like the famed Arsène Lupin. In the prologue scene, he remains cocky and confident even when his life is in danger. He also has a flair for showing off and making dramatic decisions, such as exiting by jumping through the stained glass windows of the Casino, much to the amazement (and mild annoyance) of the other Phantom Thieves. This is even reflected in gameplay, as when he is turned into a mouse, he makes a flamboyant hop after escaping a battle.
The protagonist's primary means of characterization comes from remarks and comments from the Confidants he's spent time with:Β Munehisa IwaiΒ says if everyone in the world held the same code of honor as the protagonist, guns would be obsolete.Β Sadayo KawakamiΒ notes that, by opposingΒ Suguru Kamoshida, he has a strong sense of justice despite his bad reputation.Β Shinya OdaΒ states that he made him realize "To be cool, you have to live life in your own way." and that's the type of person he's striving to become.Β Hifumi TogoΒ notes, while playing shogi with him, that she senses he has a "gambler's spirit."Β Sojiro SakuraΒ says the protagonist has an assertive nature, to which the rest of the thieves agree. During the climax of the Niijima Palace heist,Β Ryuji SakamotoΒ states that despite being quiet, once he has made up his mind, he won't take no for an answer.Β Goro AkechiΒ says although the protagonist is quiet, he possesses the courage and determination to take action, has a free heart despite his social standing and how others view him, is not bound by his past selves and human relations, and that he never stops choosing his own path.
His profile states that he appears quiet and well-mannered, but this behavior is a profound ruse that hides the heart of a rebellious trickster. He is extremely resistant to rigid and dogmatic forms of control-based authority and order. He has received much criticism, insults, opposition and even death threats for his rebellious nature, whether it be his targets, school staff, disapproving comments left on theΒ Phantom Aficionado Website, etc.Β Suguru KamoshidaΒ calls him a "defiant piece of garbage." However, despite all this, the Phantom Thieves have also received a good deal of support.
As noted by Ann, Yusuke and Hifumi, the protagonist has immense kindness as he would do what he can to help people such as his Confidants. Unlike previous Persona protagonists, the catalyst for his Persona awakening is specified in words (his desire to help people in need). Arsène notes this, and provokes him to think about whether the resolve the protagonist showed in the past was valid or not. This, in turn, proves instrumental to his awakening, as it is the basis for his rebellious will, allowing him to form a contract with Arsène and summon him.
