Ann Takamaki

Ann Takamaki (Anne Takamaki in the Japanese version) is a playable character from Persona 5. She is a student at Shujin Academy who lives a double life as a Phantom Thief.

Appearances

 * Persona 5: Playable Character; Lovers Confidant
 * Persona 5 (Manga): Major Character
 * Persona 5 The Animation The Day Breakers: Major Character

Design
Ann has bright blue eyes and ash blonde wavy hair styled in bushy pigtails, with parted side bangs on the right side of her face. She accessorizes with a single yellow hair clip above her left ear, as well as small circular earrings on both ears. It is implied she is of mixed ethnicity; her surname is Japanese, she mentions she used to live in Finland possibly implying she is of Finnish descent, and her profile mentions she is 1/4 American. She is slightly taller than the girls in Japan.

Her winter school uniform is modified to fit her taste; the standard black blazer over a white varsity-like hoodie worn long to cover most of her short plaid skirt. Her hoodie has a zipper, a red stripe between two blue stripes at the bottom, and S symbol near the front bottom on one side, and a green four-leaf-clover symbol on the back of the hood. She wears red tights and brown boots with yellow laces.

Her summer school uniform is a white shirt with a blue jacket wrapped on her waist and the skirt is more visible. She has black socks with white lining and dark brown shoes. Her hairpin is now red instead of yellow and she wears a silver necklace.

Her summer casual clothes consists of a black tank top with "U2O" on it over a white shirt, with red sunglasses hanging from the middle of her chest. She wears blue denim short shorts with a red plaid shirt wrapped around her waist, black cropped socks, and red sneakers.

Her winter casual clothes consists of a lavender blue button shirt covered with a red and white jersey jacket with an S symbol near the front bottom on one side. She has a white skirt, black leggings, and red converse shoes. She wears big red round earrings.

Her thief outfit consists of a skin tight red latex catsuit worn with a matching red panther mask, cleavage cutout, zippers, pink gloves, dark red thigh-high boots, and has a clipped on tail in the back.

Personality
Restrained in her daily life, Ann feels she has lost her place in the world. Although she is respectful and polite towards her peers and elders, Ann is a bit more withdrawn and isolated from the rest of the kids at school due to becoming the subject of rumors regarding her and Suguru Kamoshida - students have called her "Kamoshida's bitch." She feels nearly everyone, except Kamoshida and Shiho Suzui, pretends and acts like she is invisible, giving her the silent treatment. In the beginning of the game, Ann is an unpopular student with very few friends. The only one she opens up to is her only best friend, Shiho. She cares so much for her only friend that she is willing to do what Kamoshida told her to for Shiho's sake. Thus, she shows how headstrong and fierce she can be if someone hurt her friends.

Ann has no shyness or social anxiety around strangers, though she's not really aware of it. Ann is open and forward with her opinions and emotions and speaks her mind. Ann also uses profanity such as "piece of shit," "bullshit," "hell," "son of a bitch," "dumbass," "bastard," "goddamn," etc. She has a habit of playing with the ends of her pigtails when she's thinking about something.

After becoming a Phantom Thief, she becomes more lively and energetic with a stronger will to never be used or abused again like a subservient slave. She has also been described by her voice actress as "snarky" and "confident," but deep down, is good when others get to know her and has a sense of justice, wanting to do what she feels is right. She's fairly forgiving, as she apologizes to Makoto Niijima for her harsh comments and spares Kamoshida's life. She has a good with rapport with everyone in the group, in particular Ryuji Sakamoto, who she frequently teases in a friendly manner and vice versa. As a Phantom Thief, Ann is driven by her desire to help and give courage to people who are helpless, like with Shiho.

In the beginning of the game, Ann has a modeling side-job as a hobby, although she doesn't want to make a living out of it just yet as she is unsure how serious she wants to take it. On a side-note, her acting skills are terrible, yet somehow fool people often. Despite this and being generally confident about her body and physical appearance, Ann becomes flustered and embarrassed when she is forced into a situation that exposes her skin without her prior consent or desire. She has a tendency to mock or prank people who are ogling her like Ryuji. She is also disgusted with the idea of being used as a nude model for Yusuke Kitagawa. She is embarrassed of her Phantom Thief outfit at first. She thinks the tail is the only fine part of it. She comments that she could never wear out in public. Morgana claims her outfit was manifested from her sense of rebellion, likely referring to Ann being in control of her own sexuality, hence the dominatrix vibe as a way to rebel against Kamoshida's advances, showing she is now in charge of her sexuality. She eventually learns to accept and even embrace it, rather than thinking it should be something hidden or to be ashamed of. This change in Ann's body image is shown by her violently lashing out at Ryuji for staring at her, then later laughing it off during the Hawaii beach scene, even reciprocating at Ryuji a bit. The outfit is also likely inspired by an anime Ann watched, in which she admired a "sexy" villain who was strong and confident.

Ann can't stand it when people superficially value her for her body and nothing else, as if she is a thin-shelled hollow doll with nothing on the inside or no other redeeming qualities. Ann also extends this to other women, and becomes annoyed when Ryuji seems to value looks over personality. This is why Ann is wary of the protagonist and dismissive in the beginning, thinking of him as just another lustful stalker. However, once she realizes that he does not view her as an object and that he is unlike the rest of the guys in her life, she is able to open up to him. Ann's Confidant involves her dealing with feeling objectified, as well as her modeling side job. In her Confidant, she initially claims that modeling is just a hobby for her, but eventually resolves to take it seriously after being inspired by Mika's underhanded but hardworking tactics.

Apart from modeling, Ann plays video games. The artbook says she has portable game consoles besides a smartphone. She enjoys TV dramas and mentions she used to watch one anime as a child. She has a sweet tooth for food such as cake and has a weakness for crepe special menus like "extra extra cream." She dislikes carbonated drinks.

Persona 5
Ann is a second year high schooler at Shujin Academy, which she calls a "sorry excuse of a school." Ann is the classmate of the protagonist in 2-D and she and Ryuji Sakamoto were classmates in middle school. Due to her foreign blood and living abroad before the story she does not have many friends at school. According to the art book, her parents are away from home and she lives with "servants." Ann mentions she had a live-in caretaker, so these "servants" are likely caretakers. It is revealed both her parents are fashion designers who put on extravagant shows and they jump from country to country, so Ann does not see them that often. Ann also used to live in Finland.

Her only friend is Shiho Suzui. Ann met Shiho when Shiho told Ann that Ann's painting sucks during art class. Ann is being targeted by the volleyball coach Suguru Kamoshida, as she reluctantly makes appearances with him (in order to protect her friend) as vicious rumors spread around the school that she is sleeping with him.



The protagonist first meets Ann when both were waiting until the rain stopped. She is then picked up by Kamoshida, and reluctantly goes with him. The protagonist and Ryuji then talk to her to ask about Kamoshida in attempt to expose his wrongdoings, but like other students, Ann is reluctant to talk out of fear that Kamoshida will kick Shiho out from being a regular in the volleyball team and also after hearing bad rumors about the protagonist.

She later meets the protagonist again by coincidence, the protagonist overhears her talking with Kamoshida on the phone, Ann claims that she's not feeling well so she can't meet up with him, which angered Kamoshida. After much persuasion, Ann finally reveals to the protagonist how Kamoshida is trying to force himself on her as she finally expresses her frustration and disgust towards the teacher, refusing to do as he says. Feeling better, Ann's view of the protagonist changes as she realized how horrible rumors are when in reality it's not true, being the subject of them herself.



The next day, Shiho attempts suicide by jumping off the school roof but fails when she survives the fall. Upon learning of it, Ann is shocked and saddened. Before she passed out, Shiho reveals Kamoshida has something to do with it. After an injured and comatose Shiho is hospitalized, Ann vows to seek the answers behind the reasons and get revenge for her friend. Overhearing that the protagonist and Ryuji wants to expose Kamoshida's crime, Ann asks to join them, but Ryuji harshly tells her not to get involved.

Not giving up, she secretly follows the protagonist, Ryuji, and Morgana who are going to the Palace. As a result, she accidentally enters Kamoshida's Palace. To keep Ann from danger, Ryuji sends her back to the real world. Unfortunately, the navigation app appears on her cellphone and since she overheard Ryuji saying the requirements to enter the palace she ends up returning soon after he sent her away. Kamoshida's knights find her, calling her "the princess" and keeping her in captivity inside the castle.



Later, the protagonist and Ryuji find her on a torture device surrounded by Kamoshida adorned by a scantily clad projection of a false Ann, and his knights. The real Ann is almost thrown into despair when Kamoshida tells her that not only did he sexually assault Shiho, but that Ann is to blame for repeatedly rejecting his advances, "forcing" him to take out his frustrations on her only friend. With the help of the protagonist and Ryuji's motivating words, she finds the inner strength and determination to avenge her friend and all other victims, and utterly destroy Kamoshida for his heinous crimes. In doing so, she breaks free from the device and awakens to her Persona, Carmen. Since then, she joins the protagonist, Ryuji, and Morgana to expose Kamoshida.

As part of the Phantom Thieves, Ann manages to "steal" the arrogance in Kamoshida's heart. After defeat, Kamoshida asks Ann to kill him but Ann refuses to, since if he died, he would be unable to confess his crimes. In reality, Kamoshida tearfully condemns his own self and confesses to his crimes, being subsequently arrested and charged shortly thereafter, much to Ann's satisfaction and relief. Following his confession, her classmate Yuuki Mishima apologizes for not saying anything despite knowing what happened. Two girls who spread rumors about Ann also apologize to her for their actions.



Ann is relieved to see Shiho recovering in the hospital and decides to stay a Phantom Thief so that she can save others from cruel fates that she and Shiho once suffered. While thinking of their next target, she is approached by Yusuke Kitagawa, an art student whom she initially thought to be a stalker until he clears the misunderstanding, telling her he wants her to be his next model for his art. After receiving request to steal Yusuke's teacher, Ichiryusai Madarame's heart for plagiarizing his students' artworks, Ann uses this opportunity to find out more about Madarame so they can enter his Palace and reveals to Yusuke that Madarame is not an honorable man he seems to be. She manages to do so by entering Madarame's studio where Madarame makes and keeps copies of "Sayuri" paintings to gain money, exposing him as a fraud. Before Madarame can call the police, Ann escapes with Yusuke and Morgana, accidentally taking the former with her into Madarame's Palace.

After their success stealing Madarame's corrupt heart, Ann and her friends are approached by Makoto Niijima, the school's student council president. Having heard rumors that Makoto knows Kamoshida's true nature but, like everyone else, opts to stay out since she doesn't truly care about the students at the school, Ann begins to deeply resent her because of this and is openly hostile towards her. Makoto then blackmails the Phantom Thieves to change the heart of mafia scam and blackmail artist Junya Kaneshiro, demanding them to prove their justice, or else she will reveal their identities as the Phantom Thieves to the police. After several days pass by Makoto asks how the group is doing with her assignment. Since they were having no luck entering the palace, a frustrated Ann states that Makoto is useless which prompts Makoto to act impulsively in an attempt to expose Kaneshiro. This results in a series of events that leads to Makoto's Persona awakening.

Ann later has a heart-to-heart talk with Makoto where she learns Makoto not only was deeply concerned about Kamoshida's actions and wanted to take action, she lacked the means to do so and thus felt very saddened and powerless all the while. The girls exchange apologies and also start to call each other by their first names, becoming friends in the process.

If the protagonist and Ryuji fail to complete Kamoshida's Palace in time, it is never explained what happens afterwards but the protagonist, Mishima and Ryuji are expelled and due to any form of misdemeanor would violate his probation he was taken into custody and Ann's fate unknown. The scenario is a false recollection during the protagonist's interrogation due to the drugs he was administered by the police. Sae Niijima leaves the interrogation room to give the protagonist time to recover, at which point Goro Akechi takes the opportunity to assassinate him.

Confidant
Maxing this Confidant makes Carmen evolve into Hecate and unlocks the fusion of Ishtar.

Ann's Confidant revolves around coming to terms with the aftermath of Shiho's incident with Kamoshida as Ann resolves to improve her personal character for Shiho's sake. Ann makes the decision to go into acting only to find herself constantly upstaged by Mika as Ann thinks of ways to improve herself. Throughout the confidant she would discuss her relationship with Shiho and how it changed her as a person and gives the protagonist details about her recovery. Near the end of her confidant she learns that Shiho plans on transferring to another school as they go to the spot where she made her suicide attempt as they promised to remain friends. At the end of the Confidant Ann finally has the courage to call out Mika and embrace her inner self as someone who is truly brave like the heroines she admired.

Ann's farewell gift after maxing her Confidant is the Fashion Magazine, allowing Ann the ability to use Crocodile Tears and Sexy Technique from the start in New Game+. If the player pursues a romantic relationship with Ann, she will gift the protagonist Earmuffs on Christmas, allowing the player to earn more points when using a Lovers Persona during their Confidant in NG+, and Ann's Chocolate on Valentines Day, which fully restores SP to one ally when consumed.

Persona 5 The Animation The Day Breakers


Ann is first seen at the subway with the protagonist, Ryuji and Yusuke. They transform into their Phantom Thief outfits and enter the Mementos.

After discussing with the group, Ann and Ryuji talk loudly at a restaurant and lure one of the members of the criminal gang to Cafe Leblanc.

Later, she engages battle with Kazuya Makigami directly and changes his heart.

Battle Quotes
Quotes video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luv01tK_dz0
 * "I won't hold back!" (Using Submachine Gun)
 * "Persona!" (Summoning Persona)
 * "Get Ready!" (Summoning Persona)
 * "Let's do this!" (Summoning Persona)
 * "Go!" (Attacking with Skill)
 * "Dance! Carmen!" (Carmen casting skill)
 * "This one!" (Casting skill)
 * "That hurt!" (Taking damage)
 * "Oh my God!" (Getting knocked down)
 * "I'm in trouble..." (Ann's HP is below 25% during her turn)
 * "Thanks!" (Ann's HP is recovered by someone's skill or item)
 * "Oh, that's a big help!" (Ann's HP is recovered by someone's skill or item)
 * "Thank you!" (Ann's HP is recovered by someone's skill or item)
 * "Come on, keep up!" (Using Harisen Recovery)
 * "Oh, move!" (Shielding protagonist)
 * "Okay!" (Receiving Baton Pass)
 * "Go get them!" (Passing Baton Pass)
 * "Don't move!" (Hold Up enemies)
 * "This is the chance!" (Initiating All-out Attack)
 * "Let's get serious!" (Initiating All-out Attack)
 * "Let's finish this!" (Initiating All-out Attack)
 * "Do it with style!" (Initiating All-out Attack)
 * "A beautiful rose has thorns!" (All-out Attack finishing touch)
 * "Aren't we the best?" (All-out Attack finishing touch)
 * "How's that? Hehehe..." (All-out Attack finishing touch)
 * "Alright, I'll do my best." (Tactics changed to Act Freely)
 * "I'm letting loose!" (Tactics changed to Full Assault)
 * "Saving power, huh?" (Tactics changed to Conserve SP)
 * "So, stay out of danger!" (Tactics changed to Heal/Support)
 * "Okay, what do I do?" (Tactics changed to Direct Command)
 * "Feels great, huh?" (Battle results)
 * "Ohhhh, you want more?" (Enemy survives her attack)

Trivia

 * Both "Ann" and "Anne" could be considered correct names for her. The English localization uses Ann, while promotional material for the Japanese version uses Anne. This is similar to Aigis who is known as Aegis in the Japanese version. It's not that one is correct while the other is not - it is simply an artistic localization choice.
 * Apparently, the reason why Ann wears red tights is because she doesn't care about standing out, and, at this point, couldn't care less about what society/humanity thinks of her. This also explains her unique "uniform," and how Ann has given up trying to appease to Japanese society.
 * Ann is similar to Lisa Silverman from Persona 2. Both are blonde-haired blue-eyed girls who were born in Japan, face discrimination because of their appearance, and represent the Lovers Arcana. While Lisa participated in compensated dating with older men, Ann becomes a sexual target of Suguru Kamoshida.
 * Her battle outfit also bears a striking resemblance to the DC Comics antiheroine Catwoman, who is also clad in a leather suit with cat mask and wields whips.
 * In the Japanese official site, Panther is given the mocking title of "Phantom Thieves' Method Acting(?) Actress" . Possibly refers to her stiff acting skills when she is tasked with deceiving or negotiating with the gang's target.
 * Ann's Zodiac sign, Scorpio, which is noted for being a sign representing mysteriousness, may align with the fact that Carmen, her Initial Persona, was a gypsy woman who used her charm to win over the hearts of unsuspecting men and then twist them to her will, and her Ultimate Persona, Hecate, was the goddess of magic and witchcraft in Greek mythology.
 * After Marie's romance in Persona 4 Golden, Ann's romance is the second/third romance within the Persona 3-5 series to include a definite kissing scene with the protagonist, the other being Margaret.