Shadow Yukiko

Shadow Yukiko is one of the bosses in Persona 4. It represents Yukiko feeling trapped by taking the form of a caged bird. She summons an ally, Charming Prince, shortly after the battle begins.

Profile
The team formed by the Protagonist, Chie Satonaka, Teddie, and Yosuke Hanamura entered Yukiko's Castle in the Midnight Channel; while they had already previously encountered Yukiko's Shadow, Chie's exhaustion, coupled with the awakening of her Persona and how Teddie told them there was little risk to Yukiko until the fog lifted in the Channel, made them choose to retreat and return in full force later.

When they returned, they found the awakening Yukiko in the Castle, just as she was being confronted with her Shadow - a flamboyant "princess" searching for her "Prince" - someone to whisk her away from Inaba and leave the life that had been drawn for her since birth. Particularly, she acknowledges her dependency on Chie, calling her "a strong prince" - until the realization she could not help her leave Inaba. She also exaggerates her own helplessness, making fun of not being able to do anything about her lot in life.

Symbolism
Shadow Yukiko represents the reverse of both Yukiko herself as well as the Priestess Arcana. The reversed Priestess symbolizes one who is unable to make decisions, as well as a conflict of intellect and instinct. Shadow Yukiko represents Yukiko's inability to decide her own fate, wishing only for someone to take her away so she can escape her dilemma. Her instinct and intellect conflict as, while she wants to be "rescued", she retreats from the party upon their first and second encounters, hiding in the same place as the true Yukiko.

The huge wingspan of the Shadow and the tiny cage she's imprisoned in reflect how she views Inaba, chaining her to a past she's not even sure she wants to continue. Charming Prince is her idea of someone, anyone, who can help her fulfil her wish, whatever the cost. The Shadow also exaggerates her sexuality, as the program she starred in the Channel and her "human" version shows.

Battle Quotes

 * I am a shadow... The true self... Now, my Prince... Why don't we dance and make merry together? *chuckle* (Battle Opening)
 * Oh really...? Then I'll make sure to give you plenty to deal with!
 * Hmhmhmhm (Attacking)
 * You're in my way! (Attacking)
 * (screech) (Attacking)
 * (chuckle) We're not done yet. Show me this strength of yours! Come, my Prince... Heeheehee... (Summoning Charming Prince)
 * My Prince! My prince! (Defeat Charming Prince)
 * Why won't he come!? (Failing to summon Charming Prince)
 * Be gone! (Using Shivering Rondo)
 * What? Are you trying to make me mad? That's not how it's supposed to work... You have to escort me! (Weakening)
 * Hmph, looks like I had the wrong idea... You're no Princes... Die, you worthless commoners! (Weakening)
 * NO! (Upon defeat)

Trivia

 * Shadow Yukiko has been known to give players their first difficult time while playing Persona 4.