Arsène

Arsène
Japanese Name	アルセーヌ
Romaji	Aruseinu
Also known as	Pillager of Twilight (P5) The Great Thief* (P5T)
Origin	Modern Fiction
First Appearance	Persona 5
Arcana(s)	Fool
Persona User(s)	Ren Amamiya
Awakens into	Satanael
Japanese VA	Jun Fukuyama Hiroki Ino (play)
English VA	Xander Mobus

"What's the matter...? Are you simply going to watch? Are you forsaking him to save yourself? Death awaits him if you do nothing. Was your previous decision a mistake then?
(No need for mere words. Show me your true feelings.)
Very well... I have heeded your resolve. Vow to me. I am thou, thou art I... Thou who art willing to perform all sacrilegious acts for thine own justice! Call upon my name, and release thy rage! Show the strength of thy will to ascertain all on thine own, though thou be chained to Hell itself!"

—Arsène, Persona 5

Arsène is a Persona in Persona 5.

Quick Answers

What real-life figure is Arsène based on in Persona 5?

In Persona 5, the Persona Arsène is derived from the protagonist of Maurice Leblanc's novels, Arsène Lupin. This figure is recognized for his ubiquitous presence, mastery of disguise, and assistance to law-abiding citizens.

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How does Arsène's role as an anti-hero reflect in the gameplay of Persona 5?

Arsène, in Persona 5, is an anti-hero conspiring against those more wicked than himself, a trait reflected in his sinister, demonic game appearance. The protagonist, acting as a thief, 'steals' the hearts of the corrupt, reinforcing Arsène's anti-hero status. Initially, the protagonist was to have a different Persona, but this was ultimately rejected in favor of Arsène.

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What is the significance of Arsène being the 'Fool Arcana' in Persona 5?

In Persona 5, Arsène's role as the 'Fool Arcana' symbolizes the protagonist's capacity for evolution and transformation. This mirrors the Fool Arcana's conventional Tarot interpretation, which signifies the start of a journey and limitless potential. As the protagonist's initial Persona, Arsène personifies this symbolism throughout their journey and numerous trials.

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How does the design of Raoul in Persona 5 relate to Arsène?

In Persona 5, Raoul and Arsène share several design elements, reflecting their shared origin as different aliases of Maurice Leblanc's hero, Arsène Lupin. Both Personas have demonic faces with red eyes, long bladed heels, and jagged mouths that hold cigarettes, akin to sharp teeth or fangs. This design similarity underscores their shared identity as phantom thieves with numerous allies.

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History

Arsène Lupin, sometimes known as Raoul, is a fictional gentleman thief created by Maurice Leblanc. He was known for targeting criminals or those who were much worse than himself, making him an anti-hero of sorts within his own stories. He might have been partly inspired by the French anarchist Marius Jacob.

Appearances

• Persona 3 Reload: Fool Arcana (DLC)
• Persona 5 / Royal: Fool Arcana
  • Persona 5 (Manga)
  • Persona 5 The Animation The Day Breakers: Fool Arcana
  • Persona 5 The Animation: Fool Arcana
  • Persona O.A.
• Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight: Cameo
• Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth: Fool Arcana
• Persona 5 Strikers: Fool Arcana
• Persona 5: The Phantom X
• Persona 5 Tactica

Design

Arsène has, from top to bottom: a very tall top hat, a long-horned mask for its face (as Arsène appears to not have a head), a cropped red eighteenth century-esque suit worn open with the collar popped, stitched heart designs on the shoulders, a white ruffle tie, a black, tailed corset running down its torso; large, black, feathery wings starting at around the small of its back; claws; red coverings on its legs resembling pants and boots with blade-like heels.

Character designer Shigenori Soejima explained that Arsène was designed with an "old school vibe" in mind. Arsène's wings are meant to evoke the image of a thief's cape in the viewer's mind and represent the idea that a thief can go wherever they want.

Profile

Persona 3 Reload

"A Persona that granted power to a hero in another story. He is a being based off the main character of Maurice Leblanc's novels, Arsène Lupin. He appears everywhere and is a master of disguise."

—Persona 3 Reload background

Arsène is one of the DLC Personas included in the Persona 5 Royal Persona Set 1 and is the only Persona that is capable of learning the Dark Driver Passive skill. Once the DLC is installed, Arsène can be summoned through special fusion in the Velvet Room. Summoning Arsène requires Tam Lin, Jack-o'-Lantern and Neko Shogun.

Persona 5

This topic is in need of research for the following reason: * recheck if Arsène is really added back while fighting Moloch in P5, as this is not the case in Royal This can be discussed on the article's talk page.

"A being based off the main character of Maurice Leblanc's novels, Arsène Lupin. He appears everywhere and is a master of disguise. He is known to help law-abiding citizens."

—Persona 5 background

Arsène is Ren Amamiya's initial Persona. Arsène is obtained during his first confrontation with Shadow Kamoshida in Kamoshida's Palace, where Arsène personally teaches the protagonist how to fight during his first battle. Upon being fused for the first time, he bids the protagonist farewell, but states that he will appear again at an important period in his journey. This eventually occurs in Niijima's Palace when the protagonist faces off against Moloch, but can only be summoned in combat if the protagonist's stock of Personas is not full beforehand. At the climax of the game during the battle against Yaldabaoth, Arsène appears once more. The cheers of the public fuel the protagonist to finally unbind the chains around Arsène, causing him to transform into his ultimate Persona, Satanael.

The Shujin Academy library has a book based on him called The Great Thief that boosts the Knowledge social stat upon completion, while one of Sadayo Kawakami's class questions is on the book about his exploits.

Arsène specializes in Curse and Physical skills. However, unlike other party members, he has two weaknesses and, as the protagonist is a Wild Card, he stops learning new skills at Level 7.

If Arsène is itemized, Arsène's Cane will be received, a knife weapon for the protagonist that has a low chance to inflict random ailments.

Royal

During a fusion alarm, Arsène yields The Great Thief Stick instead, with a higher chance to inflict ailments.

Manga and anime

In both the manga and anime adaptations of the game, Arsène makes a brief cameo appearance as a fiery shadow in the first chapter and episode. Here he appears before the protagonist after he initially uninstalls the Metaverse Navigator app on his way to Café Leblanc for the first time. 

In the fourth episode of the anime, Arsène is fused with Pixie during the battle with Shadow Kamoshida. He re-appears in episode 26, right before the protagonist is about to be captured by the police, reminding him to keep remembering the bonds he had forged since last spring. In the Dark Sun special, he is summoned to fight against Goro Akechi's Persona, Loki, and is able to defeat it, resulting in victory against their former ally.

Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth

Arsène returns as the P5 protagonist's initial Persona. Like the other Wild Cards’ initial Personas, Arsène has been given a boost to compensate the fact that he cannot be fused nor removed. Arsène evolves into Satanael after completing Ticket Quests 42, 43, 44 and 45. He obtains the special skill Revolt Vanguard.

Persona 5 Strikers

Arsène is once again the protagonist's initial Persona. While his stats don't get better without Incenses or unlocking the stat strengthening service in the Velvet Room after reaching the Okinawa Jail, he can learn more skills via level up than other Personas and is also one of the two Personas in-game to learn Riot Gun, with the other being Seth.

Most of his learned skills are based on Satanael, including Maeigaon, Survival Trick and Riot Gun.

Quotes

• P5/P5R
• P5 Anime (English Subbed)
• P5 Anime (English Dubbed)
• The Day Breakers

• "I am the pillager of twilight — "Arsène"!"
• "I am the rebel's soul that resides within you. If you so desire, I shall consider granting you the power to break through this crisis."
• "Hmph, very well..."
• "Detest the enemies before you! Change that animosity into power... and unleash it!" (Tutorial)
• "Swing your blade!" (Tutorial)
• "This power of mine is yours! Kill them however you want. Run wild to your heart's content!" (Tutorial)
• "I am Arsène—the other you who exists within... Though I may disappear this moment, I shall always be at your side. We shall meet again... when your fate reaches its conclusion." (Upon being fused)

"What's the matter? Simply going to watch? Wouldst thou forsake him? For death truly awaits him. Was your choice back then a mistake?
Very well. I have heeded your resolve. Vow to me!
I am thou... Thou art I... Thou who would accept blasphemy for the sake of thine own justice! Call upon my name and release thy rage! Show the strength of thy will to ascertain all on thine own, though thou be chained to Hell itself!" (Upon awakening)

"I am the pillager of twilight, Arsene. I am the rebel's soul that resides within you. If you so desire, I shall consider granting you the power to break through this crisis."

"Thou I may disappear at this moment, I shall always be at your side. And when thy fate reaches its end... We shall meet again." (Upon being fused)

"What's wrong? Are you simply going to watch? Here, in his final moments, you would forsake him? Nothing awaits him but death. Did you make the wrong choice then too?
Very well. I have taken heed of your resolve... Vow to me!
I am thou... Thou art I... Thou who would accept blasphemy for the sake of thine own justice... Call upon my name and release thy righteous rage! Reveal the strength of thy will to seek the truth on thine own, though thou be chained down by Hell itself!" (Upon awakening)

"I am the pillager of twilight, Arsène. I am the soul of a rebel that resides within you. I shall consider granting you the power to break out of this crisis, if you desire..."

"Thou I may disappear for now, I shall always be at your side. And when thy fate reaches its end, we shall meet again." (Upon being fused)

"I am thou. Thou art I. You frauds who are in over your heads... Allow me to show you. How you pale in comparison to us as thieves!" (With Ren Amamiya)

Stats

Persona 3 Reload

Arcana Level Strength 17 Magic 17 Endurance 18 Agility 14 Luck 11 Fool 23 Slash Strike Pierce Fire Ice Elec Wind Light Dark Almi - - - - - - - Weak Resist - Down Dizzy Freeze Shock Poison Charm Distress Confuse Fear Rage - - ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Special fusion Tam Lin + Jack-o'-Lantern + Neko Shogun List of Skills Skill Cost Effect Level Eiga 8 SP Deals medium Dark damage to 1 foe. Innate Fatal End 10% HP Deals medium Slash damage to 1 foe. Low chance of inflicting Fear. Innate Dark Driver Passive Automatically strengthen Dark skills by 75%. Can stack. Innate Evil Smile 10 SP Medium chance of Fear to all foes. 24 Vacuum Slash 14% HP Deals weak Slash damage to all foes. 25 Maeiga 16 SP Deals medium Dark damage to all foes. 27 Survival Trick Passive Automatically survive 1 magic instakill attack with 1 HP remaining. 29

Persona 5

• Persona (P5)
• Persona (P5R)
• Prologue

"I am the great thief, Arsene! You need my help once more...? Very well, use my power wisely." Arcana Level Strength 2 Magic 2 Endurance 2 Agility 3 Luck 1 Fool 1 Inherit Reflects Absorbs Block Resists Weak Curse - - - Curse Ice, Bless Electric chair execution Arsene's Cane List of Skills Skill Cost Effect Level Eiha 4 SP Light Curse damage to 1 foe. Innate Cleave 6% HP Light Physical damage to 1 foe. 2 Sukunda 8 SP Debuff agility of 1 foe for 3 turns. 4 Dream Needle 8% HP Light Physical damage to 1 foe. Medium chance of Sleep. 5 Adverse Resolve Auto Increase critical rate when being ambushed. 7

"I am the great thief, Arsène! You need my help once more...? Very well, use my power wisely." Arcana Level Strength 2 Magic 2 Endurance 2 Agility 3 Luck 1 Fool 1 Inherit Reflects Absorbs Block Resists Weak Curse - - - Curse Ice, Bless Persona Trait Pinch Anchor: Allows use of ambush-only skills after Baton Pass. Electric chair execution Arsène's Cane (normal); The Great Thief Stick (fusion alarm) List of Skills Skill Cost Effect Level Eiha 4 SP Light Curse damage to 1 foe. Innate Cleave 6% HP Light Physical damage to 1 foe. 2 Sukunda 8 SP Decrease Agility of 1 foe for 3 turns. 4 Dream Needle 8% HP Light Gun damage and inflict Sleep (med odds) to 1 foe. 5 Adverse Resolve Passive Increase critical rate when surrounded. 7

"I am the great thief, Arsène! You need my help once more...? Very well, use my power wisely." Arcana Level Strength -- Magic -- Endurance -- Agility -- Luck -- Fool ?? Inherit Reflects Absorbs Block Resists Weak Curse - - - Curse Ice, Bless List of Skills Skill Cost Effect Level Eigaon 12 SP Heavy Curse damage to 1 foe. Innate Brave Blade 24% HP Colossal Physical damage to 1 foe. Innate

Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth

Arcana Level Strength 10 Magic 8 Endurance 10 Agility 9 Luck 6 Fool 1 Phys Fire Ice Elec Wind Psy Nuke Bless Curse Alm - - Weak - - - - Weak Resist - List of Skills Skill Cost Effect Level Single Shot 16 HP Light Phys attack that pierces to the back row. (1 enemy) Stronger in Boost. Innate Eiha 6 SP Light Curse attack. (1 enemy) Innate Dream Needle 6 HP Light Phys attack, with medium chance of Sleep. (1 enemy) 2 Rebel Vanguard 3 SP Raise critical rate for 1 turn. (1 row) 9 First Star Passive Raise damage dealt when attacking before all enemies act. 14 Eiga 14 SP Medium Curse attack. (1 enemy) 24 Assault Shot 28 HP Medium Phys attack that pierces to the back row. (1 enemy) Stronger in Boost. 27 Punishing Bite 40 HP Medium Phys attack, effective on Bind, but will remove binds. (1 enemy) 34 Maeiga 36 SP Medium Curse attack. (All enemies) 38 Death Needle 32 HP Medium Phys attack, with high chance of Poison. (1 enemy) 42 Eigaon 32 SP Heavy Curse attack. (1 enemy) 48 Return from Yomi Passive Medium chance of HP restore when near KO. 53 Broadshot 68 HP Heavy Phys attack that pierces to the back row. (1 enemy) Stronger in Boost. 59 Maeigaon 52 SP Heavy Curse attack. (All enemies) 64 Oneshot Kill 92 HP Severe Phys attack that pierces to the back row. (1 enemy) Stronger in Boost. 70 Revolt Vanguard 3 SP Raise critical rate for 2 turns. (1 row) Evolve

Persona 5 Strikers

• Base
• Level 99
• Prologue

Arcana Level Strength 4 Magic 4 Endurance 4 Agility 5 Luck 3 Fool 1 Inherit Reflects Absorbs Block Resists Weak Curse - - - Curse Ice, Bless List of Skills Skill Cost Effect Level Eiha 8 SP Light Curse damage to an area of foes. Innate Cleave 6% HP Light Physical damage to a narrow range with medium chance of Critical. Innate Tarunda 12 SP Temporarily decrease attack for an area of foes. 2 Dream Needle 8% HP Light Physical damage to a narrow range. Medium chance of Sleep. 4 Rebel Soul Auto Improves rate for increasing Showtime Gauge. 10 Maeiga 16 SP Medium Curse damage to a wide area of foes. 32 One-shot Kill 30% HP Severe Gun damage to an area of foes with very high chance of Critical. 45 Maeigaon 26 SP Heavy Curse damage to a wide area of foes. 62 Survival Trick Auto Survive one insta-death attack with 1 HP remaining. 84 Riot Gun 40% HP Severe Gun damage to a wide area of foes with very high chance of Critical. 95 Combo Attacks Combo Attack Button Input Skills C4 Eiha Light Curse damage to an area of foes. Maeiga Medium Curse damage to a wide area of foes. Maeigaon Heavy Curse damage to a wide area of foes. C6~2 Cleave Light Physical damage to a narrow range with medium chance of Critical. One-shot Kill Severe Gun damage to an area of foes with very high chance of Critical. Riot Gun Severe Gun damage to a wide area of foes with very high chance of Critical.

Arcana Level Strength 24 Magic 24 Endurance 24 Agility 39 Luck 10 Fool 99 Inherit Reflects Absorbs Block Resists Weak Curse - - - Curse Ice, Bless List of Skills Skill Cost Effect Level Eiha 8 SP Light Curse damage to an area of foes. Innate Cleave 6% HP Light Physical damage to a narrow range with medium chance of Critical. Innate Tarunda 12 SP Temporarily decrease attack for an area of foes. 2 Dream Needle 8% HP Light Physical damage to a narrow range. Medium chance of Sleep. 4 Rebel Soul Auto Improves rate for increasing Showtime Gauge. 10 Maeiga 16 SP Medium Curse damage to a wide area of foes. 32 One-shot Kill 30% HP Severe Gun damage to an area of foes with very high chance of Critical. 45 Maeigaon 26 SP Heavy Curse damage to a wide area of foes. 62 Survival Trick Auto Survive one insta-death attack with 1 HP remaining. 84 Riot Gun 40% HP Severe Gun damage to a wide area of foes with very high chance of Critical. 95 Combo Attacks Combo Attack Button Input Skills C4 Eiha Light Curse damage to an area of foes. Maeiga Medium Curse damage to a wide area of foes. Maeigaon Heavy Curse damage to a wide area of foes. C6~2 Cleave Light Physical damage to a narrow range with medium chance of Critical. One-shot Kill Severe Gun damage to an area of foes with very high chance of Critical. Riot Gun Severe Gun damage to a wide area of foes with very high chance of Critical.

Arcana Level Strength 4 Magic 4 Endurance 4 Agility 5 Luck 3 Fool 10 Inherit Reflects Absorbs Block Resists Weak Curse - - - Curse Ice, Bless List of Skills Skill Cost Effect Level Eiha 8 SP Light Curse damage to an area of foes. Innate Cleave 6% HP Light Physical damage to a narrow range with medium chance of Critical. Innate Tarunda 12 SP Temporarily decrease attack for an area of foes. Innate Dream Needle 8% HP Light Physical damage to a narrow range. Medium chance of Sleep. Innate Combo Attacks Combo Attack Button Input Skills C4 Eiha Light Curse damage to an area of foes. Maeiga Medium Curse damage to a wide area of foes. Maeigaon Heavy Curse damage to a wide area of foes. C6~2 Cleave Light Physical damage to a narrow range with medium chance of Critical. One-shot Kill Severe Gun damage to an area of foes with very high chance of Critical. Riot Gun Severe Gun damage to a wide area of foes with very high chance of Critical.

Gallery

Persona 3 Reload

Arsène in Persona 3 Reload

Persona 5 / Royal

Concept art

Arsène with the Phantom Thieves of Hearts

Arsène and the protagonist

Arsène and the protagonist

Art

Arsène in an anime cutscene of Persona 5

Arsène being invoked in battle

Arsène unshackled.

Arsène evolving into a new form

Arsène in the key art for P5R

Arsène in Persona 5 Royal

Steam Wallpaper - Joker & Arsene

Arsène as he appears in the manga adaption

Arsène as he appears in Persona 5 The Animation

Arsène as he appears in Persona 5 The Animation The Day Breakers

Arsène as he appears in Persona 5: Mementos Mission

Persona 5 Strikers

Character art of Joker and Arsène in Persona 5 Strikers

Joker and Arsène Pre-Release Wallpaper (1080x1920)

Arsène Pre-Release Wallpaper (1080x1920)

Arsène Pre-Release Wallpaper (1080x1920)

Steam Level 1 Foil Badge - ARSENE

JOKER & ARSENE (Common)

Arsène's icon in battle

Arsène's compendium in Persona 5 Strikers

Persona 5 Tactica

Arsène in the Repaint Your Heart DLC

Steam Wallpaper - Joker & Arsene

Concept art (P5T)

Line art (P5T)

Persona O.A.

Arsène in Persona O.A.

Arsène in Persona O.A.

Arsène in-game model

Other

MegaHouse Arsène figure

Arsène Funko Pop

Artwork of Arsène and the protagonist concluding the 25th Anniversary event.

In Other Languages

Language	Name
English	Arsene (P5) Arsène (P5R)
Japanese	アルセーヌ (Aruseinu)
French	Arsène
Italian	Arsène
German	Arsène
Spanish	Arsène

Trivia

• In the game's prologue, Arsène's form is darkened much like Izanagi is obscured in the fog when summoned during the prologue of Persona 4.
• Arsène's two moves in the prologue, Eigaon and Brave Blade, are impossible for him to learn normally and must be inherited via fusion or taught using skill cards. He would also be far too low in level to face the Moloch in the prologue without multiple repeat strengthening sessions.
• Arsène is the only Persona to speak to the protagonist should he be used in fusion, though this only occurs the first time.
  • If Arsène is fused near the end of the game, the cutscene would play as if Lavenza were still split into both of the twins, and the protagonist would be holding invisible bars.
• In-legend, Arsène is an anti-hero that conspires against people more evil than him; this trait is represented by his sinister and demonic appearance in the game and also by the protagonist as he uses his status as a thief to steal the hearts of the corrupt.
• One of the original ideas for Persona 5 was to give the protagonist an entirely different Persona instead of Arsène. The original idea was to have a Persona based on the German demon Mephistopheles. However, the programmers were against this idea because the idea of a demon-based Persona didn't fit into the thief theme of the game.
• The spelling of the Persona is different between Persona 5 and Persona 5 Royal: in Royal, Arsène now has a grave accent applied to the first "e" as the new font can support diacritical marked letters.
• Arsène's awakening dialogue about sacrilegious acts is referenced by Michael in the Qliphoth World followed by claiming the party is beyond salvation, implying the group has no place in the world (and therefore society) tying into the theme of having no place to belong.

Appearances in Other Media

Title	Details	Date	External Links
Chain Chronicle	Collaboration event * Paired with Joker, Warrior class, 5-star	January 19th, 2017 - January 31st, 2017.
Puzzle & Dragons	Collaboration event * Paired with Joker as the character "Ren Amamiya & Arsene"	July 16th, 2018 - July 29th, 2018
Grandblue Fantasy	Part of Joker's base art	June 18th, 2018 - June 29th, 2018
BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle	* Color swap for Izanagi	* May 31, 2018 (Japan) * June 5, 2018 (North America) * June 22, 2018 (Europe)
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate	DLC * Summoned by Joker when his Rebellion Gauge is completely filled up, assisting him in battle	April 17th, 2019	Article in SmashWiki
Star Ocean: Anamnesis	Collaboration event * Joker's Persona	October 10th, 2019 - November 7th, 2019
Another Eden	Collaboration event * Joker's Persona	December 12th, 2019	Article in Another Eden Wiki
Phantasy Star Online 2	Appears as a statue furniture item
AFK Arena	Collaboration event *Joker's Persona.	December 30, 2020	Article in AFK Arena Wiki
Dragalia Lost	Collaboration event for Persona 5 Strikers * Summoned by Joker when his Dragon Gauge is full. * Dragon that all characters can shapeshift into	January 31, 2021- February 12, 2021	Article in Dragalia Lost Wiki
Knives Out	Collaboration event	October 1st - 15th 2023	Persona Channel new post

Chain Chronicle

Arsène with Joker card in Chain Chronicle

Granblue Fantasy

Arsène with Joker in Granblue Fantasy

Puzzle and Dragons

Arsène with Joker in Puzzle and Dragons

Kyoutou Kotoba RPG

Arsène with Joker in Kyoutou Kotoba RPG

Arsène with Joker in Kyoutou Kotoba RPG

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Maskless Joker & Arsène rendering

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Joker Shujin Uniform and Arsène rendering

Arsène with Joker in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Arsène with Joker in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Another Eden

Arsène with Joker in Another Eden

AFK Arena

Arsène with Joker in AFK Arena

Dragalia Lost

Joker and Arsène in Dragalia Lost collab

Dragalia Lost Persona 5 Strikers Event Showtime! Refined Vestige Art.

Dragalia Lost Persona 5 Strikers Event Caged Desire Art.

Knives Out

Arsene gun in Knives Out