Arsène

Arsène
Japanese Name	アルセーヌ
Romaji	Arusēnu
Also known as	Arsène Raoul Lupin Pillager of Twilight (P5)
Origin	Modern Fiction
First Appearance	Persona 5
Arcana(s)	Fool
Persona User(s)	Protagonist (Persona 5)
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.

History

Arsène Lupin 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 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 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers
• Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth: Fool Arcana

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 he wants.

Profile

Persona 5

"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

The protagonist obtains Arsène, his initial Persona, 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 occurs at the beginning of Niijima's Palace, facing off against Moloch. 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, while one of Sadayo Kawakami's quiz questions is on the book about his exploits.

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.

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.

Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth

Arsène evolves into Satanael after completing Ticket Quests 42, 43, 44, and 45. He obtains the special skill Revolt Vanguard.

Quotes

• P5/P5R
• P5 Anime (Japanese)
• P5 Anime (English)
• 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 5

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

"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 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 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

Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom 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 Cleave 6% HP Light Physical damage to 1 foe. Innate Eiha 4 SP Light Curse damage to 1 foe. Innate Tarunda 8 SP Debuff attack power of 1 foe for 3 turns. 2 Dream Needle 8% HP Light Physical damage to 1 foe. Medium chance of Sleep. 4 Invalid skill name of "Rebel Will". You may correct the skill name or modify module:Skills/P5 if needed. 10 Maeiga 16 SP Medium Curse damage to all foes. 32 One-shot Kill 17% HP Severe Gun damage to 1 foe. High Critical Rate. 45 Maeigaon 22 SP Heavy Curse damage to all foes. 62 Survival Trick Auto Survive one insta-death attack with 1 HP remaining. 84 Riot Gun 24% HP Severe Gun damage to all foes. 95

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 Cleave 6% HP Light Physical damage to 1 foe. Innate Eiha 4 SP Light Curse damage to 1 foe. Innate Tarunda 8 SP Debuff attack power of 1 foe for 3 turns. 2 Dream Needle 8% HP Light Physical damage to 1 foe. Medium chance of Sleep. 4 Invalid skill name of "Rebel Will". You may correct the skill name or modify module:Skills/P5 if needed. 10 Maeiga 16 SP Medium Curse damage to all foes. 32 One-shot Kill 17% HP Severe Gun damage to 1 foe. High Critical Rate. 45 Maeigaon 22 SP Heavy Curse damage to all foes. 62 Survival Trick Auto Survive one insta-death attack with 1 HP remaining. 84 Riot Gun 24% HP Severe Gun damage to all foes. 95

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 Cleave 6% HP Light Physical damage to 1 foe. Innate Eiha 4 SP Light Curse damage to 1 foe. Innate Tarunda 8 SP Debuff attack power of 1 foe for 3 turns. Innate Dream Needle 8% HP Light Physical damage to 1 foe. Medium chance of Sleep. Innate

Gallery

Persona 5
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 sacrificed to bring forth a new Persona

Persona 5 Royal
Arsène in the key art for P5R Arsène in Persona 5 Royal

Persona 5 (Manga)
Arsène as he appears in the manga adaption

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

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

Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers
Character art of Joker and Arsène in Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers Arsène Wallpaper for Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers's Pre-Release (576x1024) Arsène's compendium in Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers

Persona O.A.
Arsène in Persona O.A. Arsène in Persona O.A. Arsène in-game model

Other
MegaHouse Arsène figure Arsène Funko Pop

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.
• 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 an accent applied to the first "e" as the new font can support foreign 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.
  • Interestingly, Michael is also the only mid-boss in the game that plays "Blooming Villain" instead of the standard mid-boss theme.

Appearances in Other Media

• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Summoned by Joker when his Rebellion Gauge is completely filled up, assisting him in battle.
• Star Ocean: Anamnesis: Joker's Persona
• Another Eden: The Cat Beyond Time and Space: Joker's Persona
• Grandblue Fantasy: Part of Joker's base art.
• Phantasy Star Online 2: Appears as a statue furniture item.
• Puzzle & Dragons: Paired with Joker as the character "Ren Amamiya & Arsene".

Puzzle and Dragons
Arsène with Joker in Puzzle and Dragons

Granblue Fantasy
Arsène with Joker in Granblue Fantasy

Kyoutou Kotoba RPG
Arsène with Joker in Kyoutou Kotoba RPG Arsène with Joker in Kyoutou Kotoba RPG

Another Eden
Arsène with Joker in Another Eden

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Maskless Joker & Arsène rendering Arsène with Joker in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Arsène with Joker in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate