Bugbear, or simply Bugs, is a type of Hobgoblin that is comparable to Boogeyman/Bugaboo in folklore. Bugbear was used to frighten children into behaving or obeying their parents. Its name is derived from the Celtic word bug which means "evil spirit" or "goblin." In lore, the Bugbear was depicted as a creepy bear that lurked in the woods to scare children.
"A Welsh creature commonly known as "Bugbear" or the "Boogeyman". Its existence is often used by mothers to scare children into behaving."
—Persona 5 background
Bugs is the seventh Persona of the Fool Arcana and can only be summoned through advanced fusion in the Velvet Room. The Shadow of Yumeko Mogami takes the form of Bugs when confronted in Mementos during the request The Lovesick Cyberstalking Girl. During the battle, she lacks the weakness to Nuclear skills and has additional skills such as Marakunda, Brain Shake and Stagnant Air. Defeating Shadow Mogami will yield the Sticky Hairball key item, which allows Bugs to be fused through an advanced fusion of Pixie, Pisaca and Hariti once the protagonist reaches level 49. Bugbear is one of three Personas to learn the Triple Downgun skill and is a source of the Evade Phys skill. Itemizing Bugs through Electric Chair execution produces the Bear Gloves melee weapon for Makoto Niijima, with 200 ATK, 90 ACC and +Critical Rate up (med).
Bugs is subject of one of Caroline and Justine's requests, needed to advance the StrengthConfidant to rank 9. They wish to see Bugs with the Samarecarm skill. This can be accomplished by leveling Hariti to level 41 before fusing Bugs, allowing her to simply pass on the skill during advanced fusion.
Bugs is also one of the Personas used by Justine in the optional boss fight against the Velvet Room attendants.
Bugs can appear as a low-level Shadow enemy during the first investigation of Maruki's Palace, along with Nebiros and Chimera. Bugs is unique among them in that they can never be talked with nor recruited as a Persona under any circumstances, even in normal encounters.
