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This article is about the Arcana. For the Shadow, see Arcana Emperor.
Emperor-0

The Emperor Arcana (皇帝, Koutei)? is a recurring Arcana in the Persona series.

Overview[]

"The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed...
Only courage in the face of doubt can lead one to the answer..."
—Nyx Avatar, Persona 3

In tarot readings, the Emperor symbolizes the desire to control one's surroundings, and its appearance could suggest that one is trying too hard to achieve this, possibly causing trouble for others; some elements in life are just not controllable.

Gameplay-wise, the Personas of the Emperor Arcana are Personas typically excelling in Electricity-based and Physical attacks (or to an extent, Ice-based attacks); these Personas are almost always kings or emperor figures, but may simply be important male figures and deities. Typically, the king of a mythological pantheon is of the Emperor Arcana.

Within the Persona universe, characters of the Emperor Arcana are often aspiring male leaders or strong male allies. Although they invest in a nuanced and humane craft, due to circumstances they find themselves to be overly logical and obsessive simultaneously, making them eccentric and inflexible. Generally having lost touch with the guidance of someone they trust, the characters try to find a sweet spot to establish their independence in between having their lives be completely controlled and becoming bad people that they would be ashamed of. At first, they're purists in their beliefs, refusing to view things from different perspectives. But over time, they understand their mistakes and lead their own lives while trusting in the guidance from others.

They have singular activities to which they dedicate their lives—e.g., fighting, student council, crocheting, painting—this often being linked to a personal conflict that the protagonist helps them to reconcile with their passions. Examples are Kanji Tatsumi and the conflict between his views of masculinity and his passion for crocheting, or Yusuke Kitagawa and the dichotomy between art as a passion over a source of income. Although not inherently introverted, they're adamant on living and leading their own way.

The Emperor Arcana revolves around courage in terms of standing one's ground, to the point of becoming a figure of authority. This is especially in the face of doubt, where the characters' beliefs are put into question and they are pit with consequences that support them. Characters of the Emperor Arcana examine stubbornness and cowardice, as well as what true courage means. Generally, opening oneself up to doubt (environmentally,) such as Hidetoshi Odagiri allowing his opinions to be challenged and disagreed with, if not outright disproven, is what nurtures stronger courage.

Appearance[]

List of Personas[]

In Megami Ibunroku Persona and Persona 2, this Arcana corresponds to the Deity race.

Megami Ibunroku Persona[]

The Emperor Arcana is represented by the protagonist.

Persona Level
PSP Revelations
Seimen Kongou Starion 5 (Initial Persona of the protagonist)
Airgetlam Pawn 12
Brahma * Brax 23
Marduk Ug 34
Odin Odin 43
Baal Bard 55
Amen-Ra * Ra 62 (Ultimate Persona of the protagonist)
Vishnu * Ashura 86

Persona 2[]

Innocent Sin[]

Persona Level
Airgetlam 9
Marduk 28
Baal 37
Huracan 49
Indra 50
Odin * 55
Vishnu * 86

Eternal Punishment[]

Persona Level
Airgetlam 9
Marduk 28
Baal 37
Hurakan 45
Indra 52
Odin * 65
Lugh 72
Vishnu * 86

Persona 3[]

The Emperor Arcana is represented by Hidetoshi Odagiri, from Gekkoukan High School's student council.

The social link for this Arcana can be started on April 27 when the protagonist talks to Ms. Toriumi about joining the student council. Council meetings are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Upon completing the Social Link, the protagonist gains access to the ultimate form of the Emperor Arcana, Odin, the Storm God.

The Emperor Arcana is also the Persona Arcana of Akihiko Sanada, the member of SEES.

Persona Level
Polydeuces Initial Persona of Akihiko Sanada
Caesar Ultimate Persona of Akihiko Sanada
Forneus 7
Oberon 15
Take-Mikazuchi 24
King Frost 30
Raja Naga 36
Kingu 46
Barong 52
Odin 57

Reload[]

The layout is mostly the same, except that Kingu is replaced with Belphegor.

Persona Level
Polydeuces Initial Persona of Akihiko Sanada
Caesar Ultimate Persona of Akihiko Sanada
Forneus 7
Oberon 16
Take-Mikazuchi 23
King Frost 34
Raja Naga 43
Belphegor 53
Barong 63
Odin 74

Persona 4[]

The Emperor Arcana is represented by Kanji Tatsumi, who goes to the same school as the protagonist. Kanji is introduced partway through the game as a first-year student who often gets into fights and into trouble with the local law enforcement. As the protagonist levels up the Social Link, Kanji reveals that he enjoys sewing and other crafts but has kept those interests hidden because of peer pressure. Kanji lost his father early in life and has since struggled to understand what it means to "be a man." Later in the Social Link, he meets a young boy whose whole family takes a liking to Kanji's hand-sewn dolls. This experience eventually gives him the confidence to accept his strengths and interests despite public opinion. Rather, instead of letting people say what they want, Kanji will work towards making sure he is properly understood.

Kanji's initial Persona is Take-Mikazuchi. At rank 10 of the Social Link, Take-Mikazuchi transforms into its ultimate form, Rokuten Maoh, and bestows the protagonist with the ultimate form of the Arcana, Odin, the God of Storms.

Leveling the Emperor Arcana up to Lv. 3 allows Kanji to learn his distinct follow-up move, Atomic Press. This attack strikes all enemies with a high percentage of dealing critical damage, which results in a Down status and the potential for an All-Out Attack. The follow-up move occurs at random and only after the protagonist has rendered a separate target Down first (and at least one other target is not currently Down).

In Persona 4 Golden, Kanji can unlock a third-tier Persona: Takeji Zaiten. This is done by initiating a Social Link meeting at any point after 1/10 if the Emperor Arcana is at Rank 10. ​​​​

Persona Level
Take-Mikazuchi Initial Persona of Kanji Tatsumi
Rokuten Maoh Ultimate Persona of Kanji Tatsumi
Takeji Zaiten Third-tier Persona of Kanji Tatsumi
Oberon 12
King Frost 22
Setanta 34
Oukuninushi 41
Thoth 45
Pabilsag 51
Barong 65
Odin 74

Persona 4 Arena[]

The Emperor Arcana is represented by Kanji Tatsumi and Akihiko Sanada, and their Personas, Take-Mikazuchi and Caesar.

Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth[]

Persona Level
Polydeuces Akihiko Sanada's initial Persona
Caesar Akihiko Sanada's ultimate Persona
Take-Mikazuchi Kanji Tatsumi's initial Persona
Rokuten Maoh Kanji Tatsumi's ultimate Persona
Oberon 9
Setanta 18
King Frost 25
Oukuninushi 34
Thoth 41
Pabilsag 46
Kingu 60
Barong 65
Odin 72

Persona 5[]

The Emperor Arcana is represented by the Confidant with Yusuke Kitagawa, which ranks up as the protagonist interacts with him. This Confidant unlocks Skill Card duplication and various team member skills for Yusuke as it ranks up. Yusuke's Confidant revolves around his struggles to overcome an artistic slump, having doubts about his ability to capture "true beauty" through his artwork as well as his fear of falling into the same corrupting vices as his former sensei Madarame. After his painting "Desire" is heavily panned by critics, Yusuke comes to the realization of the duality of the human heart and creates "Desire and Hope" to bring hope to people lost to their inner darkness.

As the Confidant reaches maximum Yusuke's Persona, Goemon, will transmogrify into Kamu Susano-o. Completing the Emperor Arcana Confidant will also bestow the ultimate form of the Arcana, Odin. The king of Asgard.

In Persona 5 Royal, if the Emperor Arcana confidant is maxed out and the protagonist chooses to reject the false reality during the events of the third semester, Yusuke Kitagawa will unlock his third tier Persona: Gorokichi, by fusing Goemon and Kamu Susano-O.

Persona Level
Goemon Initial Persona of Yusuke Kitagawa
Kamu Susano-o Ultimate Persona of Yusuke Kitagawa
Regent 10
Eligor 16
Setanta 28
Thoth 36
Okuninushi 44
Barong 52
King Frost 61
Oberon 66
Baal 75
Odin 82*

Royal[]

In Persona 5 Royal, Emperor Arcana's list has been altered with the transfer of Okuninushi to the Faith Arcana.

Persona Level
Goemon Initial Persona of Yusuke Kitagawa
Kamu Susano-o Ultimate Persona of Yusuke Kitagawa
Gorokichi Third-tier Persona of Yusuke Kitagawa
Regent 10
Eligor 16
Setanta 25
Thoth 36
Barong 52
King Frost 61
Oberon 66
Baal 82
Odin 84*

Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth[]

Persona Level
Goemon Yusuke Kitagawa's initial Persona
Take-Mikazuchi Kanji Tatsumi's initial Persona
Polydeuces Akihiko Sanada's initial Persona
Kamu Susano-O Yusuke Kitagawa's ultimate Persona
Rokuten Maoh Kanji Tatsumi's ultimate Persona
Caesar Akihiko Sanada's ultimate Persona
Anzu 4
Oberon 10
Power 18
Oukuninushi 25
King Frost 34
Thoth 44
Ganesha 51
Barong 58
Baal 65
Odin 71
Huang Di ° 89

Persona 5 Strikers[]

Persona Level
Goemon 1 (Persona of Yusuke Kitagawa)
Setanta 36
Eligor 31
Okuninushi 42
King Frost 63

List of Demons[]

Persona 2[]

Innocent Sin[]

Persona Level
Odin 55

Eternal Punishment[]

Persona Level
Odin 65

List of Shadows[]

Shadow Level
Large Basalt 33
Rainy Brother 3 32
Burning Beetle 13-44
Grave Beetle 7-44
Adamant Beetle 19-33
Strength Beetle 19-60
Emperor Beetle 73-77

Characters[]

Character Game
Boy with Earring Megami Ibunroku Persona
Keito Persona: Tsumi to Batsu
Akihiko Sanada Persona 3
Hidetoshi Odagiri Persona 3
Kanji Tatsumi Persona 4
Yusuke Kitagawa Persona 5

Card Designs[]


Major Arcana
0. Fool Arcana - I. Magician Arcana - 1(E). Councillor Arcana - II. Priestess Arcana - III. Empress Arcana - IV. Emperor Arcana - V. Hierophant Arcana - V(T). Apostle Arcana- VI. Lovers Arcana - VII. Chariot Arcana - VIII. Strength Arcana/Justice Arcana - IX. Hermit Arcana - X. Fortune Arcana - XI. Justice Arcana/Strength Arcana - XI(T). Hunger Arcana - XII. Hanged Man Arcana - XIII. Death Arcana - XIV. Temperance Arcana - XV. Devil Arcana - XVI. Tower Arcana - XVII. Star Arcana - XVIII. Moon Arcana - XIX. Sun Arcana - XX. Judgement Arcana - XX(T). Aeon Arcana - XXI. World Arcana - XXI(T). Universe Arcana - (VS) Faith Arcana - (VS) Hope Arcana
Minor Arcana
Suit of Coins - Suit of Cups - Suit of Swords - Suit of Wands
Shadow Arcana
I. Arcana Magician - II. Arcana Priestess - III. Arcana Empress - IV. Arcana Emperor - V. Arcana Hierophant - VI. Arcana Lovers - VII. Arcana Chariot - VIII. Arcana Justice - IX. Arcana Hermit - X. Arcana Fortune - XI. Arcana Strength - XII. Arcana Hanged Man - XIII. Death
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