This article is about the Arcana. For the Shadow, see Arcana Emperor. |
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..."
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[]
- Megami Ibunroku Persona
- Persona 2: Innocent Sin
- Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
- Persona 3 / FES / Portable / Reload
- Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight: Accessory
- Persona 4 / Golden
- Persona 4 Arena / Ultimax
- Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth
- Persona 5 / Royal
- Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight: Accessory & Social
- Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth
- Persona 5 Strikers
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 |
---|---|
Haughty Maya | 20-55 |
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 |
Avenger Knight | 11-35 |
Champion Knight | 34-40 |
Hell Knight | 45-55 |
Intrepid Knight | 26-68 |
Fleetfooted Cavalry | |
Demented Knight | |
Positive King | 11 |
Egotistical King | 23 |
Great King | 68 |
Brilliant King | 81 |
Solid Castle | 38-68 |
Rainy Castle | 37 |
Power Castle | 54-64 |
Death Castle/Raindrop Castle | 38-68 |
King Castle | 65-92 |
Ancient Castle | |
Comeback Castle | |
Haunted Castle | |
Spiritual Castle | |
Isolated Castle |
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[]