"I am thou..." is a common quote of the signature Personas of the protagonists of the Persona series when they are being summoned the first time. The complete quote varies a bit throughout the series, but the general meaning is almost the same. Archaic grammar is deliberately used here to denote the figure that the Persona is based on originated from ancient mythology.
This quote is also said by a "mysterious voice" that rings in the protagonist's head when obtaining a new or maxing out a Social Link or Confidant.
Similar words may be spoken by Philemon depending on the actions the player takes at the end of Persona 2: Innocent Sin, referring to the fact that Philemon, as one personification of the Collective Unconscious, lives within the protagonists just as their Personas do. In Persona 5, not only the initial Personas of the playable members, all Shadows speak the same quote when they are reminded of coming from the sea of human souls after a successful negotiation.
Quotes
Edit
"I am thou... Thou art I... From the sea of thy soul, I come..."
"我は汝…汝は我…我は汝の心の海より出ずる者…
(Romaji: Ware wa nanji… nanji wa ware… Ware wa nanji no kokoro no umi yori izuru-mono…)"
After this part, one more verse follows by briefing the identity of the figure in the originating legend. Some examples are listed below.
"I shall lend you my strength..."
"The bearer of the inferno that burns away impurity, Vulcanus!"
"Thy heart that beats for thy friends lights mine holy flame... I am thou... Thou art I... I am Vulcanus, awakened to the ancient fire..."
"Ruler of the blazing sun and blue skies, Apollo..."
"I am the brilliant mother, Maia..."
"I am Orpheus, master of strings..."
"From the very moment of my emergence, I have been a guiding light shed to illuminate thy path...I am the original god...Izanagi-no-Okami."
"I am the one who dwells in the rift between human consciousness and unconsciousness. I am you. You are me... I am always within you, watching over you. Farewell..."
"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! I am the pillager of twilight, Arsene!"
Music: "Strength of the Heart" (Persona 3 Social Link), "The Path is Open" (Persona 3 Social Link maxed out), "Strength of the Heart" (Persona 4 Social Link), "The Path is Open" (Persona 4 Social Link maxed out), "The Spirit" (Persona 5 Confidant)
Persona 3 and Persona 3 FES don't have the "I am thou..." quote when obtaining a new Social Link. Instead, it only says:
"Thou shalt have our blessings when thou chooseth to create a Persona of the (Arcana Name) Arcana..."
Since Persona 3 Portable, "I am thou..." is present when obtaining a new Social Link/Confidant and the quote varies depending on which game the player is playing:
"Thou art I... And I am thou...
Thou hast established a new bond... Thou shalt be blessed when creating
Personas of the (Arcana's Name) Arcana..."
"Thou art I... And I am thou...
Thou hast established a new bond...It brings thee closer to the truth...
Thou shalt be blessed when creating
Personas of the (Arcana's Name) Arcana..."
"Thou art I... And I am thou...
Thou hast seen how bonds may change...The bond that hath changed... It is thy
Thou must bear thine inner power of
first step in learning the truth.
"The Jester" becoming "Hunger""
"I am thou... Thou art I...
Thou hast established a new vow...It shall become the wings of rebellion
That breaketh thy chains of captivity.With the birth of (Arcana's Name) Persona
I have obtained the winds of blessing that
shall lead to freedom and new power..."
When maxing out a Social Link/Confidant:
"Thou art I... And I am thou...The bond thou hast nurtured hath
finally matured.The innermost power of the (Arcana's Name)
We bestow upon thee the ability to
Arcana hath been set free.
create (Persona's Name), the ultimate form
of the (Arcana's Name) Arcana..."
"Thou art I... And I am thou...
Thou hast established a genuine bond...The innermost power of the (Arcana's Name)
We bestow upon thee the ability to
Arcana hath been set free.
create (Persona's Name), the ultimate form
of the (Arcana's Name) Arcana..."
"Thou art I... And I am thou...
Thou hast established a genuine bond...These genuine bonds... shall be your
We bestow upon thee the ability to
eyes to see the truth.
create (Persona's Name), the ultimate form
of the (Arcana's Name) Arcana..."
"I am thou, thou art I
Thou hast turned a vow into a blood oath.Thy bond shall become the wings of rebellion
Thou hast awakened to the ultimate secret
and break the yoke of thy heart.
of the (Arcana's Name), granting thee infinite power..."
