"This world is so messed up! The weak are left to fight for themselves, while rotten adults get away with whatever they want!"
Ryuji Sakamoto is a playable character from Persona 5. He is a student at Shujin Academy and a former track star who lives a double life as a Phantom Thief.
Appearances
- Persona 5 / Royal: Playable Character; Chariot Confidant
- Persona 5 (Manga): Major Character
- Persona 5: Mementos Mission: Major Character
- Persona 5 The Animation The Day Breakers: Major Character
- Persona 5 The Animation: Major Character
- Persona O.A.: Major Character
- Persona 5 The Stage
- Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight: Playable Character
- Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight: DLC support voice
- Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers: Playable Character
- Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth: Playable Character
Design
Ryuji has short spiky dyed blond hair and dark brown eyes. According to Sadayo Kawakami, his hair is naturally black. He has a noticeable widow's peak and his eyebrows are unusual in that he lacks the outer sides. He is shown to be muscular.
He wears his winter school uniform a bit modified. It consists of the standard black blazer, unbuttoned to reveal a yellow t-shirt with a comic style star symbol and the word 'ZOMG!' He has plaid trousers rolled up to reveal his ankles. His pants have black suspenders that hang down instead of being worn on his shoulders. He has a white belt. His white sneakers have a rising sun flag motif. His summer school uniform is the same as his winter's, except his yellow t-shirt is replaced with a red one reading 'NO MO RULES' and he no longer wears his blazer.
On his days off in winter, he wears a purple hoodie with red lining and the number '777' on the back, a black shirt with a yellow frowning face, dark pants and yellow sneakers. In the summertime he wears a yellow tank top that reads 'ON UR MARK!' with red shoes prints, khaki shorts, and blue sneakers. He wears a chain necklace and white belt as accessories.
During Persona 5 Royal's third semester, Ryuji wears a bright blue jacket over a red sweatshirt with a graffiti paint design, a camo-patterned scarf with black pants and blue sneakers. At school, he wears his uniform the same, but with his pants rolled down, a new red sweater with a black skull and the word 'NOBODY' on the front underneath the blazer, a blue shirt and purple sneakers
His Thief outfit consists of matching black jacket with elbow pads and what appears to be a metal vertebral column attached to its back, pants with knee pads and a double-sided holster belt with ammo on each side, a red ascot, combat boots, a pair of yellow gloves with metal knuckle protectors and a skull mask.
Due to his injury, he walks and runs with a slight limp, and occasionally trips if he overexerts himself.
In Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight, he retains his Shujin Academy uniform except he wears a yellow shirt with a black "X" design and a red tattered scarf, and yellow and light blue sneakers with matching laces. He wears sunglasses on his head, a golden chain bracket on his right wrist and metal bracket on his left wrist.
Personality
"We're going to catch all these shitty adults by surprise and make ourselves known to the world!"
Persona 5 Introducing Ryuji Sakamoto
Ryuji English trailer.
Ryuji is known as a disruptive "problem student" at school whose bad behavior causes all sorts of trouble for the teachers. He is quite proud of his status as a self-proclaimed "troublemaker" and his rebellious, mischievous and disobedient nature are the perfect qualities to be a Phantom Thief. He can sometimes be vulgar and aggressive, as shown in his early interactions with Yusuke Kitagawa and Makoto Niijima. He is also rather short-tempered, easily taking offense from even the slightest of comments. That said, he will never resort to violence, unless he is provoked legitimately.
He is very straightforward when it comes to expressing his feelings, especially in regards to his hatred of selfish adults and authority figures who abuse their power. He is deeply empathetic when it comes to the plight of others: simply listening to the protagonist's story of how he got arrested makes him extremely angry, and hearing about Kamoshida's sexual abuse greatly upsets him.
Ryuji can be clumsy and overly energetic sometimes. He has a habit of yelling constantly, despite frequent warnings from Morgana to keep his voice down, which usually results in loud outbursts that often includes accidentally revealing himself and his friends as the Phantom Thieves. This, combined with his frequent density, causes him to be viewed as an idiot by his peers, Morgana in particular and makes him as some sort of comedic relief in various situations. Ryuji also occasionally has a hard time accepting blame for things, though it's less he doesn't recognize when he's at fault so much as he hates being held solely responsible for an incident when he feels he isn't the only issue, or if it was simply beyond the group's control. Ryuji's academic abilities are outright questionable at best and horrid at worst, as he more often than not, gets bad grades from exams, usually by oversleeping or refusing to study at all.
In reality, his seemingly delinquent-like behavior is merely a coping mechanism for the loss of his reputation to Kamoshida's tyranny and his inability to continue becoming an athlete after the injury he suffered at Kamoshida's hand. Deep down, he is nothing more than a kind and altrustic boy. He deeply cares for his mother and takes fervent effort as an athlete to relieve her worries. He also reveals that his father was an alcoholic who beat him and his mother and then left, so his mother is the only family he has. When he tells the group about the aftermath of his confrontation with Kamoshida, he is broken when he admits that, following a meeting with the school authorities, she apologized to him for being a single mother and not giving him a strong father-figure in life. He even calls himself a "bad son," due to him messing up his efforts to make things easier for his mother. He's generally friendly and on good terms with everyone in the Phantom Thieves (despite frequent bickering), particularly Ann, with who he shares somewhat of a love-hate relationship.
Ryuji cares a great deal for the well-being of others around him, such as when he attempts to help end the abuse of the volleyball team, even going as far as letting them beat him up in an attempt to air out their frustrations. He also has a strong sense of right and wrong. When Morgana warns him and the protagonist that stealing Kamoshida's treasure may result in his death, Ryuji is shocked and reluctant to take that risk, believing that he and the protagonist going around secretly doing whatever they wanted would make them no different from Kamoshida. He changes his mind after Shiho Suzui's attempted suicide, but even after it's done, he wonders if it really was for the best. After a chance encounter with Masayoshi Shido, however, Ryuji comes up with the idea to continue as the Phantom Thieves, in order to get rid of adults who have gone unpunished for so long and give courage to all those who need it. Furthermore, Ryuji is a rather forgiving person, as evident by his willingness to help out his former teammates on the track team despite them viewing him as a traitor, as well as being the first to forgive Makoto for getting the team blackmailed, despite having despised her up until then. He even tells Natsuhiko Nakanohara that someone treating you like dirt doesn't give you the right to do the same to them.
Unfortunately, Ryuji eventually gets caught off guard by the Conspiracy's deceit. It comes to a head after the Phantom Thieves are framed down by Shido, resulting in him breaking down and calling himself "an idiot" for his past behavior. He's able to eventually reconcile his weakness after talking with the protagonist and striving to become a better person after the protagonist makes him realize he can still change as a person.
Hobby-wise, apart from being on the track team, he also does muscle training. He can drink a 500mL bottle of carbonated water in one go which he did as training during his track and field club days. When he was active, he could also do 1000mL bottles. He is often impatient and has a habit of tapping the ground with his toes when he's bored, and prefers to get "straight to the point" during conversations. He claims he never reads, and his artbook profile claims he only reads manga. When it comes to food, he's particularly fond of ramen, to the point of being fussy about the flavor and texture of the noodles. Though not a cook by any means, Ryuji displays some cooking skills, as he mentions a recipe involving combining of honey and sliced lemons as a way of restoring stamina, something his mother taught him.
Ryuji is also quite perverted; For example, he is one of the boys who joined the "Operation Maidwatch" which resulted in Sadayo Kawakami, his homeroom teacher being called via the maid service. This is further reinforced later on, he also stares at Ann in the Mona car while the group were traveling through the desert in Futaba's Palace. When Ann confronts him about this later, he doesn't even try to deny it, saying that "it was a great view."
Profile
Persona 5
"Right on... Wassup, Persona... This effin' rocks! Now that I got this power, it's time for payback... Yo, I'm ready... Bring it! Blast him away... Captain Kidd!"
Ryuji Sakamoto is a student of Shujin Academy and knows about Ann Takamaki since middle school even though they are not too acquainted. Ryuji borrowed money from Ann in middle school so he could buy a stuffed dolphin for his mom from a school trip, but never paid her back, which Ann holds against him.
He originally came from a household with an abusive father, who eventually abandoned him and his mother. Later on, Ryuji got a great opportunity for his future and to ease his mother's burden by becoming a star athlete on the school's track team, where he managed to become its leader and earned fellow teammates Nakaoka, Takeshi and Ikeda's trust. However, during an unknown time prior to the game's events, Suguru Kamoshida came into the school and sets up his tyranny against the school, which he starts by disbanding all sports teams bar his volleyball team so it can go upfront. Ryuji's track team, of course, was one of the causalities, as Kamoshida began telling everyone at Shujin about Ryuji's parents, causing Ryuji to try and attack Kamoshida but in a manner of "self-defense" broke Ryuji's leg and caused the track team to disband, and the former members of his team alongside Kamoshida would label him as the track traitor due to his supposedly brash violence against Kamoshida. Since the team was already disbanded, they were also unable to participate in a track championship. Nakaoka and Takeshi also went to a fall-out on him since he led to the Track Team's disbanding, while Ikeda regrets being unable to stop Kamoshida, albeit not holding resentment unlike the former two.
First Heist: Suguru Kamoshida
The protagonist first meets Ryuji after Kamoshida picks up Ann by car, and Ryuji, who is nearby, calls him "pervert" before greeting the protagonist who inquires about Kamoshida. Realizing the protagonist really knows nothing about Kamoshida, Ryuji quickly assumes he is a transfer student and the two get along. The two accidentally enter Kamoshida's Palace, the embodiment of Kamoshida's desire for lust and control erected at where the school should be. As soon as they enter from the front door, they were blocked by knights and were trapped in a prison where Shadow Kamoshida orders them to be executed. Ryuji witnesses all of the events in total disbelief. The duo were nearly killed, with only the protagonist awakening to his Persona ability allowing them to escape. With the help of the shape-shifting, cat-like being called Morgana, they manage to escape from the Palace. When the two confronts the real Kamoshida, however, the teacher has no idea what they are talking about. To make sure whether they were dreaming or not, Ryuji suggests they once again go to the Palace using the app installed in the protagonist's smartphone, at which they succeed.
Persona 5 Ryuji Awakening
Ryuji's Persona awakening.
The second time visiting the Palace, Ryuji wants to help the students trapped in the palace, but fails as the students were mere cognitions and his phone does not work in the Metaverse. The party was blocked by Kamoshida at the entrance when they try to escape, and this time several Shadows taking the form of Bicorns defeat the protagonist and Morgana effortlessly. Shadow Kamoshida takes the opportunity to reveal his plan for the principal to invest in his volleyball team only and to gain admiration and submission from all the students of his school, but Ryuji was a great threat to him for drawing that attention. Therefore, he intentionally injured Ryuji's leg because he tried to attack and confront him for the unfavorable rumors of his family, giving him an excuse to disband the Track Team and label Ryuji as a track traitor. Kamoshida's true intention angers Ryuji deeply and his Shadow Self calls out to him, transforming into Captain Kidd and awakening his Persona ability for vengeance. Returning to the real world, Ryuji vows to expose Kamoshida's true self and becomes friends with the protagonist after both confide their backgrounds to each other.
Together with the protagonist, they try to get information about Kamoshida from other students, but everyone is too afraid to talk, even learning that the teachers, parents, and principal knows, but did not bother to speak up to Kamoshida. Morgana, in cat form, then approaches Ryuji and the protagonist, suggesting they steal the source of Kamoshida's corrupt heart to make him confess his own crimes. However, when Morgana mentions that Kamoshida will die if they by chance killed his Shadow, Ryuji and the protagonist ask for time to think. Not long afterward, Ann's friend, Shiho Suzui, attempts suicide and when Ryuji and the protagonist heard from Yuuki Mishima that Kamoshida called Shiho a day before, Ryuji and the protagonist realizes that Kamoshida has sexually assaulted her. Ryuji angrily confronts Kamoshida about this, resulting in Kamoshida's decision to expel him, the protagonist and Mishima upon the next board meeting.
Finally having enough with Kamoshida, Ryuji and the protagonist agrees with Morgana's suggestion to steal Kamoshida's treasure and make him confess his crimes. They later are joined by Ann who also wants to expose Kamoshida after hearing everything from Shiho. To agitate Shadow Kamoshida once they almost reach the treasure, Ryuji makes and attaches a calling card on the school board under the name "Phantom Thieves of Hearts" that is addressed to Kamoshida, stating he will confess his crime soon. After Kamoshida confesses his crime in front of the whole student body, Ryuji, the protagonist and Mishima's expulsion is canceled, much to their relief.
With the case over, Ryuji and the others decides to celebrate at an expensive restaurant by using the money they got after selling Kamoshida's treasure. At the restaurant, Ryuji and the protagonist meet an arrogant man named Masayoshi Shido who quickly gets on Ryuji's nerves after one of his bodyguards rudely shoved them when they were waiting for the elevator. This encounter makes Ryuji decide to continue working as Phantom Thieves to cleanse the corruption from corrupt adults' hearts. The protagonist and Ann also agree with him, so they decide to continue being the Phantom Thieves.
Seventh Heist: Masayoshi Shido
After the Phantom Thieves successfully stole Shido's heart in his Palace, Shido in the real world took a medicine given by the Conspiracy as a last ditch attempt of killing the Thieves by making his Palace collapse. With the team unable to exit the Palace, Ryuji decides to risk his life by running up to the crane carrying a lifeboat to help the team escape. While the Thieves were able to onto the lifeboat and escape, Ryuji is still hanging onto the ladder of the crane and is unable to reach them on time before Shido's ship explodes, seemingly taking Ryuji with it, much to the team’s distress and grief.
Back in the real world, the Thieves succeeded in capturing Shido's treasure (a legislator's pin), but they had already lost a valuable member of their team. While they silently mourn their friend, Ryuji surprisingly appears alive and well (in reality, he was blasted out of the collapsing Palace and landed on the grass afterwards), but much to the girls' anger, accidentally ruins the moment by thoughtlessly making fun of Ann's crying, not knowing why his friends are sad. The girls then beat up Ryuji and leave him near the Diet Building while the team leaves to eat.
Royal
Ryuji's role is largely the same as he is in Persona 5, aside that he and Yusuke also hang out with the protagonist in a summer fair during the 17th of July.
Third Semester
During the 1st of January, Ryuji's leg has mysteriously recovered and his Track Team is fully restored, with him taking the lead and becoming a popular figure among his fellow athletes. This was an illusion, however, made by Takuto Maruki, whom he told that he wanted to restore the Track Team in a consultant session. In this reality, Kamoshida never broke his leg and he was a popular figure in the track team. He can be met near the Shujin gates after the protagonist and Akechi meet Maruki in his palace for the first time. Once talked to, during the 9th of January, the illusion breaks for him, and the track team was never heard of again.
On the same day, when the protagonist and Akechi are nearly defeated by a berserk Cendrillon that Maruki uses to attack them, Ryuji blocked the attack with a single hand (that looks very similar to Rebel's Guard) and the rest of the Phantom Thieves who were broke away from the illusion appeared as backup, allowing Cendrillon to be defeated and Sumire Yoshizawa rescued.
If the protagonist completes his confidant, Ryuji will offer him to go to his room for a talk. He thoroughly apologizes that Maruki gave him a dream life and he totally went along with it while betraying his promise that he would protect the protagonist from danger no matter what since the time that he helped him from issues with Kamoshida and Yamauchi. He punishes himself by doing as many sit ups as possible until the protagonist tells him to stop, only to realize that it's pointless. He then stated while he wished for his track team legacy to continue and he might have a better life, his past of Kamoshida's hatred, turning into a delinquent, going near expulsion and his conflict with Nakaoka and Takeshi are still a part of him and he can't simply throw this past away. Realizing this, Seiten Taisei and Captain Kidd transmogrify into William.
If the protagonist accepts any of Maruki's deals to overwrite the current reality with his, Ryuji will be seen trying to swallow an ehoumaki during the 3rd of February. On the 15th of March, he will attend Haru and Makoto's graduation. He is last seen going to a competition at high spirits with his track team members at the credits, then having fun at LeBlanc alongside the rest of the former Phantom Thieves at the post-credits snapshot.
After Maruki's defeat and restoration of their original reality, Ryuji would reflect upon the events that transpired and call for a meeting with the Phantom Thieves and Sojiro at Leblanc a few weeks after the protagonist's release from prison. Wanting everyone he owed to listen, Ryuji was the first of the group to announce that he plans to move away in April by transferring to a school close to a physical rehabilitation facility to get his leg healed in order to return to the track team. After everyone revealed their own plans for the future, they agreed to remain connected even after going their separate ways.
Some time after the group helped the protagonist evade government pursuers from following him on the day of his departure from Tokyo (with the assistance of the reformed Maruki who works as a taxi driver), Ryuji returns to the shoe store he was browsing at on the day the protagonist faked his death to buy his new pair of running shoes, moving forward on his path.
Confidant
- To check his Confidant dialogue options and skills, see Confidant/Ryuji Sakamoto
"Acting as a Phantom Thief would've been more efficient alone. You could've gone about it that way... However, you did not. There are merits to having associates... That's what you decided. Am I wrong?"
Ryuji's Confidant relationship is unlocked automatically on April 12th but his first Confidant ability is only obtained at rank 2. Maxing this Confidant makes Captain Kidd evolve into Seiten Taisei and unlocks the fusion of Chi You.
Ryuji's Follow Up attack, granted at Confidant rank 3, is a strong strike to a single target which is a guaranteed critical hit. However, the high damage is mitigated due to the fact that it only strikes a single target.
Ryuji's Instant Kill ability, granted at Confidant rank 7, triggers when the protagonist ambushes a Shadow group which consists of Shadows at least 10 levels lower than the protagonist. The battle is skipped, earning the protagonist a free Persona based on the possible enemies in that mob, but also denying experience, money and items. The protagonist will also be unable to gain the free Persona if their stock is full or if they possess a copy of it. While this is convenient in backtracking through earlier parts of Mementos, it's also not conducive for grinding. Unless the protagonist has been grinding extensively (especially by hunting the Reaper) this ability should not be an issue in story-relevant Palaces.
Ryuji's Confidant revolves around his resolve to help reestablish the track club after Kamoshida disbanded it. One day while training, he faces Nakaoka and Takeishi who was still angry at Ryuji for getting into a fight with Kamoshida. Rejected by his former teammates, they go to train at Protein Lovers where they meet his alumni Ikeda who had joined the university track team despite how Kamoshida had no intentions of writing their letter of recommendation and used Ryuji punching Kamoshida as the excuse while letting word slip that the team is being reinstated as Shujin's Volleyball team is in turmoil since the incident with Kamoshida came to light but learn that Yamaguchi, one of Kamoshida's supporters is the new coach despite lacking any credentials and rampant alcoholism which raises Ryuji's concern that the team will be doomed to repeat the same mistakes he did with Kamoshida.
While training one day, he runs into Takeishi accusing Nakaoka for exposing their personal lives to Kamoshida in hopes for a scholarship and kicks Nakaoka out of the team as Nakaoka confesses to being one responsible for Ryuji's suffering. However Ryuji knew that after all the suffering he has been through, he would have remained an obedient tool to Kamoshida's false promises and made the resolve to get the team to abandon Yamaguchi as the coach by spying on him with the protagonist's help. Eventually he learns that Yamaguchi indeed doesn't care about the team and wanted only the attention and fame as the protagonist records their conversation on day at a restaurant. There he reveals his intentions was to play the role of the sympathetic teacher who help saved the Track Team after Kamoshida's actions and have a coach do the actual work while he reaps the rewards and ensuring Nakaoka gets kicked out of the team after informing Takeishi subtly about Kamoshida learning about their darkest secrets and using him as a puppet to keep others in line. With the information recorded Ryuji realize the importance on relying on others to succeed and decided to help the team confront Yamaguchi.
Faced with the incriminating truth, Takeishi and Nakaoka comes to terms with Ryuji who stresses the importance of relying on one another and being independent from the demands of others. Shortly after the confrontation, Takeishi and the Track Team makes the decision to practice without relying on Yamaguchi, involving the PTA to stop Yamaguchi, and are able to rehire the old coach. Ryuji however declines the offer to join the team and has come to learn the importance on relying on others in times of need. Ryuji promises to help out and give his all as a Phantom Thief to the Protagonist for all that he has done to support him. His newfound resolve causes Captain Kidd to transform into Seiten Taisei.
Ryuji's farewell gift after maxing his Confidant is a Sports Watch, allowing Ryuji the ability to use Harisen Recovery from the beginning in New Game+ once the Confidant has been established.
Persona 5 The Animation The Day Breakers
"Right! We're Phantom Thieves on the side of Justice. Why don't we show this gang of low-level crooks how overmatched they are?"
Ryuji is first seen at the subway with the protagonist, Morgana, Ann and Yusuke Kitagawa. They transform into their Phantom Thief outfits and enter the Mementos.
After discussing with the group, Ann and Ryuji talk loudly at a restaurant and lure one of the members of the criminal gang to Café Leblanc.
Later, he engages battle with Kazuya Makigami directly and changes his heart.
Persona 5 The Animation
Ryuji's role is relatively the same as in the game.
Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth
Ryuji and his team are stranded in a new world, where they meet Kamoshidaman and powerful Shadows known as F.O.Es. Being outmatched, the Phantom Thieves retreat and escape to the Cinema, but Makoto Niijima and Haru Okumura are left behind and captured. They eventually save them with a new teammate, a girl from Persona 3 Portable.
As they continue to venture through the movie worlds, they encounter new allies: the Investigation Team and SEES. Ryuji learns to use unison attacks from completing side quests, which he can use together with Kanji Tatsumi through their bonding, Junpei Iori and Yosuke Hanamura through their common friendships with their respective leaders, and Morgana, Ann Takamaki and Ken Amada through training the boy the ways of being a phantom thief.
After the enemy is defeated, everyone returns to their own worlds. Their memories of the event is erased. Ryuji is last seen sitting in a movie theater with his friends about to watch the premiere of a new movie.
Party
- Main article: Party/Ryuji Sakamoto
Quotes
Persona 5
- "Ain't nothing wrong about doin' your best to make a livin'."
- "Sure it's a solo sport, but nobody's gonna run 'til they puke if they don't got teammates they wanna inspire. I guess what I really wanna say is, you gotta do stuff for people beyond just yourself if you wanna succeed."
Main Storyline
- " Dammit... Screw that Pervy Teacher." (First words upon seeing Takamaki in Kamoshida's Car and running during the rain closes to The Protagonist)
- "Hey, uh... are you sure it's him? Or are you just that self-conscious." (Talking to Ann beside The Protagonist when the group encountered the Unforeseen Stalker)
- "But that's a fuckin' sick thing to do to a kid if that's really how it all went down." (Commenting on a mural in Futaba's Palace)
- "Yeah? Well, too bad for you—I'm done runnin' away from my problems!" (Maruki Telegraphing movement ban)
- "Heheh. I'm totally gonna wreck your expectations! ...U-Uh, I mean that in a good way!"
- "I'm only thinkin' about the future now! That's what we're gonna do—build the future! We gotta think positive thoughts, brother!"
- "I guess now that I'm thinkin' about it, tryin' to fit in is a real pain in the ass."
- "I've realized something, Nakaoka. I might've messed up with Kamoshida back then, but hangin' on to the past ain't gonna help anythin'. I'm just gonna focus on bein' myself now...on bein' free."
- "I guess bein' free is like... It's like how I feel when I'm talkin' to you, man."
- "They suffered with me, gritted their teeth with me... ...Honestly, I think it was only 'cause of them I was able to run at all. So I can't just go and turn my back on 'em now, right?" (About his former track team)
- "Who're you livin' your life for? Your parents? Teachers? Society? Maybe you should stop tryin' to live for them, and just try livin' for yourself." (To Takeishi)
- "Y'know...it ain't so scary not havin' a place you belong. You can kinda be free that way." (To Nakaoka)
- "Wherever you decide to be, that's where you belong."
- "But I've realized now... as long as I'm bein' myself, I'll always have somewhere I can fit in."
Battle Quotes:
- "I'm all fired up!" (Using shotguns)
- "Perrrrsonaaaa!" (Summoning Persona)
- "Whip 'em, Persona!" (Summoning Persona)
- "Captain Kidd! / Seiten Taisei! / William!" (Exploiting enemy's weakness with Persona skill)
- "Let's go Captain!" (Exploiting enemy's weakness with Persona skill)
- "Seiteeeeen TAISEI!" (Exploiting enemy's weakness with Persona skill)
- "Blast 'em William!" (Exploiting enemy's weakness with Persona skill)
- "Hah! / Eat this! / Get wrecked!" (Attacking with offensive skill)
- "Up to you, man!" (Using Baton Pass)
- "Leave it to me. / Taggin in!" (Receiving Baton Pass)
- "Hang in there!" (Using Harisen Recovery)
- "Don't just stand there!" (Shielding protagonist)
- "Now or never, right?" (Follow-Up)
- "Need a hand?" (Follow-Up)
- "Gonna knock you out!" (Initiating Follow-Up attack)
- "I'm on it!" (Initiating Follow-Up attack)
- "Just stay there!" (Hold-Up enemies)
- "For real?! / No way!" (When an enemy dodges his attack)
- "Saw that! / Loser! / Try to keep up!" (When Ryuji dodges an enemy's attack)
- "I-I a-ain't a-afraid..." (Ryuji is inflicted with Fear)
- "Damn... Too dizzy..." (While Dizzy)
- "Sorry. / Whew!" (When someone heals him)
- "Usin' it! / This one! / There you go!" (Healing or increasing the stats of an ally / Decreasing enemy's stats)
- "This is it!" (Initating All-Out Attack)
- "All right! Time for some pain!" (Initiating All-Out Attack)
- "Let's tear 'em apart!" (Initiating All-Out Attack)
- "And don't come back!" (All-Out Attack finishing touch)
- "Slam!" (All-Out Attack finishing touch)
- "That's all she wrote!" (All-Out Attack finishing touch)
- "Time to go wild!" (Tactics changed to Act Freely)
- "Beat 'em down!" (Tactics changed to Full Assault)
- "Hold back, huh?" (Tactics changed to Conserve SP)
- "Playin' it safe." (Tactics changed to Heal/Support)
- "You're the boss." (Tactics changed to Direct Command)
- "Who's next!?" (Battle results)
- "Yeah! Nice!" (Battle results)
- "Ha! Losers!" (Battle results)
- "New move! Whaddya think?" (Learning new move)
- "Check out this new skill!" (Learning new move)
- "A new move!" (Learning new move)
Gallery
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Ryuji's Close Up
Ryuji's Level-Up icon
Ryuji's text icon
Ryuji's Confidant portrait
Ryuji in the crowd
Concept art
Concept art
Skull concept art
Cinematic expressions concept artwork
Ryuji's "NO MO' RULES" and "ZOMG!" shirts
Key art of Ryuji Sakamoto from the Persona 5 website
Ryuji along with other playable character appear on Visual Wanted Poster
Illustration of Ryuji Sakamoto and the others by Shigenori Soejima
Illustration by Shigenori Soejima
Illustration of the main members of Phantom Thieves of Hearts
Illustration of the main members of Phantom Thieves of Hearts
Illustration of the main members of Phantom Thieves of Hearts
Illustration of the main members of Phantom Thieves of Hearts
Illustration of Ryuji, the protagonist, Ann, Morgana and Yusuke by Rokuro
Illustration of Ryuji, the protagonist and Ann by Shigenori Soejima
Illustration of the protagonist, Morgana, Ryuji and Ann
Illustration of Ryuji and the others by Shigenori Soejima
Persona 5 Maniax User Handbook Cover Illustration of Phantom Thieves of Hearts
Theme
Theme
Ryuji in the opening movie
Ryuji in the opening movie
Ryuji screaming in pain while unmasking his Persona
Ryuji in his thief uniform
All-Out Attack portrait
All-Out Attack finishing touch
All-Out Attack finishing touch
Ryuji and the protagonist in their athletic attire
Ryuji in the credits
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Ryuji on the P5R key art
Concept art
Concept art (2)
Portraits
Ryuji's Showtime
Ryuji and Yusuke's Showtime
Ryuji and Makoto's Showtime
Ryuji with the boys at the summer festival
Ryuji with the group on New Years
Ryuji celebrating with the Phantom Thieves
Ryuji, the protagonist and Yusuke
Ryuji and Ann in Hawaii
Ryuji and Yusuke in Hawaii
Ryuji and the protagonist
"The Dream Stage"
"A Reality Without Pain"
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| Persona 5 Portraits | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ryuji Sakamoto's portrait
Ryuji grinning
Ryuji scowling
Ryuji sad
Ryuji surprised
Ryuji blushing
Ryuji defeated
Ryuji serious
Ryuji's Skull outfit
Ryuji's Skull outfit without mask
Ryuji's summer school uniform
Ryuji's gym uniform
Ryuji's summer attire
Ryuji's winter attire
Ryuji's casual attire
Ryuji shirtless
Ryuji with bear ears
Ryuji happy cut-in
Ryuji angry cut-in
Ryuji confused cut-in
Ryuji surprised cut-in
Ryuji determined cut-in
Ryuji serious cut-in
Ryuji harmed cut-in
Ryuji sad cut-in
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| Persona 5 Royal Portraits | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Ryuji's portrait
Ryuji grinning
Ryuji scowling
Ryuji sad
Ryuji surprised
Ryuji defeated
Ryuji serious
Ryuji grinning (Original)
Ryuji scowling (Original)
Ryuji surprised (Original)
Ryuji defeated (Original)
Ryuji's summer uniform
Ryuji's winter attire
Ryuji's summer attire
Ryuji's outdoor winter coat
Ryuji's indoor winter coat
Skull's portrait
Skull grinning
Skull scowling
Skull sad
Skull surprised
Skull defeated
Skull serious
Skull hidden
Ryuji's gym outfit
Ryuji shirtless
Ryuji's casual attire
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| Persona 5 Costumes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shujin Winter School Uniform
Winter Casual Wear
Summer Casual Wear
Shujin Summer School Uniform
St. Hermelin High School Uniform (DLC)
Seven Sisters High School Uniform (DLC)
Gekkoukan High School Uniform (DLC)
Yasogami High School Uniform (DLC)
Persona 4: Dancing All Night Costume (DLC)
Persona 4 Arena Shadow Operation Outfit (DLC)
Karukozaka High School Uniform (DLC)
Shin Megami Tensei IV Costume (Jonathan) (DLC)
Swimsuit (DLC)
Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha Costume (DLC)
Butler Uniform (DLC)
Christmas Costume (DLC)
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| Persona 5 (Manga) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ryuji in his Skull outfit
Ryuji and Captain Kidd
Cover for Volume 2
Ryuji on the cover
Persona 5 Character Anthology
Illustration by Persona Q: Side P4 manga author Mizunomoto
P5A Anthology cover
Survey Report Cover
Illustration countdown of Ryuji for Volume 1 of Persona 5: Mementos Mission
Illustration of Ryuji, Yusuke, Morgana and Ren for Chapter 7 of Persona 5: Mementos Mission
Ryuji in Persona 5: Mementos Mission
Ryuji on the cover of Mementos Report Volume 2
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| Persona 5 The Animation The Day Breakers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ryuji Sakamoto and his allies on the cover of Persona 5 The Animation The Day Breakers
Ryuji Sakamoto in Persona 5 The Animation The Day Breakers
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| Persona 5 The Animation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Visual art of Ryuji Sakamoto
Second cour key visual
Ryuji on DVD Cover of P5A Volume 2
Ryuji on DVD Reverse Cover of P5A Volume 2
Concept art of Ryuji Sakamoto
Concept art of Ryuji Sakamoto (2)
Ryuji on the P5A Artbook cover
Ryuji in the P5A Artbook
Ryuji in the P5A Artbook (2)
Ryuji in the P5A Artbook (3)
Ryuji in the P5A Artbook (4)
Ryuji as a mouse in the P5A Artbook (2nd row)
Ryuji in Persona 5 The Animation Attic Meeting
Persona 5 x SHIBUYA109 artwork
Persona 5 Masquerade Party Event
Ryuji and Ann in the March 2018 issue of Newtype Magazine
Ryuji, Ren and Ann in the May 2018 issue of Newtype Magazine
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| Persona 5 The Stage | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ryuji in the up-left corner on the Persona 5 The Stage cover
Ryuji as Skull in Persona 5 The Stage
Ryuji and Ann In Persona 5 The Stage
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| Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ryuji in the key visual art
Ryuji dancing
Ball Stage Outfit
Summer Shujin Outfit
Winter Shujin Outfit
Summer Clothes
Winter Clothes
Shujin Academy Jersey
Red Surf Trunks
Pirate Armor
Pirate Coat
Santa Costume
Butler Suit
Deep Blue Clothes
Valhalla Suit
Orlando's Outfit
High School Girl Look
Feather Ostrich
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| Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Character art
Concept art
Ryuji Pre-Release Wallpaper (576x1024)
Ryuji's Showtime
Ryuji in the Title Screen
Ryuji, the protagonist and Morgana encountering Shibuya's Jail
Ryuji travelling with the Phantom Thieves
Ryuji hiding in the bushes with the Phantom Thieves
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| Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ryuji with the group
Ryuji with the P5 cast
Ryuji and the Phantom Thieves in Mementos
Ryuji in the Kamoshidaman Key Art
Concept Art
Concept Art
Ryuji's Cut-in
Ryuji's All-Out-Attack
Ryuji in the end credits
LINE sticker
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| Tribute Artworks | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Illustration of Ryuji and his team by Akaume (PQ Roundabout author)
Illustration of Ryuji, the protagonist, Ann, Morgana and Yusuke by Rokuro Saito
Illustration of Ryuji by Yoko Nihonbashi (Cartoonist of G Senjou Heaven’s Door and Shoujo Fight)
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| PERSONA 20th Anniversary Festival | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Other | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ryuji on the escape room key visual
Ryuji's Nendoroid figure
Ryuji Funko Pop Figure
Ryuji on Persora -The Golden Best 5-
Picaresque Mouse Phantom Thieves
Picaresque Mouse Ryuji
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Videos
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Etymology
Ryuji's name is referencing Ryōma Sakamoto (坂本 龍馬) from the bakumatsu period, which is supported by his Confidant subplot which is an allusion to the blade wound incident in Iguchi village (井口村刃傷事件?): A lower samurai Toranoshin Ikeda (池田 寅之進)'s brother was killed by a higher samurai for possibly shoulder bumping. Informed by the witness, Ikeda quickly arrived at the scene and killed the two superiors for revenge. This serial murder stoked the tension between the lower and higher samurais in the next day. Sakamoto as a fellow lower samurai helped mediate, but things actually settled down after Ikeda had performed honor suicide by seppuku and confiscation of the salaries of Ikeda's and his brother's families, while the superiors' families received virtually no punishment for the initial killing. The unequal treatments led to desertion of many lower samurais including Sakamoto and his later comrade Shintarō Nakaoka (中岡 慎太郎) from their serving clans who were disappointed by their higher-ups' suppression.
In Other Languages
| Language | Titles | |
|---|---|---|
 English
|
Ryuji Sakamoto | Skull |
 Japanese
|
坂本 竜司 (Sakamoto Ryūji) | スカル (Sukaru) |
 Korean
|
사카모토 류지 (Sakamoto Ryuji) | 스컬 (Seukeol) |
  Traditional Chinese
|
坂本 龍司 (Bǎnběn Lóngsī) | SKULL |
Trivia
- In the Japanese version, Skull self-proclaims "Phantom Thieves' Captain Kirikomi" (怪盗団の切り込み隊長, Kaitō-dan no kirikomi taichō)? which loosely means "Assault Captain" or "Captain Foodie" (which could be an intentional double entendre.) "Captain Kirikomi" is a reference to the Marauding Captain card from the Yu-Gi-Oh! series. "Kirikomi" precisely refers to curing fish slices from Hokkaido regional cuisine. The term was later borrowed for naval boarding in ship-to-ship combat, referring to the grappling hooks for closing the distance between the ships.
- The official translation in-game is "charge commander."
- Ryuji's civilian shoes are censored in the Chinese and Korean versions of the game, due to containing the Rising Sun Flag.[1] The symbol is a sensitive issue in many other Asian countries when they suffered from Japan's invasion during World War II. Atlus removed it out of courtesy when the issue was brought up.
- The rising sun symbol on Ryuji's shoes is also removed from the official artwork used for his Spirit in all versions of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
- Just like with Makoto Niijima and Goro Akechi before, the official twitter account for the Persona series posted a "Happy Birthday" message for Ryuji on July 3, 2017 JST.
- Pointed out by the same Twitter account, Ryuji's birthday is on Wave Day (波の日*)?, a Japanese anniversary. The origin of Wave Day comes from the pronunciation of the numbers, combined with the pronunciation of "wave" (なみ*)?, forming 7/3. (な (7) み (3))[6]
- Only in the English version, after escaping Kaneshiro's Palace Ryuji comments in the gang's message group "I'm a Phantom, on a steel horse I ride." This is a reference to Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive" from the 1986 album "Slippery When Wet" to which Makoto follows up with continual reference by stating that she is not wanted.
- In the Japanese version, this conversation is completely different with Ryuji stating he wants to drive a stolen bike and Makoto instantly denies hers to be stolen from elsewhere.
Appearances in Other Media
- Granblue Fantasy:
- BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle:
- Color swap for Yosuke Hanamura
- Puyo Puyo!! Quest:
- Catherine: Full Body:
- DLC NPC
- Kyoutou Kotoba RPG:
- Ryuji (Kotodaman); Normal (5-star), Phantom Thief (6-star)
- Collaboration event: March 5th, 2019 - March 28th, 2019[10]
- Super Smash Brothers Ultimate:
- Cameo during Joker's Final Smash and Mementos
- Primary Spirit (Advanced Class, Shield type)
- Article in SmashWiki
- Part of the Joker DLC: April 17th, 2019
- Identity V:
- Skull skin for Forward
- First collaboration event: August 8th, 2019 - August 29th, 2019[11]
- Sword Art Online: Memory Defrag
- Skull, Strike type, Light element, 6-star
- Collaboration event: February 17th, 2020 - March 10th, 2020[12]
- Sword Art Online: Integral Factor:
- Skull, NPC, Skull outfit for avatar, Skull skin for Eugeo
- Collaboration event: February 28th, 2020 - March 10th, 2020
| Chain Chronicle | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Skull's card in Chain Chronicle
Skull in Chain Chronicle
Skull in Chain Chronicle
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| Granblue Fantasy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Skull with the Thieves in Granblue Fantasy
Skull's Finishing Touch in Granblue Fantasy
Skull's default portraits for Granblue Fantasy
Ryuji laughing
Ryuji sad
Ryuji serious
Ryuji shouting
Ryuji surprised
Ryuji thinking
Skull laughing
Skull sad
Skull serious
Skull shouting
Skull surprised
Skull thinking
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| Kyoutou Kotoba RPG | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ryuji in Kyoutou Kotoba RPG
Skull in Kyoutou Kotoba RPG
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| Identity V | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Skull in Identity V
Skull in Identity V
Ryuji in Identity V
Ryuji's Concept Art in Identity V
Skull's Concept Art in Identity V
Illustration of the Phantom Thieves as part of the 2nd Identity V collaboration event
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| Sword Art Online: Memory Defrag | ||
|---|---|---|
Skull in Sword Art Online: Memory Defrag
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| Sword Art Online: Integral Factor | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Skull in Sword Art Online: Integral Factor
Eugeo dressed as Skull in Sword Art Online: Integral Factor
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| Other | ||
|---|---|---|
Persona 5, in collaboration with Sanrio
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References
- ↑ 今日7月3日は我らが怪盗団の切り込み隊長・坂本竜司の誕生日だ！ リュージ、ハッピーバースデー！ #P5R #ペルソナ５ @p_kouhou (July 3rd, 2017)
- ↑ 今日７月３日は怪盗団の切り込み隊長、スカルことリュージの誕生日だぜ！ ヒュー！おめでとう！ #ペルソナ5 #p5a #坂本竜司 @p_kouhou (July 3rd, 2018)
- ↑ 7月3日はリュージの誕生日だぜ！ ワガハイが牛丼に紅ショウガをたっぷりのせてやるからな！ 遠慮しないでじゃんじゃん食え！ #ペルソナ5 #坂本竜司 @p_kouhou (July 3rd, 2019)
- ↑ [https://twitter.com/p_kouhou/status/1278704984830423043 ７月３日はナミ（波）の日！…じゃなくて、反逆のドクロがトレードマーク、怪盗団の切り込み隊長・スカルこと #坂本竜司 の誕生日！
ハッピーバースデー、リュージ、これからもヨロシクな！
- ペルソナ５ #P5R #P5S] @p_kouhou (July 3rd, 2020)
- ↑ Persona 5 Royal height chart
- ↑ そういえば今日7/3は波（なみ）の日でもあるらしい。何だかリュージっぽい誕生日だよな。みんな、これからもよろしく頼むぜ！ #ペルソナ5 #坂本竜司, @p_kouhou (July 3rd, 2017)
- ↑ Persona 5 Collaboration Festival. Chain Chronicle Wiki.
- ↑ Persona 5: Thievery in Blue. Granblue Fantasy Wiki.
- ↑ Persona 3, 4, 5 Popular Scene Vote Results, Persona Q2 Line Stamps Announced, Persona Q2 x Puyo Puyo!! Quest Collaboration. Persona Central (Reggy, November 24th, 2018)
- ↑ Persona 5 x Kyoutou Kotoba RPG: Kotodaman Collaboration Trailer, Starts on March 5, 2019. Persona Central (Reggy, March 4th, 2019)
- ↑ Persona 5 x Identity V Collaboration Begins on August 8, 2019. Persona Central (Reggy, August 5th, 2019)
- ↑ Persona 5 Royal x Sword Art Online: Memory Defrag Collaboration to Start on February 17, 2020. Persona Central (Reggy, February 13, 2020)
| Characters | |
| Playable | Ren Amamiya - Ryuji Sakamoto - Morgana - Ann Takamaki - Yusuke Kitagawa - Makoto Niijima - Futaba Sakura - Haru Okumura - Caroline & Justine |
| DLC | Shinjiro Aragaki - Goro Akechi - Theodore - Lavenza - Sho Minazuki - Labrys |
| Locations | |
| Tokyo | Café Leblanc - Shibuya - Shujin Academy |
| Palace | Kamoshida's Palace - Madarame's Palace - Kaneshiro's Palace - Futaba's Palace - Okumura's Palace - Niijima's Palace - Shido's Palace - Mementos |
| Other | Velvet Room - Hawaii |
| Music | |
| Songs | GROOVY - One Nightbreak |
| Albums | Persona Dancing P3D & P5D Soundtrack Advanced CD |
| Archive | |
| Lists | Social - Trophies - Patches and Updates |
| Development | |
| Corporate | Atlus Co., Ltd. |
| Personnel | Kazuhisa Wada - Shigenori Soejima - Ryota Kozuka - Shoji Meguro Toshiki Konishi - Atsushi Kitajoh - Jazztronik - tofubeats - Mito - Yukihiro Fukutomi - KAIEN - Shacho - Taku Takahashi |