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|name = Takuto Maruki
 
|name = Takuto Maruki
 
|image = <tabber>
 
|image = <tabber>
Normal = [[File:Persona 5 Royal Takuto.png|thumb]]
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P5R= [[File:Persona 5 Royal Takuto.png|thumb]]
 
|-|
 
|-|
 
Suit = [[File:Takuto_enemy.png|thumb]]
 
Suit = [[File:Takuto_enemy.png|thumb]]
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P5 Manga=[[File:P5 manga Takuto.png|thumb]]
 
P5 Manga=[[File:P5 manga Takuto.png|thumb]]
 
</tabber>
 
</tabber>
|aka = Male Teacher with Glasses
+
|aka = Male Teacher with Glasses<br>Dr. Maruki
 
|kana = 丸喜 拓人 <br> <small> まるき たくと </small>
 
|kana = 丸喜 拓人 <br> <small> まるき たくと </small>
 
|romaji = Maruki Takuto
 
|romaji = Maruki Takuto
 
|first appearance = ''Persona 5 Royal''
 
|first appearance = ''Persona 5 Royal''
  +
|school = [[Shujin Academy]] (formerly)
  +
|occupation = Counselor (formerly) <br> Psientific Researcher (formerly) <br> Taxi Driver (current)
 
|height = 180 cm (5'11")<ref>[[:File:P5R Height Chart.jpg|''Persona 5 Royal'' height chart]]</ref>
 
|height = 180 cm (5'11")<ref>[[:File:P5R Height Chart.jpg|''Persona 5 Royal'' height chart]]</ref>
 
|arcana = [[Councillor Arcana|Councillor]]
 
|arcana = [[Councillor Arcana|Councillor]]
 
|persona = [[Azathoth]], [[Adam Kadmon]]
 
|persona = [[Azathoth]], [[Adam Kadmon]]
 
|theme = "Ideal and the Real"
 
|theme = "Ideal and the Real"
|japaneseva = [[wikipedia:Satoshi Hino|Satoshi Hino]]
+
|japaneseva = {{w|Satoshi Hino}}
|englishva = [[wikipedia:Billy Kametz|Billy Kametz]]
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|englishva = Billy Kametz
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{Q|Everyone is capable of changing themselves - your imagination is the only limit.|Takuto Maruki, ''Persona 5 Royal''}}
 
{{Q|Everyone is capable of changing themselves - your imagination is the only limit.|Takuto Maruki, ''Persona 5 Royal''}}
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==Design==
 
==Design==
Takuto is a tall, bespectacled middle-aged man with brown, short unkempt hair. He wears a blue dress shirt tucked into his upturned khaki slacks with a checkered dark blue tie. He wears a white lab coat over the top. On his feet he wears open-toed sandals without socks. In his suit's chest pocket, he has a yellow pen and a staff ID that's further tied around his neck with a red strap.
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Maruki is a tall, bespectacled middle-aged man with brown, short unkempt hair and a small stubble underneath his chin. He wears a blue dress shirt tucked into his upturned khaki slacks with a checkered dark blue tie. He wears a white lab coat over the top. On his feet he wears open-toed sandals without socks. In his suit's chest pocket, he has a yellow pen and a staff ID that's further tied around his neck with a red strap.
   
Outside his work uniform, he wears a white ribbed sweater over a dark blue dress shirt, a light brown jacket with dark brown fabric at the cuffs and collar, dark jeans and tan shoes with laces. When he was younger, his hair was shorter and neater, and he wore a white polo shirt with blue trimming and jeans with a black wrist watch.
+
Outside his work uniform, he wears a white ribbed sweater over a dark blue dress shirt, a light brown jacket with dark brown fabric at the cuffs and collar, dark jeans and tan shoes with laces. When he was younger, his chin was clean-shaven, his hair was shorter and neater, and he wore a white polo shirt with blue trimming and jeans with a black wrist watch.
   
While maintaining his Palace, Takuto has his hair slicked back. Every item of his clothing is white, with a formal suit, round-necked shirt without a tie, gloves and shoes. Like in his everyday outfit, he has a pen in his jacket pocket.
+
While maintaining his Palace, Maruki has his hair slicked back and loses his stubble. Every item of his clothing is white, with a formal suit, round-necked shirt without a tie, gloves and shoes. Like in his everyday outfit, he has a pen in his jacket pocket.
   
In the [[Metaverse]], he wears a golden skin-tight priest garb with a tall shield-shaped mask, a white cape and holds a staff.
+
In the [[Metaverse]], he wears a golden skin-tight priest garb with a tall shield-shaped mask, a white cape and holds a staff. His glasses become his mask when he assumes this attire, and thus he doesn't have them under it.
   
 
==Personality==
 
==Personality==
 
[[File:Maruki_Counseling.png|thumb|250px|right|Maruki counseling with the protagonist through his problems.]]
 
[[File:Maruki_Counseling.png|thumb|250px|right|Maruki counseling with the protagonist through his problems.]]
Takuto is a voluntary counselor who cares about the students in the school and sympathizes with [[Suguru Kamoshida]]'s victims. As a counselor, he is quite friendly to those who reach out to him and is extremely patient, allowing them to control the flow of their conversation. He is alert and quick to pick up on minor comments made by his patients that helps open them up. He is also highly clumsy, quirky and is prone to messing up in comedic situations, unlike most of the other teachers who have no-nonsense, regular personalities. He is quite popular with the Thieves and even [[Yusuke Kitagawa|Yusuke]] from [[Kosei High School]] comes to [[Shujin Academy]] to take his counseling, effectively making him a popular figure among students and one of the Thieves' greatest sponsors. He also appears to be a skilled cook.
+
Maruki is a voluntary counselor who cares about the students in the school and sympathizes with [[Suguru Kamoshida]]'s victims. As a counselor, he is quite friendly to those who reach out to him and is extremely patient, allowing them to control the flow of their conversation. He is alert and quick to pick up on minor comments made by his patients that helps open them up. He is also highly clumsy, quirky and is prone to messing up in comedic situations, unlike most of the other teachers who have no-nonsense, regular personalities. He is quite popular with the Thieves and even [[Yusuke Kitagawa|Yusuke]] from [[Kosei High School]] comes to [[Shujin Academy]] to take his counseling, making him a popular figure among students and one of the Thieves' greatest sponsors. He also appears to be a skilled cook.
   
However, Maruki was secretly bestowed the magical power to warp cognition thanks to his Persona, who reached out to him because of his extreme grief over his [[Rumi|ex-girlfriend's]] coma. Once he opened a therapist clinic, he used this ability to cope or neuter crippling mental illnesses by granting things that they wanted that would cancel out their depression, although the extent of that power only made them think that they are that person instead of radically changing any qualities that person has, resulting in cognitive dissonance, and he was activating it subconsciously.
+
However, Maruki was secretly bestowed the power to warp cognition thanks to his Persona, who reached out to him because of his extreme grief over his [[Rumi|ex-girlfriend's]] post-traumatic stress episodes. Once he opened a therapist clinic, he subconsciously used this ability to temper or neuter crippling mental illnesses by granting things that they wanted that would cancel out their depression, although the extent of that power only applied to the cognition of the person themselves, instead of radically changing any qualities that person has, resulting in cognitive dissonance.
   
In reality, Maruki was one of the original researchers of Cognitive Psience, and he is coming to Shujin in order to validate a research essay that he's been working on. If the protagonist does help him finish this essay and complete his Confidant, a combination of the loss of his ex-fiancée's memories, having his research stolen and funding stymied by [[Masayoshi Shido]], and the Day of Reckoning removing all wisdom from his Persona will turn him into a madman with only fragments of his former self. He conducts his final solution against all desire after [[Demiurge|Yaldabaoth's]] fall by granting all of them accordingly with no strings attached and takes his place as the world's savior, as frequent interaction with emotionally suffering people in the past made him conclude that all human desires will inevitably lead to such types of suffering, in a similar vein as his predecessor and [[Kuon Ichinose|succe]][[EMMA|ssors]].
+
Maruki was one of the original researchers of cognitive psience, and he reaches out to the protagonist for help completing the paper he has been working on since before the events of the game. If the protagonist does help him finish this essay and complete his Confidant, a combination of the loss of his ex-fiancée's memories, having his research stolen and funding stymied by [[Masayoshi Shido]], and the Day of Reckoning will finally allow him to fully awaken to his Persona, as a result of the Metaverse merging with reality. He conducts his final solution against all suffering after [[Demiurge|Yaldabaoth's]] fall by granting humanity's wishes accordingly with no strings attached and takes his place as the world's savior, as frequent interaction with emotionally suffering people in the past made him conclude that pure happiness will remove all pain from the world, in a similar vein as his [[Kuon Ichinose|succe]][[EMMA|ssors]].
   
The features of his palace heavily hint at his warped sense of charity. While he desires others to live happy, stress-free, worry-free, hardship-free lives, he feels that situation of conflict and troubles should be outright avoided or be placed in his hands to resolve, developing somewhat of a messiah-complex. His intentions are not fueled by true malice as he genuinely wants to make people happy. This causes an ethical dilemma that is brought up as he still retains his desires to let others decide if they want to accept it or not. With the [[Protagonist (Persona 5)|protagonist]] spearheading the resistance against his realities, he ultimately leaves fate for him to decide and above all else seeks his approval. He even fears that the protagonist may never accept it, but despite his growing megalomania, he still allows the protagonist to decide on his own by letting him experience the happy realities of his friends and continuously tries to persuade him and the Phantom Thieves, without overtly trying to force them, to join him even during the very apex of their battle.
+
The features of his palace heavily hint at his warped sense of charity. While he desires others to live happy, stress-free, worry-free, hardship-free lives, he feels that situations of conflict and troubles should be completely avoided. His inability to process his own grief and desire to stop others from experiencing similar pain leads to him developing somewhat of a messiah complex. His intentions are not fueled by malice as he genuinely wants to make people happy. This causes an ethical dilemma that is brought up as he still retains his desires to let others decide if they want to accept his world or not. With the [[Protagonist (Persona 5)|protagonist]] spearheading the resistance against his realities, he ultimately leaves fate for him to decide and above all else seeks his approval. He even fears that the protagonist may never accept it, but despite this, he still allows the protagonist to decide on his own by letting him experience the happy realities of his friends and continuously tries to persuade him and the Phantom Thieves, without overtly trying to force them, to join him even during the very apex of their battle.
   
It is heavily implied that his personality prior to the Day of Reckoning is genuine, and he used to only utilize his powers to make people feel better for a while instead of for complete stagnation. This holds true even for making [[Sumire Yoshizawa]] think that she's her twin sister [[Kasumi Yoshizawa|Kasumi]]. His "Salvation Plan" also used to be validating his cognitive psience research and saving lives with it by preventing depression and other mental illnesses, and not anything as seen in the third semester. In fact, he at first believes that there is no ability to prevent humanity in general from suffering during his conversation with [[Ann Takamaki|Ann]], although a specific Confidant meeting with him has the protagonist teach him how to use [[Mementos]] to do so, which he actually does during the third term. It is also implied that Yaldabaoth's advance might have engineered his insanity, as he shows no signs of distortion up until the protagonist maxes his Confidant.
+
His personality is genuine, and he used to only utilize his powers subconsciously, prior to fully awakening to his Persona. This holds true even for making [[Sumire Yoshizawa]] think that she's her twin sister [[Kasumi Yoshizawa|Kasumi]]. His "Salvation Plan" also used to be validating his cognitive psience research and saving lives with it by preventing depression and other mental illnesses, before realizing thanks to his conversations with the protagonist that these ideas could be applied on a much larger scale. In fact, he at first believes that there is no ability to prevent humanity in general from suffering during his conversation with [[Ann Takamaki|Ann]], although a specific Confidant meeting with him has the protagonist allude that he could use [[Mementos]] to do so, which he actually does during the third semester. It is also put forward by [[Lavenza]] that Yaldabaoth's defeat might have engineered his ascension, as he fills the gap in society that Yaldabaoth left as the "savior" of humanity's desires.
   
While he acknowledges that hardships are a natural part of life and that some people do come out stronger from them, it is only after his defeat that he completely accepts this. It is in the final clash with the protagonist alone that Maruki's inner most frustrations come out and showcases all of the injustices he endured. The solo fight finally gave him a real opportunity to vent out this inner anger with someone who could truly understand him. It is in that moment that Maruki finally finds solace and can finally move forward with his life.
+
While he acknowledges that hardships are a natural part of life and that some people do come out stronger from them, it is only after his defeat that he realizes that he needs to do the same. It is in the final clash with the protagonist alone that Maruki's inner frustrations come out and showcases all of the pain he endured. The one on one fight on his crumbling Palace finally gave him a real opportunity to vent out this grief with someone who could truly understand him. It is in that moment that Maruki finds solace and can finally move forward with his life.
   
 
==Profile==
 
==Profile==
 
===''Persona 5 Royal''===
 
===''Persona 5 Royal''===
{{Q|My "cognitive psience" is the study of people's hearts, and how they guide people's views of the world. Everyone comprehends the world in a different way, depending on their cognition...So basically, if one could tap into a person's "cognitive world"...One would even be able to alter how that person alters reality—in every way.|Maruki addressing Rumi, ''Persona 5 Royal''}}Prior to the events of ''Persona 5'', Maruki's fiancé's parents were murdered during a home invasion, and Rumi herself was injured in the process, leading to her falling into a catatonic depression. Maruki tried to comfort her, only to unwittingly invoke her trigger phrase by mentioning her family and driving her into a breakdown. In extreme grief, he unconsciously contacted a mysterious entity (Implied to be [[Adam Kadmon]]), and made a deal with it so as to allow him to harness its ability to manipulate cognition, dubbed Actualization. First applying this, he purges Rumi of her traumatic memories, but inadvertently also wipes her of any memory she shared with him and alters them to compensate for this. As to not remind Rumi of her grief, Maruki cut ties with her. While he was already researching cognitive psience by then, this further motivated his research so he could help humanity as a whole.
+
{{Q|My "cognitive psience" is the study of people's hearts, and how they guide people's views of the world. Everyone comprehends the world in a different way, depending on their cognition...So basically, if one could tap into a person's "cognitive world"...One would even be able to alter how that person alters reality—in every way.|Maruki addressing Rumi, ''Persona 5 Royal''}}Prior to the events of ''Persona 5'', the parents of Maruki's fiancé, [[Rumi]], were murdered during a home invasion, and Rumi herself was injured in the process, leading to her falling into a catatonic depression. Maruki tried to comfort her, only to unwittingly invoke her trigger phrase by mentioning her family and driving her into a breakdown. In extreme grief, he unconsciously contacted a mysterious entity, and made a deal with it so as to allow him to harness its ability to manipulate [[cognition]], dubbed Actualization. First applying this, he inadvertently purged Rumi of her traumatic memories, but as a consequence, also wiped away her memories she shared with him. As to not remind Rumi of her grief, Maruki cut ties with her. While he was already researching cognitive psience by then, this further motivated his research so he could help humanity as a whole.
 
[[File:Maruki_Awakening_1.png|thumb|250px|right|Maruki Awakening to his persona to save Rumi.]]
 
[[File:Maruki_Awakening_1.png|thumb|250px|right|Maruki Awakening to his persona to save Rumi.]]
Initially, his research was met with positive reaction, but suddenly, his research was swiftly rejected by his university and funding was revoked under the pretense that there was a lack of evidence to support it, and his lifelong dream of opening a cognitive psience research center in place of a stadium in [[Odaiba Seaside Park|Odaiba]] was crushed. Unbeknownst to him at this point, his research was seized by [[Masayoshi Shido]]. Therefore, his dream never came to fruition and he left university as a result. This further motivates him to investigate deeper so he can validate that his own brand of work was true. Eventually, his research reveals that use of cognitive psience might be dangerous. While at first terrified, he continues to use his Actualization powers to assist people and make a better world.
+
Initially, his research was met with positive reception, but suddenly, his research was swiftly rejected by his university and funding was revoked under the pretense that there was lack of evidence to support it, although unbeknownst to him then, his research was seized by [[Masayoshi Shido]]. Maruki's lifelong dream of opening a cognitive psience research center in place of a stadium in [[Odaiba Seaside Park|Odaiba]] was crushed, and he left university as a result. This further motivates him to investigate deeper so he can validate that his own brand of work was true. While at first uncertain, he continues to use his actualization powers to assist people and make a better world.
   
 
[[File:Maruki_meeting_Sumi_2.png|thumb|250px|left|Maruki counseling with Sumire.]]
Somewhere around this time, Maruki materializes his [[Palace]] in the Metaverse, although the period is never directly specified and the exact moment is not shown.
 
 
He became a counselor, eventually having an appointment with a girl named [[Sumire Yoshizawa]], who lost her twin sister [[Kasumi Yoshizawa|Kasumi]], and wished to live as her. Sumire triggered him into subconsciously using his cognitive warping abilities and he made her think that she's Kasumi, giving him more inspiration around his research note. According to him, this was the second time such a massive change occured thanks to his actualization.
   
 
Maruki first appears briefly on the background emerging from the Shujin Academy gates, after Ann, Ryuji, Morgana and the protagonist arrives from the Metaverse into the real world. During the first-term exams, he officially makes his presence known and enrolls as the student counselor at [[Shujin Academy]], and one of the [[Protagonist (Persona 5)|protagonist]]'s [[Confidant]]s. Maruki is hired by Principal [[Kobayakawa]] in order to improve the students' mental health (and the school's reputation) after the exposure of [[Suguru Kamoshida]]'s crimes.  When he is presented in the auditorium, he makes a clumsy speech before being pushed aside by Kobayakawa to end the assembly. Afterwards, he tries to convince the protagonist, [[Ryuji Sakamoto|Ryuji]] and [[Ann Takamaki|Ann]] to talk to him, as he was ordered by the school to specifically reach out to victims of Kamoshida. While Ryuji doubts if he's actually trustworthy, he earns the trio's trust quickly when the protagonist realizes that he might be useful for the [[Phantom Thieves of Hearts|Phantom Thieves]]' activities, and offers snacks as a bonus. Since then, he regularly meets up with members of the Phantom Thieves and eventually encounters all of them, save for [[Goro Akechi|Akechi]].
He opened a clinic, eventually using his power on a girl known as [[Sumire Yoshizawa]], who lost her twin sister [[Kasumi Yoshizawa|Kasumi]] and wished to live as her. Using his cognitive warping abilities, Maruki subconsciously made Sumire think that she's Kasumi, by her request.
 
   
  +
During his sessions, he regularly offers snacks and drinks to his guests as a way of making them comfortable. He can also lead students who go to meet him into speaking out their desires and inner thoughts very well, allowing him to better understand them.
Maruki later becomes the student counselor at [[Shujin Academy]], and one of the [[Protagonist (Persona 5)|protagonist's]] [[Confidant]]s. Maruki is hired by Principal [[Kobayakawa]] in order to improve the students' mental health (and the school's reputation) after dealing with the exposure of the [[Suguru Kamoshida|Kamoshida]] incident. When he is presented in the auditorium, he makes a clumsy speech before being pushed aside by Kobayakawa to end the assembly. After the speech, he tries to convince the protagonist, [[Ryuji Sakamoto|Ryuji]] and Ann to talk to him. While Ryuji doubts if he's actually trustworthy, he gains the trio's trust quickly when the protagonist realizes that he might be useful for the [[Phantom Thieves of Hearts|Phantom Thieves']] activities.
 
[[File:Maruki_meeting_Sumi_2.png|thumb|250px|right|Maruki counseling with Sumire.]]
 
Since then, he regularly meets up with members of the Phantom Thieves and has encountered all of them, save for [[Goro Akechi|Akechi]]. His goal is to collect information of the desires of students from Shujin in order to present an essay to his professor, who he was determined to prove to that his original research was true.
 
   
 
Maruki leaves Shujin on November 18th, during which he gives a brief address to the students, telling them to avoid pain and negativity and live strong. He then personally bids the protagonist farewell if he has reached Rank 9 of his Confidant in prior, automatically maxing it out at Rank 10.  During the last meeting with him after his final speech in the Shujin auditorium, he will confirm that he witnessed the protagonist, Ann and Ryuji exiting [[Kamoshida's Palace]].
During a session, he regularly offers snacks to his guests as a way of making them comfortable.
 
 
Maruki will leave Shujin on November 18th, during which he gives a speech for the students to avoid pain and negativity and live strong. He then personally bids the protagonist farewell. Additionally, before he enrolled to Shujin in order to research the resident students, a glimpse of him can be seen after the party escapes into the real world after [[Ann Takamaki|Ann's]] awakening. During the last meeting with him after his final speech in the Shujin auditorium, he will confirm that he witnessed the protagonist, Ann and Ryuji exiting [[Kamoshida's Palace]].
 
   
 
====''Taking Back Reality''====
 
====''Taking Back Reality''====
 
[[File:Maruki_Awakening_2.png|thumb|250px|Maruki awakening his Persona for real.]]
 
[[File:Maruki_Awakening_2.png|thumb|250px|Maruki awakening his Persona for real.]]
On the 24th of December, should the protagonist complete Maruki's Confidant before the November 18th deadline, he will publish his final paper to his professor, who chides him for trying to stop the powerful [[Masayoshi Shido]] alone and tries to kick him out of his office. At the same time, Yaldabaoth's control plan began to appear. Maruki notices the red sky, but his professor stays completely unaware. Yaldabaoth's merging of Mementos with reality awakens his persona into a physical form known as [[Azathoth]] and grants it the conduit to manifest before Maruki and fully awaken, stirring him into action.
+
On the 24th of December, should the protagonist complete Maruki's Confidant, he will publish his final paper to his professor, who chides him for trying to stop the powerful [[Masayoshi Shido]] alone and tries to kick him out of his office. At the same time, Yaldabaoth's control plan began to appear. Maruki notices the red sky, but his professor stays completely unaware. Yaldabaoth's merging of Mementos with reality awakens his Persona into a physical form, known as [[Azathoth]], and grants it the conduit to manifest before Maruki and fully awaken, stirring him into action. Unlike most other awakenings, it does not follow the usual awakening procedures at all and takes the form of Azathoth conversing with Maruki, being invisible to the professor behind him. Having awakened his persona via seemingly unnatural means, Maruki lets out a crazed laughter and leaves the professor office after assuring the professor that he will leave his office in a passive-aggressive manner.
   
Maruki then warps the very cognition of humanity itself by using [[Maruki's Palace|his Palace]], which he had used to hijack Mementos. This makes him the main mastermind of the third semester events, where he attempts to end all of humanity's pain by granting them eternal happiness. When approaching him in his Palace, he warns Joker, Akechi, and Kasumi not to approach him or they will see the pain of reality.
+
Maruki then warps the very cognition of reality by taking control of Mementos. This makes him the main mastermind of the third semester events, where he attempts to end all of humanity's pain by granting them eternal happiness. When approached by the protagonist, Akechi, and Kasumi, he warns the three not to proceed further, or they will see the pain of reality.
   
Once personally confronted, in an attempt to make the party reconsider their actions, he plays back a clip depicting how Sumire's sister, the real Kasumi, died. Sumire remembers who she really is and stops pretending to be Kasumi, before relapsing into depression. Though tries to persuade the protagonist and Akechi, his pleas are to no avail and he orders [[Hastur]] to seize Sumire and attack the intruders. After the confrontation, he requests that they see how the rest of the Phantom Thieves' lives are in the reality he created in hopes of changing their minds. He tells them to come back on January 9th with their decision. Furthermore, in order to hold his end of the deal with the protagonist and Akechi, he brainwashes Sumire's parents into thinking that she was in a training camp.
+
Once personally confronted, at Kasumi's insistence, he plays back a video depicting how Sumire's sister, the real Kasumi, died. Sumire remembers who she really is and her identity as Kasumi melts away, causing her to relapse into depression. Though Maruki tries to persuade the protagonist and Akechi, his pleas are to no avail, and he orders [[Hastur]] to attack the intruders while he seizes Sumire, who wishes to be re-established as Kasumi. After the confrontation with Hastur, Maruki requests that they see how the rest of the Phantom Thieves' lives are in the reality he created, in hopes of changing their minds. He tells them to come back on January 9th with their decision. Furthermore, in order to hold his end of the deal with the protagonist and Akechi, he causes Sumire's parents to believe that she is at a training camp.
[[File:Maruki_Another.png|thumb|250px|Maruki in his Palace during the third term.]]
+
[[File:Maruki_Another.png|thumb|250px|left|Maruki in his Palace.]]
When the protagonist meets his friends in the altered reality, none of them initially remember how they met him, as their fulfilled desires mean they had no pain or trauma to bond over. Maruki's powers give him the ability to rewrite history up to the point of a person's death, effectively "reviving" them. As such, [[Futaba Sakura|Futaba's]] mother [[Wakaba Isshiki]] is alive, as are [[Haru Okumura|Haru's]] and [[Makoto Niijima|Makoto's]] fathers. None of Shujin's students, including [[Shiho Suzui]], were abused by Kamoshida; [[Ichiryusai Madarame|Madarame]] is a perfect mentor to Yusuke; Ryuji's leg is not broken; and [[Morgana]] is human.
+
When the protagonist meets his friends in the altered reality, none of them initially remember how they met him, as their fulfilled desires mean they had no pain or trauma to bond over. Maruki's powers give him the ability to rewrite history up to and including the point of a person's death, effectively "reviving" them. As such, [[Futaba Sakura|Futaba]]'s mother [[Wakaba Isshiki]] is alive, as are [[Haru Okumura|Haru's]] and [[Makoto Niijima|Makoto's]] fathers. None of Shujin's students, including [[Shiho Suzui]], were abused by Kamoshida; [[Ichiryusai Madarame|Madarame]] is a perfect mentor to Yusuke; Ryuji's leg is not broken; and [[Morgana]] is a human.
   
Since these tragedies did not happen in the fake reality, the protagonist's ties with his friends became superficial bonds, and their Personas are all presumably and temporarily removed from existence due to their awakening being tied to their trauma.
+
Since these tragedies did not happen in this new reality, the protagonist's ties with his friends became superficial bonds, and their Personas are presumably all temporarily removed from existence due to their awakening being tied to their trauma.
   
Bar these, there are also varying degrees of tampering towards certain members of the public, including people winning lottery jackpots, someone's dead pet dog being revived and someone retiring from his company for no apparent reason.
+
Bar these, there are also varying degrees of tampering towards certain members of the public, including people winning lottery jackpots, the family in Yongen Jaya's dead pet dog being revived and someone retiring from his company for no apparent reason. [[Sadayo Kawakami]] can be found grumbling in the [[Kichijoji]] bars about how all her friends are having "one fairy tale wedding after another."
   
When the protagonist and Akechi come back to meet Maruki on January 9th, he offers them a deal to allow the protagonist to accept the fake reality. Should the protagonist refuse, he will temporarily brainwash Sumire, and she will be in full denial of being Kasumi's killer and fights him alone as Kasumi. Afterward, Maruki separates [[Cendrillon]] from her and makes it go berserk, forcing it to attack the protagonist and Akechi. To his shock, the rest of the Phantom Thieves arrive, having freed themselves from Maruki's influence. Realizing that further talking is pointless, Maruki returns Sumire and tells them to meet him on February 3rd, now determined to fight them if necessary.
+
When the protagonist and Akechi come back to meet Maruki on January 9th, he offers them a deal to allow the protagonist to accept his reality. Should the protagonist refuse Sumire will stir, in full denial of accepting herself as Kasumi's killer, fighting him alone in desperation. Afterward, Maruki restrains her with his cognition control device, which separates [[Cendrillon]] from Sumire and makes it go berserk, causing it to attack the protagonist and Akechi. To Maruki's complete shock, the rest of the Phantom Thieves arrive, having freed themselves from Maruki's influence, allowing the protagonist and Akechi to strike back against the frantic Persona. Suggesting that further fighting is pointless, Maruki returns Sumire and tells them to meet him on February 3rd, when he will hear their final decision and be prepared to fight for what he believes in.
   
Should the protagonist accept any of his offers to accept his reality, it will trigger a new bad ending where Maruki's spell kicks in full effect, as the Phantom Thieves happily celebrate {{w|Setsubun}}, with Sumire's name reverting back into "Kasumi Yoshizawa." After the celebration ends, the protagonist is allowed to stay at [[Café Leblanc]] until he graduates from Shujin. Makoto and Haru graduate on the 15th of March, where Maruki takes the group's picture for them. As Maruki leaves, the protagonist will sense something is wrong before returning to his friends, as he was the only person who was not fully affected by Maruki's spell. The credits display the Thieves' desires being fulfilled and all of them content, and ends with a snapshot of them partying at Leblanc. Akechi and the protagonist are the only ones looking towards the camera, implying they know their reality is fake.
+
Should the protagonist accept any of his offers to accept his reality, it will trigger a new early ending where Maruki's reality becomes the true reality, as the Phantom Thieves happily celebrate {{w|Setsubun}}, with Sumire's name reverting back into "Kasumi Yoshizawa." After the celebration ends, the protagonist is invited to stay at [[Café Leblanc]] with [[Sojiro Sakura]] until he graduates from Shujin. Makoto and Haru graduate on the 15th of March, where Maruki takes the group's picture for them. As Maruki leaves, the protagonist will appear to sense something as Kasumi walks by him, before returning to his friends. The credits display the Thieves' desires being fulfilled and all of them content, and ends with a snapshot of them having a pleasant hangout at Leblanc. Akechi and the protagonist are the only ones looking towards the camera.
   
It was revealed by [[Lavenza]] that as he meets the Thieves during counseling sessions, he realizes what they actually want, and their collective desires gave him the idea to create the false reality; they all subconsciously wished for him to change the old one. The protagonist also told him about the [[Sea of Souls|Collective Unconscious]] in a Confidant event, allowing Maruki to fill in the gaps of Yaldabaoth after his fall and revive [[Mementos]] for his own use. If he is not stopped within a month, this new Mementos will completely fuse into the real world and become impossible to remove, and humanity is presumably eternally trapped in ignorant bliss.
+
It was revealed by [[Lavenza]] that as he meets the Thieves during counseling sessions, he realizes what they truly want, and their collective desires gave him the power to create his reality; they all subconsciously wished for him to change the old one. The protagonist also told him about the [[Sea of Souls|Collective Unconscious]] in a Confidant event, allowing Maruki to fill in the place of Yaldabaoth after his fall and revive [[Mementos]] for his own use. If he is not stopped within a month, this new Mementos will completely fuse into the real world and become impossible to remove, and humanity will presumably live in bliss for eternity, with the original reality being treated as if it had never existed.
   
The deadline for the infiltration of his Palace is 21 days and 20 nights; if the party fails to meet this deadline, the fusion of the two worlds becomes permanent, and Maruki meets with the protagonist in a dream. Because of the protagonist's indecision supposedly making him suffer, Maruki takes the choice out of his hands, putting him to sleep for as many "days or years" he has left. When the protagonist wakes up, his phone's battery is long dead, and his room is riddled with cobwebs. He has no more will or motivation to get out of bed, and just goes back to sleep. Lavenza tries to reach him but can't, as she has no more power as of Maruki taking control over reality.
+
The deadline for the infiltration of his Palace is 21 days and 20 nights; if the party fails to meet this deadline, the fusion of the two worlds becomes permanent, and Maruki meets with the protagonist in a dream. Because of the protagonist's indecision supposedly making him suffer, Maruki allows him the freedom not to choose, putting him to sleep for as many "days or years" he may have. When the protagonist wakes up, his phone's battery is long dead, and his room is riddled with cobwebs. He has no more will or motivation to get out of bed, and just goes back to sleep. Lavenza tries to reach him but can't, as she has no more power after Maruki takes control over reality.
   
Maruki's sin is Sorrow (Tristitia), as stated on his [[Will Seeds|Will Seed]]. While he himself has elements of melancholy such as losing [[Rumi]] to catatonic depression and his newfound powers, it also alludes to him creating a world of empty happiness that kills and stagnates all of humanity's potential of development, amounting to nothing short of nihilism.
+
Maruki's sin is Sorrow (Tristitia), as stated on his [[Will Seeds]]. While he himself has elements of melancholy such as losing [[Rumi]] to catatonic depression and his newfound powers, it could also allude to him creating a world of ignorant happiness that stagnates all of humanity's potential for development, amounting to nothing short of nihilism.
   
After locating his Treasure, the Phantom Thieves decide to let the protagonist send a [[Calling Card]] to Maruki on his own. The date is locked at February 3rd regardless of prior completion. Once the date comes, he will personally pay a visit to the protagonist, in which he insists that his methods are correct and reveals that Rumi is living happily in the reality he is in. In a final desperate effort to convince the protagonist, Maruki reveals that Akechi is alive because he created a reality where the protagonist and Akechi could start over, meaning that Akechi's fate in the true reality remains unknown after the confrontation in [[Shido's Palace]]. At the same time he makes this statement, Akechi will arrive to LeBlanc. Maruki then tells the protagonist that he will wait for them at the Palace if they still decide to fight. Once he leaves, the protagonist will have a chance to leave Maruki alone on his own accord; accepting it will result in a double confirmation by Akechi. Should he confirm the decision, the heist will be cancelled, resulting in the same bad ending as Maruki's direct offer.
+
After locating his Treasure, the Phantom Thieves decide to let the protagonist send a [[Calling Card|calling card]] to Maruki on his own. The date is locked at February 3rd regardless of prior completion. Once the date comes, he will personally pay a visit to the protagonist, in which he reaffirms that he doesn't plan to change his stance, and reveals that Rumi is living happily in the reality he is in. In a final effort to convince the protagonist, Maruki indirectly confirms that Akechi is alive because he created a reality where the protagonist and Akechi could start over, meaning that Akechi's fate in the true reality remains unknown after the confrontation in [[Shido's Palace]]. If the protagonist has the Justice confidant maxed out and promised to remember Akechi, he will enter Leblanc, having apparently been eavesdropping. Maruki then tells the protagonist that he will wait for them at the Palace if they still decide to fight. Once he leaves, the protagonist will have a chance to leave Maruki alone on his own accord; accepting it will result in a double confirmation by Akechi. Should he confirm the decision, the heist will be cancelled, resulting in the same bad ending as Maruki's direct offer.
   
If Akechi's promise was not fulfilled, Morgana will deny Maruki in place of Akechi, and Maruki himself will be confirming the deal instead of leaving the decision to the protagonist. Should he agree to Maruki and has confirmed to do so after being asked by Morgana, Maruki will be grateful for the protagonist's decision and leave. The same bad ending as above occurs afterwards.
+
If Akechi's promise was not fulfilled, Morgana will stand by the protagonist in place of Akechi, and Maruki himself will be confirming the deal instead of leaving the decision to the protagonist. Should he agree to Maruki and has confirmed to do so after being asked by Morgana, Maruki will be elated by the protagonist's decision and leave in a giddy rush. The same bad ending as above occurs afterwards.
   
He then invites the party to battle him on top of the Garden of Eden, in which he manifests his Persona [[Azathoth]] to attack the party as well as making him nearly invulnerable. His Persona manifests behind him consistently and must be destroyed in order to end the fight. To further compound this, he has three tentacles that constantly buff him or render Azathoth invulnerable. Once Azathoth is defeated, the party escapes the collapsing Palace with his Treasure, a torch. Maruki then reappears, taking the torch and transforms Azathoth into its awakened form, [[Adam Kadmon]], to fight the party again.
+
He then invites the party to battle him on top of the Garden of Eden, in which he manifests his Persona [[Azathoth]] to attack the party as well as making him nearly invulnerable. His Persona manifests behind him consistently and can be destroyed in order to end the fight, along with Maruki himself. To further compound this, he has three tentacles that constantly buff him or render Azathoth nearly invulnerable. Once Azathoth is defeated, the party escapes the collapsing Palace with his Treasure, a torch. Maruki then reappears, taking the torch and transforms Azathoth into its evolved form, [[Adam Kadmon]], to fight the party again.
   
He initially fights the party on foot with Adam Kadmon behind him, but once it is defeated, he fuses himself into Adam Kadmon, rendering himself seemingly invincible until Futaba locates his weakness. All of the protagonist's party members help fend off Adam Kadmon's final attack while the protagonist targets its head and destroys it, destroying Maruki's mask. His Palace then collapses, and he regains consciousness to confront the Phantom Thieves one last time. After tethering the escaping party with one of his cables and confronting the protagonist, they engage in a final fist-fight so as to help Maruki come to terms with the end of his salvation plan, although Maruki is inevitably outmatched and falls from the collapsing bridge they were on. As he falls, he realizes that he doesn't have any strength and is afraid to confront the original reality. However, Joker rescues him by grabbing his hand. Both Maruki and the protagonist leave Odaiba via Morgana's helicopter form afterwards.
+
He initially fights the party on foot with Adam Kadmon behind him, but once it is defeated, he fuses himself into Adam Kadmon, rendering himself seemingly invincible until Futaba locates his weakness. All of the protagonist's party members help fend off Adam Kadmon's final attack while the protagonist targets its head and destroys it, shattering Maruki's mask. His Palace then collapses, and he regains consciousness to confront the Phantom Thieves one last time. After tethering the escaping party with one of his tendrils and confronting the protagonist, they engage in a final fist-fight so as to help Maruki come to terms with the end of his salvation plan, which ends with Maruki faltering and collapsing onto the cracking bridge they were fighting on. Before he can fall, the protagonist reaches out and grabs his hand. As Maruki dangles above his death, he realizes that he doesn't have any strength left and confesses that he was always afraid he and the protagonist would have opposing views. Both Maruki and the protagonist leave the Metaverse via Morgana's helicopter form afterwards.
   
Due to the destruction of his Palace, the Metaverse disappears and all is reset to normal. The protagonist is now in Juvenile Hall after testifying against Shido, with all of his maxed confidants (including ones that he maxed in the third semester) supporting his release. Akechi vanishes as he is presumed to have indeed died (alongside Futaba's mother and anyone else who was alive due to the Palace's existence), as well as Sumire no longer believing she is her sister.
+
Due to the destruction of Maruki's Palace, the Metaverse disappears and all is returned to normal. The protagonist is now in Juvenile Hall after testifying against Shido, with all of his maxed confidants (including ones that he maxed in the third semester) supporting his release. Akechi vanishes as he is presumed to have indeed died.
   
His Treasure is a fire torch, representing the wisdom granted to him by cognitive psience which he wished to apply to save humanity. In the real world, it reveals itself to be a newsletter about the murder of Rumi's parents. It was picked up by Sumire outside his Palace and handed to Futaba, and the protagonist keeps it as a memento.
+
Maruki's Treasure is a golden torch, representing the guiding wisdom granted to him by cognitive psience which he wished to apply to save humanity. In the real world, it reveals itself to be a newsletter about the murder of Rumi's parents. It was picked up by Sumire outside his Palace and handed to Futaba, and the protagonist keeps it as a memento.
   
At the end of the game, he is shown to have become a taxi driver, and drives the protagonist to the train station while the others distract the agents following the protagonist. Takuto reveals that he decided to face his life head-on like the protagonist and his friends, before bidding him farewell.
+
At the end of the game, Maruki is shown to have become a taxi driver, and drives the protagonist to the train station while the others distract the agents following the protagonist. Maruki declares that he has decided to face his life head-on like the protagonist and his friends, offering a final gesture of friendship before bidding him farewell.
   
 
====Confidant====
 
====Confidant====
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"Ideal and the Real" plays in all of his counseling sessions, including the one with Sumire in his clinic.
 
"Ideal and the Real" plays in all of his counseling sessions, including the one with Sumire in his clinic.
   
A remixed version of this theme, "Ideal and the Real -end version-" can be heard during the credits of the third semester bad ending which happens if the protagonist decides to accept his version of reality.
+
A remixed version of this theme, "Ideal and the Real -end version-" can be heard during the credits of the third semester alternate ending which happens if the protagonist decides to accept his version of reality.
   
 
"[[Throw Away Your Mask]]" and its instrumental version, "Keep Your Faith" plays during the final fight with him, with "Keep Your Faith" for [[Azathoth]] and "Throw Away Your Mask" for [[Adam Kadmon]].
 
"[[Throw Away Your Mask]]" and its instrumental version, "Keep Your Faith" plays during the final fight with him, with "Keep Your Faith" for [[Azathoth]] and "Throw Away Your Mask" for [[Adam Kadmon]].
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===Strategy===
 
===Strategy===
[[File:Maruki Boss Fight|thumb|right|285px|Maruki Boss Fight.]]
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[[File:Maruki boss fight|thumb|right|250 px|Maruki Boss Fight.]]
   
 
{{Q|No matter what happens to me in the end, I will fix this torturous world! That...is my own rebellion!|Maruki to the Phantom Thieves during his boss fight, ''Persona 5 Royal''}}
 
{{Q|No matter what happens to me in the end, I will fix this torturous world! That...is my own rebellion!|Maruki to the Phantom Thieves during his boss fight, ''Persona 5 Royal''}}
 
Before battle, be prepared with any accessories or passives that can prevent Fear and/or Dizzy because these will be the greatest threats in this fight. Unlike Yaldabaoth, he mainly attacks with Nuke, Bless and Physical attacks with Almighty attacks as finishers, so Sumire and Makoto should be in the team at all costs as they prevent him from dealing serious damage to the party. Haru's Life Wall also helps a lot in addition to greatly reducing the odds of party members being affected by fear or dizzy, although she is weak to Nuke. For the same reasons, avoid bringing Akechi as he has the same effective profile as Sumire, but his elemental affinities makes him highly vulnerable to Gun Repel or Bless.
 
Before battle, be prepared with any accessories or passives that can prevent Fear and/or Dizzy because these will be the greatest threats in this fight. Unlike Yaldabaoth, he mainly attacks with Nuke, Bless and Physical attacks with Almighty attacks as finishers, so Sumire and Makoto should be in the team at all costs as they prevent him from dealing serious damage to the party. Haru's Life Wall also helps a lot in addition to greatly reducing the odds of party members being affected by fear or dizzy, although she is weak to Nuke. For the same reasons, avoid bringing Akechi as he has the same effective profile as Sumire, but his elemental affinities makes him highly vulnerable to Gun Repel or Bless.
   
Remember to do shopping and sell all excess items on the day of February 2nd, as free movement is disabled during that night. Unlike the [[Holy Grail]] or Shido, the party will also be confronting his strongest form right at the start with the second form being a bonus which is very difficult, if not impossible to lose, so go all out right there. If one is lacking in levels or missing vital personas, grind in his Palace before landing on top of the stariecase leading to the topmost area of Eden, as this is a point of no return and once the party enters there, they will not be able to back off from the boss encounter. (Despite the area allows free movement, the way down is locked by an invisible barricade.)
+
Remember to do shopping and sell all excess items on the day of February 2nd, as free movement is disabled during that night. If the protagonist also has Sumire's confidant maxed and wants to stock supplies before confronting Maruki, considering rejecting her SNS invitation and meet her personally in [[Kichijoji]] instead, because triggering a third awakening uses up the entire day slot.
  +
  +
Unlike the [[Holy Grail]] or Shido, the party will also be confronting his strongest form right at the start with the second form being a bonus which is very difficult, if not impossible to lose, so go all out right there. If one is lacking in levels or missing vital personas, grind in his Palace before landing on top of the stariecase leading to the topmost area of Eden, as this is a point of no return and once the party enters there, they will not be able to back off from the boss encounter. (Despite the room leading to him allows free movement, the way down is locked by an invisible barricade.)
   
Maruki and Azathoth consists of five parts; Maruki himself, Azathoth and three tentacles. If either Azathoth or Maruki's health drops to a quarter or below for the first time, the boss goes into its second phase. Defeating either one after this happens finishes the boss fight.
+
Maruki and Azathoth consists of five parts; Maruki himself, Azathoth and three tentacles. If either Azathoth or Maruki's health drops to a quarter or below for the first time, the boss goes into its second phase. Defeating either Azathoth or Maruki again finishes the boss fight.
   
* The frontmost one blocks any single-target move directed to Maruki or Azathoth if it is not destroyed.
+
* The frontmost one blocks any single-target move directed to Maruki if it is not destroyed. (Azathoth may still be targeted)
 
* The second one heals Maruki by 800 HP per turn. Destroying this is mandatory for reliably damaging Maruki, as he heals himself every turn with this if it's present.
 
* The second one heals Maruki by 800 HP per turn. Destroying this is mandatory for reliably damaging Maruki, as he heals himself every turn with this if it's present.
* The third one will cast buffs on either Azathoth or debuffs on the party. It is also recommended to destroy this if possible, although not as mandatory as the others. If any buffs other than Amplify Force (Concentrate) occur, remove it with Dekaja or Debilitate. (Or vice versa with Dekunda or Thermopylae on a Persona with Dying Will for debuffs.)
+
* The third one will cast buffs on either Azathoth or debuffs on the party. It is also recommended to destroy this if possible, although not as mandatory as the others. If any buffs occur, remove it with Dekaja or Debilitate. (Or vice versa with Dekunda or Thermopylae on a Persona with Dying Will for debuffs.)
   
 
Maruki will also regenerate any fallen tentacle instantly during his final move in a turn.
 
Maruki will also regenerate any fallen tentacle instantly during his final move in a turn.
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Azathoth has a passive named Shield Tendril that causes any attack directed against it to deal no more than one damage. This includes Almighty attacks. If sufficient buffs are on the party, and sufficient debuffs are used on it, attacks will do slightly more than one damage. If at least one Tentacle is destroyed, Azathoth will begin to receive decent amounts of damage, although the damage dealt is still reduced slightly. When all three tentacles are destroyed, Azathoth will receive full damage.
 
Azathoth has a passive named Shield Tendril that causes any attack directed against it to deal no more than one damage. This includes Almighty attacks. If sufficient buffs are on the party, and sufficient debuffs are used on it, attacks will do slightly more than one damage. If at least one Tentacle is destroyed, Azathoth will begin to receive decent amounts of damage, although the damage dealt is still reduced slightly. When all three tentacles are destroyed, Azathoth will receive full damage.
   
As Azathoth cannot heal itself and has significantly lower HP than Maruki himself, it is strongly recommended to ignore Maruki and aim solely for Azathoth. All of the tentacles have weaknesses and can be downed for [[One More]]s, although they can block or repel some elements, so crowd control might be dangerous to use bar Almighty skills such as Morning Star and Megidolaon. The party member's [[Ultimate Persona|ultimate personas]] block the respective types they use, making them highly desirable for mass removal. [[Baton Pass]] is strongly recommended to be used in order to allow high damage output on any targets that have to be removed or damaged. While it is recommended to remove all of the tentacles to allow full damage to be dealt, occasionally only one Tentacle, preferably the frontmost one, can be removed in order to save resources and continue the flow of offense, as the downgraded Shield Tendril passive does not filter away much damage.
+
As Azathoth cannot heal itself and has significantly lower HP than Maruki himself, it is strongly recommended to ignore Maruki and aim solely for Azathoth. All of the tentacles have weaknesses and can be downed for [[One More]]s, although they can block or repel some elements, so crowd control might be dangerous to use bar Almighty skills such as Morning Star and Megidolaon. The party member's [[Ultimate Persona|ultimate personas]] block the respective types they use, making them highly desirable for mass removal. [[Baton Pass]] is strongly recommended to be used in order to allow high damage output on any targets that have to be removed or damaged. While it is recommended to remove all of the tentacles to allow full damage to be dealt, occasionally only one Tentacle can be removed in order to save resources and continue the flow of offense, as the downgraded Shield Tendril passive does not filter away much damage.
   
 
Maruki does not attack, and all of the damaging moves come from Azathoth. Therefore, if one wishes to use debuffs, they should use it on Azathoth unless they want to hit Maruki harder.
 
Maruki does not attack, and all of the damaging moves come from Azathoth. Therefore, if one wishes to use debuffs, they should use it on Azathoth unless they want to hit Maruki harder.
   
His first phase majorly attacks with Memory Blow and a Nuke attack. He only moves once per turn. The tentacle protecting Azathoth is also weak to Physical; a powerful Physical attack from the protagonist, followed by a Hassou Tobi, can deal reasonable damage to Azathoth on its own.
+
His first phase primarily attacks with Memory Blow and a Nuclear attack, and Azathoth only moves once per turn. The affinities of the Tentacles are fixed, and the one on the front is weak to Physical; a powerful Physical attack from the protagonist directed at the Tentacle of Protection, followed by a move such as Hassou Tobi, can deal reasonable damage to Azathoth on its own.
   
Once the party drops either Azathoth or Maruki's HP to a quarter once, he will enter his second phase and use more tentacles to make Azathoth bigger. He can also limit various movements in a semi-random order starting from prohibiting magic for a turn, although he will do this rather sparsely, leaving huge windows where the party is allowed free movement. On harder difficulties however, he will always do this twice in a row and more frequently. Baton Pass or Physicals will be prohibited the second time he does this, and healing will always be prohibited during the third time (this includes all skills or items that recover HP, SP or [[Status Changes in Persona 5|status ailments]]). He prohibits guarding on the fourth, and items/support skills on the fifth.
+
Once the party drops either Azathoth or Maruki's HP to a quarter once, he will enter his second phase and use more tentacles to make Azathoth bigger. He can also limit various movements in a semi-random order starting from prohibiting magic for a turn, although he will do this rather sparsely, leaving huge windows where the party is allowed free movement. On harder difficulties, however, he will always do this twice in a row and more frequently. Baton Pass or Physicals will be prohibited the second time he does this, and healing will always be prohibited during the third time (this includes all skills or items that recover HP, SP or [[Status Changes in Persona 5|status ailments]]). He prohibits guarding on the fourth, and items/support skills on the fifth.
   
Azathoth's tentacles now switch weaknesses, so be prepared to scan them. If an affinity has been changed from weak to a question mark on a tentacle, it indicates that the tentacle's affinity has changed and it now probably blocks or repels that affinity, so if the party's current situation disallows sufficient damage against a key target, switch tactics or use a regular attack on a less important tentacle weak to it so it can be downed for a Baton Pass.
+
Azathoth's tentacles now switch affinities every turn, so be prepared to scan them. If an affinity has been changed from weak to a question mark on a tentacle, it indicates that the tentacle's affinity has changed and it now probably blocks or repels that affinity, so if the party's current situation disallows sufficient damage against a key target, switch tactics or use a regular attack on a less important tentacle weak to it so it can be downed for a Baton Pass.
   
 
Azathoth will also begin attacking twice per turn and will spam Evil Smile frequently; if he gets any One Mores, he will follow up with Evil Smile as well. He will only attack with Eternal Radiance, a Bless attack with an added Dizzy effect, and Raining Seeds. If he proceeds to follow up with any attacking move after Eternal Radiance makes a party member Dizzy, it will result in [[Technical]] damage on anyone inflicted with it. These status conditions can make damaging him very difficult and every turn wasted on healing aliments is wasted damage output. Sumire should be able to block Fear completely if the protagonist can, since that would allow the party to still do sufficient damage in case Fear affects the others. The protagonist can also equip one or more Personas with Salvation in order for a quick getaway. [[Maria]] is recommended, as it can recover aliments and even revive fallen party members completely.
 
Azathoth will also begin attacking twice per turn and will spam Evil Smile frequently; if he gets any One Mores, he will follow up with Evil Smile as well. He will only attack with Eternal Radiance, a Bless attack with an added Dizzy effect, and Raining Seeds. If he proceeds to follow up with any attacking move after Eternal Radiance makes a party member Dizzy, it will result in [[Technical]] damage on anyone inflicted with it. These status conditions can make damaging him very difficult and every turn wasted on healing aliments is wasted damage output. Sumire should be able to block Fear completely if the protagonist can, since that would allow the party to still do sufficient damage in case Fear affects the others. The protagonist can also equip one or more Personas with Salvation in order for a quick getaway. [[Maria]] is recommended, as it can recover aliments and even revive fallen party members completely.
   
Once his HP drops low enough, a message might appear on the top of the screen dictating that a party member is being specifically targeted. Either have that member guard or switch them out, since he will target that member with Piercing Strike, a multi-hit Almighty attack that will most likely instantly kill them. If his HP drops to a critically low level, he can also Tyrant's Stance, followed by a movement block. Guard this as well if possible, since he will follow up with Tyrant Chaos. Unlike Yaldabaoth's Rays of Control, it is possible for a protagonist with high enough stats to tank this attack unguarded.
+
Once his HP drops low enough, a message might appear on the top of the screen dictating that a party member is being specifically targeted. Either have that member guard or switch them out, since he will target that member with Piercing Strike, a multi-hit Almighty attack that will most likely instantly kill them. If his HP drops to a critically low level, he can also Tyrant's Stance, followed by a movement block. Guard this as well if possible, since he will follow up with Tyrant Chaos, a massively powerful Almighty move. Unlike Yaldabaoth's Rays of Control, it is possible for a protagonist with high enough stats to tank this attack unguarded. However, this is ill-advised on harder difficulties.
   
Under unknown and potentially rare conditions, presumably if the party takes too much turns to defeat him, Azathoth will cast a Megidolaon dealing around 1300 damage, which will most likely wipe out all party members.
+
If the party takes more than 40 turns to defeat him, Azathoth will cast a Megidolaon dealing around 1300 damage, which will most likely wipe out all party members.
   
 
Defeating Maruki will instantly end the fight. If the party defeats Azathoth, Maruki will be completely incapacitated with 1 HP left, allowing a single attack to end the fight.
 
Defeating Maruki will instantly end the fight. If the party defeats Azathoth, Maruki will be completely incapacitated with 1 HP left, allowing a single attack to end the fight.
   
If Azathoth or Maruki are defeated, he will move to regenerate it into its true form [[Adam Kadmon]]. Any HP or SP depleted in the previous fight will be fully restored. This phase is much easier than the previous as he merely has two attacks. He will use Origin Light, a severe-tier Almighty attack at first, but when his HP goes down by a quarter, he will use Revitalize Soul to deal a fixed 300 damage to each party member and recover 1200 HP. Since he has 3000 HP, this is usually a full recover. After this, he will switch to attacking using Grand Palm, an attack that does way over the amount a party member can usually endure. However, all party members will always endure the first hit of this attack. Furthermore, he also has a chance to squander a turn at random.
+
If Azathoth or Maruki are defeated, he will move to regenerate it into its evolved form [[Adam Kadmon]]. Any HP or SP depleted in the previous fight will be fully restored. This phase is much easier than the previous as he merely has two attacks. He will use Origin Light, a severe-tier Almighty attack at first, but when his HP goes down by a quarter, he will use Revitalize Soul to deal a fixed 300 damage to each party member and recover 1200 HP. Since he has 3000 HP, this is usually a full recover. After this, he will switch to attacking using Grand Palm, an attack that does way over the amount a party member can usually endure. However, all party members will always endure the first hit of this attack. Furthermore, he also has a chance to squander a turn at random at low HP.
 
The final phase will involve the party confronting Adam Kadmon directly. While the party functions as usual, all three of Adam Kadmon's targets will take only two damage. He will always follow this up with Full Force, an attack that does over 1000 damage when unguarded. However, the party will always endure this at 1 HP. Once he repeats the process twice, the battle ends.
 
   
 
The final phase will involve the party confronting Adam Kadmon directly, having completely fused with Maruki. While the party functions as usual, all three of Adam Kadmon's targets will take only two damage. He will use his first turn on Attack Position, leaving him vulnerable to attacks (although his HP is abnormally high and virtually impossible to deplete). On the next turn he uses Full Force, an attack that does over 1000 damage when unguarded. However, the party will always endure this at 1 HP. Once he repeats the process twice, the battle ends.
   
 
===Stats===
 
===Stats===
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* ''"I can make you see..."'' (Randomly at the start of someone's turn)
 
* ''"I can make you see..."'' (Randomly at the start of someone's turn)
 
* ''"I won't lose!"'' (Randomly at the start of someone's turn)
 
* ''"I won't lose!"'' (Randomly at the start of someone's turn)
* ''"Not bad...but we've just begun!"'' (Transforming into Phase 2)
+
* ''"Not bad...but we've only just begun!"'' (Transforming into Phase 2)
 
* ''"So, let's move on!"''
 
* ''"So, let's move on!"''
 
* ''"I can't deny you're all strong—But that's exactly what's making you suffer. It's time to end all of this. I'm going to save all of you!"'' (Randomly before charging up Tyrant Chaos or Preparing for Piercing Strike)
 
* ''"I can't deny you're all strong—But that's exactly what's making you suffer. It's time to end all of this. I'm going to save all of you!"'' (Randomly before charging up Tyrant Chaos or Preparing for Piercing Strike)
 
* ''"A reality where none shall suffer...To realize it...I will use all of our power!"'' (Randomly before charging up Tyrant Chaos or Preparing for Piercing Strike)
 
* ''"A reality where none shall suffer...To realize it...I will use all of our power!"'' (Randomly before charging up Tyrant Chaos or Preparing for Piercing Strike)
 
* The following occur before he bans a certain movement for a turn during his second phase. All of these dialogue require that character to be within the on-screen party.
 
* The following occur before he bans a certain movement for a turn during his second phase. All of these dialogue require that character to be within the on-screen party.
** ''"Sakamoto-kun! Your dream of running...Running would make life so much easier for your mother!"'' (Addressing [[Ryuji]])
+
** ''"Sakamoto-kun! Your dream of running...Running would make life so much easier for your mother! I can make that dream your reality!"'' (Addressing [[Ryuji]])
 
** ''"Morgana-kun! I know how you truly feel..And there's no need to fear your differences anymore! Don't worry...You don't have to explain anything to me. All I have to help you is merely imagine it!"'' (Addressing [[Morgana]])
 
** ''"Morgana-kun! I know how you truly feel..And there's no need to fear your differences anymore! Don't worry...You don't have to explain anything to me. All I have to help you is merely imagine it!"'' (Addressing [[Morgana]])
 
** ''"Takamaki-san! Didn't you always want to protect [[Shiho Suzui|your friend]]? Don't abandon such a pure dream when it's right in front of you!"'' (Addressing [[Ann Takamaki|Ann]])
 
** ''"Takamaki-san! Didn't you always want to protect [[Shiho Suzui|your friend]]? Don't abandon such a pure dream when it's right in front of you!"'' (Addressing [[Ann Takamaki|Ann]])
Line 387: Line 387:
 
* ''"Why... Why Rumi!?"'' (After first turn)
 
* ''"Why... Why Rumi!?"'' (After first turn)
 
* ''"A reality where...no one suffers..."'' (After second turn)
 
* ''"A reality where...no one suffers..."'' (After second turn)
  +
  +
===Overworld quotes===
  +
Will Seed chambers:
  +
* ''"Why...why can't we come to an agreement?"''
  +
* ''"Rumi...I'm..."''
  +
* ''"What can I do to make you understand?"''
  +
* ''"This harsh world is going to be fixed..."''
  +
* ''"Everyone will finally be happy."''
  +
* ''"What's wrong with an alternate reality, if everyone gets what they desire from it?"''
  +
* ''"Just a bit more, and everything will be okay..."''
  +
* ''"I will never let a tragedy like that happen, ever again."''
  +
* ''"I will lead them all."''
  +
* ''"I'm so close...just a little further..."''
  +
* ''"No matter what I have to deal with, I will reach my goal."''
   
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
Line 446: Line 460:
 
|File:Hurt Maruki.png|Maruki harmed cut-in
 
|File:Hurt Maruki.png|Maruki harmed cut-in
 
|File:Angry Maruki.png|Maruki angry cut-in
 
|File:Angry Maruki.png|Maruki angry cut-in
  +
|File:Surprised Metaverse Maruki Cut-in.png|Maruki surprised cut-in (Metaverse attire)
  +
|File:Sad Metaverse Maruki Cut-in.png|Maruki sad cut-in (Metaverse attire)
  +
|File:Hurt Metaverse Maruki Cut-in.png|Maruki harmed cut-in (Metaverse attire)
  +
|File:Angry_Metaverse_Maruki_Cut-in.png|Maruki angry cut-in (Metaverse attire)
  +
}}
  +
{{Gallery|title=Others|collapse=hide|class=none
  +
|File:P5R x P5S Illustration.jpg|Illustration of Maruki and Zenkichi by [[Persona 5: Mementos Mission|Rokuro Saito]]
 
}}
 
}}
   
Line 483: Line 504:
 
* Maruki has trouble preparing dishes with apples, unlike Sumire.
 
* Maruki has trouble preparing dishes with apples, unlike Sumire.
 
* Maruki is one of the very few final bosses in the ''Megami Tensei'' franchise that are completely human.
 
* Maruki is one of the very few final bosses in the ''Megami Tensei'' franchise that are completely human.
* Maruki is so far the first human character to be completely controlled by a rogue Persona. When accounting for non-human characters, [[Elizabeth]] is the first, having been overtaken by [[Zeus]] in ''Persona Q''.
+
* Maruki is so far the first human character to be completely controlled by a Persona, being [[Adam Kadmon]] when he fuses with it in desperation. When accounting for non-human characters, [[Elizabeth]] is the first, having been overtaken by [[Zeus]] in ''Persona Q''.
 
* If Maruki manipulates the cognition of an individual to make them believe they are another person, such as in Sumire's case, their perception of others will change to make them believe they are being referred to by the name of the person whom they are impersonating. This implies that, without complete control of Mementos, Maruki's abilities can only manipulate his targets' memories and perceptions of themselves and others.
 
* If Maruki manipulates the cognition of an individual to make them believe they are another person, such as in Sumire's case, their perception of others will change to make them believe they are being referred to by the name of the person whom they are impersonating. This implies that, without complete control of Mementos, Maruki's abilities can only manipulate his targets' memories and perceptions of themselves and others.
 
* Maruki is one of the very few people who crossed Shido's path without being assassinated or threatened with legislative action by him.
 
* Maruki is one of the very few people who crossed Shido's path without being assassinated or threatened with legislative action by him.
 
* Maruki's Persona behaves in a drastically different way from other Personas. Not only can it use its powers from within the real world, it is extremely unstable when used to do so, as seen in its ability to cause memory loss and cognitive dissonance as drawbacks to its powers. It also displays an initiative and sentience somewhat separate from Maruki's, such as when Azathoth pressures him to continue his plan when he begins to have doubts, though this could be interpreted as Maruki's inner voice guiding him instead. Additionally, when Maruki summons his Personas, they must remain tangible and vulnerable to attack, rather than appearing only momentarily when attacking, a trait shared thus far only with [[Asterius]] (excluding navigation Personas).
* Maruki is the only Confidant in the game to be affected by Yaldabaoth's distortions even when his Confidant is maxed, although the way in which it affects him is vastly different from the rest of Tokyo due to his unique circumstance.
 
  +
* The "Actualization" ability of Maruki's Persona can be used in the real world. The previous time where a Persona's abilities can be used out of the collective unconscious is [[Medea]]'s "Spring of Life" from ''Persona 3''.
* Maruki's Persona behaves in a drastically different way from other Personas. Not only can it manipulate the Metaverse from within the real world, it is extremely unstable when used to do so, as seen in its ability to cause memory loss and cognitive dissonance as drawbacks to its powers. It is also highly susceptible to cognitive manipulation from beings born of the [[Sea of Souls|Collective Unconscious]], and displays an initiative and sentience separate to Takuto as a result of that, such as when Azathoth pressures him to continue his plan when he begins to have doubts. Additionally, when Maruki summons his Personas, they must remain tangible and vulnerable to attack, rather than appearing only momentarily when attacking, a trait shared thus far only with [[Asterius]] (excluding navigation Personas).
 
* Technically, during the third term, Maruki can remove the Phantom Thieves of Hearts from existence entirely by using his Actualization. He just does not do this due to his genuinely altruistic personality and his bonds with the protagonist.
+
* Technically, during the third semester, Maruki can remove the Phantom Thieves of Hearts from existence entirely by using his Actualization. He just does not do this due to his genuinely altruistic personality and his bonds with the protagonist.
* When Tokyo is affected by Maruki's cognition warping powers during the third semester, the black and white colors on the calendar's display invert.
+
* When Tokyo is affected by Maruki's cognition-warping powers during the third semester, the black and white colors on the calendar's display invert.
* Not all people can be affected within Maruki's reality. For example, <abbr title="The beggar resting near Shibuya metro and a Mementos Target">Yohei Kiritani</abbr> can obviously see something is strange around the people there.
+
* Not all people within Maruki's reality are affected right away. For example, <abbr title="The beggar resting near Shibuya metro and a Mementos Target">Yohei Kiritani</abbr> can clearly see something is strange around the people around him, and wonders what's going on. As well, many of the protagonist's Confidants also seem to notice the abnormalities.
 
* Maruki is the only Palace-ruler who personally maintains his Palace in place of his [[Shadow Self]].
 
* Maruki is the only Palace-ruler who personally maintains his Palace in place of his [[Shadow Self]].
 
* A box of apple juice can often be seen on Maruki's desk when he was a part-time counselor of Shujin.
 
* A box of apple juice can often be seen on Maruki's desk when he was a part-time counselor of Shujin.
 
* Maruki is so far the first major adult target for the Thieves' heists to be genuinely made a better person as designated, instead of being reduced to a weeping husk like the others.
 
* Maruki is so far the first major adult target for the Thieves' heists to be genuinely made a better person as designated, instead of being reduced to a weeping husk like the others.
* Maruki's motives after becoming insane are extremely similar to [[Nyx]]'s.
+
* Maruki's motives are extremely similar to [[Nyx]]'s.
** Both seek to end all matters with a swift blow that ends all of humanity's pain, with Nyx wiping out all life on Earth and Maruki drowning humanity in eternal happiness and taking away all of their growth using Mementos as a control device. If the protagonists accepts either of their deals, humanity will remain ignorant as their plans come to fruition.
+
** Both seek to end all matters with a swift blow that ends all of humanity's pain, with Nyx wiping out all life on Earth and Maruki drowning humanity in eternal happiness and taking away all of their growth using Mementos as a control device. If the protagonist accepts either of their deals, humanity will remain ignorant as their plans come to fruition.
** Both are brought into action without their own consent; Nyx is reawakened by the [[Kirijo Group]]'s experiments, while Maruki is driven to insanity when Yaldabaoth maddens Adam Kadmon and degenerates him into Azathoth.
 
 
** While Nyx is related to death, Maruki is related to overabundant and stagnating life.
 
** While Nyx is related to death, Maruki is related to overabundant and stagnating life.
* Unlike other major enemies in-game, Maruki has a [[Cut-in]] before attacking, like a party member. This also applies to other enemy Persona users, like the members of [[Strega]] and [[Tohru Adachi]] in previous games.
+
* Unlike other major enemies in-game, Maruki has a [[Cut-in]] before attacking, like a party member. This also applies to other enemy Persona users, like the members of [[Strega]] and [[Tohru Adachi]] in previous games, along with [[Goro Akechi |Goro Akechi]] in his boss fight earlier in the game.
* Despite Morgana having stated that Persona users cannot develop Palaces due to having a clear grasp on their desires, Maruki manifests a Palace of his own.
+
* Despite Morgana having stated that Persona users cannot develop Palaces due to having a clear grasp on their desires, Maruki manifests a Palace of his own. This likely explains why Maruki personally oversees his Palace in place of his Shadow self, as his Shadow has become his Persona. He may have gained his Persona ''after'' the Palace was created- like [[Futaba Sakura]], however, as her Palace only crumbled after her treasure was stolen (which was herself), and Maruki's treasure wasn't stolen until months afterwards. Had Futaba's treasure been something else and it remained unstolen, she presumably would've had her Persona and a Palace at the same time like Maruki.
*When Maruki is cooking soup during the cleanup, he tries to pour salt on his arm and slide it into the pot, which is similar to the popular "Salt Bae" meme. However, due to the wind, the salt flies in the air.
+
*When Maruki is cooking soup during the cleanup, he tries to pour salt on his arm and slide it into the pot, which is similar to the popular "{{w|Salt Bae}}" meme. However, due to the wind, the salt flies in the air.
  +
*The paper that Maruki spends his Confidant storyline writing is titled "Interpreting reality through cognitive psience and the alteration of reality via external influence".
*Maruki is one of the two non-playable characters to have multiple angles for his dialogue portraits (excluding the Shadow versions of the antagonists), the other being [[Masayoshi Shido]].
 
*If a [[Hold Up]] would be initiated with Maruki during his Azathoth phase, the game will soft-lock.
 
   
 
==References==
 
==References==

Revision as of 19:05, 21 September 2020

"Everyone is capable of changing themselves - your imagination is the only limit."
—Takuto Maruki, Persona 5 Royal

Takuto Maruki is a major non-playable character in Persona 5 Royal. He is a counselor hired by Shujin Academy to save their PR.

Appearances

Design

Maruki is a tall, bespectacled middle-aged man with brown, short unkempt hair and a small stubble underneath his chin. He wears a blue dress shirt tucked into his upturned khaki slacks with a checkered dark blue tie. He wears a white lab coat over the top. On his feet he wears open-toed sandals without socks. In his suit's chest pocket, he has a yellow pen and a staff ID that's further tied around his neck with a red strap.

Outside his work uniform, he wears a white ribbed sweater over a dark blue dress shirt, a light brown jacket with dark brown fabric at the cuffs and collar, dark jeans and tan shoes with laces. When he was younger, his chin was clean-shaven, his hair was shorter and neater, and he wore a white polo shirt with blue trimming and jeans with a black wrist watch.

While maintaining his Palace, Maruki has his hair slicked back and loses his stubble. Every item of his clothing is white, with a formal suit, round-necked shirt without a tie, gloves and shoes. Like in his everyday outfit, he has a pen in his jacket pocket.

In the Metaverse, he wears a golden skin-tight priest garb with a tall shield-shaped mask, a white cape and holds a staff. His glasses become his mask when he assumes this attire, and thus he doesn't have them under it.

Personality

Maruki Counseling

Maruki counseling with the protagonist through his problems.

Maruki is a voluntary counselor who cares about the students in the school and sympathizes with Suguru Kamoshida's victims. As a counselor, he is quite friendly to those who reach out to him and is extremely patient, allowing them to control the flow of their conversation. He is alert and quick to pick up on minor comments made by his patients that helps open them up. He is also highly clumsy, quirky and is prone to messing up in comedic situations, unlike most of the other teachers who have no-nonsense, regular personalities. He is quite popular with the Thieves and even Yusuke from Kosei High School comes to Shujin Academy to take his counseling, making him a popular figure among students and one of the Thieves' greatest sponsors. He also appears to be a skilled cook.

However, Maruki was secretly bestowed the power to warp cognition thanks to his Persona, who reached out to him because of his extreme grief over his ex-girlfriend's post-traumatic stress episodes. Once he opened a therapist clinic, he subconsciously used this ability to temper or neuter crippling mental illnesses by granting things that they wanted that would cancel out their depression, although the extent of that power only applied to the cognition of the person themselves, instead of radically changing any qualities that person has, resulting in cognitive dissonance.

Maruki was one of the original researchers of cognitive psience, and he reaches out to the protagonist for help completing the paper he has been working on since before the events of the game. If the protagonist does help him finish this essay and complete his Confidant, a combination of the loss of his ex-fiancée's memories, having his research stolen and funding stymied by Masayoshi Shido, and the Day of Reckoning will finally allow him to fully awaken to his Persona, as a result of the Metaverse merging with reality. He conducts his final solution against all suffering after Yaldabaoth's fall by granting humanity's wishes accordingly with no strings attached and takes his place as the world's savior, as frequent interaction with emotionally suffering people in the past made him conclude that pure happiness will remove all pain from the world, in a similar vein as his successors.

The features of his palace heavily hint at his warped sense of charity. While he desires others to live happy, stress-free, worry-free, hardship-free lives, he feels that situations of conflict and troubles should be completely avoided. His inability to process his own grief and desire to stop others from experiencing similar pain leads to him developing somewhat of a messiah complex. His intentions are not fueled by malice as he genuinely wants to make people happy. This causes an ethical dilemma that is brought up as he still retains his desires to let others decide if they want to accept his world or not. With the protagonist spearheading the resistance against his realities, he ultimately leaves fate for him to decide and above all else seeks his approval. He even fears that the protagonist may never accept it, but despite this, he still allows the protagonist to decide on his own by letting him experience the happy realities of his friends and continuously tries to persuade him and the Phantom Thieves, without overtly trying to force them, to join him even during the very apex of their battle.

His personality is genuine, and he used to only utilize his powers subconsciously, prior to fully awakening to his Persona. This holds true even for making Sumire Yoshizawa think that she's her twin sister Kasumi. His "Salvation Plan" also used to be validating his cognitive psience research and saving lives with it by preventing depression and other mental illnesses, before realizing thanks to his conversations with the protagonist that these ideas could be applied on a much larger scale. In fact, he at first believes that there is no ability to prevent humanity in general from suffering during his conversation with Ann, although a specific Confidant meeting with him has the protagonist allude that he could use Mementos to do so, which he actually does during the third semester. It is also put forward by Lavenza that Yaldabaoth's defeat might have engineered his ascension, as he fills the gap in society that Yaldabaoth left as the "savior" of humanity's desires.

While he acknowledges that hardships are a natural part of life and that some people do come out stronger from them, it is only after his defeat that he realizes that he needs to do the same. It is in the final clash with the protagonist alone that Maruki's inner frustrations come out and showcases all of the pain he endured. The one on one fight on his crumbling Palace finally gave him a real opportunity to vent out this grief with someone who could truly understand him. It is in that moment that Maruki finds solace and can finally move forward with his life.

Profile

Persona 5 Royal

"My "cognitive psience" is the study of people's hearts, and how they guide people's views of the world. Everyone comprehends the world in a different way, depending on their cognition...So basically, if one could tap into a person's "cognitive world"...One would even be able to alter how that person alters reality—in every way."
—Maruki addressing Rumi, Persona 5 Royal

Prior to the events of Persona 5, the parents of Maruki's fiancé, Rumi, were murdered during a home invasion, and Rumi herself was injured in the process, leading to her falling into a catatonic depression. Maruki tried to comfort her, only to unwittingly invoke her trigger phrase by mentioning her family and driving her into a breakdown. In extreme grief, he unconsciously contacted a mysterious entity, and made a deal with it so as to allow him to harness its ability to manipulate cognition, dubbed Actualization. First applying this, he inadvertently purged Rumi of her traumatic memories, but as a consequence, also wiped away her memories she shared with him. As to not remind Rumi of her grief, Maruki cut ties with her. While he was already researching cognitive psience by then, this further motivated his research so he could help humanity as a whole.

Maruki Awakening 1

Maruki Awakening to his persona to save Rumi.

Initially, his research was met with positive reception, but suddenly, his research was swiftly rejected by his university and funding was revoked under the pretense that there was lack of evidence to support it, although unbeknownst to him then, his research was seized by Masayoshi Shido. Maruki's lifelong dream of opening a cognitive psience research center in place of a stadium in Odaiba was crushed, and he left university as a result. This further motivates him to investigate deeper so he can validate that his own brand of work was true. While at first uncertain, he continues to use his actualization powers to assist people and make a better world.

Maruki meeting Sumi 2

Maruki counseling with Sumire.

He became a counselor, eventually having an appointment with a girl named Sumire Yoshizawa, who lost her twin sister Kasumi, and wished to live as her. Sumire triggered him into subconsciously using his cognitive warping abilities and he made her think that she's Kasumi, giving him more inspiration around his research note. According to him, this was the second time such a massive change occured thanks to his actualization.

Maruki first appears briefly on the background emerging from the Shujin Academy gates, after Ann, Ryuji, Morgana and the protagonist arrives from the Metaverse into the real world. During the first-term exams, he officially makes his presence known and enrolls as the student counselor at Shujin Academy, and one of the protagonist's Confidants. Maruki is hired by Principal Kobayakawa in order to improve the students' mental health (and the school's reputation) after the exposure of Suguru Kamoshida's crimes.  When he is presented in the auditorium, he makes a clumsy speech before being pushed aside by Kobayakawa to end the assembly. Afterwards, he tries to convince the protagonist, Ryuji and Ann to talk to him, as he was ordered by the school to specifically reach out to victims of Kamoshida. While Ryuji doubts if he's actually trustworthy, he earns the trio's trust quickly when the protagonist realizes that he might be useful for the Phantom Thieves' activities, and offers snacks as a bonus. Since then, he regularly meets up with members of the Phantom Thieves and eventually encounters all of them, save for Akechi.

During his sessions, he regularly offers snacks and drinks to his guests as a way of making them comfortable. He can also lead students who go to meet him into speaking out their desires and inner thoughts very well, allowing him to better understand them.

Maruki leaves Shujin on November 18th, during which he gives a brief address to the students, telling them to avoid pain and negativity and live strong. He then personally bids the protagonist farewell if he has reached Rank 9 of his Confidant in prior, automatically maxing it out at Rank 10.  During the last meeting with him after his final speech in the Shujin auditorium, he will confirm that he witnessed the protagonist, Ann and Ryuji exiting Kamoshida's Palace.

Taking Back Reality

Maruki Awakening 2

Maruki awakening his Persona for real.

On the 24th of December, should the protagonist complete Maruki's Confidant, he will publish his final paper to his professor, who chides him for trying to stop the powerful Masayoshi Shido alone and tries to kick him out of his office. At the same time, Yaldabaoth's control plan began to appear. Maruki notices the red sky, but his professor stays completely unaware. Yaldabaoth's merging of Mementos with reality awakens his Persona into a physical form, known as Azathoth, and grants it the conduit to manifest before Maruki and fully awaken, stirring him into action. Unlike most other awakenings, it does not follow the usual awakening procedures at all and takes the form of Azathoth conversing with Maruki, being invisible to the professor behind him. Having awakened his persona via seemingly unnatural means, Maruki lets out a crazed laughter and leaves the professor office after assuring the professor that he will leave his office in a passive-aggressive manner.

Maruki then warps the very cognition of reality by taking control of Mementos. This makes him the main mastermind of the third semester events, where he attempts to end all of humanity's pain by granting them eternal happiness. When approached by the protagonist, Akechi, and Kasumi, he warns the three not to proceed further, or they will see the pain of reality.

Once personally confronted, at Kasumi's insistence, he plays back a video depicting how Sumire's sister, the real Kasumi, died. Sumire remembers who she really is and her identity as Kasumi melts away, causing her to relapse into depression. Though Maruki tries to persuade the protagonist and Akechi, his pleas are to no avail, and he orders Hastur to attack the intruders while he seizes Sumire, who wishes to be re-established as Kasumi. After the confrontation with Hastur, Maruki requests that they see how the rest of the Phantom Thieves' lives are in the reality he created, in hopes of changing their minds. He tells them to come back on January 9th with their decision. Furthermore, in order to hold his end of the deal with the protagonist and Akechi, he causes Sumire's parents to believe that she is at a training camp.

Maruki Another

Maruki in his Palace.

When the protagonist meets his friends in the altered reality, none of them initially remember how they met him, as their fulfilled desires mean they had no pain or trauma to bond over. Maruki's powers give him the ability to rewrite history up to and including the point of a person's death, effectively "reviving" them. As such, Futaba's mother Wakaba Isshiki is alive, as are Haru's and Makoto's fathers. None of Shujin's students, including Shiho Suzui, were abused by Kamoshida; Madarame is a perfect mentor to Yusuke; Ryuji's leg is not broken; and Morgana is a human.

Since these tragedies did not happen in this new reality, the protagonist's ties with his friends became superficial bonds, and their Personas are presumably all temporarily removed from existence due to their awakening being tied to their trauma.

Bar these, there are also varying degrees of tampering towards certain members of the public, including people winning lottery jackpots, the family in Yongen Jaya's dead pet dog being revived and someone retiring from his company for no apparent reason. Sadayo Kawakami can be found grumbling in the Kichijoji bars about how all her friends are having "one fairy tale wedding after another."

When the protagonist and Akechi come back to meet Maruki on January 9th, he offers them a deal to allow the protagonist to accept his reality. Should the protagonist refuse Sumire will stir, in full denial of accepting herself as Kasumi's killer, fighting him alone in desperation. Afterward, Maruki restrains her with his cognition control device, which separates Cendrillon from Sumire and makes it go berserk, causing it to attack the protagonist and Akechi. To Maruki's complete shock, the rest of the Phantom Thieves arrive, having freed themselves from Maruki's influence, allowing the protagonist and Akechi to strike back against the frantic Persona. Suggesting that further fighting is pointless, Maruki returns Sumire and tells them to meet him on February 3rd, when he will hear their final decision and be prepared to fight for what he believes in.

Should the protagonist accept any of his offers to accept his reality, it will trigger a new early ending where Maruki's reality becomes the true reality, as the Phantom Thieves happily celebrate Setsubun, with Sumire's name reverting back into "Kasumi Yoshizawa." After the celebration ends, the protagonist is invited to stay at Café Leblanc with Sojiro Sakura until he graduates from Shujin. Makoto and Haru graduate on the 15th of March, where Maruki takes the group's picture for them. As Maruki leaves, the protagonist will appear to sense something as Kasumi walks by him, before returning to his friends. The credits display the Thieves' desires being fulfilled and all of them content, and ends with a snapshot of them having a pleasant hangout at Leblanc. Akechi and the protagonist are the only ones looking towards the camera.

It was revealed by Lavenza that as he meets the Thieves during counseling sessions, he realizes what they truly want, and their collective desires gave him the power to create his reality; they all subconsciously wished for him to change the old one. The protagonist also told him about the Collective Unconscious in a Confidant event, allowing Maruki to fill in the place of Yaldabaoth after his fall and revive Mementos for his own use. If he is not stopped within a month, this new Mementos will completely fuse into the real world and become impossible to remove, and humanity will presumably live in bliss for eternity, with the original reality being treated as if it had never existed.

The deadline for the infiltration of his Palace is 21 days and 20 nights; if the party fails to meet this deadline, the fusion of the two worlds becomes permanent, and Maruki meets with the protagonist in a dream. Because of the protagonist's indecision supposedly making him suffer, Maruki allows him the freedom not to choose, putting him to sleep for as many "days or years" he may have. When the protagonist wakes up, his phone's battery is long dead, and his room is riddled with cobwebs. He has no more will or motivation to get out of bed, and just goes back to sleep. Lavenza tries to reach him but can't, as she has no more power after Maruki takes control over reality.

Maruki's sin is Sorrow (Tristitia), as stated on his Will Seeds. While he himself has elements of melancholy such as losing Rumi to catatonic depression and his newfound powers, it could also allude to him creating a world of ignorant happiness that stagnates all of humanity's potential for development, amounting to nothing short of nihilism.

After locating his Treasure, the Phantom Thieves decide to let the protagonist send a calling card to Maruki on his own. The date is locked at February 3rd regardless of prior completion. Once the date comes, he will personally pay a visit to the protagonist, in which he reaffirms that he doesn't plan to change his stance, and reveals that Rumi is living happily in the reality he is in. In a final effort to convince the protagonist, Maruki indirectly confirms that Akechi is alive because he created a reality where the protagonist and Akechi could start over, meaning that Akechi's fate in the true reality remains unknown after the confrontation in Shido's Palace. If the protagonist has the Justice confidant maxed out and promised to remember Akechi, he will enter Leblanc, having apparently been eavesdropping. Maruki then tells the protagonist that he will wait for them at the Palace if they still decide to fight. Once he leaves, the protagonist will have a chance to leave Maruki alone on his own accord; accepting it will result in a double confirmation by Akechi. Should he confirm the decision, the heist will be cancelled, resulting in the same bad ending as Maruki's direct offer.

If Akechi's promise was not fulfilled, Morgana will stand by the protagonist in place of Akechi, and Maruki himself will be confirming the deal instead of leaving the decision to the protagonist. Should he agree to Maruki and has confirmed to do so after being asked by Morgana, Maruki will be elated by the protagonist's decision and leave in a giddy rush. The same bad ending as above occurs afterwards.

He then invites the party to battle him on top of the Garden of Eden, in which he manifests his Persona Azathoth to attack the party as well as making him nearly invulnerable. His Persona manifests behind him consistently and can be destroyed in order to end the fight, along with Maruki himself. To further compound this, he has three tentacles that constantly buff him or render Azathoth nearly invulnerable. Once Azathoth is defeated, the party escapes the collapsing Palace with his Treasure, a torch. Maruki then reappears, taking the torch and transforms Azathoth into its evolved form, Adam Kadmon, to fight the party again.

He initially fights the party on foot with Adam Kadmon behind him, but once it is defeated, he fuses himself into Adam Kadmon, rendering himself seemingly invincible until Futaba locates his weakness. All of the protagonist's party members help fend off Adam Kadmon's final attack while the protagonist targets its head and destroys it, shattering Maruki's mask. His Palace then collapses, and he regains consciousness to confront the Phantom Thieves one last time. After tethering the escaping party with one of his tendrils and confronting the protagonist, they engage in a final fist-fight so as to help Maruki come to terms with the end of his salvation plan, which ends with Maruki faltering and collapsing onto the cracking bridge they were fighting on. Before he can fall, the protagonist reaches out and grabs his hand. As Maruki dangles above his death, he realizes that he doesn't have any strength left and confesses that he was always afraid he and the protagonist would have opposing views. Both Maruki and the protagonist leave the Metaverse via Morgana's helicopter form afterwards.

Due to the destruction of Maruki's Palace, the Metaverse disappears and all is returned to normal. The protagonist is now in Juvenile Hall after testifying against Shido, with all of his maxed confidants (including ones that he maxed in the third semester) supporting his release. Akechi vanishes as he is presumed to have indeed died.

Maruki's Treasure is a golden torch, representing the guiding wisdom granted to him by cognitive psience which he wished to apply to save humanity. In the real world, it reveals itself to be a newsletter about the murder of Rumi's parents. It was picked up by Sumire outside his Palace and handed to Futaba, and the protagonist keeps it as a memento.

At the end of the game, Maruki is shown to have become a taxi driver, and drives the protagonist to the train station while the others distract the agents following the protagonist. Maruki declares that he has decided to face his life head-on like the protagonist and his friends, offering a final gesture of friendship before bidding him farewell.

Confidant

Main article: Confidant/Takuto Maruki
"It's hard to believe that an ordinary high school student could accomplish such grandiose heists. One would need a heart of steel, unaffected by outside influences and prepared to act without hesitating. There has to be someone who helped strengthen your mental state. Sound like somebody you know?"
—Sae Niijima talking about Takuto Maruki, Persona 5 Royal

Maruki's Confidant is enacted after his speech in the Shujin auditorium. He can be met after school on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. He will not be available past rank 5 prior to the 19th of September. Additionally, the final rank is automatic on November 18th should the protagonist advance his Confidant to Rank 9 prior to that date. His Confidant mainly unlocks bonuses in combat and increases the protagonist's max SP every time he consults with him. Maxing this confidant unlocks Vohu Manah and is required to unlock the third semester events. All of his abilities activate once unlocked, even when he becomes hostile.

Music

"Ideal and the Real" plays in all of his counseling sessions, including the one with Sumire in his clinic.

A remixed version of this theme, "Ideal and the Real -end version-" can be heard during the credits of the third semester alternate ending which happens if the protagonist decides to accept his version of reality.

"Throw Away Your Mask" and its instrumental version, "Keep Your Faith" plays during the final fight with him, with "Keep Your Faith" for Azathoth and "Throw Away Your Mask" for Adam Kadmon.

Boss

Strategy

Maruki_boss_fight

Maruki boss fight

Maruki Boss Fight.

"No matter what happens to me in the end, I will fix this torturous world! That...is my own rebellion!"
—Maruki to the Phantom Thieves during his boss fight, Persona 5 Royal

Before battle, be prepared with any accessories or passives that can prevent Fear and/or Dizzy because these will be the greatest threats in this fight. Unlike Yaldabaoth, he mainly attacks with Nuke, Bless and Physical attacks with Almighty attacks as finishers, so Sumire and Makoto should be in the team at all costs as they prevent him from dealing serious damage to the party. Haru's Life Wall also helps a lot in addition to greatly reducing the odds of party members being affected by fear or dizzy, although she is weak to Nuke. For the same reasons, avoid bringing Akechi as he has the same effective profile as Sumire, but his elemental affinities makes him highly vulnerable to Gun Repel or Bless.

Remember to do shopping and sell all excess items on the day of February 2nd, as free movement is disabled during that night. If the protagonist also has Sumire's confidant maxed and wants to stock supplies before confronting Maruki, considering rejecting her SNS invitation and meet her personally in Kichijoji instead, because triggering a third awakening uses up the entire day slot.

Unlike the Holy Grail or Shido, the party will also be confronting his strongest form right at the start with the second form being a bonus which is very difficult, if not impossible to lose, so go all out right there. If one is lacking in levels or missing vital personas, grind in his Palace before landing on top of the stariecase leading to the topmost area of Eden, as this is a point of no return and once the party enters there, they will not be able to back off from the boss encounter. (Despite the room leading to him allows free movement, the way down is locked by an invisible barricade.)

Maruki and Azathoth consists of five parts; Maruki himself, Azathoth and three tentacles. If either Azathoth or Maruki's health drops to a quarter or below for the first time, the boss goes into its second phase. Defeating either Azathoth or Maruki again finishes the boss fight.

  • The frontmost one blocks any single-target move directed to Maruki if it is not destroyed. (Azathoth may still be targeted)
  • The second one heals Maruki by 800 HP per turn. Destroying this is mandatory for reliably damaging Maruki, as he heals himself every turn with this if it's present.
  • The third one will cast buffs on either Azathoth or debuffs on the party. It is also recommended to destroy this if possible, although not as mandatory as the others. If any buffs occur, remove it with Dekaja or Debilitate. (Or vice versa with Dekunda or Thermopylae on a Persona with Dying Will for debuffs.)

Maruki will also regenerate any fallen tentacle instantly during his final move in a turn.

Azathoth has a passive named Shield Tendril that causes any attack directed against it to deal no more than one damage. This includes Almighty attacks. If sufficient buffs are on the party, and sufficient debuffs are used on it, attacks will do slightly more than one damage. If at least one Tentacle is destroyed, Azathoth will begin to receive decent amounts of damage, although the damage dealt is still reduced slightly. When all three tentacles are destroyed, Azathoth will receive full damage.

As Azathoth cannot heal itself and has significantly lower HP than Maruki himself, it is strongly recommended to ignore Maruki and aim solely for Azathoth. All of the tentacles have weaknesses and can be downed for One Mores, although they can block or repel some elements, so crowd control might be dangerous to use bar Almighty skills such as Morning Star and Megidolaon. The party member's ultimate personas block the respective types they use, making them highly desirable for mass removal. Baton Pass is strongly recommended to be used in order to allow high damage output on any targets that have to be removed or damaged. While it is recommended to remove all of the tentacles to allow full damage to be dealt, occasionally only one Tentacle can be removed in order to save resources and continue the flow of offense, as the downgraded Shield Tendril passive does not filter away much damage.

Maruki does not attack, and all of the damaging moves come from Azathoth. Therefore, if one wishes to use debuffs, they should use it on Azathoth unless they want to hit Maruki harder.

His first phase primarily attacks with Memory Blow and a Nuclear attack, and Azathoth only moves once per turn. The affinities of the Tentacles are fixed, and the one on the front is weak to Physical; a powerful Physical attack from the protagonist directed at the Tentacle of Protection, followed by a move such as Hassou Tobi, can deal reasonable damage to Azathoth on its own.

Once the party drops either Azathoth or Maruki's HP to a quarter once, he will enter his second phase and use more tentacles to make Azathoth bigger. He can also limit various movements in a semi-random order starting from prohibiting magic for a turn, although he will do this rather sparsely, leaving huge windows where the party is allowed free movement. On harder difficulties, however, he will always do this twice in a row and more frequently. Baton Pass or Physicals will be prohibited the second time he does this, and healing will always be prohibited during the third time (this includes all skills or items that recover HP, SP or status ailments). He prohibits guarding on the fourth, and items/support skills on the fifth.

Azathoth's tentacles now switch affinities every turn, so be prepared to scan them. If an affinity has been changed from weak to a question mark on a tentacle, it indicates that the tentacle's affinity has changed and it now probably blocks or repels that affinity, so if the party's current situation disallows sufficient damage against a key target, switch tactics or use a regular attack on a less important tentacle weak to it so it can be downed for a Baton Pass.

Azathoth will also begin attacking twice per turn and will spam Evil Smile frequently; if he gets any One Mores, he will follow up with Evil Smile as well. He will only attack with Eternal Radiance, a Bless attack with an added Dizzy effect, and Raining Seeds. If he proceeds to follow up with any attacking move after Eternal Radiance makes a party member Dizzy, it will result in Technical damage on anyone inflicted with it. These status conditions can make damaging him very difficult and every turn wasted on healing aliments is wasted damage output. Sumire should be able to block Fear completely if the protagonist can, since that would allow the party to still do sufficient damage in case Fear affects the others. The protagonist can also equip one or more Personas with Salvation in order for a quick getaway. Maria is recommended, as it can recover aliments and even revive fallen party members completely.

Once his HP drops low enough, a message might appear on the top of the screen dictating that a party member is being specifically targeted. Either have that member guard or switch them out, since he will target that member with Piercing Strike, a multi-hit Almighty attack that will most likely instantly kill them. If his HP drops to a critically low level, he can also Tyrant's Stance, followed by a movement block. Guard this as well if possible, since he will follow up with Tyrant Chaos, a massively powerful Almighty move. Unlike Yaldabaoth's Rays of Control, it is possible for a protagonist with high enough stats to tank this attack unguarded. However, this is ill-advised on harder difficulties.

If the party takes more than 40 turns to defeat him, Azathoth will cast a Megidolaon dealing around 1300 damage, which will most likely wipe out all party members.

Defeating Maruki will instantly end the fight. If the party defeats Azathoth, Maruki will be completely incapacitated with 1 HP left, allowing a single attack to end the fight.

If Azathoth or Maruki are defeated, he will move to regenerate it into its evolved form Adam Kadmon. Any HP or SP depleted in the previous fight will be fully restored. This phase is much easier than the previous as he merely has two attacks. He will use Origin Light, a severe-tier Almighty attack at first, but when his HP goes down by a quarter, he will use Revitalize Soul to deal a fixed 300 damage to each party member and recover 1200 HP. Since he has 3000 HP, this is usually a full recover. After this, he will switch to attacking using Grand Palm, an attack that does way over the amount a party member can usually endure. However, all party members will always endure the first hit of this attack. Furthermore, he also has a chance to squander a turn at random at low HP.

The final phase will involve the party confronting Adam Kadmon directly, having completely fused with Maruki. While the party functions as usual, all three of Adam Kadmon's targets will take only two damage. He will use his first turn on Attack Position, leaving him vulnerable to attacks (although his HP is abnormally high and virtually impossible to deplete). On the next turn he uses Full Force, an attack that does over 1000 damage when unguarded. However, the party will always endure this at 1 HP. Once he repeats the process twice, the battle ends.

Stats

I have to do this...
Arcana Level HP
Strength --
Magic --
Endurance --
Agility --
Luck --
- ??? ~8000
Phys Gun Fire Ice Elec Wind Psy Nuke Bless Curse Almi
- - - - - - - - - - -
EXP Yen Battle Drop Negotiation Items
0 0 - -
List of Skills
Skill Effect
Regeneration Fully revives Tentacle of Protection, Tentacle of Healing and Tentacle of Assistance.
Amplify Force Next Physical attack from Azathoth does 2.5x Damage.
Shapeless Guard Increase Maruki's defense for 3 turns.

Arcana Level HP
Strength --
Magic --
Endurance --
Agility --
Luck --
- ??? ~6000
Phys Gun Fire Ice Elec Wind Psy Nuke Bless Curse Almi
- - - - - - - - - - -
EXP Yen Battle Drop Negotiation Items
0 0 - -
List of Skills
Skill Effect
Shield Tendril Greatly reduces damage from all attacks, including Almighty if all Tentacles are present within party.
Slightly reduces damage taken instead if at least one Tentacle is not present.
Memory Blow Light Physical damage and inflict Forget (low odds) to all foes.
Nuclear Crush Heavy Nuke Damage to all foes.
Raining Seeds Heavy Physical Damage to all foes 1-3 times.

Arcana Level HP
Strength --
Magic --
Endurance --
Agility --
Luck --
- ??? ~12000
Phys Gun Fire Ice Elec Wind Psy Nuke Bless Curse Almi
- - - - - - - - - - -
EXP Yen Battle Drop Negotiation Items
0 0 - -
List of Skills
Skill Effect
Shield Tendril Greatly reduces damage from all attacks, including Almighty if all Tentacles are present within party.
Slightly reduces damage taken instead if at least one Tentacle is not present.
Evil Smile Inflict Fear (med odds) to all foes.
Eternal Radiance Heavy Bless Damage to all foes. High chance of Dizzy.
Raining Seeds Heavy Physical Damage to all foes 1-3 times.
Piercing Strike Medium Almighty damage 10 times to one party member. Not usable against the protagonist.
Tyrant Stance Prepare for Tyrant Chaos and increase damage of next attack by 2.5x.
Tyrant Chaos Severe Almighty Damage to all foes.
Megidolaon Severe Almighty damage to all foes.

Arcana Level HP
Strength --
Magic --
Endurance --
Agility --
Luck --
- ??? 650
Phys Gun Fire Ice Elec Wind Psy Nuke Bless Curse Almi
Wk Rp Rp Rp Nu Nu Nu Nu Rp Rp -
EXP Yen Battle Drop Negotiation Items
0 0 - -

Arcana Level HP
Strength --
Magic --
Endurance --
Agility --
Luck --
- ??? 650
Phys Gun Fire Ice Elec Wind Psy Nuke Bless Curse Almi
Nu - Nu Nu Rp Rp Wk Wk Wk Wk -
EXP Yen Battle Drop Negotiation Items
0 0 - -
List of Skills
Skill Effect
Energy Stream Recover medium amount of Maruki's HP.

Arcana Level HP
Strength --
Magic --
Endurance --
Agility --
Luck --
- ??? 650
Phys Gun Fire Ice Elec Wind Psy Nuke Bless Curse Almi
Nu - Wk Wk Wk Wk Rp Rp Nu Nu -
EXP Yen Battle Drop Negotiation Items
0 0 - -
List of Skills
Skill Effect
Tarukaja Increase Attack of 1 ally for 3 turns.
Tarunda Decrease Attack of 1 foe for 3 turns.
Rakunda Decrease Defense of 1 foe for 3 turns.

Adam Kadmon! Guide us all to our ideal reality!
Arcana Level HP
Strength --
Magic --
Endurance --
Agility --
Luck --
- ??? ~3000
Phys Gun Fire Ice Elec Wind Psy Nuke Bless Curse Almi
- - - - - - - - - - -
EXP Yen Battle Drop Negotiation Items
0 0 - -
List of Skills
Skill Effect
Origin Light Heavy Almighty Damage to all foes.
Grand Palm Colossal Almighty Damage to one foe.
Revitalize Soul 300 Almighty Damage to all foes and restore user's HP by the number of targets affected.

Arcana Level HP
Strength --
Magic --
Endurance --
Agility --
Luck --
- ??? 65535
Phys Gun Fire Ice Elec Wind Psy Nuke Bless Curse Almi
- - - - - - - - - - -
EXP Yen Battle Drop Negotiation Items
0 0 - -
List of Skills
Skill Effect
Attack Position Prepare for Full Force. User takes normal damage during next enemy turn.
Full Force Colossal Almighty Damage against all foes.

Quotes

General

  • "My persona guides me!" (Start of battle during both phases)

When battling with Azathoth

  • "I have to do this..." (Introductory)
  • "Not bad..." (Randomly when being attacked)
  • "Ugh!" (Randomly when being attacked)
  • "Not..yet!" (When downed himself; not possible under normal circumstances)
  • "I'm...not...done...yet!" (Randomly at the start of someone's turn, low HP)
  • "I can make you see..." (Randomly at the start of someone's turn)
  • "I won't lose!" (Randomly at the start of someone's turn)
  • "Not bad...but we've only just begun!" (Transforming into Phase 2)
  • "So, let's move on!"
  • "I can't deny you're all strong—But that's exactly what's making you suffer. It's time to end all of this. I'm going to save all of you!" (Randomly before charging up Tyrant Chaos or Preparing for Piercing Strike)
  • "A reality where none shall suffer...To realize it...I will use all of our power!" (Randomly before charging up Tyrant Chaos or Preparing for Piercing Strike)
  • The following occur before he bans a certain movement for a turn during his second phase. All of these dialogue require that character to be within the on-screen party.
    • "Sakamoto-kun! Your dream of running...Running would make life so much easier for your mother! I can make that dream your reality!" (Addressing Ryuji)
    • "Morgana-kun! I know how you truly feel..And there's no need to fear your differences anymore! Don't worry...You don't have to explain anything to me. All I have to help you is merely imagine it!" (Addressing Morgana)
    • "Takamaki-san! Didn't you always want to protect your friend? Don't abandon such a pure dream when it's right in front of you!" (Addressing Ann)
    • "Kitagawa-kun! I know you don't really want your approval to be earned through force! You want a world guided by beauty...and I can give you such a world!" (Addressing Yusuke)
    • "Niijima-san! Everyone has the right to wish for a happy family! You don't need to keep holding back your desires!" (Addressing Makoto Niijima)
    • "Okumura-san! Stop tormenting yourself over your father's sins! I swear, I'll give you a world where you'll have every chance to succeed on your own right!" (Addressing Haru Okumura)
    • "Akechi-kun! Don't throw away your life! If you're with [protagonist's name]-kun and his friends, you could begin to atone what you've done!" (Addressing Akechi)
    • "Yoshizawa-san! That pain you're suffering... It must be impossible to move on! I want to save you from that awful life!" (Addressing Sumire)
    • If addressing Joker when nobody else is in the party or randomly after Tyrant Stance:
      • "I understand the difficulty of accepting such a huge change, but that's nothing more than your fears controlling you! Please! Won't you please believe me?"
      • "Suffering and pain bring nothing to people except their ruin! Why would you force yourself into that? Just... let me save you all, just this once!"
      • "Do you remember how every one of your dreams was granted in my reality? Not a single person is in pain here...Why would you deny them that opportunity?"
  • "I won't fail...I CAN'T fail!" (When either Azathoth or himself drops to a critically low health)
  • "Azathoth!?" (After Azathoth is defeated)
  • "Ngh..." (After he is defeated)

When battling with Adam Kadmon

  • "I refuse to let it end like this...Adam Kadmon, guide us all to our ideal reality!" (Introductory)
  • "Persona!"
  • "Adam Kadmon...lend me your strength..." (Using Revitalize Soul)
  • "I still...can't do it!? And my reality is right before my eyes..." (After being defeated)

During the fist fight event

  • "I gave up everything! Everything!!! So, why!?" (Introductory)
  • "Why... Why Rumi!?" (After first turn)
  • "A reality where...no one suffers..." (After second turn)

Overworld quotes

Will Seed chambers:

  • "Why...why can't we come to an agreement?"
  • "Rumi...I'm..."
  • "What can I do to make you understand?"
  • "This harsh world is going to be fixed..."
  • "Everyone will finally be happy."
  • "What's wrong with an alternate reality, if everyone gets what they desire from it?"
  • "Just a bit more, and everything will be okay..."
  • "I will never let a tragedy like that happen, ever again."
  • "I will lead them all."
  • "I'm so close...just a little further..."
  • "No matter what I have to deal with, I will reach my goal."

Gallery

Persona 5 Royal
 
Maruki Cut-In
Maruki's Close Up
 
P5R SecurityLevel Mystery
Maruki's Security Level portrait (Hidden)
 
P5R SecurityLevel Maruki
Maruki's Security Level portrait
 
IM Maruki
Maruki's text icon
 
MarukiConfidantPortrait
Maruki's Confidant portrait
 
Takuto Maruki Concept
Concept Art
 
P5R ConceptArt Maruki
Concept Art
 
Maruki Concept Art (Another)
Concept Art (Alternate attire)
 
Maruki Concept Art (Azathoth)
Concept Art of Metaverse form.
 
Takuto Portraits
Portraits
 
Maruki in Shujin
Maruki is briefly seen after escaping from Kamoshida's Palace after Ann's awakening
 
P5R EncounteringTakuto
Maruki in Shujin Academy
 
P5R TakutoCounseling
Maruki and the protagonist at counseling
Portraits
 
P5R Portrait Maruki
Maruki's portrait
 
P5R Portrait Maruki Smiling
Maruki smiling
 
P5R Portrait Maruki Serious
Maruki serious
 
P5R Portrait Maruki Sad
Maruki sad
 
P5R Portrait Maruki Surprised
Maruki surprised
 
P5R Portrait Maruki Harmed
Maruki harmed
 
P5R Portrait Maruki Menacing
Maruki menacing
 
P5R Portrait Maruki Contemplating
Maruki with fogged glasses
 
P5R Portrait Maruki Nostalgic
Maruki smiling (Fogged glasses)
 
P5R Portrait Maruki Regretful
Maruki sad (Fogged glasses)
 
P5R Portrait Maruki No Staff ID
Maruki without staff ID
 
P5R Portrait Maruki No Jacket
Maruki without coat and staff ID
 
P5R Portrait Maruki Winter Coat 2
Maruki's outdoor winter coat
 
P5R Portrait Maruki Winter Coat 1
Maruki's indoor winter coat
 
P5R Portrait Maruki Young
Maruki's portrait (Young)
 
P5R Portrait Maruki Young Smiling
Maruki smiling (Young)
 
P5R Portrait Maruki Young Serious
Maruki serious (Young)
 
P5R Portrait Maruki Young Sad
Maruki sad (Young)
 
P5R Portrait Maruki Young Surprised
Maruki surprised (Young)
 
P5R Portrait Maruki Young Harmed
Maruki harmed (Young)
 
P5R Portrait Maruki Young Lingering
Maruki lingering (Young)
 
Takuto enemy
Another Maruki
 
P5R Another Maruki smiling
Another Maruki smiling
 
P5R Another Maruki Angered
Another Maruki serious
 
P5R Another Maruki sad
Another Maruki sad
 
P5R Portrait Another Maruki Surprised
Another Maruki surprised
 
P5R Another Maruki Hurt
Another Maruki harmed
 
Takuto Azathoth
Maruki in Metaverse attire
 
P5R Portrait Maruki Mask Smiling
Maruki smiling (Metaverse attire)
 
P5R Portrait Maruki Mask Serious
Maruki serious (Metaverse attire)
 
P5R Portrait Maruki Mask Sad
Maruki sad (Metaverse attire)
 
P5R Portrait Maruki Mask Surprised
Maruki surprised (Metaverse attire)
 
P5R Portrait Maruki Mask Harmed
Maruki harmed (Metaverse attire)
 
P5R Maruki Broke Helmet
Maruki with damaged mask
 
P5R No Helmet Maruki
Maruki with no mask
 
P5R Portrait Maruki Metaverse BeatUp
Damaged Maruki with no mask
 
P5R Damaged No Battle Gear Maruki
Damaged Maruki with no battle gear
 
Smiling Maruki
Maruki smiling cut-in
 
Surprised Maruki
Maruki surprised cut-in
 
Hurt Maruki
Maruki harmed cut-in
 
Angry Maruki
Maruki angry cut-in
 
Surprised Metaverse Maruki Cut-in
Maruki surprised cut-in (Metaverse attire)
 
Sad Metaverse Maruki Cut-in
Maruki sad cut-in (Metaverse attire)
 
Hurt Metaverse Maruki Cut-in
Maruki harmed cut-in (Metaverse attire)
 
Angry Metaverse Maruki Cut-in
Maruki angry cut-in (Metaverse attire)
Others
 
P5R x P5S Illustration
Illustration of Maruki and Zenkichi by Rokuro Saito

Videos

 
Maruki's Trailer (JP)
 
Triggering Maruki's bad ending via the 9th of January direct offer
 
Triggering Maruki's bad ending via the 2nd of February indirect offer
 
Missing the Maruki deadline

Etymology

"Takuto" (拓人) could mean "developing man" and his last name, "Maruki," could mean "circular or pure joy", both which heavily contrast his actions and involvement during the third semester despite his positive intentions.

In Other Languages

Language Titles
Flag of the United States English Takuto Maruki
Flag of Japan Japanese 丸喜 拓人 (Maruki Takuto)
Flag of South Korea Korean 마루키 타쿠토 (Maruki Takuto)
Flag of Hong KongFlag of the Republic of China Traditional Chinese 丸喜 拓人 (Wánxǐ tà rén)

Trivia

  • According to an interview from Persona 5 Royal Official Complete Guide, Maruki is designed to be sympathetic unlike the other heist targets, so the development team took care and made sure that he didn't act in a heinous way or made mocking expressions just like most of the other targets.
  • Changing the PS4's main menu theme to Maruki's theme will also change its music to "Ideal and the Real."
  • The protagonist cannot confront Maruki in his Adam Kadmon phase without any other party members. If the protagonist alone defeats him in his Azathoth Phase, during the fight with his Adam Kadmon's phase, Ann, Morgana and Ryuji will automatically fill in.
  • Maruki has trouble preparing dishes with apples, unlike Sumire.
  • Maruki is one of the very few final bosses in the Megami Tensei franchise that are completely human.
  • Maruki is so far the first human character to be completely controlled by a Persona, being Adam Kadmon when he fuses with it in desperation. When accounting for non-human characters, Elizabeth is the first, having been overtaken by Zeus in Persona Q.
  • If Maruki manipulates the cognition of an individual to make them believe they are another person, such as in Sumire's case, their perception of others will change to make them believe they are being referred to by the name of the person whom they are impersonating. This implies that, without complete control of Mementos, Maruki's abilities can only manipulate his targets' memories and perceptions of themselves and others.
  • Maruki is one of the very few people who crossed Shido's path without being assassinated or threatened with legislative action by him.
  • Maruki's Persona behaves in a drastically different way from other Personas. Not only can it use its powers from within the real world, it is extremely unstable when used to do so, as seen in its ability to cause memory loss and cognitive dissonance as drawbacks to its powers. It also displays an initiative and sentience somewhat separate from Maruki's, such as when Azathoth pressures him to continue his plan when he begins to have doubts, though this could be interpreted as Maruki's inner voice guiding him instead. Additionally, when Maruki summons his Personas, they must remain tangible and vulnerable to attack, rather than appearing only momentarily when attacking, a trait shared thus far only with Asterius (excluding navigation Personas).
  • The "Actualization" ability of Maruki's Persona can be used in the real world. The previous time where a Persona's abilities can be used out of the collective unconscious is Medea's "Spring of Life" from Persona 3.
  • Technically, during the third semester, Maruki can remove the Phantom Thieves of Hearts from existence entirely by using his Actualization. He just does not do this due to his genuinely altruistic personality and his bonds with the protagonist.
  • When Tokyo is affected by Maruki's cognition-warping powers during the third semester, the black and white colors on the calendar's display invert.
  • Not all people within Maruki's reality are affected right away. For example, Yohei Kiritani can clearly see something is strange around the people around him, and wonders what's going on. As well, many of the protagonist's Confidants also seem to notice the abnormalities.
  • Maruki is the only Palace-ruler who personally maintains his Palace in place of his Shadow Self.
  • A box of apple juice can often be seen on Maruki's desk when he was a part-time counselor of Shujin.
  • Maruki is so far the first major adult target for the Thieves' heists to be genuinely made a better person as designated, instead of being reduced to a weeping husk like the others.
  • Maruki's motives are extremely similar to Nyx's.
    • Both seek to end all matters with a swift blow that ends all of humanity's pain, with Nyx wiping out all life on Earth and Maruki drowning humanity in eternal happiness and taking away all of their growth using Mementos as a control device. If the protagonist accepts either of their deals, humanity will remain ignorant as their plans come to fruition.
    • While Nyx is related to death, Maruki is related to overabundant and stagnating life.
  • Unlike other major enemies in-game, Maruki has a Cut-in before attacking, like a party member. This also applies to other enemy Persona users, like the members of Strega and Tohru Adachi in previous games, along with Goro Akechi in his boss fight earlier in the game.
  • Despite Morgana having stated that Persona users cannot develop Palaces due to having a clear grasp on their desires, Maruki manifests a Palace of his own. This likely explains why Maruki personally oversees his Palace in place of his Shadow self, as his Shadow has become his Persona. He may have gained his Persona after the Palace was created- like Futaba Sakura, however, as her Palace only crumbled after her treasure was stolen (which was herself), and Maruki's treasure wasn't stolen until months afterwards. Had Futaba's treasure been something else and it remained unstolen, she presumably would've had her Persona and a Palace at the same time like Maruki.
  • When Maruki is cooking soup during the cleanup, he tries to pour salt on his arm and slide it into the pot, which is similar to the popular "Salt Bae" meme. However, due to the wind, the salt flies in the air.
  • The paper that Maruki spends his Confidant storyline writing is titled "Interpreting reality through cognitive psience and the alteration of reality via external influence".

References


Characters
Playable Protagonist - Morgana - Ryuji Sakamoto - Ann Takamaki - Yusuke Kitagawa - Makoto Niijima - Futaba Sakura - Haru Okumura - Goro Akechi - Sumire Yoshizawa
Confidant Igor - Sojiro Sakura - Chihaya Mifune - Munehisa Iwai - Tae Takemi - Sadayo Kawakami - Ichiko Ohya - Shinya Oda - Hifumi Togo - Yuuki Mishima - Toranosuke Yoshida - Caroline & Justine - Sae Niijima - Takuto Maruki
Major Targets Suguru Kamoshida - Ichiryusai Madarame - Junya Kaneshiro - Shadow Futaba - Kunikazu Okumura - Masayoshi Shido - Holy Grail / Yaldabaoth - Azathoth / Adam Kadmon
Other Principal Kobayakawa - SIU Director - Shiho Suzui - Natsuhiko Nakanohara - Mika - Lala Escargot - Angel and Julian - Medjed - Wakaba Isshiki - Sugimura - President Tanaka - Kazuya Makigami - Naoya Makigami - Shadow Mishima - Shinichi Yoshizawa - Rumi - Shibusawa - Jose - Kasumi Yoshizawa - Coach Hiraguchi
Locations
Tokyo Yongen-Jaya (Café Leblanc) - Shibuya - Aoyama-Itchome (Shujin Academy) - Shinjuku - Akihabara - Kichijoji - Ogikubo - Inokashira Park - Tsukishima - Akasaka Mitsuke - Suidobashi - Odaiba Seaside Park - Ichigaya - Ikebukuro - Ginza - Harajuku - Meiji Shrine - Jinbocho - Miura Beach - Maihama (Tokyo Destinyland) - Kanda - Roppongi - Ueno - Asakusa - Chinatown - Nagatacho - Shinagawa - Nakano - Kosei High School
Palace Kamoshida's Palace - Madarame's Palace - Kaneshiro's Palace - Futaba's Palace - Okumura's Palace - Niijima's Palace - Shido's Palace - Mementos (Path of Qimranut - Path of Aiyatsbus - Path of Chemdah - Path of Kaitul - Path of Akzeriyyuth - Path of Adyeshach - Path of Sheriruth - Depths of Mementos - Qliphoth World - Path of Da'at) - Maruki's Palace
Other Velvet Room - Hawaii - Thieves Den
Music
Albums Original Soundtrack (Persona 5 / Royal (JP / EN))
Songs "Wake Up, Get Up, Get Out There" - "Life Will Change" - "Beneath the Mask" - "Last Surprise" - "Rivers in the Desert" - "The Whims of Fate" - "Tokyo Daylight" - "Hoshi To Bokura To" - "Break In To Break Out" - "Infinity" - "Dark Sun..." - "Autonomy" - "Found a Light" - "IT'S TOO LATE" - "Colors Flying High" - "Take Over" - "He's a Trickster☆" - "I Believe" - "No More What Ifs" - "Throw Away Your Mask" - "Bokura no Hikari (Our Light)"
Archives
Story Persona - Persona user - Shadow - Shadow Self - Second Awakening - Picaro Persona - I am thou - Cognition - P. A. D. - Metaverse - Metaverse Navigator - Mask - Wild Card - Phantom Thieves of Hearts - Phantom Aficionado Website - Antisocial Force - Treasure - Police - Calling Card - Change of Heart - Psychotic breakdown - Mental shutdown - General Public - Seven Deadly Sins - Sea of Souls - Bond - Featherman
School Life Calendar - Weather - Seasons
Confidant - Social Stats - Hideout - Class - Train - Invitations - Gifts - Decorations
Activities Bathhouse - Studying - Diner - Cleaning - Maid Café - Billiards - Books - DVDs - Retro Games - Movie Theater - Big Bang Challenge - Crane Game - Bed - Batting Cages - Fishing Pond - Crossword Puzzles - Darts - Infiltration Tools - Cooking - Training - Old Temple - Laundry - Part-time Jobs - Shrine - Confessional - Jazz Jin - Houseplant - Refrigerator - TV Quiz Show - Blackboard - Drink Stand - Lottery - Cultivation - Fortune Telling
Vendors Shops: (Persona 5 / Royal) - Vending Machines - Takemi Medical Clinic - Untouchable - Jose's Shop - Home Shopping Program - Tanaka's Shady Commodities - Military Vending Machine - Trading
Phantom Life Mementos Requests - Third Eye - Security Level - Search Objects - Treasure Chests - Safe Room - Thieves Guild - List of Shadows (Treasure Demon - Disaster Shadow - Savage Shadow) - List of Bosses - Skill Card - Will Seeds - Deviations - Slot Machines
Battle Items: (Persona 5 / Royal) - Skills: (Persona 5 / Royal) - Difficulty - Status Changes - Weaknesses - Traits - Navigator - Tactics - Guard - Party Switch - Baton Pass - One More - Critical - Technical - Showtime - Cut-in - All-out Attack - Hold Up - Personality - Drops - Game Over
Follow Up - Harisen Recovery - Endure - Protect - Pickpocket - Crocodile Tears - Sexy Technique - Down Shot - Bullet Hail - Oda Special - Kakoi Kuzushi - Sleuthing Instinct - Detox X - Mindfulness - Flow - Tumbling
Velvet Room List of Personas: (Persona 5 / Royal) - Fusion - Special Fusion - Hanging - Lockdown - Electric Chair - Arcana - Skill Inheritance - Fusion Accident - Fusion alarm - Challenge Battle
System Trophies: (Persona 5 / Royal) - Cutscenes - New Game Plus - Patches and Updates - Steam Profile Items
Unused Content: (Persona 5 / Royal)
Development
Corporate Atlus Co., Ltd. - Sega
Personnel Katsura Hashino - Shigenori Soejima - Shoji Meguro - Lyn Inaizumi - Atsushi Kitajoh - Ryota Kozuka - Kenichi Tsuchiya - Toshiki Konishi - Kazuhisa Wada - Lotus Juice
Other Media
Games Royal - Dancing in Starlight - Strikers - Tactica - The Phantom X
Productions Persona 5 The Animation The Day Breakers - Persona 5 The Animation (Episodes - Dark Sun... - Stars and Ours - Proof of Justice - A Magical Valentine's Day) - Persona O.A. - Persona 5 The Night Breakers - Persona Stalker Club V - PERSORA AWARDS 3 - Persora -The Golden Best 5- - Persona 20th Anniversary All Time Best Album - Persona 5 The Stage - Persona VS
Publications Manga - Dengeki Comic Anthology - Comic à La Carte - Comic Anthology (DNA Media Comics) - Tartarus Theater Wild - the Animation Dengeki Comic Anthology - Mementos Mission - Mementos Report - Persona Magazine
Events Night of the Phantom - Super Live 2017 - Super Live 2019 - TGS 2021 - 25th Anniversary Symphonic Concert
20th Anniversary Festival - 25th Anniversary - 25th FES
TGS 2015 - Take Tokyo Tower - E3 2016 - Take the Treasure - TGS 2016 - Morgana's Report - DJ Morgana
Miscellaneous Merchandise - Catherine: Full Body - Super Smash Bros. Ultimate