I forgot to put this in the actual in-video credits because I'm a dingus, so I'll go ahead and mention it here to spread the word: The (as far as I know) ONLY English translation of the Q&A section from the Persona 3 Club Book (AKA everything that we know about Nyx's lore) was done by Nenilein, a fellow creator here on RUclips, and the fan who first discovered and delivered this information to us western players. So without them, the entire Nyx section of my video (which is my personal favorite part of the whole thing) wouldn't even be possible. So check out their blogpost here! - ask-persona.tumblr.com/post/99861586798/persona-3-club-book-world-guide-qa-translation It contains the translation for everything I referenced as far as Nyx's lore goes. Nenilein has also made their own video on Nyx as well, so I highly urge you to check it out! - ruclips.net/video/M-HTU_PEY4Q/видео.html Edit: While you're here, also make sure to check out LadyVirgilia's video on Apathy Syndrome! I never actually linked it anywhere despite it being a pretty big inspiration for part 5, so let's change that! - ruclips.net/video/Mihv4XnAx9Y/видео.html
Thank you for uploading this magnificent breakdown on the themes and message of Persona 3. It was really a well edited and put together with even the 4:3 aspect ratio emulating how it would like to play this game on the PS2 back in 2006. I also feel like every Persona game with its varying themes can resonate with us at different stages of life but especially Persona 3 and with the key phrase „Memento Mori" and how with should take strides in life to not be afraid of death but to celebrate life and how even though we have a limited time on this Earth, we can achieve alot with our lives be it in the present or in our future. Also glad you talked about my favourite social link Akanari. I feel that even though his tale is one of a very bittersweet end, I feel we can take so many messages from his life and apply it to our own. Like as you said in the video, that even though we are mortal and we will not persist after we die, the impact that we can have on others will be everlasting. I do hope that you will cover Persona 4 with the same passion and fervor like with Persona 3 even though it may not be as massive a breakdown as this. Thank you so much for uploading this wonderful video of the messages and themes of Persona 3 and how we can take so much from it.
@@benjaws5263 Yes, thank you so much for watching!! Glad you enjoyed. I absolutely adore Persona 4, and I 100% intend to make something for it one day! I can't promise that it'll be anytime soon, but it's gonna happen for sure! Again, thanks for the thorough comment, it truly means a lot. Cheers friend, and take care!
One thing about Reload is that it attracts a lot of new fans who brought their own insights and appreciations for Persona 3. This game is special to me, and seeing it being cherished warms my soul
Spoilers for Persona 4: Golden One of my favorite moments in the whole Persona series is in P4G during one of Adachi's social links. Nanako is given an assignment to read a book, and the book she read was the Pink Alligator story that Akinari wrote. Even years after his death, his legacy lives on through his book, even reaching yet another protagonist, even if it wasn't directly.
Yes!! I love that nod in P4 :) Not only is it a great throwback for fans of 3, but it sort of adds to his arc in a way, proving that the legacy he had built did in fact live on.
I wonder if mitsuru used the kirijo group's resources to get it widely published after makoto's death. Like she found it while SEES cleared out his room and could tell it was important to him.
Its my belief too that the ending credits song "Memories of You" is sung from the perspective of Agis to Makoto and honestly it tears me up every time I hear it.
I was really depressed when I played this game and it was during the pandemic. This game saved me. It made realize a lot of things, I lost a friend, and I used to have low self esteem but now. I appreciate everything and has moved on. Thank you Persona 3, thank you for changing my life!!!
11/10 analysis, that ending was great and the video as a whole was top tier longform content. Cool chapter transitions too! I've played 4 and 5, and a few weeks ago finished 3 because I wanted to experience it before the remake comes out. Funny enough, I've played each of these games at a time in my life where their messages and themes helped me overcome the changes and challenges I was going through. For 5, I played it when going through rough times at home with an abusive parent, and finished it while staying at a family friends house while they took me in, it's themes of standing against injustice and fighting for freedom helping me get away from the bad environment I'd been stuck in for years. I played 4 while fittingly discovering my true self, and the themes of radical truth in the face of your own denials were instrumental in me accepting that I was transgender and finding friends and making experiences in highschool that are still major parts of me and hold prominence in my life to this day. And now in my early 20s, persona 3 gave me another opportunity to reflect on the hope and meaning that my experiences and the people around me have given my life. Despite the inevitability that the show one day ends, and everything I've become or can ever be will stop, the point of life is to live and love and experience the beauty life holds in spite of that. It's an absolutely gorgeous story and I've cried more times than I can count to it and it's messages. Can't wait for reload!
This is an incredible comment, thank you!! Loved reading your story! I think that's one of the main things that makes Persona so special to be honest: The fact that its messages and themes serve as such universal lessons that just about anyone can take and apply to their own lives. I hold P3 and 4 incredibly close in that regard, especially 4 with its themes of personal growth and introspection, which was a message that really meant a lot to me when I first played the game at around 15 years old or so, which were, in a lot of ways, pretty dang confusing and depressing times, lol. However, I'm INCREDIBLY lucky to have always had a great family and support system, which is something that, as your story demonstrates, not everyone is privileged enough to have. And pretty damn poetically, that's where P5 comes in, with its uplifting themes of rebellion that explicitly give a voice to all of those people that DON'T have it good: A Persona for the underdogs, if you will. It's all just so brilliant, and I can't wait to see what the next game in the series tackles. Again, thank you so much for sharing!! It was a delight to read, and I'm so glad you loved the video!!
There are so many social links that have to do with death in some way or another as well. And overcoming the impact of that death. The Gourmet King's little brother. Maiko dealing with the death of love between her parents. Yukari's father. Hayase's dad dying and him having to become the patriarch because of that and him having a sick mother. Again the death, AND rebirth of love for family, with the Monk. So many themes based around death.
I know Nozomi's SL is infamous among the fanbase but MAN that one hit me like a truck (the only other one being Akinari for obvious reasons). I relate to his inferiority complex towards his brother so much and everyone seems to dismiss how sad and messed up it is that a literal kid ended up joining a cult in a misguided attempt to not feel like a failure in this life and "be saved" for the next one. Y'know, because cults are known for snaring people when they're at their lowest and most vulnerable state. I guess it's more of a me thing because I related to his feelings A LOT and not everyone is on that same boat, but patience, nurturing and validation are things that a lot of people out there need every once in a while. That's why it kinda bothers me how people write him off as "an insufferable fatso that's part of a cult".
Persona 3 is still the single greatest story I've encountered on any medium. Front to back it delivers without pulling a single punch. Incredible. Fantastic video going over all the themes of death, the inevitability, the tragedy and the beauty of it all. Well done!
It’s been a while since you uploaded this vid, but I wanna thank you for spending so much time on it. Something you didn’t necessarily mention was, in my opinion, how perfect the music for this game encapsulates EVERYTHING! It’s so, so good, and it seriously enhances all the powerful messages and heavy themes this game conveys.
This is an excellent analysis. The insight you give into the themes of the game linked with broader philosophical ideas makes this a must watch for anyone who wants to understand Persona 3
this video is perfect and i can tell just how much effort went into making it! persona 3 is my favorite game in the series and i greatly thank you for making this analysis on it
This was honestly one of the best persona vids I have seen I was pulled in from the start and interested the entire way through. I recently just beat persona 3 and I agree its probably one of the best the story characters everything is just so amazing and watching this video makes me want to play it all over again. When i first beat i honestly was kinda lost and cofused "being honest when you close your eyes for the end I honestly thought you went to bed 😣 how dumb of me" Thank you for all your hard work and dedication and amazing story telling. Thank you so much 🙂 P.S. Totally forgot to mention but like everyone else this game has changed my view of life drastically and that is what I love about it so much ❤
It’s always fascinated me how persona 3 deals with the concept of death, and how everyone deals with mortality. The whole humanization of death probably stands out the most to me, and I’m surprised this is the only video talking about this game’s relation with death I could find, so thanks for making it! By the way, love the use of nine inch nails in the video!
Of course, so glad you enjoyed!! And heck yeah man, Downward Spiral! NIN is freaking killer, and I knew I had to represent. I had actually just watched Natural Born Killers around the time that I started working on the editing for the Nyx chapter, and since Trent Reznor produced that movie's soundtrack, A Warm Place is featured in it, and as soon as I got to the part of the movie where it played I was like "yep, that's it, that's Nyx's theme" lol. It's just such a soothing, yet almost dreadful track, and I just felt it to be so perfect for such an all-encompassing entity like Nyx; The calm before the storm, if you will. Thanks so much for commenting, man, and have a great one!!
it may sound weird but before watching all 4 of the persona 3 movies, persona 3 never really clicked with me, I played till the king and queen boss then never finished it, but after watching all 4 movies and seeing Makoto learn to live and find joy I cried, his desire to end his own life during his movie awakening all the way to his final realization are all so powerful to me. Anyway spectacular work on the video, it is an amazing analysis on the story and themes that this beautiful game presents, you cooked hard
So, after I beat Persona 3 Reload, I want to add to your view on the final scene for Persona 3, and even have a bit of a thought for what The Answer shows us. I believe Aigis knew exactly what was happening with Makoto, and I believe it's why she sought him out. Of course, we know they all promised to meet up on the roof on Graduation Day, but why didn't Aigis try to communicate with the others? She knew his time was coming, hence why she and Makoto went to the roof first. Aigis's speech is both to be used as a way for her to come to terms with this, especially with the "each season will come to an end" and the more obvious "accepting the things you cant". Once you wipe the tear away from her eyes, that's when Aigis is both understanding the meaning to life, and her comforting Makoto. After telling him he can rest, telling him their friends will join them, it's her telling him his promise has been kept, but they will carry his legacy after death. The Answer showing her not wanting to let go is apart of Aigis's stages of grief, her denial, and not that she didn't expect his death. She doesn't want to let go, and with her suffering from depression, it built up as grief. The Answer is the stages of grief and overcoming to acceptance, and not just for Aigis, but all of SEES.
I came and watched this video after playing and beating Persona 3 Reload, and I'd have to say, great job at making me love a game that I already thought was really cool
What an important video, thank you so much for taking the time to do this. I just finished P3 Reload and feel absolutely blessed to have experienced it, and I hope I can start to live my life through these values.
This video brought back powerful feelings for this game i was worried would be lost with Reload. Its amazing How well put the ideas of this video are and just how thoughtful the intepretations are.
This was an absolutely stellar video. Incredibly well put together and excellent pacing. There was never a point where I thought it was dragging on or anything. Amazing work.
Oh wow. I was so confused by the ending in Reload. I didn’t get the vibe at all that Mokoto was dying. I thought he was just taking a nap as he accepted that Aigis has found her resolution. All party members were happy and I thought it was a happy ending. But then I just started seeing videos of people crying during the end and titling the video very depressingly. I didn’t understand it at all. 😂😂😂
Despite this video still being very young, I’d argue it’s one of the most well researched, paced, structured, and interesting videos I’ve ever watched. The cherry on top happens to be the fact that I’m a huge Persona 3 fan (since I was like 9), yet there were so many things I never recognized like Nyx’s other meaning. This was also an amazing refresher for Persona 3 Reload. Overall, I think we’re truly making it out of Tartarus with this one. 🦦
I thought the core theme of P3 was about burning bread. Okay, cringe out of the way. P3 slaps so hard. No cutesy "happy" ending and seeing our bffs in a few months after the story. And a canonically based protag. Ahhhh what a great story
As im playing reload rn im at late august I really didn’t understand or get the message as a kid cause I was a 6th grader when I beat persona 3 Fes only now i’m remembering how good this game was
Persona 3 has such a major impact on me and how I see life, and as I’ve grown my feelings for the games message have grown. I used to cry at the ending because it was sad, but now I cry because how unapologetically beautiful and thoughtful it is, truly a game, I personally believe everyone should experience start to finish at least once.
As an Orthodox Christian, I started tearing up in the end of the story. From Chidori to Makoto, all the characters who die remind me of the holy words of the verse: "There is no greater love among men, than to lay his life down for his friends."
This is legitimately my favorite persona game as I am a sucker for darker themes,this game really teaches you the importance of a end and a beginning especially when it comes to time. And this video is faithful to its message and theme,and this analysis really nailed it.
Thank you!! I too am an absolute sucker for this game (clearly, lol), and it means the absolute world to me to see that my video is resonating with fellow fans as much as I hoped it would!!
idk if you touched on this but i love how if you choose to kill ryoji, metaphorically ridding the world of death, life carries on with no meaning, as the bonds you made are forgotten and meaningless, showing that death is necessary to live a fulfilling life
I have this little theory that all the girls find ryoji attractive is because he is yhe embodiment of death and they are subconsciously attracted to him
This. This is genuinely the single most impactful video I've ever watched. The final chapter completely renewed my sense of self, changed my outlook, and renewed my will to go out and LIVE. Thank you for all of the effort you put into this. If nothing else you've made one person's life a little better, and I hope you have a great day, week, year and life!
Wow, thanks!! I can't believe this little project of mine is proving to be so impactful to so many people. So glad you loved it, and thank you for watching!!
I remember when I first played persona 3 and when Makoto had shown up in front of everyone after using the Great Seal. Seeing Aigis look at him and not have the same happiness that the others did and when she started crying. It felt like something was wrong, I didnt truly understand at the moment that he was meant to die, but I knew something was wrong by the way Aigis acted in that cutscene. Then when proceeding days continued and then graduation it just hit me like a ton of bricks. It truly was an experience that I will never forget. Persona 3 will always hold a special place in my heart.
Persona 3 is such a great examination of the two sides of nihilism, with Strega and SEES being the differing sides of the same coin. I hear a lot of people wrongly clinging to nihilism being solidified as "nothing matters, and nothing has meaning"; but that's just one half. The other is choosing to apply meaning yourself, and Chidori's arc really hammers this connection home
Exactly! Very well said. That "optimistic" flavor of nihilism is something that Camus was very big on, and is exactly why his essay and messages resonate so much to this day.
Many of the main characters believe in the soul though so that throws the idea out the window thst they're explicit nihilists... They're more akin to Dostoyevsky than most existentialists in their approach to post-nihilism. Makoto's 'Messiah' persona is a direct reference to the negation and defeat of death, as death has no telos, but life does. Also there is the fact that Makoto (the Messiah figure) venturing into hades/tartarus and destroying it, is signfying the transcendence of death and a direct reference to the 'Harrowing of Hades' by the famous Christ. To live and suffer meaningfully, you must believe in an overarching purpose for preserving life beyond the subject, as truth or love can not be relative. The prime message of Persona 3 is life has an objective telos and is worth preserving; and though many do not know what that telos is, most cling to a primordial and spiritual cherishing of it; an unconcious love of life's eschatological value forgotten since the fall of Eden/the cosmos. This verse is the humble and powerful exemplification of Persona 3's moral message: "There is no greater love among men, than to lay his life down for his friends."
@@Codreanu_Prezent This is a very thoughtful comment and I really enjoyed reading it while reflecting on a lot! I love Persona 3 for it is one of my favorite games of all time! I am very fascinated in reading Dostoevsky's works for I read a bit of him but would love to read more! I do not think this point is mentioned a lot today, but it is something I reflect on in my life after reading about your description of "Telos". I reflect on the connection to a possible objective order or Telos that can go outside one's own subjectivity that is difficult to grasp yet can be sought after. This makes me think of a mysterious moral order of the soul that one cannot fully understand yet can be spiritually cherished with humility, love, and courage. This act of cherishing something outside one's subjective self to foster growth can lead to the creation of bonds with others while achieving heroic actions. I think of this telos in how Persona games have a true ending to be sought after. Yet the can also be deeply personal and a different path depending on how the player plays and interprets character and choosing different actions throughout the calendar. This is perhaps different from the Shin Megami Tensei games where players need to create their own endings with no clear true ending to seek (and I think this can be a great exploration as well, just different). I remember playing Persona 3-5 and how there is an interesting progression from how I felt at the beginning as opposed to the end of the game. In the beginning, the world seemed smaller through my own, or the main character's, limited perspective but gradually got expanded to explore the depths of the soul, in the velvet room, and even the environment (communities in Japan) and worldly soul (like the dark hour/midnight/metaverse that goes through changes by the end of the game). I love exploring the environments of the Persona games where the MC's inner strength improves when engaging with the outside world around you. That line of "No greater love among men, than to lay down one's life for friends" is a very powerful message I remember reflecting on at the end of the game. It is a beautiful game I think a lot of people can bring their own unique experiences to relate to it and make the journey powerful. I am fascinated how Persona 3 can have influences very specific to the experience of people living in Japan and how this can lead to some new interesting discussions. This game actually got me inspired to read the works of Carl Jung and his study of the Persona, Shadow, and collective unconscious and it was very fascinating! Excuse me for the long post and thank you for anyone who read :)
I found out Memento Mori is only part of the phrase. The full one is " Memento Mori, Memento Vivere" IE "Remember you will die, remember that you must live" Which to me fits the theme. Yes people focus on the Death part of P3, but rather, to me, the theme is yes death is a natural part of life, BUT you shouldn't let that fear control you
Something I really like about persona 3 is that it has scenes without the protagonist for the other members of S.E.E.S, I've never player P4 so I won't comment of it, but from what I remember of P5, the characters always developed with our protagonist present, rarely was there a scene without the protagonist for the other phantom thieves, I like the way persona 3 did it, makes the characters feel more dynamic, reaching to conclusions without our help
For once my RUclips recommendation knows what I want. I'm so glad I stumbled upon this video. I can tell you put a lot of thought and hard work into making this. I also love your take and analysis on the concept of death in this game, which is something that I think only hardcore fans of P3 truly appreciates. There are a lot of points that you made in the video that really resonated with my own thoughts on the overall theme of the game so it was nice to see it in a video format. I hope this video blows up soon, especially with the upcoming P3 Reload. You have my like .. 👍
Wow, thank you!! Your response among so many others so far has just made my week! It's been a really busy holiday, so I'm only just now getting around to responding to everybody, but I've been keeping up with each of the comments as they come in and am ecstatic to see that so many people have found something to love about this video!! I gotta say, when making videos like these, it can be really easy to lose sight of just how many people share the same passion that spurred on the project to begin with. I myself fell many times into the trap of thinking "Bahh, this is ridiculous, nobody's even gonna care about or watch this thing when it's done". And I couldn't be more delighted to see with my own eyes that this nagging fear was purely and utterly irrational. Again, thank you so much for the comment friend, it truly means the world to hear such genuine words of praise from a fellow fan of this incredible game and series!!
This is a video to absolutely be proud of making. You voiced feelings of the game shared by so many, and even offered new perspectives that shed so much more light on just how beautiful Persona 3 is. The editing mirroring the style of the original game, even being presented in 4:3 was such a wonderful touch. The combination of script work and musical choice moved me to tears several times, reminding me of things I love about this game and more. Thank you for putting this out there - you made me appreciate my favorite game even more than I already did.
Thank you!! So glad you loved it. I think it's so cool how you got such a kick out the editing, the aspect ratio, the music choices, etc! As an editor and not a viewer, it's really easy to lose sight of things like that and fall into the trap of thinking "ehh, well nobody but me is gonna care about all of these things", and it always delights me every time one of your guys' awesome comments disproves that! For me, the goal when making a project like this is for each of the video elements to come together to create a memorable experience above all else. And there's really no better feeling than when this succeeds, and that full "editor's vision" is felt by, and just as visible to the viewers as it ever was to myself! Again, really glad you loved it, and thank you so much for watching and commenting!!
Out of this world quality standard here. Captured most of my thoughts on the game beautifully and introduced me to a lot of new parts of it too! Fantastic editing as well. Looking forward to watching over your career!
Thank you!! Love how you described that cause in a lot of ways, that was the main thing I wanted to accomplish with this video: To present the themes of this game in a way that'll live up to and resonate with what the viewers already know and feel about the game, while also hopefully introducing some new aspects of it to them as well! And thank you for the editing praise!! I slaved pretty hard over some of these sections (especially the Nyx one, yikes lol), so to get even the slightest bit of recognition for it means more than you know. Again, thank you so much friend, and I hope to see you around for future videos!!
I think the Answer not really going with the idea that Aigis could tell Makoto was dying Is a really sad missed opportunity. I think the ending of Persona 3 Is infinitely sadder when you can tell Aigis kinda knew. She's a robot. She can obviously tell his vitals is lowering each day. And the tone of her voice imo easily implies she knows he's dying and just wanted to share one last moment with him and their friends together (Reload heavily changes the tone of this ending, and really implies Aigis actually can't tell, at least that lines up with Episode Aigis better)
I'm a grown ass man and im sitting here damn-near bawling my eyes out because of this analysis. Excellent video. You made me remember just how important this game is to me and even found new ways for me to appreciate it. I had honestly never considered to look at Ryoji in that manner. What a fantastic game. Here's hoping Reload can capture the heart of what makes this game so special.
I disagree a bit with the statement made at the beginning of the video about universal themes. All of the games have universal themes (as far as I’m aware because I haven’t played 1), not just 3. The search for truth in Persona 4 for instance is a core part of the human experience. It’s no coincidence that it is directly tied to ancient Shinto mythology in the game. Whether it be the story of Izanagi rescuing Izanami from the underworld or Plato’s cave allegory, people throughout human history seek out truth to make sense of the world. Persona 5’s commentary on society may seem contemporary, but when you look beneath the surface that tension between freedom and agency with being controlled and submission is timeless as well. Just look at how societies evolved through feudal systems to our modern, global capitalist system. The tension remains there, it merely changes hands who holds the power over whom. Before it was royals and aristocrats, and now they’re politicians and corporations ruling over us in oligarchical fashion. The youth vs elderly theme is also timeless. Persona 2’s theme about sin and the weight of actions is once again timeless. All societies have their own conception of morality and what is right or wrong. Everyone has to live with the consequences of their actions and the ramifications it has on other people. Societies throughout history seek out scapegoats to cast blame away from those who deserve it.
Great comment! We don't actually disagree at all! I think you nailed it with each of those descriptions. What I was simply trying to convey with that intro is that, although each Persona title highlights a different prevalent "theme" or facet of the human experience that can be applied to just about anyone, Persona 3's theme of death just DOES apply to everyone, regardless of any sort of unique personal experiences or circumstances. Like, for example, Persona 4 really meant a lot to me on a thematic level, since I happened to be going through a really confusing, teenage spell when I first experienced it. The incredibly shrewd concept of "facing one's own shadow" just really struck a chord with me, and I was able to apply those very messages and metaphors to my own life in a way that still resonates to this very day. I then compare that to Persona 5's themes which, despite being absolutely brilliant in their own right, just didn't hit home for me in that same, life-changing kind of way. Rebellion, agency, and revolution in the face of injustice are themes that, no doubt, can mean so much to so many people, but being an incredibly privileged and financially secure person whose never really been wronged by the system in any way, I just can't confidently say I'm one of them. That's not at all to say that these ideas aren't absolutely timeless, and universal parts of the human experience; But speaking purely on a personal level, it just doesn't have quite the same impact on someone like me. However, Persona 3 tackles a theme that, by its very own nature, applies to literally every living being on a personal level, whether it's something that their comfortable with or not. And I just find that to be so strangely beautiful. Again, I'm not at all saying this in order to undermine the brilliance or universality of the other games' themes. I'm just pointing out that Persona 3's main thesis is, in a strangely existential way, one of a kind in how it relates to the player. Again, thank you for the comment, friend! I think you put it brilliantly, and I truly appreciate having this kind of open discussion!
@@vacated3188 Well it’s reassuring to know that we don’t differ all that much on this issue. I appreciate the thorough reply. I agree death is inherently a universal theme, but I can see an argument for the others having that inherent quality. For instance, Persona 4’s theme about truth is not something that requires a certain lived experience to touch on. We all have to make sense of our world and are forced to exist in a sea of misinformation and incomplete information. No one knows the truths behind reality. We merely strive to know them through our senses and rationality. It is something you have to face in the same way our own mortality is. Persona 5’s themes have layers to them. There’s the more surface level critique about being wronged by the system and revolt, but then there’s the more universal themes about freedom and control. We all live in a society which grants us certain rights and liberties, but which restricts our freedoms in others. No matter your socioeconomic status or life story, everyone experiences the give and take of freedom and control. I understand that death can have that extra added allure to it that grips people in a way the others don’t, despite all of them being universal. It’s deeply personal. Every waking moment we’re prolonging the inevitable. Whereas with something like truth or freedom, it’s easy to go through life not giving much pause over them. We’re forced to grapple with mortality. It puts its finger on the scale in every interaction we have, even when we aren’t conscious of it. So I get where you’re coming from.
@@ReconNarwhal Again, very well said. And you're right, there's absolutely an argument to be made that what I'm saying is based on a limited understanding of all of the ways in which these themes can work, and that really, any of them can have that totally universal quality. At the end of the day, the words that come out of my mouth are purely my own interpretations. They're no more "correct" than yours might be, and are completely fair game as far as criticism goes. And that's one of the single most fascinating things about these games: Every single person can walk away from the exact same experience with a totally different interpretation and understanding from everyone else. That's why you'll see what's essentially endless arguing and debating online and in forums about which of the games/characters/stories are good, bad, annoying, overrated, underrated, etc. And that's why I really like what we're doing here: Simply discussing our differences in opinion in a challenging, yet civilized way, and even being able to pretty much come to an agreement in the end. We honestly need a lot more of this kind of the stuff in the community, so I seriously appreciate the time you've taken to discuss today, friend!
@@vacated3188 Likewise. The Persona games leave the audience with a lot to ponder and think through on their own. It was a pleasure having this back and forth
Not only did I cry for a good 30 minutes over finishing Reload yesterday, but I cried for another 30 watching your video. Thanks for such an enlightening one and making me love my giant memento mori tattoo even more!
I always felt like 3 did the uneasiness and time pressure better than 4 did because of the fact that 3 had a fatigue system in the middle of dungeon exploration. You'd have to be careful with how you explore dungeons because constantly fighting or staying in Tartarus for too long would exhaust your party members (MC included). Meanwhile, the fatigue system was never included in 4, so you could actually reach the end of the dungeon in one day, and then after that, you can do whatever you wanted. Sure, you still wouldn't be able to do all the social links in 4 just like in 3, but I think the way 3 handled that pressure was much better.
You're absolutely right! I feel like the tiredness mechanic in particular is so frequently written off as just being something "obnoxious" and totally unnecessary, and while I agree that it's generally a good thing that it didn't return in 4 onward, I don't at all think it's without its own significance as far as 3's plot, themes and gameplay goes. I also feel like 3 is super unique in how it was able to take this mechanic, and seamlessly weave it into the actual story toward the very end, what with the main character's death basically just being this exhaustion taken to the absolute extreme after the full draining of his HP and SP in the Nyx fight.
I believe it's because P4 never meant to use time to pressure you like how 3 did. It's about spending time peacefully surrounded by good friends, and then later threatening you by robbing the life of those you hold dear and making you desparately need to attempt the saving.
@@Luna-1re I mean... there was really only one person you held dear who was suddenly taken? The rest were people you didn't even know at the beginning. The reason you save them is because you knew that they were gonna die if they stayed when the fog appears IRL, and by saving them, you hope that you can find more truth about the serial killer. Even then, the tension of trying to save someone in P4 is kind of deflated if I can just go to a dungeon the day that I unlock it, and then stay there for as long as I want without the day advancing.
@@CADPgamer As I meant by 'later', I specifically meant that one. You see her every day. She's an adorable sister. She's beloved by every of the main casts. And when something does happen to her, hell broke loose, the chill group of friends become absolute desparate. Even the friendliest of the group like Yusuke got desperate enough to ridicult us for not immidiately finishing the culprit off. You see, by nature P4 is a slow burn. It never meant to pressure us like how P3 did. While P3 had braindead people walking around like zombies, P4 had calm scenery, friendly townfolks, and chill music. The town is supposed to be growing on us, made us attracted to the place and the people, and then we would fall in love with them, not wanting any of them to face any bad stuff. It's just different themes.
persona 3 was a game that touched me at a hard moment of life, where i was thinking to just give up, but when i saw makoto's story and the bonds that gave him strength, i could realize again that there is beauty in this flawed, boring world and that i don't need superpowers and a great journey to make my life have a meaning, just the bonds you forge with your fellows, the laughs, the cries, the challenges, the memento mori's of your life, we all can have beautiful stories to tell. great video man, it reminded me again of the impact of the game, i really hope that p3 reload can have the same impact on the lifes of others, as the original had on mine. remember that you are mortal and live your life to the fullest, thank you.
girl between hearing shinji in that final fight again (haven’t done a full playthrough of this game since my first playthrough in 2013), and the way you tackled the shit in this video… you got my eyeballs sweating a bit I fear. I’ve been replaying the game over the last few weeks (less for Reload, more because of how much the game meant to me the first time I played it just a decade ago), and this video really sums up just a LOT of my feelings and why I appreciate this game so much. Especially with having lost both of my parents in the time since I played this game and having my own personal journeys with grief and death… just… whew. Looking forward to literally whatever you decide to write a video essay on next. You clearly got the chops. You the Male Lindsay Ellis methinks.
Haha, thank you so much!! So glad that this video is able to evoke that kind of response in the fans! It's truly an honor. And holy crap... the male Lindsay Ellis?! That's probably the greatest compliment I could ever get, thank you, man!!
Amazing work, here. It's overwhelmingly clear just how much love you have for this game, and following that logic, for life. I really appreciate you making this, my life is better for it.
Thank you friend, seriously. The fact that this little passion project of mine has been able to impact even just one person like this is enough for it to have all been worth it. Again, thank you for watching, and I hope to see you around for future videos!!
I have played and loved every version of Persona 3 and today I finished Reload before stumbling to this video. Thank you for making me appreciate one of my favourite games ever even more.
Gorgeous analysis. I really respect the love and care you showed in this video to my favorite game of all times. I felt exactly the same after the jorney of makoto. It gave me a reason to always keep going no matter what. Even to this day, the meaning of this game is as fresh as ever. Friends I wish you also had a blast with this video and.. I pray the universe that you may always remember that you are mortal, remember death always, so that it ignites your path.
Persona 3 fundamentally changed my life and how i choose to live it now. I could never put it into words to those close to me on how but this analysis has done the job for me better than I ever could have. Thank you for this amazing piece of work
its absurd how incredible this analysis was. persona 3 was already one, if not my favourite game of all time, and i can see you share the love for it as well. you should be proud of this thorough review and analysis. absolutely deserve more recognition
54:40 I played Persona 3 Portable and completed both routes before discovering Evangelion. Bringing up Komm Susser Todd here rekindled the notion in my mind that P3 and Eva has much more in common than one might realize, and it's not just the themes surrounding it, but also the structure of which it has presented to us. The Journey is akin to Neon Genesis Evangelion, and the Answer akin to the End of Evangelion. It is also similar that the ends to the main story was left ambiguous before resolving that ambiguity with the 2nd installment. And then the Rebuild of Evangelion just ended 3 years ago and ended in a different path, and a more resolute one compared to EoE. And there's Persona 3 Reload that just released that gave me similar vibes. Will Elizabeth finally find the answer to release the MC, and will that be a monkey's paw, a final resolution, or both? I'm sure that release will certainly be divisive just like the Rebuild movies, but I hope we don't need to wait for 9 years to see its conclusion.
Yes, this 100%! I watched all of Evangelion for the first time about a year ago now, and was honestly pretty awestruck by how freakishly similar P3 is to it, not only thematically, but also story-wise as well. The 13 shadows and the 17 angels basically being the same thing, with the last one of each infiltrating the main characters' lives in the form of a human before inevitably leaving/dying to fulfill their true role (Ryoji/Kaworu); The prevalence of major cult-like organizations/movements attempting to enact mankind's extinction as a form of salvation(Nyx Cult/SEELE); The Fall and The Third Impact being basically the same exact thing, with an alien, mother entity (Nyx/Lilith) reawakening to reclaim the primordial essence (Shadows/LCL) of its human progeny; The frequent use of the moon (in Eva's case, two moons) as a visual motif/plot device exploring the way in which these mother entities first arrived, subsequently jumpstarting the eventual evolution of life as we currently know it; etc, etc. I mean seriously, as soon as I got the part in Eva where Kaworu showed up, I was like "dude, I already know how this story goes, Persona 3 spoiled me!!" lol. I even made sure to use footage from The End of Evangelion in the Nyx part of the video, just because it fits so dang much, lol All jokes aside though, these two works really are something super special, and despite how identical I've just made them sound, they really are so separately brilliant in how they explore these themes and ideas. I've honestly had an idea for a video I'd like to make on The End of Evangelion for a while now, and I plan to get around to that some time pretty soon. Thanks so much for the comment! I always love rambling about this kind of stuff, so I really appreciate the discussion!!
I only understand 70% that you speak (i'm not native speaker), the subs was my allied to understand the whole content 😅. Very interesting analysis, i will share this. Good work, new sub.
Ahh, awesome, I'm glad you enjoyed it! I actually meant to make subtitles for this video, but I never got around to it. I hope the automatic ones sufficed, and maybe I'll still get around to doing that soon. This video took me about 2 years, believe it or not, so I'd like for it to be as accessible as it possibly can be! Again, thanks for watching, I really appreciate it!
@@vacated3188 amazing work dude, very complete. I save this video to favorite, the content is excelent and make me appreciate more this beautiful game.
I'd also like to point out that the Death Shadow's connection to Makoto also serves as a representation of the concept of personalized Shadows. I mean, think about it. At the start of the Death Shadow's existence, it had a very generic, unpersonalized form. It wasn't until Aigis sealed it away into the protagonist that it slowly but surely began to change. Specifically, it changed into an echo of the protagonist themselves, sharing aspects of his appearance and voice. For all intents and purpose, the Death Shadow became the Protagonist's Shadow Self. This is even further supported by the initial Persona Awakening that the protagonist went through. In that initial awakening, our persona, Orpheus, was effectively torn apart and gave way to a completely different Persona, one that eeriely resembles the inital form the Death Shadow took. That was Thanatos, which I can only describe as Ryoji/Pheros getting the Persona 4 Shadow Into Persona treatment. Hell, Ryoji even transforms into Thanatos when trying to convince the Protagonist to kill him. Though, since we had no idea about our situation with the Death Shadow, at the time, Thanatos was completely uncontrollable. The only reason we didn't suffer a situation similar to Chidori getting strangled by Medea or Castor killing Kens mom was because the goals of the protagonist protecting themselves and Death's goal of reuniting with it's other pieces both would have to end in the Magician Shadow's demise, so everything worked out. It's only until we are able to confront Ryoji and his true goals and accept him as a permanent part of ourselves that we as the protagonist are able to harness at the very least the weakened form of Death as a Persona to call our own, just like the protagonists in Persona 4.
Dang, I never even thought about it like that! Honestly, you might just be right on the money with this. On a fundamental level, the Human, Shadow, Persona dynamic is virtually the same in every entry, so when going by that precedent, I think it's totally fair to say that Ryoji might just be a very unique flavor of that very same "facing yourself" Shadow concept that P4 is so keen on. Really cool interpretation!
great video. it's truly amazing that a work can explore this many facets of a single topic (death) and how well the ending works regardless of how you interpret it. i played this game when i was in college so literally everyone i knew was always tired (and to be fair tiredness is also a mechanic in the game) so nothing about the protagonist at the end really set off any alarms for me. while i prefer the ambiguity of it, it makes sense.
Holy shit, bubbletea!! I've been following your stuff for a while now, what's up! Yeah, P3 is definitely a game that can be talked about almost endlessly for its themes and ideas. The ambiguity of its ending compared to other entries in this series is something truly special I feel, and leaves room for lots of unique interpretation, which is something I'm always a sucker for. Hell, I’m pretty much on the same page as you, if it weren’t for the Answer, I might not have ever even realized that he actually died, lol. And that’s partly why I’ve grown to appreciate the Answer more and more as time goes on. I used to be sort of hard on it, mainly because I just really didn’t enjoy playing it (the lack of any calendar system or social links to make up for the entirely bare-bones dungeon crawling is pretty much what did it for me), but now I’ve come to really respect it as a sort of companion piece that “answers” a lot of the game’s big questions and uncertainties. Sure, there’ll always be those of us that still prefer the original ending in all of its ambiguity, but the Answer is entirely optional, so it’s not like it can ever ruin one’s original experience and interpretation, even if it is canon. That’s why I still chose to talk about my own original understanding of the game's ending scene in Agis’ section, knowing full well that it’s not canon in the slightest, because that kind of speculation and interpretation is, I feel, one of the most important things when it comes to experiencing any of these games, and deserves to be talked about just as much as any canon, or “correct” ending ever should. But I’m just rambling at this point. Again, thank you so much for commenting, man! It really is so cool to see you amidst all of the other awesome and receptive fans and viewers that have commented so far, it really just makes all of this stuff feel so worth it. Cheers man, and take care!!
I actually took Makoto dying as him holding a physical form and losing his grip on it slowly. Only holding out to see his friends, his reason for living, one last time. Because in P4A we see that Makoto BECAME the seal that holds Nyx back. He used the universe to turn himself into a seal great enough to hold the primordial evil back. I also once read a theory on how him becoming the seal locked shadows away from the physical world and that's why the TV world exists in Persona 4 but yknow. Mostly the first part to this I agree with whole heartedly.
Yes, you're absolutely right! The Answer and P4A do flesh out the whole Great Seal thing a lot more, and I would have to agree that you're illustration of it here is a lot more accurate than mine as far as the full canon goes. I just intentionally chose to keep my explanation of it kind of vague in an attempt to wrap things up a bit more nicely, since The Journey was all I had really planned to talk about in this particular video. Spot on interpretation though, and I really like that theory about The Seal being what keeps P4's and P5's TV World and Metaverse separate from the real world! That would explain why P4 and P5's final god battles/climaxes heavily center around the "crossing over" of these other realms into our world, while P3's Tartarus was very clearly doing this from the very start with no apparent pushback. Really cool stuff! Awesome comment, and thanks for watching!!
He wasn't holding Nyx back, he was protecting the door so Erebus couldn't get in and corrupt Nyx. Nyx as a whole isn't evil at all, she's just the reset button on the world.
I saw when this video was 3 days old, but only just got around to watching it. I’m glad I did. P3 is my favorite persona story-wise and character-wise without a shadow of the doubt. While I may relate more with the small, sleepy country town of Inaba and its residents than the bustling cities, or prefer the gameplay of the tricksters reforming society, the story of life’s greatest meanings in the face of adversity and even Death itself always held a firm-tight grip on my heart and soul both. When I discovered it in mid 2019, emulating after Joker’s inclusion in Smash when I was on summer break after my first full semester of college, everything just… hit. It was the first of the modern 3 I tried to as looking up I had noticed the massive split in gameplay from 1 and the 2 duology, and even in spite of how much I loved 4’s characters and could relate to each one or relate someone I knew to, in spite of how fulfilling and agreeable P5’s political messages were, this story reaffirmed the message my heart came to in 2017 thanks to another game handling similar topics. It’s funny… looking back, if I had grown up with this, it may of been forgotten by me until later, yet if I heeded its messages, than my own trauma may of been adverted. Yet, instead, I got it at the perfect time to hit me harder than ever before. And this video, putting into words feelings I still struggle to in spite of all of it, genuinely makes me smile. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
This is my favorite game of all time, and your video did such an amazing job at explaining so much that I love about it. I had never heard of the lore book or anything about Nyx, but it really added even more appreciation for this wonderful story. Nyx's existence brought about joy and life just as much as it did sorrow and death. I'm really going to have to think about how the different stories in the game build off of it, like the pink alligator, or the themes of trauma linking with purpose. Thanks for this video, hope to see more from you!
Thank you, so glad you loved it!! And yeah, the official lore behind Nyx is VERY hidden, I don't blame you for not having heard of it before. I discovered all of that info for myself pretty shortly after I beat the game, since I always love to extensively read up on the wiki the second I finish something, and I was immediately blown away by just how many secret extra layers it added to this already so rich story. And right after that, I began writing this very video, and the rest was history! Again, thank you so much for the comment, it truly means a lot!!
I love P3 and this articulates why beautifully. ❤ Death is inevitable yes, but why and how we live our lives no matter how long they are is what’s important. And the way P3 explores this theme is so well done
Thank you sooo much. This video has made me tier up many times, especially at the end. It is a masterpiece in it to itself. It is so incredibly detailed, well explained, well montaged, I truly appreciate all the little details you took effort to include. So thank you! Thank you! And thank you! Soo much! I enjoyed it to it's fullest ❤ Your effort can be seen throughout all of it. From the bottom of my heart thank you for the priceless 2 golden hours of the media you created. I love this video so much so that many parts of the video where you say great words of wisdom. I cut and kept on my device, for example where you said about Riyoji and that death can be seen as a friend, and others. If only you had a Patreon, this kind of work needs support, I will gladly support the work if this level of quality
How does this video only have two thousand views??? This is really well made and enjoyable to watch! Persona 3 is my favorite game of all time and I think it is the best game ever made and I think you did a great job making an essay about it!! Keep making great content!!
2:15:59 watched this tonight, and was pulled in so many directions emotionally.....i cried, sobbed, reminisced, mourned, grieved at various points. As someone who is a suicide survivor....ive never looked at life this way... Wanted to push everyone away because feelings hurt, etc. But this game and video have me thinking differently. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, soul, persona,shadow...
Of course man, and thank you so much for watching! I truly appreciate you sharing your story, and am so glad you're still here with us today. The fact that this video of mine has been able to touch anyone this deeply is gratifying in a way that I can't even begin to put into words, and I seriously thank you for taking the time to comment. It means the whole world, man! 💙
Persona 3’s story didn’t hook me at first being someone who played 4 and 5 in reverse order but after completing it all comes back around and hits you right at the end and I actually felt like it had much more of a personal impact on me then the other 2 games. Don’t know if the first 2 persona’s are worth it lmk
Thanks you for making this video! I was told that this Persona game had the best story, so I started playing Persona 3 Reload blind with a journal instead of simply following a online guide, which made my playthrough of this game such an unique experience for me personally.
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed! And dude, that's actually such a great idea! What exactly was your process like for that? Journaling is something that I've always enjoyed doing when it comes to productivity and stuff, but I've never thought about what that would be like for playing a game. I might just need to incorporate something like that into new games for me going forward, especially when it comes to documenting thoughts/analysis for future videos and such. Thanks for commenting, and have a great one!!
This is by far the BEST Persona 3 video ive ever seen, could not have explained the game any better, the editing was so good, everything about this video just further proves that P3 has easily one of the best stories in gaming in my opinion HAHA
This was one of the best videos I've ever watched. It hit all the marks for a great video for me: Games that I like. Story Heavy, makes you feel you went on a Journey. A bit of science. Symbolism. Mythology. And of course: Existential Concepts.
I gotta say, with this being one of my favourite games and a game I reflect upon a lot. The thematic of death has always played a very important part in how I view a lot of media but nothing has hit as powerful as Persona 3 and honestly you covered every aspect I love about the game and how it chooses to explore those themes and not just that. You taught me new things I didn't actually know like the origin of Nyx as well as different stories and phrases that I might look into myself. Thank you for this, it was a masterpiece of a videa and got me so much more excited for Persona 3 Reload and seeing how it chooses to add onto the game, gameplay and potentially story wise. I look forward to your future projects!
Persona 3 was and still is my favorite video game, few games made me cry but this game was exeptional, moment like meeting akinari's mom at the very end and shinji's death made me cry every single time
Fantastic video dude, congrats! Just finished Reload a couple of days ago, it was my first time playing 3 and I absolutely loved it. Watching this video afterwards (in a couple of sittings) really helped me appreciate the game even more + I got to see the important scenes in the original graphics.
I forgot to put this in the actual in-video credits because I'm a dingus, so I'll go ahead and mention it here to spread the word:
The (as far as I know) ONLY English translation of the Q&A section from the Persona 3 Club Book (AKA everything that we know about Nyx's lore) was done by Nenilein, a fellow creator here on RUclips, and the fan who first discovered and delivered this information to us western players. So without them, the entire Nyx section of my video (which is my personal favorite part of the whole thing) wouldn't even be possible.
So check out their blogpost here! - ask-persona.tumblr.com/post/99861586798/persona-3-club-book-world-guide-qa-translation
It contains the translation for everything I referenced as far as Nyx's lore goes.
Nenilein has also made their own video on Nyx as well, so I highly urge you to check it out! - ruclips.net/video/M-HTU_PEY4Q/видео.html
Edit: While you're here, also make sure to check out LadyVirgilia's video on Apathy Syndrome! I never actually linked it anywhere despite it being a pretty big inspiration for part 5, so let's change that! - ruclips.net/video/Mihv4XnAx9Y/видео.html
Thank you for uploading this magnificent breakdown on the themes and message of Persona 3. It was really a well edited and put together with even the 4:3 aspect ratio emulating how it would like to play this game on the PS2 back in 2006. I also feel like every Persona game with its varying themes can resonate with us at different stages of life but especially Persona 3 and with the key phrase „Memento Mori" and how with should take strides in life to not be afraid of death but to celebrate life and how even though we have a limited time on this Earth, we can achieve alot with our lives be it in the present or in our future. Also glad you talked about my favourite social link Akanari. I feel that even though his tale is one of a very bittersweet end, I feel we can take so many messages from his life and apply it to our own. Like as you said in the video, that even though we are mortal and we will not persist after we die, the impact that we can have on others will be everlasting.
I do hope that you will cover Persona 4 with the same passion and fervor like with Persona 3 even though it may not be as massive a breakdown as this. Thank you so much for uploading this wonderful video of the messages and themes of Persona 3 and how we can take so much from it.
@@benjaws5263 Yes, thank you so much for watching!! Glad you enjoyed. I absolutely adore Persona 4, and I 100% intend to make something for it one day! I can't promise that it'll be anytime soon, but it's gonna happen for sure!
Again, thanks for the thorough comment, it truly means a lot. Cheers friend, and take care!
One thing about Reload is that it attracts a lot of new fans who brought their own insights and appreciations for Persona 3. This game is special to me, and seeing it being cherished warms my soul
Spoilers for Persona 4: Golden
One of my favorite moments in the whole Persona series is in P4G during one of Adachi's social links. Nanako is given an assignment to read a book, and the book she read was the Pink Alligator story that Akinari wrote.
Even years after his death, his legacy lives on through his book, even reaching yet another protagonist, even if it wasn't directly.
Yes!! I love that nod in P4 :) Not only is it a great throwback for fans of 3, but it sort of adds to his arc in a way, proving that the legacy he had built did in fact live on.
I wonder if mitsuru used the kirijo group's resources to get it widely published after makoto's death. Like she found it while SEES cleared out his room and could tell it was important to him.
I never noticed that bc I played p4 before p3.. that’s really cool though. The sun was my personal favorite social link in p3
Its my belief too that the ending credits song "Memories of You" is sung from the perspective of Agis to Makoto and honestly it tears me up every time I hear it.
I was really depressed when I played this game and it was during the pandemic. This game saved me. It made realize a lot of things, I lost a friend, and I used to have low self esteem but now. I appreciate everything and has moved on. Thank you Persona 3, thank you for changing my life!!!
11/10 analysis, that ending was great and the video as a whole was top tier longform content. Cool chapter transitions too! I've played 4 and 5, and a few weeks ago finished 3 because I wanted to experience it before the remake comes out. Funny enough, I've played each of these games at a time in my life where their messages and themes helped me overcome the changes and challenges I was going through. For 5, I played it when going through rough times at home with an abusive parent, and finished it while staying at a family friends house while they took me in, it's themes of standing against injustice and fighting for freedom helping me get away from the bad environment I'd been stuck in for years. I played 4 while fittingly discovering my true self, and the themes of radical truth in the face of your own denials were instrumental in me accepting that I was transgender and finding friends and making experiences in highschool that are still major parts of me and hold prominence in my life to this day. And now in my early 20s, persona 3 gave me another opportunity to reflect on the hope and meaning that my experiences and the people around me have given my life. Despite the inevitability that the show one day ends, and everything I've become or can ever be will stop, the point of life is to live and love and experience the beauty life holds in spite of that. It's an absolutely gorgeous story and I've cried more times than I can count to it and it's messages. Can't wait for reload!
This is an incredible comment, thank you!!
Loved reading your story! I think that's one of the main things that makes Persona so special to be honest: The fact that its messages and themes serve as such universal lessons that just about anyone can take and apply to their own lives. I hold P3 and 4 incredibly close in that regard, especially 4 with its themes of personal growth and introspection, which was a message that really meant a lot to me when I first played the game at around 15 years old or so, which were, in a lot of ways, pretty dang confusing and depressing times, lol.
However, I'm INCREDIBLY lucky to have always had a great family and support system, which is something that, as your story demonstrates, not everyone is privileged enough to have. And pretty damn poetically, that's where P5 comes in, with its uplifting themes of rebellion that explicitly give a voice to all of those people that DON'T have it good: A Persona for the underdogs, if you will. It's all just so brilliant, and I can't wait to see what the next game in the series tackles.
Again, thank you so much for sharing!! It was a delight to read, and I'm so glad you loved the video!!
There are so many social links that have to do with death in some way or another as well. And overcoming the impact of that death. The Gourmet King's little brother. Maiko dealing with the death of love between her parents. Yukari's father. Hayase's dad dying and him having to become the patriarch because of that and him having a sick mother. Again the death, AND rebirth of love for family, with the Monk. So many themes based around death.
I know Nozomi's SL is infamous among the fanbase but MAN that one hit me like a truck (the only other one being Akinari for obvious reasons).
I relate to his inferiority complex towards his brother so much and everyone seems to dismiss how sad and messed up it is that a literal kid ended up joining a cult in a misguided attempt to not feel like a failure in this life and "be saved" for the next one. Y'know, because cults are known for snaring people when they're at their lowest and most vulnerable state.
I guess it's more of a me thing because I related to his feelings A LOT and not everyone is on that same boat, but patience, nurturing and validation are things that a lot of people out there need every once in a while.
That's why it kinda bothers me how people write him off as "an insufferable fatso that's part of a cult".
Persona 3 is still the single greatest story I've encountered on any medium. Front to back it delivers without pulling a single punch. Incredible.
Fantastic video going over all the themes of death, the inevitability, the tragedy and the beauty of it all. Well done!
It’s been a while since you uploaded this vid, but I wanna thank you for spending so much time on it. Something you didn’t necessarily mention was, in my opinion, how perfect the music for this game encapsulates EVERYTHING! It’s so, so good, and it seriously enhances all the powerful messages and heavy themes this game conveys.
This is an excellent analysis. The insight you give into the themes of the game linked with broader philosophical ideas makes this a must watch for anyone who wants to understand Persona 3
this video is perfect and i can tell just how much effort went into making it! persona 3 is my favorite game in the series and i greatly thank you for making this analysis on it
This was honestly one of the best persona vids I have seen I was pulled in from the start and interested the entire way through. I recently just beat persona 3 and I agree its probably one of the best the story characters everything is just so amazing and watching this video makes me want to play it all over again. When i first beat i honestly was kinda lost and cofused "being honest when you close your eyes for the end I honestly thought you went to bed 😣 how dumb of me" Thank you for all your hard work and dedication and amazing story telling.
Thank you so much 🙂
P.S. Totally forgot to mention but like everyone else this game has changed my view of life drastically and that is what I love about it so much ❤
I finished Akinari's social link on the last possible day, having him come back in the final battle not long after made me bawl pretty hard.
It’s always fascinated me how persona 3 deals with the concept of death, and how everyone deals with mortality. The whole humanization of death probably stands out the most to me, and I’m surprised this is the only video talking about this game’s relation with death I could find, so thanks for making it!
By the way, love the use of nine inch nails in the video!
Of course, so glad you enjoyed!!
And heck yeah man, Downward Spiral! NIN is freaking killer, and I knew I had to represent. I had actually just watched Natural Born Killers around the time that I started working on the editing for the Nyx chapter, and since Trent Reznor produced that movie's soundtrack, A Warm Place is featured in it, and as soon as I got to the part of the movie where it played I was like "yep, that's it, that's Nyx's theme" lol.
It's just such a soothing, yet almost dreadful track, and I just felt it to be so perfect for such an all-encompassing entity like Nyx; The calm before the storm, if you will.
Thanks so much for commenting, man, and have a great one!!
it may sound weird but before watching all 4 of the persona 3 movies, persona 3 never really clicked with me, I played till the king and queen boss then never finished it, but after watching all 4 movies and seeing Makoto learn to live and find joy I cried, his desire to end his own life during his movie awakening all the way to his final realization are all so powerful to me. Anyway spectacular work on the video, it is an amazing analysis on the story and themes that this beautiful game presents, you cooked hard
This game is incredible and it was my introduction to the persona series. Became one of my favorite series of all time.
Hearing the Persona theme play during 53:21 is chilling. It’s moments like this that define Persona to me
Yes!! That really was such a cool nod to P1!
So, after I beat Persona 3 Reload, I want to add to your view on the final scene for Persona 3, and even have a bit of a thought for what The Answer shows us.
I believe Aigis knew exactly what was happening with Makoto, and I believe it's why she sought him out. Of course, we know they all promised to meet up on the roof on Graduation Day, but why didn't Aigis try to communicate with the others? She knew his time was coming, hence why she and Makoto went to the roof first. Aigis's speech is both to be used as a way for her to come to terms with this, especially with the "each season will come to an end" and the more obvious "accepting the things you cant". Once you wipe the tear away from her eyes, that's when Aigis is both understanding the meaning to life, and her comforting Makoto. After telling him he can rest, telling him their friends will join them, it's her telling him his promise has been kept, but they will carry his legacy after death.
The Answer showing her not wanting to let go is apart of Aigis's stages of grief, her denial, and not that she didn't expect his death. She doesn't want to let go, and with her suffering from depression, it built up as grief. The Answer is the stages of grief and overcoming to acceptance, and not just for Aigis, but all of SEES.
I came and watched this video after playing and beating Persona 3 Reload, and I'd have to say, great job at making me love a game that I already thought was really cool
What an important video, thank you so much for taking the time to do this. I just finished P3 Reload and feel absolutely blessed to have experienced it, and I hope I can start to live my life through these values.
I just beat Reload, and I needed this man. It helped me process my overall experience of the game. Thank you for this amazing video!
This video brought back powerful feelings for this game i was worried would be lost with Reload. Its amazing How well put the ideas of this video are and just how thoughtful the intepretations are.
im not good with words but this video is so well made im genuinely sobbing watching the end now. thank you
This was an absolutely stellar video. Incredibly well put together and excellent pacing. There was never a point where I thought it was dragging on or anything. Amazing work.
God this video is phenominal you did amazing work!!!
Truly an amazing video hope it gets the attention it deserves with how much work you put into this
Man this video was amazing especially since I’m watching it after finishing reload my first experience with the game. Great stuff man
I cried like 5 times watching this video, congratulations
Avril 14th, what a great choice. Subscribed.
Heck yeah, Aphex Twin! Knew I had to represent.
While I watched this video I was playing p3p its my first playthrough and this video kept me so interested in the story and game in general
Ahh, nice!! I'm glad my video could compliment your first experience with the game, that's super cool!
Just what I needed video essay on persona 3
Oh wow. I was so confused by the ending in Reload. I didn’t get the vibe at all that Mokoto was dying. I thought he was just taking a nap as he accepted that Aigis has found her resolution. All party members were happy and I thought it was a happy ending. But then I just started seeing videos of people crying during the end and titling the video very depressingly. I didn’t understand it at all. 😂😂😂
1:19:20 when Aigis says "PALADIAN" I still get chills to this day!
Thank you so much for making this video
amazing video - love the editing and the analysis
I enjoyed this immensely, but would have preferred if there were less long periods of raw gameplay and music montages. Besides that, well done
That's fair. Thanks for watching!
I actually translated "memento mori" and it gave me "remember to die" like it's an inconvenience not to do it. 😂😂😂
man, just cried like a baby the same way i did the first time i played this game ages ago. that shit hurts so good.
Despite this video still being very young, I’d argue it’s one of the most well researched, paced, structured, and interesting videos I’ve ever watched. The cherry on top happens to be the fact that I’m a huge Persona 3 fan (since I was like 9), yet there were so many things I never recognized like Nyx’s other meaning. This was also an amazing refresher for Persona 3 Reload. Overall, I think we’re truly making it out of Tartarus with this one. 🦦
I thought the core theme of P3 was about burning bread.
Okay, cringe out of the way. P3 slaps so hard. No cutesy "happy" ending and seeing our bffs in a few months after the story. And a canonically based protag.
Ahhhh what a great story
P3R IS AVAILABLE
Tartarus music was always smackin
Why does this not have more views???
This video been great, I really love it, but a quick question
What is the song that started playing at 48:16 ?
That would be "Sentence" from the Persona 3 Movies soundtrack!
I’m playing FES rn. I’ll watch this when I’m done playing the game.
Thanks a lot man.
I hope you can see this Shinji.
:,)
As im playing reload rn im at late august I really didn’t understand or get the message as a kid cause I was a 6th grader when I beat persona 3 Fes only now i’m remembering how good this game was
P3 is my favorite Persona game
Persona 3 has such a major impact on me and how I see life, and as I’ve grown my feelings for the games message have grown. I used to cry at the ending because it was sad, but now I cry because how unapologetically beautiful and thoughtful it is, truly a game, I personally believe everyone should experience start to finish at least once.
As an Orthodox Christian, I started tearing up in the end of the story. From Chidori to Makoto, all the characters who die remind me of the holy words of the verse:
"There is no greater love among men, than to lay his life down for his friends."
❤❤❤
This is legitimately my favorite persona game as I am a sucker for darker themes,this game really teaches you the importance of a end and a beginning especially when it comes to time. And this video is faithful to its message and theme,and this analysis really nailed it.
Thank you!!
I too am an absolute sucker for this game (clearly, lol), and it means the absolute world to me to see that my video is resonating with fellow fans as much as I hoped it would!!
It's my favourite game in the series too! Man can i not wait for reaload
idk if you touched on this but i love how if you choose to kill ryoji, metaphorically ridding the world of death, life carries on with no meaning, as the bonds you made are forgotten and meaningless, showing that death is necessary to live a fulfilling life
I have this little theory that all the girls find ryoji attractive is because he is yhe embodiment of death and they are subconsciously attracted to him
This. This is genuinely the single most impactful video I've ever watched. The final chapter completely renewed my sense of self, changed my outlook, and renewed my will to go out and LIVE. Thank you for all of the effort you put into this. If nothing else you've made one person's life a little better, and I hope you have a great day, week, year and life!
Wow, thanks!! I can't believe this little project of mine is proving to be so impactful to so many people. So glad you loved it, and thank you for watching!!
I'm midway through the video and I'm feeling similar to this sentiment. LIVE!
I remember when I first played persona 3 and when Makoto had shown up in front of everyone after using the Great Seal. Seeing Aigis look at him and not have the same happiness that the others did and when she started crying. It felt like something was wrong, I didnt truly understand at the moment that he was meant to die, but I knew something was wrong by the way Aigis acted in that cutscene. Then when proceeding days continued and then graduation it just hit me like a ton of bricks. It truly was an experience that I will never forget.
Persona 3 will always hold a special place in my heart.
Ngl, I didn't know he died either until a friend told me that's what happened. It too hit me like a ton of bricks.
where my only 5 persona 3 fans in the world at 🗣🗣🔊
On GOD ✊️😔
Lol thanks for the interest in my stuff, man!!
I'm number 3 persona 3 fan😎✊🏻
4
we're here
I'm here bro 🗣️ ‼️‼️
BABE WAKE UP NEW 2 HR PERSONA ESSAY DROPPED
Persona 3 is such a great examination of the two sides of nihilism, with Strega and SEES being the differing sides of the same coin. I hear a lot of people wrongly clinging to nihilism being solidified as "nothing matters, and nothing has meaning"; but that's just one half. The other is choosing to apply meaning yourself, and Chidori's arc really hammers this connection home
Exactly! Very well said. That "optimistic" flavor of nihilism is something that Camus was very big on, and is exactly why his essay and messages resonate so much to this day.
Nihilism was always meant to be about "life has no meaning, you need to find your own", people often forget about that second bit
Many of the main characters believe in the soul though so that throws the idea out the window thst they're explicit nihilists...
They're more akin to Dostoyevsky than most existentialists in their approach to post-nihilism. Makoto's 'Messiah' persona is a direct reference to the negation and defeat of death, as death has no telos, but life does. Also there is the fact that Makoto (the Messiah figure) venturing into hades/tartarus and destroying it, is signfying the transcendence of death and a direct reference to the 'Harrowing of Hades' by the famous Christ.
To live and suffer meaningfully, you must believe in an overarching purpose for preserving life beyond the subject, as truth or love can not be relative. The prime message of Persona 3 is life has an objective telos and is worth preserving; and though many do not know what that telos is, most cling to a primordial and spiritual cherishing of it; an unconcious love of life's eschatological value forgotten since the fall of Eden/the cosmos.
This verse is the humble and powerful exemplification of Persona 3's moral message:
"There is no greater love among men, than to lay his life down for his friends."
@@Codreanu_Prezent This is a very thoughtful comment and I really enjoyed reading it while reflecting on a lot! I love Persona 3 for it is one of my favorite games of all time! I am very fascinated in reading Dostoevsky's works for I read a bit of him but would love to read more!
I do not think this point is mentioned a lot today, but it is something I reflect on in my life after reading about your description of "Telos". I reflect on the connection to a possible objective order or Telos that can go outside one's own subjectivity that is difficult to grasp yet can be sought after. This makes me think of a mysterious moral order of the soul that one cannot fully understand yet can be spiritually cherished with humility, love, and courage. This act of cherishing something outside one's subjective self to foster growth can lead to the creation of bonds with others while achieving heroic actions. I think of this telos in how Persona games have a true ending to be sought after. Yet the can also be deeply personal and a different path depending on how the player plays and interprets character and choosing different actions throughout the calendar. This is perhaps different from the Shin Megami Tensei games where players need to create their own endings with no clear true ending to seek (and I think this can be a great exploration as well, just different).
I remember playing Persona 3-5 and how there is an interesting progression from how I felt at the beginning as opposed to the end of the game. In the beginning, the world seemed smaller through my own, or the main character's, limited perspective but gradually got expanded to explore the depths of the soul, in the velvet room, and even the environment (communities in Japan) and worldly soul (like the dark hour/midnight/metaverse that goes through changes by the end of the game). I love exploring the environments of the Persona games where the MC's inner strength improves when engaging with the outside world around you. That line of "No greater love among men, than to lay down one's life for friends" is a very powerful message I remember reflecting on at the end of the game. It is a beautiful game I think a lot of people can bring their own unique experiences to relate to it and make the journey powerful. I am fascinated how Persona 3 can have influences very specific to the experience of people living in Japan and how this can lead to some new interesting discussions. This game actually got me inspired to read the works of Carl Jung and his study of the Persona, Shadow, and collective unconscious and it was very fascinating! Excuse me for the long post and thank you for anyone who read :)
I found out Memento Mori is only part of the phrase. The full one is "
Memento Mori, Memento Vivere" IE "Remember you will die, remember that you must live" Which to me fits the theme. Yes people focus on the Death part of P3, but rather, to me, the theme is yes death is a natural part of life, BUT you shouldn't let that fear control you
Something I really like about persona 3 is that it has scenes without the protagonist for the other members of S.E.E.S, I've never player P4 so I won't comment of it, but from what I remember of P5, the characters always developed with our protagonist present, rarely was there a scene without the protagonist for the other phantom thieves, I like the way persona 3 did it, makes the characters feel more dynamic, reaching to conclusions without our help
It's even worse in 4 imo
Because Makoto didn’t care.
For once my RUclips recommendation knows what I want. I'm so glad I stumbled upon this video. I can tell you put a lot of thought and hard work into making this. I also love your take and analysis on the concept of death in this game, which is something that I think only hardcore fans of P3 truly appreciates. There are a lot of points that you made in the video that really resonated with my own thoughts on the overall theme of the game so it was nice to see it in a video format. I hope this video blows up soon, especially with the upcoming P3 Reload. You have my like .. 👍
Wow, thank you!! Your response among so many others so far has just made my week! It's been a really busy holiday, so I'm only just now getting around to responding to everybody, but I've been keeping up with each of the comments as they come in and am ecstatic to see that so many people have found something to love about this video!!
I gotta say, when making videos like these, it can be really easy to lose sight of just how many people share the same passion that spurred on the project to begin with. I myself fell many times into the trap of thinking "Bahh, this is ridiculous, nobody's even gonna care about or watch this thing when it's done". And I couldn't be more delighted to see with my own eyes that this nagging fear was purely and utterly irrational.
Again, thank you so much for the comment friend, it truly means the world to hear such genuine words of praise from a fellow fan of this incredible game and series!!
This is a video to absolutely be proud of making. You voiced feelings of the game shared by so many, and even offered new perspectives that shed so much more light on just how beautiful Persona 3 is. The editing mirroring the style of the original game, even being presented in 4:3 was such a wonderful touch. The combination of script work and musical choice moved me to tears several times, reminding me of things I love about this game and more. Thank you for putting this out there - you made me appreciate my favorite game even more than I already did.
Thank you!! So glad you loved it.
I think it's so cool how you got such a kick out the editing, the aspect ratio, the music choices, etc! As an editor and not a viewer, it's really easy to lose sight of things like that and fall into the trap of thinking "ehh, well nobody but me is gonna care about all of these things", and it always delights me every time one of your guys' awesome comments disproves that!
For me, the goal when making a project like this is for each of the video elements to come together to create a memorable experience above all else. And there's really no better feeling than when this succeeds, and that full "editor's vision" is felt by, and just as visible to the viewers as it ever was to myself!
Again, really glad you loved it, and thank you so much for watching and commenting!!
Out of this world quality standard here. Captured most of my thoughts on the game beautifully and introduced me to a lot of new parts of it too! Fantastic editing as well. Looking forward to watching over your career!
Thank you!!
Love how you described that cause in a lot of ways, that was the main thing I wanted to accomplish with this video: To present the themes of this game in a way that'll live up to and resonate with what the viewers already know and feel about the game, while also hopefully introducing some new aspects of it to them as well!
And thank you for the editing praise!! I slaved pretty hard over some of these sections (especially the Nyx one, yikes lol), so to get even the slightest bit of recognition for it means more than you know.
Again, thank you so much friend, and I hope to see you around for future videos!!
I think the Answer not really going with the idea that Aigis could tell Makoto was dying Is a really sad missed opportunity. I think the ending of Persona 3 Is infinitely sadder when you can tell Aigis kinda knew. She's a robot. She can obviously tell his vitals is lowering each day. And the tone of her voice imo easily implies she knows he's dying and just wanted to share one last moment with him and their friends together (Reload heavily changes the tone of this ending, and really implies Aigis actually can't tell, at least that lines up with Episode Aigis better)
I'm a grown ass man and im sitting here damn-near bawling my eyes out because of this analysis. Excellent video. You made me remember just how important this game is to me and even found new ways for me to appreciate it. I had honestly never considered to look at Ryoji in that manner. What a fantastic game.
Here's hoping Reload can capture the heart of what makes this game so special.
I disagree a bit with the statement made at the beginning of the video about universal themes. All of the games have universal themes (as far as I’m aware because I haven’t played 1), not just 3. The search for truth in Persona 4 for instance is a core part of the human experience. It’s no coincidence that it is directly tied to ancient Shinto mythology in the game. Whether it be the story of Izanagi rescuing Izanami from the underworld or Plato’s cave allegory, people throughout human history seek out truth to make sense of the world.
Persona 5’s commentary on society may seem contemporary, but when you look beneath the surface that tension between freedom and agency with being controlled and submission is timeless as well. Just look at how societies evolved through feudal systems to our modern, global capitalist system. The tension remains there, it merely changes hands who holds the power over whom. Before it was royals and aristocrats, and now they’re politicians and corporations ruling over us in oligarchical fashion. The youth vs elderly theme is also timeless.
Persona 2’s theme about sin and the weight of actions is once again timeless. All societies have their own conception of morality and what is right or wrong. Everyone has to live with the consequences of their actions and the ramifications it has on other people. Societies throughout history seek out scapegoats to cast blame away from those who deserve it.
Great comment!
We don't actually disagree at all! I think you nailed it with each of those descriptions. What I was simply trying to convey with that intro is that, although each Persona title highlights a different prevalent "theme" or facet of the human experience that can be applied to just about anyone, Persona 3's theme of death just DOES apply to everyone, regardless of any sort of unique personal experiences or circumstances.
Like, for example, Persona 4 really meant a lot to me on a thematic level, since I happened to be going through a really confusing, teenage spell when I first experienced it. The incredibly shrewd concept of "facing one's own shadow" just really struck a chord with me, and I was able to apply those very messages and metaphors to my own life in a way that still resonates to this very day. I then compare that to Persona 5's themes which, despite being absolutely brilliant in their own right, just didn't hit home for me in that same, life-changing kind of way. Rebellion, agency, and revolution in the face of injustice are themes that, no doubt, can mean so much to so many people, but being an incredibly privileged and financially secure person whose never really been wronged by the system in any way, I just can't confidently say I'm one of them. That's not at all to say that these ideas aren't absolutely timeless, and universal parts of the human experience; But speaking purely on a personal level, it just doesn't have quite the same impact on someone like me.
However, Persona 3 tackles a theme that, by its very own nature, applies to literally every living being on a personal level, whether it's something that their comfortable with or not. And I just find that to be so strangely beautiful. Again, I'm not at all saying this in order to undermine the brilliance or universality of the other games' themes. I'm just pointing out that Persona 3's main thesis is, in a strangely existential way, one of a kind in how it relates to the player.
Again, thank you for the comment, friend! I think you put it brilliantly, and I truly appreciate having this kind of open discussion!
@@vacated3188 Well it’s reassuring to know that we don’t differ all that much on this issue. I appreciate the thorough reply. I agree death is inherently a universal theme, but I can see an argument for the others having that inherent quality. For instance, Persona 4’s theme about truth is not something that requires a certain lived experience to touch on. We all have to make sense of our world and are forced to exist in a sea of misinformation and incomplete information. No one knows the truths behind reality. We merely strive to know them through our senses and rationality. It is something you have to face in the same way our own mortality is.
Persona 5’s themes have layers to them. There’s the more surface level critique about being wronged by the system and revolt, but then there’s the more universal themes about freedom and control. We all live in a society which grants us certain rights and liberties, but which restricts our freedoms in others. No matter your socioeconomic status or life story, everyone experiences the give and take of freedom and control.
I understand that death can have that extra added allure to it that grips people in a way the others don’t, despite all of them being universal. It’s deeply personal. Every waking moment we’re prolonging the inevitable. Whereas with something like truth or freedom, it’s easy to go through life not giving much pause over them. We’re forced to grapple with mortality. It puts its finger on the scale in every interaction we have, even when we aren’t conscious of it. So I get where you’re coming from.
@@ReconNarwhal Again, very well said. And you're right, there's absolutely an argument to be made that what I'm saying is based on a limited understanding of all of the ways in which these themes can work, and that really, any of them can have that totally universal quality. At the end of the day, the words that come out of my mouth are purely my own interpretations. They're no more "correct" than yours might be, and are completely fair game as far as criticism goes.
And that's one of the single most fascinating things about these games: Every single person can walk away from the exact same experience with a totally different interpretation and understanding from everyone else. That's why you'll see what's essentially endless arguing and debating online and in forums about which of the games/characters/stories are good, bad, annoying, overrated, underrated, etc.
And that's why I really like what we're doing here: Simply discussing our differences in opinion in a challenging, yet civilized way, and even being able to pretty much come to an agreement in the end. We honestly need a lot more of this kind of the stuff in the community, so I seriously appreciate the time you've taken to discuss today, friend!
@@vacated3188 Likewise. The Persona games leave the audience with a lot to ponder and think through on their own. It was a pleasure having this back and forth
Not only did I cry for a good 30 minutes over finishing Reload yesterday, but I cried for another 30 watching your video. Thanks for such an enlightening one and making me love my giant memento mori tattoo even more!
For some reason Shinjiro's death hurt me more than the ending at the time. Even now I feel like Akihiko when he yells out in pain and anguish.😢
Oh wow, you're hurt by the dumbest death in the Persona series, truly the writing was causing indigestion.
@@egbertmilton4003What do you mean, if I might ask?
I always felt like 3 did the uneasiness and time pressure better than 4 did because of the fact that 3 had a fatigue system in the middle of dungeon exploration. You'd have to be careful with how you explore dungeons because constantly fighting or staying in Tartarus for too long would exhaust your party members (MC included). Meanwhile, the fatigue system was never included in 4, so you could actually reach the end of the dungeon in one day, and then after that, you can do whatever you wanted. Sure, you still wouldn't be able to do all the social links in 4 just like in 3, but I think the way 3 handled that pressure was much better.
You're absolutely right! I feel like the tiredness mechanic in particular is so frequently written off as just being something "obnoxious" and totally unnecessary, and while I agree that it's generally a good thing that it didn't return in 4 onward, I don't at all think it's without its own significance as far as 3's plot, themes and gameplay goes.
I also feel like 3 is super unique in how it was able to take this mechanic, and seamlessly weave it into the actual story toward the very end, what with the main character's death basically just being this exhaustion taken to the absolute extreme after the full draining of his HP and SP in the Nyx fight.
I believe it's because P4 never meant to use time to pressure you like how 3 did. It's about spending time peacefully surrounded by good friends, and then later threatening you by robbing the life of those you hold dear and making you desparately need to attempt the saving.
@@Luna-1re I mean... there was really only one person you held dear who was suddenly taken? The rest were people you didn't even know at the beginning. The reason you save them is because you knew that they were gonna die if they stayed when the fog appears IRL, and by saving them, you hope that you can find more truth about the serial killer.
Even then, the tension of trying to save someone in P4 is kind of deflated if I can just go to a dungeon the day that I unlock it, and then stay there for as long as I want without the day advancing.
@@CADPgamer As I meant by 'later', I specifically meant that one.
You see her every day. She's an adorable sister. She's beloved by every of the main casts. And when something does happen to her, hell broke loose, the chill group of friends become absolute desparate.
Even the friendliest of the group like Yusuke got desperate enough to ridicult us for not immidiately finishing the culprit off.
You see, by nature P4 is a slow burn. It never meant to pressure us like how P3 did.
While P3 had braindead people walking around like zombies, P4 had calm scenery, friendly townfolks, and chill music. The town is supposed to be growing on us, made us attracted to the place and the people, and then we would fall in love with them, not wanting any of them to face any bad stuff.
It's just different themes.
persona 3 was a game that touched me at a hard moment of life, where i was thinking to just give up, but when i saw makoto's story and the bonds that gave him strength, i could realize again that there is beauty in this flawed, boring world and that i don't need superpowers and a great journey to make my life have a meaning, just the bonds you forge with your fellows, the laughs, the cries, the challenges, the memento mori's of your life, we all can have beautiful stories to tell.
great video man, it reminded me again of the impact of the game, i really hope that p3 reload can have the same impact on the lifes of others, as the original had on mine. remember that you are mortal and live your life to the fullest, thank you.
girl between hearing shinji in that final fight again (haven’t done a full playthrough of this game since my first playthrough in 2013), and the way you tackled the shit in this video… you got my eyeballs sweating a bit I fear.
I’ve been replaying the game over the last few weeks (less for Reload, more because of how much the game meant to me the first time I played it just a decade ago), and this video really sums up just a LOT of my feelings and why I appreciate this game so much. Especially with having lost both of my parents in the time since I played this game and having my own personal journeys with grief and death… just… whew.
Looking forward to literally whatever you decide to write a video essay on next. You clearly got the chops. You the Male Lindsay Ellis methinks.
Haha, thank you so much!! So glad that this video is able to evoke that kind of response in the fans! It's truly an honor.
And holy crap... the male Lindsay Ellis?! That's probably the greatest compliment I could ever get, thank you, man!!
Amazing work, here. It's overwhelmingly clear just how much love you have for this game, and following that logic, for life. I really appreciate you making this, my life is better for it.
Thank you friend, seriously.
The fact that this little passion project of mine has been able to impact even just one person like this is enough for it to have all been worth it.
Again, thank you for watching, and I hope to see you around for future videos!!
I’m on the last month of re load. And this game has been a work of art and like Akinari I almost don’t wanna finish it.
I have played and loved every version of Persona 3 and today I finished Reload before stumbling to this video.
Thank you for making me appreciate one of my favourite games ever even more.
Gorgeous analysis. I really respect the love and care you showed in this video to my favorite game of all times. I felt exactly the same after the jorney of makoto. It gave me a reason to always keep going no matter what. Even to this day, the meaning of this game is as fresh as ever. Friends I wish you also had a blast with this video and.. I pray the universe that you may always remember that you are mortal, remember death always, so that it ignites your path.
Me too
Persona 3 fundamentally changed my life and how i choose to live it now. I could never put it into words to those close to me on how but this analysis has done the job for me better than I ever could have. Thank you for this amazing piece of work
its absurd how incredible this analysis was. persona 3 was already one, if not my favourite game of all time, and i can see you share the love for it as well. you should be proud of this thorough review and analysis. absolutely deserve more recognition
Thank you, so glad you liked it!!
To have fellow diehard fans approve so highly of this video is probably the biggest honor in all of this!
54:40 I played Persona 3 Portable and completed both routes before discovering Evangelion. Bringing up Komm Susser Todd here rekindled the notion in my mind that P3 and Eva has much more in common than one might realize, and it's not just the themes surrounding it, but also the structure of which it has presented to us. The Journey is akin to Neon Genesis Evangelion, and the Answer akin to the End of Evangelion. It is also similar that the ends to the main story was left ambiguous before resolving that ambiguity with the 2nd installment.
And then the Rebuild of Evangelion just ended 3 years ago and ended in a different path, and a more resolute one compared to EoE. And there's Persona 3 Reload that just released that gave me similar vibes. Will Elizabeth finally find the answer to release the MC, and will that be a monkey's paw, a final resolution, or both? I'm sure that release will certainly be divisive just like the Rebuild movies, but I hope we don't need to wait for 9 years to see its conclusion.
Yes, this 100%!
I watched all of Evangelion for the first time about a year ago now, and was honestly pretty awestruck by how freakishly similar P3 is to it, not only thematically, but also story-wise as well.
The 13 shadows and the 17 angels basically being the same thing, with the last one of each infiltrating the main characters' lives in the form of a human before inevitably leaving/dying to fulfill their true role (Ryoji/Kaworu); The prevalence of major cult-like organizations/movements attempting to enact mankind's extinction as a form of salvation(Nyx Cult/SEELE); The Fall and The Third Impact being basically the same exact thing, with an alien, mother entity (Nyx/Lilith) reawakening to reclaim the primordial essence (Shadows/LCL) of its human progeny; The frequent use of the moon (in Eva's case, two moons) as a visual motif/plot device exploring the way in which these mother entities first arrived, subsequently jumpstarting the eventual evolution of life as we currently know it; etc, etc.
I mean seriously, as soon as I got the part in Eva where Kaworu showed up, I was like "dude, I already know how this story goes, Persona 3 spoiled me!!" lol. I even made sure to use footage from The End of Evangelion in the Nyx part of the video, just because it fits so dang much, lol
All jokes aside though, these two works really are something super special, and despite how identical I've just made them sound, they really are so separately brilliant in how they explore these themes and ideas. I've honestly had an idea for a video I'd like to make on The End of Evangelion for a while now, and I plan to get around to that some time pretty soon.
Thanks so much for the comment! I always love rambling about this kind of stuff, so I really appreciate the discussion!!
I only understand 70% that you speak (i'm not native speaker), the subs was my allied to understand the whole content 😅.
Very interesting analysis, i will share this. Good work, new sub.
Ahh, awesome, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I actually meant to make subtitles for this video, but I never got around to it. I hope the automatic ones sufficed, and maybe I'll still get around to doing that soon.
This video took me about 2 years, believe it or not, so I'd like for it to be as accessible as it possibly can be!
Again, thanks for watching, I really appreciate it!
@@vacated3188 amazing work dude, very complete.
I save this video to favorite, the content is excelent and make me appreciate more this beautiful game.
I'd also like to point out that the Death Shadow's connection to Makoto also serves as a representation of the concept of personalized Shadows. I mean, think about it. At the start of the Death Shadow's existence, it had a very generic, unpersonalized form. It wasn't until Aigis sealed it away into the protagonist that it slowly but surely began to change. Specifically, it changed into an echo of the protagonist themselves, sharing aspects of his appearance and voice. For all intents and purpose, the Death Shadow became the Protagonist's Shadow Self. This is even further supported by the initial Persona Awakening that the protagonist went through. In that initial awakening, our persona, Orpheus, was effectively torn apart and gave way to a completely different Persona, one that eeriely resembles the inital form the Death Shadow took. That was Thanatos, which I can only describe as Ryoji/Pheros getting the Persona 4 Shadow Into Persona treatment. Hell, Ryoji even transforms into Thanatos when trying to convince the Protagonist to kill him. Though, since we had no idea about our situation with the Death Shadow, at the time, Thanatos was completely uncontrollable. The only reason we didn't suffer a situation similar to Chidori getting strangled by Medea or Castor killing Kens mom was because the goals of the protagonist protecting themselves and Death's goal of reuniting with it's other pieces both would have to end in the Magician Shadow's demise, so everything worked out. It's only until we are able to confront Ryoji and his true goals and accept him as a permanent part of ourselves that we as the protagonist are able to harness at the very least the weakened form of Death as a Persona to call our own, just like the protagonists in Persona 4.
Dang, I never even thought about it like that! Honestly, you might just be right on the money with this. On a fundamental level, the Human, Shadow, Persona dynamic is virtually the same in every entry, so when going by that precedent, I think it's totally fair to say that Ryoji might just be a very unique flavor of that very same "facing yourself" Shadow concept that P4 is so keen on.
Really cool interpretation!
My first and favorite example of memento mori is Lelouch, my second is without a doubt Makoto Yuki and persona 3 as a whole.
Even after 9 months I still watch this video time to time. This is probably my 5th time watching this video. Thank you for making peak.
great video. it's truly amazing that a work can explore this many facets of a single topic (death) and how well the ending works regardless of how you interpret it. i played this game when i was in college so literally everyone i knew was always tired (and to be fair tiredness is also a mechanic in the game) so nothing about the protagonist at the end really set off any alarms for me. while i prefer the ambiguity of it, it makes sense.
Holy shit, bubbletea!! I've been following your stuff for a while now, what's up!
Yeah, P3 is definitely a game that can be talked about almost endlessly for its themes and ideas. The ambiguity of its ending compared to other entries in this series is something truly special I feel, and leaves room for lots of unique interpretation, which is something I'm always a sucker for. Hell, I’m pretty much on the same page as you, if it weren’t for the Answer, I might not have ever even realized that he actually died, lol.
And that’s partly why I’ve grown to appreciate the Answer more and more as time goes on. I used to be sort of hard on it, mainly because I just really didn’t enjoy playing it (the lack of any calendar system or social links to make up for the entirely bare-bones dungeon crawling is pretty much what did it for me), but now I’ve come to really respect it as a sort of companion piece that “answers” a lot of the game’s big questions and uncertainties.
Sure, there’ll always be those of us that still prefer the original ending in all of its ambiguity, but the Answer is entirely optional, so it’s not like it can ever ruin one’s original experience and interpretation, even if it is canon. That’s why I still chose to talk about my own original understanding of the game's ending scene in Agis’ section, knowing full well that it’s not canon in the slightest, because that kind of speculation and interpretation is, I feel, one of the most important things when it comes to experiencing any of these games, and deserves to be talked about just as much as any canon, or “correct” ending ever should.
But I’m just rambling at this point. Again, thank you so much for commenting, man! It really is so cool to see you amidst all of the other awesome and receptive fans and viewers that have commented so far, it really just makes all of this stuff feel so worth it. Cheers man, and take care!!
I actually took Makoto dying as him holding a physical form and losing his grip on it slowly. Only holding out to see his friends, his reason for living, one last time. Because in P4A we see that Makoto BECAME the seal that holds Nyx back. He used the universe to turn himself into a seal great enough to hold the primordial evil back. I also once read a theory on how him becoming the seal locked shadows away from the physical world and that's why the TV world exists in Persona 4 but yknow. Mostly the first part to this I agree with whole heartedly.
Yes, you're absolutely right! The Answer and P4A do flesh out the whole Great Seal thing a lot more, and I would have to agree that you're illustration of it here is a lot more accurate than mine as far as the full canon goes. I just intentionally chose to keep my explanation of it kind of vague in an attempt to wrap things up a bit more nicely, since The Journey was all I had really planned to talk about in this particular video.
Spot on interpretation though, and I really like that theory about The Seal being what keeps P4's and P5's TV World and Metaverse separate from the real world! That would explain why P4 and P5's final god battles/climaxes heavily center around the "crossing over" of these other realms into our world, while P3's Tartarus was very clearly doing this from the very start with no apparent pushback. Really cool stuff!
Awesome comment, and thanks for watching!!
He wasn't holding Nyx back, he was protecting the door so Erebus couldn't get in and corrupt Nyx. Nyx as a whole isn't evil at all, she's just the reset button on the world.
Finish the portable one now trying the fes version when pc laptop upgrade get the reloaded.😮
I saw when this video was 3 days old, but only just got around to watching it. I’m glad I did.
P3 is my favorite persona story-wise and character-wise without a shadow of the doubt. While I may relate more with the small, sleepy country town of Inaba and its residents than the bustling cities, or prefer the gameplay of the tricksters reforming society, the story of life’s greatest meanings in the face of adversity and even Death itself always held a firm-tight grip on my heart and soul both.
When I discovered it in mid 2019, emulating after Joker’s inclusion in Smash when I was on summer break after my first full semester of college, everything just… hit. It was the first of the modern 3 I tried to as looking up I had noticed the massive split in gameplay from 1 and the 2 duology, and even in spite of how much I loved 4’s characters and could relate to each one or relate someone I knew to, in spite of how fulfilling and agreeable P5’s political messages were, this story reaffirmed the message my heart came to in 2017 thanks to another game handling similar topics. It’s funny… looking back, if I had grown up with this, it may of been forgotten by me until later, yet if I heeded its messages, than my own trauma may of been adverted. Yet, instead, I got it at the perfect time to hit me harder than ever before.
And this video, putting into words feelings I still struggle to in spite of all of it, genuinely makes me smile. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
definitely didint cry like 25 times during this
x2
This is my favorite game of all time, and your video did such an amazing job at explaining so much that I love about it. I had never heard of the lore book or anything about Nyx, but it really added even more appreciation for this wonderful story. Nyx's existence brought about joy and life just as much as it did sorrow and death. I'm really going to have to think about how the different stories in the game build off of it, like the pink alligator, or the themes of trauma linking with purpose. Thanks for this video, hope to see more from you!
Thank you, so glad you loved it!!
And yeah, the official lore behind Nyx is VERY hidden, I don't blame you for not having heard of it before. I discovered all of that info for myself pretty shortly after I beat the game, since I always love to extensively read up on the wiki the second I finish something, and I was immediately blown away by just how many secret extra layers it added to this already so rich story. And right after that, I began writing this very video, and the rest was history!
Again, thank you so much for the comment, it truly means a lot!!
I love P3 and this articulates why beautifully. ❤ Death is inevitable yes, but why and how we live our lives no matter how long they are is what’s important. And the way P3 explores this theme is so well done
Thank you sooo much. This video has made me tier up many times, especially at the end. It is a masterpiece in it to itself. It is so incredibly detailed, well explained, well montaged, I truly appreciate all the little details you took effort to include. So thank you! Thank you! And thank you! Soo much! I enjoyed it to it's fullest ❤
Your effort can be seen throughout all of it. From the bottom of my heart thank you for the priceless 2 golden hours of the media you created. I love this video so much so that many parts of the video where you say great words of wisdom. I cut and kept on my device, for example where you said about Riyoji and that death can be seen as a friend, and others.
If only you had a Patreon, this kind of work needs support, I will gladly support the work if this level of quality
How does this video only have two thousand views??? This is really well made and enjoyable to watch! Persona 3 is my favorite game of all time and I think it is the best game ever made and I think you did a great job making an essay about it!! Keep making great content!!
2:15:59 watched this tonight, and was pulled in so many directions emotionally.....i cried, sobbed, reminisced, mourned, grieved at various points.
As someone who is a suicide survivor....ive never looked at life this way...
Wanted to push everyone away because feelings hurt, etc. But this game and video have me thinking differently.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, soul, persona,shadow...
Of course man, and thank you so much for watching! I truly appreciate you sharing your story, and am so glad you're still here with us today. The fact that this video of mine has been able to touch anyone this deeply is gratifying in a way that I can't even begin to put into words, and I seriously thank you for taking the time to comment. It means the whole world, man! 💙
Persona 3’s story didn’t hook me at first being someone who played 4 and 5 in reverse order but after completing it all comes back around and hits you right at the end and I actually felt like it had much more of a personal impact on me then the other 2 games. Don’t know if the first 2 persona’s are worth it lmk
Thanks you for making this video!
I was told that this Persona game had the best story, so I started playing Persona 3 Reload blind with a journal instead of simply following a online guide, which made my playthrough of this game such an unique experience for me personally.
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed!
And dude, that's actually such a great idea! What exactly was your process like for that? Journaling is something that I've always enjoyed doing when it comes to productivity and stuff, but I've never thought about what that would be like for playing a game. I might just need to incorporate something like that into new games for me going forward, especially when it comes to documenting thoughts/analysis for future videos and such.
Thanks for commenting, and have a great one!!
This is by far the BEST Persona 3 video ive ever seen, could not have explained the game any better, the editing was so good, everything about this video just further proves that P3 has easily one of the best stories in gaming in my opinion HAHA
This was one of the best videos I've ever watched.
It hit all the marks for a great video for me:
Games that I like.
Story Heavy, makes you feel you went on a Journey.
A bit of science.
Symbolism.
Mythology.
And of course: Existential Concepts.
I gotta say, with this being one of my favourite games and a game I reflect upon a lot. The thematic of death has always played a very important part in how I view a lot of media but nothing has hit as powerful as Persona 3 and honestly you covered every aspect I love about the game and how it chooses to explore those themes and not just that. You taught me new things I didn't actually know like the origin of Nyx as well as different stories and phrases that I might look into myself.
Thank you for this, it was a masterpiece of a videa and got me so much more excited for Persona 3 Reload and seeing how it chooses to add onto the game, gameplay and potentially story wise. I look forward to your future projects!
Persona 3 was and still is my favorite video game, few games made me cry but this game was exeptional, moment like meeting akinari's mom at the very end and shinji's death made me cry every single time
Fantastic video dude, congrats! Just finished Reload a couple of days ago, it was my first time playing 3 and I absolutely loved it. Watching this video afterwards (in a couple of sittings) really helped me appreciate the game even more + I got to see the important scenes in the original graphics.