Joker (Persona)
Leader of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts in Persona 5.
Joker is the codename of Ren Amamiya, the main protagonist of the 2016 role-playing video game Persona 5, owned by Sega subsidiary Atlus. He is a second-year high school student who is expelled after being falsely accused of assault by a corrupt politician, leading him to move to Tokyo to serve a one-year probation. At his new school, he and other students awaken to supernatural powers called Personas and form the vigilante group known as the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, with Joker as their leader.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Persona
- First Game
- Persona 5 (2016)
- Designer
- Shigenori Soejima
- Portrayer
- Hiroki Ino (stage plays)
- Voice
- EN · Xander Mobus · JA · Jun Fukuyama
- Nationality
- Japanese
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Joker was created by artist Shigenori Soejima for Persona 5. In the game, he is charged with assault by politician Masayoshi Shido after witnessing Shido harassing a female subordinate. Shido, intoxicated, falls and blames Joker, forcing his subordinate to testify falsely. Joker is placed on one-year probation and transfers to Shujin Academy in Tokyo, lodging at Sojiro Sakura's café Leblanc. At Shujin, he and other students awaken to Persona powers and become the Phantom Thieves, exploring the Metaverse—a realm of humanity's subconscious desires—to change malevolent hearts.
Reader's Guide
Joker is significant as the central figure of Persona 5, a critically acclaimed role-playing game that explores themes of rebellion and justice. His design, inspired by Arsène Lupin and Belle Époque fashion, reflects his dual life as a student and vigilante. He appears in multiple spin-offs and crossover games, including Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as downloadable content, where director Masahiro Sakurai praised his unique and fun gameplay. Joker's popularity has led to merchandise such as figurines, an airsoft gun replica, and an Amiibo. His voice acting by Xander Mobus in English and Jun Fukuyama in Japanese has been noted positively. Despite being a silent protagonist, his characterization in the anime adaptation received mixed reviews, though his relationship with Goro Akechi was praised.
Did You Know?
- Joker's canonical name is Ren Amamiya, but the player can freely choose a given name in the game.
- His initial Persona was originally Arsène, inspired by the fictional gentleman thief Arsène Lupin, and was never Mephistopheles.
- Joker's design was likened to a black panther, contrasting with Persona 4's protagonist, who was designed around a dog.
- He does not appear as a cosmetic skin in Overwatch; this is a common misconception.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Joker (Persona)?
Joker is the codename of Ren Amamiya, the player-controlled protagonist of Atlus's 2016 RPG Persona 5. In the story, he is a second-year high school student sent to Tokyo on probation after being framed for an assault he did not commit. There, he and his classmates form the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, a group of vigilantes who use supernatural Persona powers to rewrite the corrupt hearts of powerful adults.
What powers does Joker (Persona) have?
Joker can summon a Persona—most notably Arsène—to channel magical attacks, defend allies, and perform his signature All-Out Attack. His core ability, however, is 'heart-stealing,' which lets the Phantom Thieves infiltrate a target's inner world and force them to change their behavior. In combat, he also wields a rapier and a gun for his physical and ranged attacks.
Why is Joker (Persona) important to the franchise and to Smash?
As the face of Persona 5, he carries the entire narrative and embodies the player's choices, making him one of the most recognizable characters in modern Japanese RPGs. His inclusion in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate brought the Persona series into the fighting-game spotlight for the first time. Fans see him as a symbol of rebellion and self-determination, which fits naturally alongside other anime and game protagonists on the roster.
What game is Joker (Persona) originally from, and when did he debut?
Joker first appeared in Persona 5, developed by Atlus and published by Sega, released in 2016 for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. A later remaster, Persona 5 Royal, expanded the story with additional content and a new third semester. He is also known as Akira Kurusu in the manga adaptation, but Ren Amamiya is his canonical name in the games.
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