![]() Yukiko’s Shadow reflects her insecurity around her lack of independence, and her reliance on others to change her unfulfilling life for her. As a boss, the Shadow is a fiery red bird trapped in a cage, a potent symbol of Yukiko’s mental state: trapped, yet burning in a violent fight for freedom. Her Shadow is dressed in a white dress-almost akin to a wedding dress-and accompanied by a “Prince Charming” whom Shadow Yukiko relies on. Yukiko’s Shadow self stems from the lack of agency she feels in her life due to the expectation that she will inherit her family’s inn. And though individual characters may seem to subvert normative expectations of gender and sexuality, the game ultimately reifies those roles, forcing all characters into societal norms that stand contrary to the glimpses of their more rebellious authentic selves.Ī life (off)railed: Agency, Gender Roles and Amagi Yukiko Ultimately, the game universe makes clear that “facing yourself” is more concerned about fitting into society than personal growth. However, a closer look at the game’s other Social Links-in particular, Tatsumi Kanji, Kujikawa Rise, and Amagi Yukiko-illustrates that the game’s concept of “accepting yourself” is rooted firmly in conservative social expectations and gender roles. Much attention (and controversy) has already been paid to how Shirogane Naoto’s character arc (mis)depicts their gender identity to reinforce a binary essentialist view of gender this article will touch on the topic only lightly, to leave that discussion to those most affected by it. Persona 4 Golden’s narrow definition of acceptable “authenticity” is evident in the game’s Social Links, which reward characters for making certain socially conservative choices. Furthermore, it’s critical to note that the thoughts created by the Shadows are often repressed because they are socially unacceptable, such as Tatsumi Kanji’s non-heterosexual sexuality or Shirogane Naoto’s gender identity. They are, in short, rewarded for making choices that the game deems as enhancing the “truth” of who they are.īut what exactly is the “true self” the game continually references? The entire concept of accepting and overcoming “weakness” is notably vague and unexplained. As characters continue to resolve their internal conflicts in their subsequent Social Link (and an extra winter semester in Golden), the Persona ascends in power. ![]() ![]() At the onset of each fight, each Shadow boss repeats the same line, a reminder of their truth to each character: “I am a shadow… The true self…”īy accepting their true selves, and thus overcoming what the game refers to as their “weakness,” each character is rewarded with their “heart’s true power”: a powerful Persona. Each playable character follows the same pattern: unwilling to engage with the unpleasant truth of who they are, they deny that the Shadow is part of them, causing the Shadow to morph into a boss. These repressed thoughts manifest as a Shadow, a personification of a person’s deepest insecurities. The central theme of Persona 4 Golden is facing one’s entire authentic self-the ugly, hidden parts of someone that they don’t want the world to see. ![]() ![]() Content Warning: discussion of misogyny, queerphobia, transphobia, stalking, sexualization of minors ![]()
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