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Goro Akechi

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Goro Akechi (Japanese: 明智 吾郎, Hepburn: Akechi Gorō), who uses the code name Crow (クロウ, Kurō), is a fictional character in the Persona series, first appearing in Persona 5. A high school detective nicknamed "The Second Coming of the Detective Prince", Akechi opposes the Phantom Thieves' actions and becomes both a rival and a foil to Joker, the group's leader. For Persona 5 Royal, Akechi's characterization was further explored in order to appeal more to players. Besides printed and animated versions of the series, he has also been featured in the spin-offs Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight and Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth.

Goro Akechi
Persona character
First appearancePersona 5 (2016)
Designed byShigenori Soejima
Portrayed byYoshihide Sasaki (stage play)
Voiced by
In-universe information
AliasCrow
RelativesMasayoshi Shido (father)
NationalityJapanese

Created by Shigenori Soejima, Akechi was developed to be a mysterious detective who would be the opposite of Joker. Due to polarizing reception, Akechi was further explored in Royal. He is voiced by Sōichirō Hoshi in Japanese and Robbie Daymond in English. Initial critical reception towards his character has been mixed in both the first game and the anime television series despite ranking high on official character polls. However, upon the release of Royal, critics found Akechi more likable due to how Atlus started handling him in a different fashion from his original version.

Development

Akechi's character design was created by Shigenori Soejima. Early in development, the creative team decided he was going to be a detective but was unsure on how suspicious he would look or what role he would play in the story,[2] with one early suggestion being that he was Makoto Niijima's brother.[3] Eventually, the team decided to make him look well-behaved with a cheerful personality, leaving his collar button unbuttoned, his tie slightly loosened, and his hair messy.[2] His main color is white to contrast with Joker's black color scheme.[2] Akechi also wears black gloves, though at one point, the creative team believed it would give him away as the group's traitor.[3] His Phantom Thief outfit contains a mask that resembles a tengu to give him a condescending appearance, while his outfit was kept formal, resembling an officer.[4]

For Persona 5 Royal, due to Akechi's initial polarizing reception, Kazuhisa Wada noted the difficulties in making sure Akechi seemed true to his character during the third semester.[5] The new events where Akechi socializes with Joker were made to appeal to the audience that disliked his original take as well as to expand more of his character.[6] The new battle dialogue for Akechi was initially "wilder", but because Wada and Daiki Ito found Hoshi's voice acting too strong, he was asked to re-record them.[5] Late in development, the art team suggested on giving Akechi different character portraits, including his default stern expression, as a way for Akechi to show his "true" self around the Phantom Thieves and, especially, Joker.[5] Other than Joker, Akechi does not care for anyone else, which is exemplified in how he scolds Sumire Yoshizawa for missing her attacks. Wada also stated that other than a rival, Akechi is also considered a deuteragonist.[5]

Akechi's first Persona is Robin Hood, a "hero of justice" who matches Akechi's "superhero" image.[7] His second Persona is Loki, who has a dazzle camouflage pattern likened to World War I battleships to disguise from enemies, as well as horns similar to leucochloridium parasites to make its origins less clear.[8] In Persona 5 Royal, during the game's third semester, Akechi gains Hereward as his Ultimate Persona.[9]

Akechi is voiced by Sōichirō Hoshi in Japanese and Robbie Daymond in English.[10] Hoshi described Akechi as a high school detective and a "refreshing young man", but notes that is not all that defines him.[11] Daymond was surprised by the impact of his character. Revisiting the game following recording, Daymond found it surreal due to how he kept looking about Akechi's character, finding him fun to play and wondering if he could inspire another meme.[12]

Appearances

In Persona 5

Akechi is a playable character in Persona 5, with his character first revealed to the public during E3 2016.[13][14] As a Confidant, Akechi represents the Justice Arcana.[15] In the game, he is a third-year high school student and celebrity detective known as "The Second Coming of the Detective Prince."[16] He opposes the Phantom Thieves and becomes Joker's rival throughout the game, but he later joins them during Sae's Palace, using the code name "Crow."[17] Akechi later betrays the Phantom Thieves, partly out of jealousy for Joker,[18] and is revealed to be been the black masked assassin causing cognitive shutdowns ordered by Masayoshi Shido, a corrupt politician.[19] Akechi confronts the Phantom Thieves again in Shido's Palace, revealing that he is Shido's illegitimate son and plots to get revenge on him after years of neglect.[20] Like Joker, Akechi is also a "wild card" who can hold multiple Personas, a power given to him by Yaldabaoth through a bet with Igor to see whether chaos or order will dominate society.[21] However, his "wild card" power failed to develop properly due to his nihilistic view of human relations.[22] Akechi later sacrifices himself to save the Phantom Thieves when he learns that Shido had planned on having him killed after the election.[23][24]

While playable only during the duration of Sae's Palace, in Persona 5 Royal, the updated re-release, Akechi was made playable in the third semester of the game with a new interactive Confidant and abilities.[17][25] During the third semester, he aids Joker in investigating Maruki's Palace,[26] this time interacting with him with his true personality.[27] Near the end of the game, Maruki reveals that Akechi's return was through Joker's wish to save him.[28] Wada and Ito intentionally made it so that Akechi's survival ultimately depended on the player's choice in the game,[5] which can be achieved through certain choices made in his Confidant.[29]

In other media

Akechi has also appeared in other spin-off titles, such as Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight as a downloadable content,[30] and Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth.[31] Akechi also appears in Persona 5: The Animation with more focus on his character compared to the game, a conscious decision made by director Masashi Ishihama and producer Kazuki Adachi, who both stated that without his "dark side", the anime would be "boring."[32] Fashion brand SuperGroupies also created a collaboration apparel line based on Akechi and Joker.[33][34] In the stage play adaptation, Akechi is portrayed by Yoshihide Sasaki.[35] To prepare for the role, Sasaki completed Persona 5, stating that he was "shocked" upon seeing Akechi's sudden change and that he was looking forward to portraying his dual personalities.[36][37][38]

Reception

Akechi was voted #1 by Japanese fans as their favorite Confidant in Persona 5 Maniacus[39] and volume 12 of the magazine Comiket Plus.[40] Comments from Comiket Plus stated that Akechi seemed to be a very "human" character and enjoyed his rivalry with Joker. Akechi was also voted #1 as the overall favorite character by attendees at Sega Festival 2016, with a consensus that he evoked "motherly feelings" from fans.[41] Gita Jackson from Kotaku noted that Akechi was a favorite among Persona 5 fans due to the online reception of his inclusion in Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight.[42] However, Chris Moyes from Destructoid regards Akechi as the "worst boy" of the series, describing him as having a "passive-aggressive attitude" and an "obsessional personality built upon narcissism and misplaced arrogance."[43][44] In addition, Clayton Purdom from The A.V. Club found Akechi's character to be "air-dropped in from a kid's anime", and that he felt like a minor character due to "tipping the scales too far" between the "real-world darkness and over-the-top cheeriness" of the game.[45] Pancakes also became an Internet meme associated with Akechi.[42][46] Siliconera praised Akechi's characterization in Royal for providing more likable interactions with Joker.[47] Polygon shared similar comments in the handling of Akechi in Royal, finding it superior than the original one.[48]

In his review of Persona 5: The Animation, Christopher Farris from Anime News Network felt the anime fleshed out Akechi's character in contrast to the game,[49] also stating that his presence in the story builds a "sense of escalation" due to his opposition towards the Phantom Thieves.[50] He cited Akechi's rivalry with Joker as "dynamic" and felt that their discussions about morality were "cozy" in spite of their animosity.[51] However, he felt that the revelations about Akechi's character motivation seemed "last minute."[52]

References

  1. ^ a b "Goro Akechi Voices (Megami Tensei)". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on June 11, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2021. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  2. ^ a b c ペルソナ5 設定資料集 [The Art of Persona 5]. Japan: Kadokawa. 2016. p. 242. ISBN 9784047331907.
  3. ^ a b ペルソナ5 設定資料集 [The Art of Persona 5]. Japan: Kadokawa. 2016. p. 262. ISBN 9784047331907.
  4. ^ ペルソナ5 設定資料集 [The Art of Persona 5]. Japan: Kadokawa. 2016. p. 255. ISBN 9784047331907.
  5. ^ a b c d e ペルソナ5 ザ・ロイヤル 公式コンプリートガイド [Persona 5 The Royal Official Complete Guide]. Japan: Kadokawa. 2019. p. 683-684. ISBN 9784049128871.
  6. ^ Wong, Alistair (October 29, 2019). "Persona 5 Royal Staff On Akechi's Confidant And Total Playtime". Siliconera. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  7. ^ ペルソナ5 設定資料集 [The Art of Persona 5]. Japan: Kadokawa. 2016. p. 256. ISBN 9784047331907.
  8. ^ ペルソナ5 設定資料集 [The Art of Persona 5]. Japan: Kadokawa. 2016. p. 259. ISBN 9784047331907.
  9. ^ ペルソナ5 ザ・ロイヤル 公式コンプリートガイド [Persona 5 The Royal Official Complete Guide]. Japan: Kadokawa. 2019. p. 74. ISBN 9784049128871.
  10. ^ Goldfarb, Andrew (May 2, 2017). "Persona 5 English Voice Cast Revealed". IGN. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  11. ^ "『ペルソナ5』保志総一朗さんインタビュー。"明智らしさ"を伝えるために心がけていることは？". Pash! Plus (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu-sha. May 26, 2018. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  12. ^ Robbie Daymond (Voice of Akechi from Persona 5) Interview: Behind the Voice. Anime Inpulse. March 21, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  13. ^ "『ペルソナ5』ニコ生特番で新キャラ・明智吾郎が公開。7月19日にプレイ体験会を開催". Dengeki Online (in Japanese). Kadokawa. June 15, 2016. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  14. ^ Sato (June 15, 2016). "Persona 5 Reveals Its Newest Party Member Goro Akechi, And "Cooperative Characters"". Siliconera. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  15. ^ ペルソナ5 ザ・ロイヤル 公式コンプリートガイド [Persona 5 The Royal Official Complete Guide]. Japan: Kadokawa. 2019. p. 214. ISBN 9784049128871.
  16. ^ Sato (September 2, 2016). "Persona 5 Shares More On Goro Akechi, Things You Can Do After School, And Other Features". Siliconera. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  17. ^ a b Woog, Blake (August 2, 2019). "Every Persona 5 Royal Character Trailer So Far". Game Informer. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  18. ^ Atlus (April 4, 2017). Persona 5 (PlayStation 4). Atlus USA. Level/area: Shido's Palace. Akechi: But you... you're just some criminal trash living in an attic! So how...!? / Akechi: How does someone like you have things I don't!? How can such a worthless piece of trash be more special than me!?
  19. ^ Atlus (April 4, 2017). Persona 5 (PlayStation 4). Atlus USA. Level/area: Shido's Palace. Yusuke: A black mask!
  20. ^ Atlus (April 4, 2017). Persona 5 (PlayStation 4). Atlus USA. Level/area: Shido's Palace. Akechi: What are you talking about? I don't care for Shido, or this country. / Akechi: All this is to make Masayoshi Shido... my father... acknowledge me. Then exact revenge on him. / Akechi: Remember I said before, how my mother had been in a relationship with some good-for-nothing man? / Akechi: So I'm his bastard child. My very existence is nothing but a scandal...
  21. ^ Atlus (April 4, 2017). Persona 5 (PlayStation 4). Atlus USA. Level/area: Mementos Depths. Lavenza: To decide the fate of the world, it chose two people with potential and pitted them against each other. / Lavenza: One–Goro Akechi–incited the masses' distortion. Had he won, the world would've been destroyed and remade. / Lavenza: The other was a Trickster who would stand up against this... That was [player's name].
  22. ^ Atlus (March 31, 2020). Persona 5 Royal (PlayStation 4). Atlus USA. Level/area: Shido's Palace. Futaba: If you've got more than one Persona, maybe you actually have the same kinda power as Joker's. / Futaba: But you trusted no one, so you only got two Personas: one for your lies, and one for your hate.
  23. ^ Atlus (April 4, 2017). Persona 5 (PlayStation 4). Atlus USA. Level/area: Shido's Palace. Cognitive Akechi: Well... this just moves the plan up a little. He was going to get rid of you after the election anyway.
  24. ^ Atlus (April 4, 2017). Persona 5 (PlayStation 4). Atlus USA. Level/area: Shido's Palace. Yusuke: You fool! Are you trying to get yourself killed!? / Akechi: The real fools... are you guys. You should have just abandoned me here a long time ago.
  25. ^ Gilliam, Ryan (March 31, 2020). "Persona 5 Royal guide: What's new in Royal". Game Informer. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  26. ^ Gravelle, Cody (April 5, 2020). "Persona 5 Royal True Ending Explained". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on June 12, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  27. ^ Atlus (March 31, 2020). Persona 5 Royal (PlayStation 4). Atlus USA. Level/area: ???'s Palace. Akechi: Yoshizawa-san aside, there's no real reason for me to uphold the pretense of a righteous, sincere Detective Prince.
  28. ^ Atlus (March 31, 2020). Persona 5 Royal (PlayStation 4). Atlus USA. Level/area: February 2. Maruki: Say, [player's name]... Didn't you regret how things ended with him? / Maruki: You two came to a deep understanding of one another... yet you had no choice but to leave Akechi-kun to his fate. / Maruki: That's why I created a reality where you two could have a fresh start together.
  29. ^ ペルソナ5 ザ・ロイヤル 公式コンプリートガイド [Persona 5 The Royal Official Complete Guide]. Japan: Kadokawa. 2019. p. 217. ISBN 9784049128871.
  30. ^ Ressler, Karen (September 17, 2018). "Persona 3, Persona 5 Dancing Games' Video Previews Shinjiro, Akechi DLC Characters". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  31. ^ Sato (October 15, 2018). "Goro Akechi From Persona 5 Is On The Case In His Persona Q2 Introduction Trailer". Siliconera. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  32. ^ Ekens, Gabriella (July 18, 2018). "Interview: Persona 5 The Animation at Anime Expo 2018". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 19, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  33. ^ "『ペルソナ5』ジョーカーと明智吾郎をイメージしたアウターや腕時計など全14種のファッションアイテムが新登場。高級感のある仕上がりに注目". Famitsu (in Japanese). June 23, 2019. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  34. ^ "「ペルソナ5」"ジョーカー＆明智吾郎"で全身コーデ♪ 普段使いできるアパレルアイテム14種登場". Anime! Anime! (in Japanese). June 21, 2019. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  35. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (September 16, 2019). "Persona 5 Stage Play Unveils Character Visuals". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 10, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  36. ^ Persona 5: The Stage Pamphlet. 2019. p. 9.
  37. ^ "舞台『ペルソナ5』東京公演で猪野広樹ら覚醒「エンターテイメントだけではない地に足がついたお芝居を」". 2.5 Jigen (in Japanese). December 19, 2019. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  38. ^ "俳優・佐々木喜英さんインタビュー 「２年間のリハビリを経たことで新たな道を開拓。これからの自分にワクワクしている」". Town Work (in Japanese). December 18, 2019. Archived from the original on April 14, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  39. ^ ペルソナ5 マニアクス [Persona 5 Maniacus]. Japan: Kadokawa. 2017. p. 326. ISBN 9784048928038.
  40. ^ コミケplus Vol.12 [Comiket Plus Vol. 12]. Japan: Media Pal. 2019. p. 16. ISBN 9784802153256.
  41. ^ "『ペルソナ5』セガフェスにて、好きなBGM＆キャラクター投票の結果を発表！ 1位に輝いたのは、まさかの……!?". Famitsu (in Japanese). November 19, 2016. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  42. ^ a b Jackson, Gita (May 17, 2018). "Persona 5 Fans Are Freaking Out About Akechi Dancing". Kotaku. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  43. ^ Moyes, Chris (October 15, 2018). "Who invited Akechi? Persona Q2 trailer spotlights worst boy". Destructoid. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  44. ^ Moyes, Chris (August 3, 2019). "Worst Boy Goro Akechi smugs his way into Persona 5 Royal". Destructoid. Archived from the original on September 21, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  45. ^ Purdom, Clayton (May 2, 2017). "Pt. 4—A definitive, inarguable ranking of Persona 5 characters". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on November 4, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  46. ^ Janca, Ben (September 18, 2018). "Persona 3 And 5 Dancing: Endless Night Collection - Shinjiro And Akechi Boogie DLC Trailer". GameSpot. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  47. ^ Lada, Jenni (March 31, 2020). "Persona 5 Royal Finally Gives Goro the Attention He Deserves". Siliconera. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  48. ^ Dale, Laura (March 30, 2020). "Persona 5 Royal review: A great game gets an even better second draft". Polygon. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  49. ^ Farris, Christopher (May 7, 2018). "PERSONA 5 the Animation: Episode 5". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on November 14, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  50. ^ Farris, Christopher (June 11, 2018). "PERSONA 5 the Animation: Episode 10". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  51. ^ Farris, Christopher (July 2, 2018). "PERSONA 5 the Animation: Episode 13". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  52. ^ Farris, Christopher (January 27, 2019). "PERSONA 5 the Animation: Episode 27". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on November 14, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
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