Makoto Yuki
| Makoto | |
|---|---|
  The protagonist's official artwork from Persona 3. | |
| Universe | Persona |
| Debut | Persona 3 (2006) |
| Smash Bros. appearances | Ultimate |
| Most recent non-Smash appearance | Persona 5 Royal (2019, via DLC) |
| Console/platform of origin | PlayStation 2 |
| Species | Human |
| Gender | Male |
| Place of origin | Japan |
| Designed by | Shigenori Soejima |
| Article on Wikipedia | Protagonist (Persona 3) |
The protagonist of Persona 3 is the player character, and field leader of the organization known as S.E.E.S. (Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad) (特別課外活動部, Special Extracurricular Activity Department). Although the player can name him in his original game, official media consistently gives him the default name Makoto Yuki (結城 理, Yuki Makoto). The original manga adaptation also gives him the one-off name Minato Arisato (有里 湊, Arisato Minato).
Origin[edit]
Makoto Yuki is a high school student who comes to live in Tatsumi Port Island. During his stay there, he attends Gekkoukan High School and learns of the existence of S.E.E.S, an organization comprised primarily of Persona users who come from Gekkoukan. The main priority of S.E.E.S. is to eliminate Shadows, and investigate the phenomenons known as Tartarus, an impossibly large tower that appears at the location of Gekkoukan every night at midnight, and the Dark Hour, an extra hour that takes place between midnight and 1 A.M., which only those who have the potential to use Personas are conscious during. After awakening to the potential of his Persona days into his stay on Tatsumi Port Island, the protagonist joins S.E.E.S. and helps them to eliminate Shadows and learn more about the strange occurrences plaguing the area.
On April 7th, 2009, the protagonist is first seen departing for the Dorm in Port Island, but arrives late at midnight due to the successful suicide of a young man who flung himself onto the train tracks. During the walk to the dorm, he experiences the Dark Hour and is confused upon the sudden change of the surroundings and the sudden halt of his earphones functioning; though he takes the hour in stride, seemingly unaffected. Upon reaching the dorm, he encounters a mysterious boy named Pharos, who promptly gives him a contract to sign, providing players the opportunity to name him. The protagonist transfers to Gekkoukan High School the next day. His invitation to study as a transfer student is later revealed that due to his capability to adapt to the Dark Hour, he was moved to the co-ed dorm so his potential can be monitored.
During a full moon the next night, one of the Shadows attacks, causing the protagonist to awaken his initial Persona, Orpheus, using an Evoker. The protagonist has minimal difficulty using the Evoker because he is not afraid of death. The summoning sequence, however, was interrupted as Thanatos bursts forth from Orpheus' head, tearing apart Orpheus and slaying the Shadows. After dispatching the remaining Shadows, the protagonist fainted and was taken to the hospital where he is hospitalized for a week in a coma. While unconscious, he awakens in the Velvet Room, where he learns about his abilities. After recovering from his short coma, the protagonist later learns about the nature of the Shadows and the existence of SEES, and eventually joins SEES. The protagonist is the only character throughout the game with access to the Wild Card ability. The protagonist's past is later revealed after Aigis' memories are restored. In the year 1999, when Death escaped the Kirijo Group, Aigis was dispatched and was in hot pursuit of the Shadow. It is during Aigis' confrontation with Death, during the Dark Hour, that the protagonist's parents died in a burning car crash. Presumably, the protagonist survived due to his potential, allowing him to be active during the Dark Hour. Aigis, knowing that she could not defeat Death, sealed a portion of Death inside the protagonist, thus amplifying the protagonist's capabilities of summoning multiple Personas.
On December 31, Ryoji asks for SEES to make their decision and invites himself into the protagonist's room and sits on his bed. Killing Ryoji would result in erasing the memories of the Dark Hour (the cause of all their pain and suffering), allowing the members of SEES to live their lives as normal high-school students until the arrival of Nyx on the promised day. In an attempt to persuade the protagonist to kill him, Ryoji transforms into his true form as Thanatos, bringer of death. Should the protagonist accept his offer, the SEES members will live on as normal without any memories of the Dark Hour and the Fall and will live on until Nyx appears and annihilates humanity, in which the protagonist and his friends spend their last hours singing karaoke. Making the appropriate decision of declining Ryoji's offer to kill him results in him providing the members of SEES with useful information regarding a confrontation with Nyx and also secures the normal ending. When Ryoji leaves, he tells them to "look forward to the next year," presumably indicating that he, himself, hopes that they can put a stop to Nyx, as well. Ryoji is now reported to transfer to another school and vanishes, ready to bring forth the Fall as the Nyx Avatar.
In SEES' final confrontation with Nyx, specifically Nyx Avatar, the bonds he has forged with SEES and his other friends give him the power to fight the sorrow, depression and apathy of humankind, which were what drew Nyx to Earth, by letting him create the final arcana, the Universe Arcana with the help of Igor. With the power of the Universe, and the cheering of his comrades he ascends to Nyx' true body, the moon, to combat Nyx itself in a one-on-one battle. After being downed and uplifted multiple times by the SEES members' prayers and Nyx's attacks, he eventually reaches his full potential and performs the Great Seal to miraculously seal Nyx, preventing the Fall.
After the battle, Ryoji's voice is heard congratulating SEES. Ryoji claims that the protagonist has "found the answer to life's greatest question." As the Dark Hour and Tartarus disappear, the protagonist is seen returning with a faint smile.
The protagonist clings to life for one month after fighting Nyx. He, unlike the others, retains his memories regarding the Dark Hour and Nyx in order to keep the promise he made to meet his friends on Graduation Day. After saying goodbye to everyone and all of his Social Links around the school and city, once his oath was fulfilled, he "falls asleep" in Aigis' lap on the roof of the school, smiling peacefully in the warm sunset surrounded by windmills. Aigis swears that she will live her life protecting him, unaware that he is dying at that very moment.
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]
As a stage element[edit]
The Protagonist, along with his female counterpart, have their feet shown on the television in Mementos when Persona 3 music is playing. This is taken directly from the opening to Persona 3 Portable.
As a costume[edit]
A DLC costume for Mii Swordfighter based on the Protagonist is available for purchase in Ultimate. This changes the sword trails to blue, harkening back to the aesthetics of Persona 3.
In Super Smash Bros. 5[edit]
As a playable character[edit]
Main articles: Makoto Yuki (SSBU)
Makoto Yuki was confirmed to appear in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a playable character on December 6th, 2024 during The Game Awards 2024. He is the first DLC fighter to be part of Fighters Pass Vol. 1 in Smash 5. He will be released on March 5th, 2025 along with Tartarus.
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
 Japanese |
ペルソナ3主人公, Persona 3 Protagonist |
 English |
Persona 3 Protagonist |
 French |
Protagoniste de Persona 3 |
 German |
Persona 3-Hauptfigur |
 Spanish |
Héroe de Persona 3 |
 Italian |
Eroe di Persona 3 |
 Chinese |
Persona 3主角的, Persona 3 Protagonist |
 Korean |
페르소나 3 주인공, Persona 3 Protagonist |
 Dutch |
Held-uit-Persona 3 |
 Russian |
главного героя Persona 3, Persona 3 Main Character |
Trivia[edit]
- Although a female protagonist for Persona 3 was introduced in Persona 3 Portable, the Mii Swordfighter costume uses the male design for both the male and female Miis.
External links[edit]
- Article on the Megami Tensei Wiki
- Mii Fighter Costumes #1 Trailer
