Persona 4 and Life // Codex Entry

hmu we'll get some ramen and catch a serial killer, it'll be great.
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[@CheesyBlueNips]

oh dude you can't just drop these persona feels on me again. making me all teary with happiness

[@rockman1811]

i started crying while watching this

[@LevantineR1]

I just got home from getting drunk for a friend's birthday. I've been up 30 hours, and we all shared info we can't take back tomorrow. It was a good day...and a half. Like this video says, getting drunk and sharing embarrassing details is a thing worth doing. This video has made me re-evaluate Persona 4, and I didn't exactly think poorly of it to begin with. I'll be following this channel closely in the future.

[@lolersthe4th880]

I genuinely can't wait for this channel to blow up in popularity. I'm absolutely enamored with the quality and format of your content. It's honestly lamentable that you've entered the KZbin circuit in such a tumultuous time, however, I'm confident that sheer class and commitment will propel you into prominence.

[@CodexEntry]

Thanks a lot, I really appreciate the compliment. The state of KZbin does unnerve me a bit, but I'm optimistic about it in the long run. Things tend to work themselves out, and even if KZbin dies, I'll find some other way to get out there.

[@lolersthe4th880]

Reassuring to hear that you're committed to getting your content out there. Always anticipating your future videos man. Your love letter to Undertale had me chocked up and I never even played the damn thing lol, but it just resonated with me. Seriously, good job and good luck.

[@TheOnirayju]

Holy shit, when corners of memories came on and i saw that cutscene, as well as your speech, i couldn't help but cry, well done man

[@gigan1054]

I don’t think it’s pathetic that these felt like friendships. It just shows how well these characters were written.

[@m.czandogg9576]

Damn this was 10/10, almost got me a lil choked up.

[@gregorychristian3643]

i always thinks that Persona 4 protagonist is the luckiest persona's protagonist ever, idk i played all the persona games and yeah, he is really lucky like he is always happy and the trouble they faced always ended with happy endings. but yeah really dude you really deserve much much more recognition with your video's quality

[@adachicabbage3847]

Goddamn. This video hit me harder than it should've. Your channel is phenomenal. As someone who prefers P4G to P5, this video explained my feelings to a tee. Thank you.

[@iximmalicexl9749]

Had a friend that passed very recent and its true about this and persona in general. Getting to know people and hangout with your friends making memories. I didnt cry when he died because all i had was good memories but somtimes it gets to me

[@spoopzey]

Just watched my closest friend that I've literally known most of my life (since I was like 4 or 5) get married. There was a time in high school where we sort of stopped talking again like it was stated on the video, just sort of because we were doing different things. He was in football and I was just kind of a nerdy kid, granted I mean he was too but he also played football and it was time consuming for him. Anyway, he will be moving away within the next 6 months because him and his wife have some jobs lined up there. So that sucks but it reminds me of the end of persona 4 a little bit. The main thing is though, when he was up at the Altar getting married it just hit me so hard. "I remember that goofy little kid who used to say this and used to do that!" and all the experiences we had together led up to this very moment. It was like our social link hit 10 or something I swear. Even though my friend is moving away soon, I'm gonna spend as much time with him before then and I'm gonna make it a point to visit him and his wife whenever I can. :) Edit: also just a side note, recently showed this friend of mine persona 5 and he's totally hooked. He got a ps4 from his wife as a wedding present because she knew he wanted one badly to play it.

[@TheTyupi]

I hope things are going well. 🙏

[@icommentbutimalwayslate7392]

nerd

[@dismaljupiter4030]

You really don't get the recognition you deserve man keep up the good work with these. They always leave me with a powerful impact feeling at the end thank you.

[@CodexEntry]

These comments are always my favorite. Thank you.

[@Steevuhnn]

finished both p3 and p4 codex entry. I love it!

[@CodexEntry]

Glad you enjoyed em! P5 video will probably be out within the next few weeks, so stay tuned for that

[@vee4771]

I cried. I watched the P3 video then this one. and I cried at the end of this. I never really understood why I loved this particular game. these characters. P5 is overall a better game. But I had such an attachment to these characters. I cry every time I beat this game. and I actually, whether realizing it or not, opened myself up to the people around me after my first playthrough. It's okay to share. to be open to, to be free. Im very much a mixture of Kanji and Naoto. I spent so long repressing that I was a transwoman. but after I became more sociable and open. closer with the people around me. I accepted myself. and so did the people around me. The social link system, these characters, they helped me grow as a person. I wouldn't be who I am today if it weren't for persona 4. And your video made that click. Persona 4 isn't just a good RPG and social simulator with characters you get attached to. It's a platform to convey the idea that friendship is truly special and that nothing is more important than to be open to those around you. thank you. I love your channel and I will be looking forward to anything you upload in the future. that was beautiful.

[@povilasl5383]

Your content is amazing dude, I watched your Neon Genesis Evangelion video and at the end you mentioned P4. I had watched P5 back in 2017 and thought that the game is a masterpiece so I decided why not? Im going to watch Persona 4 Golden. Wow. I am still in shock how great and amazing this game is and I feel like it might be even better than Persona 5. Video is seriously awesome and I wish it would get more attention, everything in this video could help people overcome their insecurities and just teach them how to live a happier and awesome life. From the bottom of my heart, Thank you, without you I wouldn't have watched Persona 4 and wouldn't have realized all of these things.

[@CodexEntry]

Hey guy, this is a soft follow up to my video about Persona 3! If you haven't seen it yet, check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoawqpiEq5KUpqs Also, reminder that I'll be streaming Smash Bros. Melee this Thursday! Swing by if you gotta moment!

[@benmazza]

Everything you said was 100% correct about this game and life. After finishing this game I wanted to make sure that I had taken something from it with me into my life because it was just that impactful on me and really changed my mindset on how I view my friends and family and also myself as well. I only recently beat it and I'm still feeling them post persona feeling, it's like a bittersweet feeling, accomplished but sad.

[@SkyeLvl1]

A very heartfelt and in-depth look. Fantastic stuff!

[@thecollinhill]

Dude, you nailed it. This video brought a tear to my eye. Good job. I have subscribed to you after this video alone. Keep it up!

[@DTWesker]

Nice writing and very intriguing ideas! Can't wait to see how you perceive Persona 5!

[@nunothedude]

This hit me hard and i relate so damn much with the whole people grow apart, no matter how friendly u are they will always leave you, same goes for the conection to the charaters, as a teen (when i first played this game) i considered the charaters my friends, and since i had no friends as a teen this game really helped me, gave me friends, a world where i was needed and had a goal, thanks for making this video, it explains perfectly why i feel in love with p4g and persona as a whole

[@DeadRebornKid]

God dammit, 7:00 somebody pass me the tissues...

[@reembeem1725]

Real talk

[@darkool]

my favorite game of all time, and you nailed explaining it, i subscribed.

[@Lextzo]

Holy shit, I can't believe that your videos don't have more views. You're an amazing writer, presenter and you put to words what so many have tried to convey before, Amazing work. Sharing this with everyone I can!

[@frogicalon1627]

I haven't played any persona games but this video really got to me. The message in this video is one that I can really resonate with.

[@Giggeles]

Wow you stated everything I loved about persona 4

[@Alex-mb2cy]

Beautiful game. Definitely will replay it someday, I loved P4G.

[@twangyflame0969]

Now if only had people to connect with on a deeper level. The only problem I run into P4's message isn't like what P3 did to me. I haven't gone all of P4, doing that now, but P4 is both an acknowledgement of how I ciew the world and a complete rejection of it at the same time. To me, life is what you make. You have to grab by the throat and make it into whatever your desires because it means you are alive. P4 rejects that. It says that while you should try and make the most out of life, you also shouldn't be bummed out if life just so happens to move you on. You can't cling on and force your way. You're on a timer. You gotta move. There is no waiting around and there is no time to be clingy. Accept your reality and move forward with pride that you had those experiences. That is a message, I think I can let into my heart. I might just strike up a couple friends.

[@night1952]

That's what i loved the most about P4, spending time with friends and getting to know them, and it's also the main thing i look forward to in FFXV once i get to play it, the roadtrip, i don't care about the plot at all, and well, obviously i'm looking forward to that too in P5

[@rgreenberg35]

Thank you for making this. I cried too at the end of Persona 4 because I knew I would never share a new moment with my new friends again. And no, Dancing All Night does not count. Quit that story after one hour because of how stupid it was lol

[@FlattyMchesterson]

these videos you made are fucking so underrated it’s a crime!

[@pheonix3278]

I never thought a KZbin video could make me tear up.

[@kjriwoutube]

Persona 4 is my favourite persona game followed by 3 then 5I proposes that which game 3 or 4 you play first is the one u like most started with 4 so its has the most impact another great video you describe my thoughts exactly about p5

[@joshuapineda1369]

I am 3 years too late. I just played persona 4 and finished it. And I must say, when nevermore played at the end I cried. It was one of the few games that made me fall in love with the chsracters so much. And it surprised me how I am so attached to the game by the end of it all. All the social links, all the interactions, all the events that happened, they just all just came together inside me at the end. It was I was like the protagonist, I don't want to go and I don't want to leave but at the same time I know I must go. After playing, it made me miss all my friends so much. I would reminisce of all the hijinks and silliness we all did when we were younger, and all the tears we cried out when one of us is in pain. Anyway, sure this persona is not the best persona game in terms of gameplay or story but this game, the investigation team, and all of Inaba will always have a special place in my heart. Great content btw. This vid made me subscribe. And since after the lockdown in my country I plan on P5royal, I'll watch your video by that time lol.

[@moneym0ney]

I am so glad I accidentally stumbled upon your channel. Binge watched a bunch of your videos for the past few hours but upon finishing I this one I literally had to stop, rewind the video and just let all the emotions settle down. I have always had a deep appreciation for the persona series (granted I haven't played 1, 2, 2.5 or any of the SMT series, hoping to remedy that someday), but this perfectly describes everything I love about the series. I don't say this anywhere as often as I should but thank you for making this video, however meaningless the thanks of a random internet commenter is.

[@CodexEntry]

The thanks of random internet commenters is essentially the whole reason I've kept up with doing this. With the amount of effort I put into these, It's always incredibly rewarding to hear that people appreciate it, so thanks a lot, I'm glad you like them.

[@TheElectricHobo]

Holy shit dude. Persona 4 is my favorite game ever for every reason you stated here. You're an excellent writer and I hope to see your channel grow to reflect the quality you put out. On a related note, are you planning on eventually doing a similar video for P5? So far I love it but I'm 110 hours in and... I still don't feel quite right with it. It just doesn't hit me the way that P4 and to a lesser extent P3 did. Sure, the game looks incredible and plays like a dream, but... It's just missing something. But maybe I'm crazy and just haven't realized why P5 is the greatest creation of mankind yet haha. What's your take on it, if you've played the game at all yet?

[@JZStudiosonline]

I'm 70 hours in and I don't like P5 as much either. At the end of P4 (I watched NakaTeleeli do a full LP after hearing about Persona from a Best Friends play episode, both of which I HIGHLY recommend, Naka is AMAZING (He also did a really good LP of P3)) I also actually almost cried, and I'm about the most heartless depressed person you can meet, but maybe that's also the reason why. P4 did have sad themes and a lot of shit's going down, but you have a great cast of characters that help you through it and move on with your life. At the end of P3 I understood, but I certainly didn't have the same feeling. there were always elements that felt odd to me, even though the entire story was altogether sadder with many characters actually dying. I can understand why people like it, and some of the links were great, but why could you never spend time with half of your team mates? Not to mention about half of the links I either flat out disliked or just don't remember. I skipped the fat kid completely. The thing is though, even in both of those games, one focused on death and many sad melancholy moments, there were lots of times when the characters got together, talked and did this thing with their faces... I think it's called smiling, followed by laughing. P5, so far has had about 5 great setups for these times, but instead chooses to do nothing with them. You don't bond with characters when you're on vacation in Hawaii and they just complain about not doing anything. Then on the last day you're forced to pick time to spend with one character, and all the girls end up pretty much the same. It's a nice time, but it's not a fun time. Junpei in P3 was great comic relief, trying to lighten the mood when things got too serious, as one might. Which again leads me to (After seeing P4 before 3) wondering why, when he's set up from the beginning like a fun social link, you never spend time with him leading to his sudden but inevitable betrayal. P4 was filled with moments that were kooky, but believable. Many people have memories of things like that happening. P4A reinforced the humor dramatically, making the entire series a damn good time, but I'll be damned if I didn't cry in the middle during Mitsuo's video game castle fight. In P3, you're technically there for your friends through life AND death, on many levels. I understand that, and it's what makes it great. In P4, they reinforce the fact that you're there for you're friends through life, literally battling their inner demons. In P5, I haven't spent time with Futaba, but she seems to be about the closest match to that. All the rest of the social links seem pretty one track minded, and it's pretty easy to figure out where they'll go from the beginning. Starting off your party links in P4 by initially knowing and understanding their inner demons/feelings really helps reinforce their friendship as they come to terms with it. P5 is just "My friends working hard at physical rehab, so I'm going to take modelling seriously." That's cool, but it's just not really the same as Yukiko's and Chie's dependence on one another, or even more closely, Rise worrying that her modelling/acting is becoming detrimental to her actual persona and who she is as a person with all of these other "fake" Rise personas constantly surrounding her and being in the watchful eye of the media and the public. Honestly it just seems to make the P5 waifu wars really dumb to me, since the characters don't have that much depth. On a side note, I still think Naoto's link, while super adorable as she becomes more comfortable with her feminine side in both appearance and voice, was pretty dumb. I mean come on, of course the butler did it... I think she just kept it up as an excuse to spend time with Yu. Whatchu think Danny Boy?

[@bikit1316]

for me p5 better almost in all way than previous games... maybe its you missing something!

[@BelodyEpic]

I think it is because P4G spends so much time on fleshing out the characters and building their relationships with both each other and you. The characters are made a group and stay a group of close friends because they genuinely care about each other and seem like friends and those bonds are what make the game so emotional and long lasting. On the other hand, almost every interaction between the cast of Persona 5 seems like it only happens for the phantom thieves. Collecting information for the phantom thieves, entering palaces for the phantom thieves, going somewhere to see what people think of the phantom thieves. They seem less like genuine friends than business partners, at least to me and that sucks because it makes the game a lot less memorable and enjoyable for me. Luckily the side characters and all the improvements to the gameplay, graphics etc make up for that in a way but it still doesn't detract from the fact that the game feels less special to me.

[@JZStudiosonline]

Yeah, pretty much. It became evident to me pretty early on that all the group cared about was their reputation, and the MC is supposed to as well, leading to the conflict. The issue is, not only did I see it coming, but I also didn't particularly care about the groups reputation, and they all started just doing it for themselves basically. I'm not a big fan of watching people stroke their ego. It's almost like someone should've phantom thieved the phantom thieves. I also watched the Persona 3 movies, which reminded me of why I don't like it that much. Apart from only liking half the characters and not being able to talk to half your S.E.E.S. group, there's just all kinds of big story line plot holes that aren't ever actually explained. Oh, and the entire intro to the game was awful. The movie kind of emphasizes this, while also making it painfully clear that the MC apparently never gave a shit about anything until about the week before he died. Persona 4 has a very tight, very focused story, and doesn't try to do anything crazy and thus basically prevents any plot holes from forming.

[@eduardorpg64]

I love your channel.

[@minimegandara]

Youve described the game the way I've thought about it but never had the right words

[@leeannh5303]

This is great man, I hope you make one for persona 5!

[@christoptheillusiveman9875]

This guy gets it

[@pelgervampireduck]

I know what you mean, I love 4, it's my favorite, and "I miss them", like if they were real friends. I wish I could experience it for the first time again, I can replay it, but it will never be the same as the first time, and the ending is so emotional, and sometimes I get angry when I think about it, like "WHY DOES IT HAVE TO END? WHY CAN'T ALL OF THEM STAY TO LIVE IN THE TOWN AND BE FRIENDS FOREVEEEEEEEER????????!!!!! WHYYYYYYYYYYYY???????????!!!". this will sound pathetic, sad, and super cringe, but I'm shy, quiet, introverted, so in reality I never made "my group of friends", I never spent a cool magic summer with friends, or a cool birthday party with friends, or anything like that. I'm a loner, not by choice, I grew up with very controlling overprotective sheltering parents that didn't let me have friends or do things with people my age. Even when I already was like 17 or 18, I couldn't go out to the mall or the pizza place with classmates. Even asking "can I go to a classmate birthday party?" was enough to get my parents very angry screaming for two hours "HOW CAN YOU DO THIS TO MEEEE?!!!!!" and ground me, so in the rare occasions I was invited to things, I automatically said no. It wasn't worth it to risk asking at home "can I go?" because it meant hours of screams and the anger of the whole family. (my parents called aunt and grandma and my "crime" became the "family drama" of the week, they all got angry "HOW CAN YOU DO THIS TO YOUR PARENTS!!!!!"). I never developed social skills, I still don't know how to make friends, how to approach people and talk, I get so nervous in social situations it's like I forget how to talk, when I'm surrounded by people I want to run home and hide under my bed and never come out of my room again hahaha. To put things into perspective, my only friend in the last 10 years was a coworker. At least from my point of view. I thought we were friends, not just coworkers because we talked all day, we chatted, texted or went for coffee or mcdonalds outside of work hours, at work he wad lunch together, we gave advice to each other, we had good laughs, we helped each other... I felt like finally there was another protagonist in my series. One day she got a better job and left :( . We kept in touch, but it's not the same, life gets in the way, I guess it happens to school friends too when school ends, they say "we'll keep in touch" but they go separate ways. ( I wouldn't know because I didn't have school friends). Judging by some conversations we had, the "we are the best friends" thing was one sided and for her I was a normal coworker, not a friend. It's ok, I understand her point of view. She's an extrovert, she has lots of friends, lots of activities, so for her I was just a guy from work, just one more among all the people she knows, and that's perfectly fine. She's the normal one and I'm the bad guy here, I'm the freak that confused being coworkers that talk all day with being friend friends. I define it as "for me she was the other main character in my movie, for her I was a secondary character in a previous season". Ok, sorry for the rant, what I wanted to say is I'm a lonely guy, I didn't have the "group of friends" when I was a teenager and I still don't have a group of friends, and I'm so stupid that I confused "friendly coworker" with "we are the best friends". Persona 4 was the closest I got to discover how it feels to have a group of friends. It's like I wanted to stay in that town becuase those were MY friends, that was MY gang, we had our adventures, we had our funny moments, we had our emotional moments, I know it's not real, I know it's fiction, I know those people don't exist, and I feel like "how stupid and pathetic loser I am that Persona 4 is the closest I ever had to live those experiences?". (yeah, I hate myself and my life, I don't know why I haven't killed myself yet). I didn't feel the same connection with the cast of Persona 5, it's not a bad game, but the setting and the characters didn't have that magic, it wasn't "magical time with my group of friends when I was a teenager" simulator like Persona 4 was. I wanted the story to never end, I wanted to be there, I can't listen to any of the songs without getting so much nostalgia I become emotional, I can't watch the ending without crying. Persona 4 is very special to me.. sorry for the wall of text and the pathetic cringe.

[@TheCullenHarkins]

Great video

[@P0rk_Sinigang]

What a day for rain.

[@7elevenhomelessman310]

You ever notice yu's calendar is p3

[@theminimanx]

And another 10/10 Persona video. Now I feel really bad for abandoning Persona 4 after Mitsuo because of the difficulty. Dear Atlus, why did you not let me lower the difficulty mid-way through the game?

[@KisaragiZeet]

Guess who just got a subscriber. Great video =]

[@absol15]

I hope you could do Ni No Kuni! I love your video essays man. You deserve way more subscribers.

[@sovietiguanakirillpindado5750]

"Get drunk, confess something embarrassing... " I WANT TO PEE

[@PetraDunamancer]

Do one for persona 5!

[@1groovigyrl]

0:08 what is that music playing seriously?!?!

[@CodexEntry]

Electronica In Velvet Room off of the P4 OST

[@1groovigyrl]

Codex Entry thanks!

[@SaberRexZealot]

Has there ever been a bad Persona game?

[@CodexEntry]

+SaberRexZealot even the worst SMT games are still better than 90% of games

[@sakumintsu]

up next: Persona 5 and Stealing Shit

[@KuroNoTenno]

This video is really hard to watch if you have depression.

[@helljump123]

So Persona 3 deals with death and depression, Persona 4 deals with life and friendship, and Persona 5 I'm a little iffy with considering the ending seemed like anti-religion message. If you made a video about the true message of persona 5 I would love to watch man because i understand the part dealing with freedom and liberty through Akira's life and I see it through his friend as you improve with your confidants, but i feel there is something missing in my understanding.

[@CodexEntry]

I'm planning on dropping a P5 vid this month, but overall P5 is about self ownership and replacing the old. Every character's story is defined around them doing something for someone they hate out of a sense of obligation and/or social pressure and everyone unlocks their persona when they tell that person in question to fuck off and start doing things for themselves. I'm gonna go way more into this later, but that's roughly the size of it.

[@helljump123]

Codex Entry Ok, thank you! BTW love your lore videos .

[@ffarchduke]

the writing in that game was sooooooo bad