Goro Akechi, A Story: From Hatred to Love

[@galaxysleeper]

"Akechi is NOT hot!" *Not even 5 minutes later* "I will admit that Akechi is good looking..." I felt that

[@GiblesWantToHug2651]

Me too XD

[@theonegoldengryphon]

So did Joker, according to some! Lol

[@theoutsiderjess1869]

I thought he was just cute lmao

[@jillreyerma7592]

@@theonegoldengryphon "He's too pretty to be wrong"

[@bb_pink_gay_and_depressed]

Sooooooooooo true lol 😅🤗

[@french_comet]

Everything changed the moment she realised she could have him in her party.

[@salmonfish4829]

Till the Fire Nation attacked*

[@Da1337Man]

I think the shift happened when she made him feel unwanted in the cafe 2:56

[@luxsuperbia1531]

technically the thirst started with the "wrong name in bed" moment

[@gaylordcomic]

Everything changed when the akechi attacked

[@reneedaughtry5889]

I dont think so, I think it was truly a gradual change. Once she started to learn that he truly like Joker and his whole "evil plan" was to make shido pay for his wrongs... well let's just say that sometimes a tortured character is poorly written, THEN you have Akechi. Imo probably the the best tortured character I've seen. Well done Persona dev team.

[@idioticpanther8068]

From wanting to murder the dude to crying when he does die. Now that's the true effect of the UNO reverse card!

[@HappyPotat]

Akechi's true arcana.

[@Trickster44]

@@HappyPotat the reverse card is the means by which all is revealed

[@man-wv8xj]

My heart fucking shattered when she started crying dude like holy shit I sympathized with Akechi but now I’m internally sobbing over him too lmao

[@Ansytea]

"I hate this guy can he die already"

[@mightyminotaur5056]

Idiotic Panther I AM THOU, THOU ART I... THOU HAST TURNED A VOW INTO A BLOOD OATH. THY BOND SHALL BECOME THE WINGS OF REBELLION AND BREAK THE YOKE OF THY HEART. THOU HAST AWAKENED TO THE ULTIMATE SECRET OF THE NO U, GRANTING THEE INFINITE POWER.

[@pizzamafioso9191]

Akechi: "Let's be friends" Christaaal: "I hate him so much" ... Akechi:"I hate you with all my guts, Joker" Christaaal:"Oooh, now i am curious"

[@kristen5149]

What a lesson in dating.

[@YunelKuroya]

As I mentioned in another comment. No one likes fake personas and liars. But when someone expresses themselves truefully you can actually start connecting to them. Even if it is as messed up as in Akechis case.

[@captainfluffy7232]

Time to use my Gamer subskill [women]< [based] [cringe] [*throw controller*]

[@THExRISER]

Like Tsuukime said, once he laid his true feelings then we'd actually start getting somewhere.

[@Moggetslittlesister]

First minute: *extremely sarcastically* "Good old Akechi, I love this guy so much." Last minute: *extremely sincerely* "Good old Akechi, I love this guy so much."

[@knightshade2654]

It rhymes. It's like poetry.

[@squallofthedai]

Nah, this guy was no better than Shido

[@ClawedAsh]

@@squallofthedai That's... certainly a take

[@dsfmdiya7500]

@@squallofthedai You have the right to have opinions, even if they suck☺️

[@fernandozavaletabustos205]

Robbie Daymond made an excellent job voicing Akechi!!

[@apersonnamedjune]

“Can he die already?” “This game is trying to tell me that Akechi is gonna shoot me” hm,

[@KarmaDream7]

966 Likes and not a single comment, how suspicious.

[@caniputmyballsinurjaws6985]

Ye

[@brunonicolascavicchioli2973]

@@KarmaDream7 there's nothing to say

[@ifallintofantasy]

@@brunonicolascavicchioli2973 she basically guessed the plot or theorised about the black mask. she worked it out when the pancake thing happen but then forgot it because Akechi was out of the picture - then when he shot joker she remembered it again.

[@brunonicolascavicchioli2973]

@@ifallintofantasy I know, I didn't say anything about it, I just commented about that there is nothing to say about the comment

[@HappyPotat]

*Akechi acts nice* "I hate you" *Akechi talks about how much he hates Joker* *Confused emotions*

[@YunelKuroya]

Because no one likes a liar. You can deal with honest people.

[@dsfmdiya7500]

@@YunelKuroya Yeah, I think it was a joke

[@betsareoff6821]

still a better love story than twilight

[@fl4shzray]

YES

[@Luka-vt2ry]

Oh God, I'm still crying for laughs

[@grumbledor9592]

That's a pretty low bar

[@meutia5581]

OMG so true

[@shinyblue4774]

That's not hard to do

[@m1tchorry]

I think you probably created an Akechi-themed Palace within yourself after playing this game.

[@ryokiritani4187]

It's basically Futaba's but with Akechi instead

[@a.fernando4319]

@@ryokiritani4187 a fairy tale base one,she is waiting for akechi,but he never come back,the tower only will fall went she can leave her grief.

[@gajaan316]

@@a.fernando4319 so like the tower from rapunzel

[@namiothe5th211]

There is some files in the game that said akechi was originally suppose to have a palace, perhaps he was the palace before shido instead of sae

[@ryokiritani4187]

@@a.fernando4319 the sub boss in the middle of the palace is cognitive Akechi who ignores the female party members because he only has eyes for Crysta

[@paddythelegend1671]

Her relationship with Akechi is basically Akechi's relationship with Joker

[@kiagon5606]

yo i noticed that too.

[@Nyurufu]

I wish the devs could see this video so they would know what an amazing job they did with this character.

[@CrystAAHHL]

ME. TOO. MOOD. AAAAAHHHHHHH Atlus ILY

[@CrazeeAdam]

I tweeted the devs (Atlus) with this video lol. XD who knows.

[@dragonblood800]

and make him a romance option please god please-

[@Herrscher-of-Autism]

@@dragonblood800 yes please YES PLEASE YES PLEASE YES PLEASE YES PLEASE YES PLEASE YES PLEASE YES PLEASE YES PLEASE YES PLEASE YES PLEASE YES PLEASE YES PLEASE YES PLEASE!

[@plumeria72]

@@Herrscher-of-Autism I need this in my life in approximately 9.58 seconds.

[@thomasfairburn5254]

It's fun seeing someone's view of a character changing from start to the end. It goes to show how Royal did Akechi Justice by fleshing out the incomplete parts of him from Vanilla P5.

[@cactusguy8762]

Was.............was that Justice Arcana pun intentional?

[@Speckmantelmade]

It was like that for me, too. In vanilla, I was mostly annoyed by Akechi. Especially when the info bomb is dropped on you in Shido's palace. You're supposed to care for it when you have never really interacted with the guy other than randomly just see him somewhere? But more so the fact they made him a wildcard (or fake Igor did), telling you this genius boy is your rival. But you do nothing with him until that fight in Shido's palace. Royal had me bawling my eyes out two times for Akechi. One of them being the exact same scene I was so indifferent towards in vanilla. When the barrier is up and his voice just gets calm. That is who he could have been if he only met those kids earlier. Needless to say, I have a "bad ending" save file under the true ending save file. Where dis boi just camps at Leblanc with the others

[@Alhapra]

Oooo, now I want P5 Royal port to PC moree to really have real interaction with Akechi.. I'm still playing P5 original for the first time on emulator and I just have finished Shido's ship, It was sad :((

[@InsideCat]

@@Alhapra "P5 Royal port to PC" ...🤩(GETTING THAT AND THEN SOME! 😤)

[@lucassworldofletsplays9270]

I see what you did there…

[@funywunky]

Almost no one points out about how Joker was the first person Akechi went looking for after he came back.

[@watchervi660]

Oh yeah. He did that. He radiates too much gay energy.

[@danielwoods3896]

@@watchervi660 gay energy?

[@user-garnet]

@@danielwoods3896 yes, gay energy

[@danielwoods3896]

@@user-garnet what exactly is gay energy

[@Blue_124th]

@@danielwoods3896 not the straight energy

[@irlquicksilver]

If you wanna make it worse, in the third semester your rank 10 confidants wake to their ultimate personas in their bedrooms. Their home. Akechi wakes to hereward in leblanc. Do with that what you will

[@skywoofyt5375]

oh my god Joker and leblanc is the closest thing he has to a place he can truly call a home, fuck.... 😭

[@MysteriousSubstance]

Oh. My. God.

[@rosestrohm7986]

Is Akechi a hobo?

[@TayDoesStuff]

@@rosestrohm7986 He has an apartment so no but he is for sure a homo and we support him

[@5Geass]

@@rosestrohm7986 As far as I know, he has his own condo? Or at least his own place. But, I imagine it's quite lonely there...Especially for someone who was orphaned(and essentially abandoned by the other parent), and then passed around through the foster care system(which is very much SHIT in Japan) and then just...everything we know about him feeling not accepted or loved by others(let's be real, the 'love' from his fans is superficial at best)... Yeah, Leblanc was probably the only place he felt a genuine connection with someone. Didn't feel lonely or empty. Like his own home.

[@hadeesumbra9435]

"I don't trust this guy!" Game: "OH, so you want to take a bath together with him, then??"

[@The_True_Dark_King]

Well, taking a bath together with someone does deepen trust...

[@Mr-Green0]

What, no! Was the game not listening?

[@RayReyRei]

To quote a certain wise white-haired protein lover once said: "I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS!"

[@yurikuki]

I hope they remake or port p3 in PC

[@Rapdragon222]

Akihiko

[@AnaTheUser]

@@yurikuki I wish that too

[@Gameorama91]

She's gotta get through P4 first, she'll get there eventually lol

[@lynxz-studios]

Akihiko: Did’ja see that, Shinji?? 30 seconds later: *cries*

[@beetljam792]

thank you for noticing that even when akechi's dropped the cheery attitude in 3rd sem he's still putting up barriers. i think some people think that 3rd sem goro is the 'real' goro but he's still acting to some extent (ofc real goro is an asshole sometimes but not all the time like in 3rd sem because people have MULTIPLE FACETS AND EMOTIONS). i think people get far too black and white about akechi's character, forgetting that both loki AND robin hood are akechi's personas. you can't just fake your personas, they both reflect his true internal self. at least he got to be real around joker. this game makes me think too much.

[@machudaimarunrak6292]

It is true though. People are not black and white and that's a fact. People are complex.

[@MementoMori7777]

I thought robin hood was just Loki Disguised.

[@mondelsson]

I still never got that attached to akechi. I think he's cool but I just couldn't gel with his character. But I think part of that is because in real life I can tell when people are trying to seem like something they aren't and it makes me dislike them. I just want to know who the real person is not what they want me to think about them. But the fact that the game gave me that feeling about someone who doesn't exist speaks volumes about the writing.

[@machudaimarunrak6292]

@@mondelsson I think the game want us to dislike or not trust him. He is obviously putting on a fake face, but in the end at least he's more honest about himself. The game didn't want us to like him, but at least understand that he's a product of corrupted society and what someone could fall into. It's ok not to like him. He's more like a rival that you sympathize with than friend.

[@theoutsiderjess1869]

He's holding back because he knows he is going to die again and maybe acting like that would help the protagonist grieve a little less and do his job he is basically being bad cop to make sure the protagonist return reality back too its original state

[@TPalidin]

Joker: Hang out with Akechi at the Pancake place. Also Joker: I would like to order some... PANCAKES. Akechi: *Screams internally at Joker*

[@diamondz4057]

@@beastalchemistVA yes

[@blackbun130]

When his character development is so good that YOU go through character development

[@shi333san]

Akechi is NOT hot I guess he's good-looking He lookin' fly af Truly a roller coaster of emotions.

[@SalixSucksAtEverything]

Indeed

[@zelroththeart_zoroark3645]

Man that single clip of you realizing he heard Morgana was a great one. And your character development is just incredible

[@CrystAAHHL]

I'm still REALLY perplexed at the fact that I legit stated "He heard Morgana talk about Pancakes" and even saying that shit OUT LOUD I still didn't pick up on it AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH. I screamed while going back to that clip, realizing what I said X.X Needless to say, I'm a dumbass

[@guardiansoulblade2673]

@@CrystAAHHL Well, considering how he seemed in-game you could tell he was going to be a party member but how he ended up is not the first thing you think of with an innocuous line about pancakes.

[@jacobfreeman5444]

To be fair none of the other characters comment on it at the time. So it is a detail that could fall through the cracks if your busy trying to do things like boost your social stats or get certain relationships maxed. You might not see if being relevant simply because this game is so busy.

[@TheRisingGroupReal]

@@CrystAAHHL Almost everyone glosses over it. It's totally normal!

[@victorsimmons6769]

@@CrystAAHHL you still realized more about that scene than most people tbh

[@shrineofmitski3950]

13:38 Haru: *Mentioning Akechi* CrystAAHHL: *weak* One more! Haru uses *baton pass to Ann* Ann: *a victim we couldn’t save* CrystAAHHL: Crystahhl Despairs

[@lucassworldofletsplays9270]

*3 turns later* CrystAAHHL: Crystaahhl succumbs... *dead*

[@celestinebuendia]

This is the first I’ve seen of a blind Royal playthrough, and it just makes me realize how good they did with Akechi’s confidant. It’s like a different game, with how it gave you that feeling of the friend you can’t save. This video was hilarious, but it was also powerful. Definitely checking out the rest, and thank god to KZbin recommendations.

[@SimianWonder]

Akechi and Kasumi's arcs were reason alone for Royal to exist. By the end of the game they'd cemented themselves as two of my favourite characters in recent memory, which is not something I thought was possible having finished vanilla P5.

[@ianthina980]

Honestly, I loved Kasumi a lot less than Akechi. She was just so pushed as a love interest, I thought it made going through her scenes like a chore to me. I love here *character*. I love her story and what she goes through. But with how hard ATLUS pushed her into the story? It just didn't do her justice imo

[@Sahil909s]

I’m sorry but Kasumi is a bad character compared to Akechi

[@DebbieJacksonArtist]

@@Sahil909s agreed, but then, EVERYONE is a bad character compared to Akechi

[@omarzudan1743]

I love Kasumi but the reason why Royal is so good is because of Akechi and Maruki. Both of those characters shine so bright during the 3rd semester

[@caoisekamay1175]

@@ianthina980 late reply but you're so right. It was clear to me that the third semester was set up to parallel three relationships: Joker and Akechi, Kasumi and Sumire, Maruki and Rumi. It's obvious that the writers initially wanted Sumire to be morally grey compared to the phantom thieves, since her greatest wish is to hijack her "better" sister's life rather than have Kasumi back. A character who is envious of their rival and feels inferior, so she masks her true self for the entire game before finally accepting her own strengths? That's a direct parallel to Akechi. Her story was supposed to show that being rivals doesnt mean hatred and that they actually motivate each other to get better. That would've been super interesting but they had to make her dateable. I guess they assumed we wouldnt wanna date a female character whose story was about envy, being selfish, and inferiority complexes? Idk it was disappointing that they brushed aside how she didn't once wish for Kasumi back and instead just wanted to be her. Wish they would let dateable female characters be darker and flawed.

[@yurikuki]

Joker and Akechi are like the two sides of the same coin. Both have the power of the wild card but chose completely different paths. Joker was hated by the public but chose to love unlike Akechi who was loved by the public but chose to delve deeper into hatred. Although of course it has to do with Akechi's messed up life moving one family to another and having his father resent and use him for his own personal gains.

[@CrazeeAdam]

Well really.. it's truely possible from birth they were set up by the God of Control. It's really bad :( he could've been a good person. If he had any love in his life imo

[@aggressivepianonoises813]

Yeah, Akechi’s life was also predetermined to make him the bad guy, while Joker’s was sort of determined to be the “good guy story”, since they were pitted against each other by Yaldabaoth. I guess that could also be why they never met “a few years earlier”

[@yurikuki]

@@aggressivepianonoises813 The theme of freedom is very well presented in Persona 5 so I believe that they weren't set up. They had the freedom to go down the path they went and Yaldabaoth only observed to see which one would prevail that's why granted them both the persona powers, to see what they'd do with it.

[@zachava]

Two years late to this, but in Joker and Akechi's Showtime attack, there's a background element that says "Two Sides/Same Coin"

[@Lside1340]

​@@zachava *two sides some coin

[@LuckyJayVT]

I had a kinda similar experience to this except I already knew about Akechi’s whole betrayal. I was coming into Royal with the expectations to maybe like him more but I wasn’t expecting anything big. Akechi quickly grew from being the character I cared about the least, to one of my all time favorite characters in anything really. I broke down crying during the final boss because I didn’t wanna see Akechi disappear. Hopefully we get some closure in a future P5 spin off because I wanna see my pancake boy again. ⭐️

[@CrazeeAdam]

I think they tried to throw people off by adding Sumire into the game. And seeing her in the palace you got betrayed in. But yeah.

[@dredshin]

He still wants to duel with us, so maybe we get to see him again in an Arena spin off :)

[@sofi-yj2bg]

you just described my own development with akechi perfectly. like he was one of my least favorite characters in the whole persona series, then in the royal i expected to like him more but he’s definitely one of my favorite characters of all time now.

[@ihavenonamestilldonthaveon8970]

SPOILERS: If persona 5 Arena happens then we might see him again. We're prolly also gonna see Minato alive. With society being rewritten in persona 5, not as many people want to die anymore, which means he doesn't have to be sealed anymore. He'll be able to be freed by Elizabeth who has the wild card now, and be reunited with his grown up friends, who would be like 9 years older than him.

[@themistaken5196]

@@ihavenonamestilldonthaveon8970 No Chances are Minatos physical form is long gone I'm guessing Elizabeth is going to end up absorbing his soul and becoming one with him because she'll do anything to save him

[@averyaustin1]

You know what i just noticed? Crystal harbors the same feelings towards Goro that he harbors towards Joker: They're "interesting", yet they hate them. She goes from wanting him dead to mourning him when she got her wish, and went from seeing him as an annoyance to an invaluable ally that she couldn't do without, like Goro did to Ren and vice versa. It's almost poetic how similar they are in terms of how they feel about people they are conflicted about.

[@Soooooooooooonicable]

It's like watching a spicy cat one day suddenly learning to trust their owner.

[@ShadowOfMassDestruction]

He's not a cat tho...

[@lightningdash3152]

How I wish for Robbie Daymond to see this video.

[@TheMrChipmyster]

Really interesting to see you go from “I wanna kill this guy” to “Why did he have to die”. Truly the hero’s journey of a typical tsundere.

[@vlombardo3982]

Akechi invited me the 16th of november to the jazz club as well, and at first I thought it was just a coincidence. But I noticed that he invited you the same day as well (he had never even invited me to go himself before, I always invited him myself). He wanted to see Joker for what he thought was the last time because he had to kill him? idk, it's weird.

[@robinhoodproductions5102]

yea and it makes me sad as hell

[@johnbao444]

Dunno if someone said it yet, but Akechi's Rank 10 is sacrificing himself for you, similar to other Rank 10s.

[@thegay3394]

WAIT WHAT- H O W DID I MISS THAT CONNECTION- (Proof that Akechi is another romance option... they just didn’t say it-)

[@yilinchua8205]

Yep. That's what makes it more angsty...

[@Bloo_Frost]

Question: how do the others sacrifice themselves for you?

[@johnbao444]

@@Bloo_Frost In battle, if you are in danger of dying/knocking out from an attack, they'll take your place. It's a Rank 9 ability, not 10.

[@Bloo_Frost]

OHHHHH OH my god I feel so stupid thanks for answering!

[@YesLegend936]

“If he heard Morgana...” Me: YES YES YES “He must have heard Ryuji!” Me: You were so close :NotLikeThis:

[@Tim7318-3]

To think that if she connected the dots or at least remembered that scene then she could've avoided getting the bad ending legitimately. I'm still baffled as to her reasoning for taking the deal, especially since the game itself was hinting so hard on how to avoid it. Still liked watching her playthrough though.

[@goroakechi2216]

She does indeed know akechi is the black mask

[@catalyst539]

@@goroakechi2216 you are akechi

[@MrFusion]

​@@Tim7318-3also snitches get stitches, we don't rat on the homies

[@Tim7318-3]

@@MrFusion exactly! Never snitch on the real ones. Looking back I’m actually even more baffled that she managed to get this bad ending which is not only easy to avoid but the game itself pretty much gives you all the signals it can to help you in avoiding it, and yet she managed to dodge P4G’s similar bad ending which is actually harder to avoid because the game doesn’t help you at all with choosing the right dialogues.

[@foxthor0528]

“My suspicion, it’s Akechi. Nah just kidding, it isn’t gonna be Akechi” *is actually Akechi*

[@olympianotter2361]

Yusuke is mad. He will send lobsters your way.

[@diogenes26]

Then he will make a painting about your pain... *Leonardo Da PINCHI*

[@MoriMoon]

And a storm.

[@dejihuam]

I like how you went from “going gay for Yusuke” to “going gay for Yusuke and Akechi” to just “going gay for Akechi.”

[@chianzo5577]

I really loved how you interacted with akechi, everybody hates him and i cannot understand why, i really loved him too

[@biggusdickus9734]

Maybe the reason why everyone dislike him is because he's a serial killer.

[@mariopkmnzelda]

vu hoang Yeah...the fact that Chianzo can’t understand the dislike for him is concerning.

[@chianzo5577]

I loved the character not how he acted in the story, he was a victim to but obviously he was far gone alredy to be considered innocent. In my opinion a great character

[@mariopkmnzelda]

Chianzo he’s a good character, but I wouldn’t call him a likeable one. But a good villain, for sure.

[@biggusdickus9734]

@Tum Tum What argument?

[@toastcat333]

Ah yes. The unarguably best character development in this series.

[@dharmairmansyah2844]

drinking game take a shot when you hear the word "akechi"

[@ChrisBleu]

So you have chosen death...

[@ellafrost999]

I’d die from alcohol poisoning by the end of the video x3

[@LorisNoKami]

I got half way through and collapsed. Hospital has wifi though so I can try and finish the challenge. Round 2 is underway aaaaaand why is machine beeping. That's not goo

[@pixel-8d]

LorisBoi rip

[@LoryK98]

"Can you please die?" *actually dies* "I'll cry a lot"

[@joshcolon8291]

Goro Akechi... what can I say about him? He's a complete psychopath, a murderer, and a willing accomplice in Shido's conspiracy. He killed Futaba's mother and Haru's father, and countless others. He set the Thieves up for their downfall and planned to betray them from the start. And yet, like Crystal said, you can't help but feel bad for him. His whole life has been one big mess because of Shido, and after going through what he did, it would be impossible for anyone to make it out unscathed. It's like Crystal said, despite not liking him at first, he becomes that friend who you want to save, but can't because they're already long gone. Even after everything he did, you want to give him another chance, to help him feel something other than pain and madness. Royal really gives you a chance to learn more about his perspective, his character, what makes him tick. And in the end, despite everything, you end up feeling some semblance of friendship with this maniac. It still doesn't excuse his actions, of course, but it gives you a better understanding of him. We'll never forget you, Crow.

[@yilinchua8205]

CrystAAHHL has the best character development, from really hating Akechi's guts to loving Akechi and announcing the mission to make Akechi happy. Welcome to the GoroBoys club, CrystAAHHL.

[@Lady-of-Shadows70]

This is the full embodiment of the “Enemies to Lovers” trope.

[@duckytape8586]

this hurts so much knowing that all of the phantom thieves ideal realities were created, including Jokers. His ideal isnt having his normal life back, not his criminal record being gone, not anything else. his ideal reality, the only qualifier for his ideal reality, is Akechi.

[@n1pah132]

"I'm done crying!" instantly cuts to crying. For real tho this is a great character arc.

[@LePapillonBrise]

I adore Akechi, and his character - I loved him in vanilla. Although he doesn't come back to life in vanilla ( as you've learned, he stayed dead ), and that was very sad from the very start, he still held an upstanding character. Although we didn't know how he was REALLY like, he was still likeable enough to really appreciate his character. I'm glad you grew to like his character in the end too. He's a very awesome character. Also, how the heck did you catch the pancakes bit but at the sametime miss it? I am surprised!

[@CrystAAHHL]

IM SURPRISED TOO LOLOL Editing this made me extremely angry at myself :,,D

[@pizzaguy6469]

CrystAAHHL be happy that you missed it. If you would have noticed it you wouldn't have felt so conflicted about him during the main story and in the end not enjoyed his character as much as you did

[@LePapillonBrise]

I would disagree, since they made it SO obvious who the traitor was even without the Pancake comment. Even then: it still would've led to the same experience. Sure, some would think: "Oh, maybe he's just a red herring." But who else could it possibly be? One KZbinr suspected Futaba, but why would she betray you after changing her heart? There is Sae, that some suspect, but she had a Shadow in the first place, so she couldn't possibly have a Persona beforehand... All the characters had the chance to use their power for bad... But instead chose to use it for good... Who else could it be, but Akechi? I'm sure you would've had the same experience with Akechi - from hating him to loving him. Either way. 💙

[@pizzaguy6469]

Lepapillonbrise That's fair. I just meant it's a difference between suspecting he is hiding something and knowing he is hiding something. His backstory would still hit her the same tho

[@destruidordossonhos7718]

Lepapillonbrise In the Anime Yu had a shadow in the end...

[@degeneratemale5386]

Local woman goes from hating character into crying for him in 19 minutes

[@dgcfgvvgb6555]

*11:30

[@erickurquidez8944]

Akechi looks light light yagami for a reason, he's a walking death note reference, in a mementos convo he mentions how people look at him weird when he buys A SINGLE APPLE FOR LUNCH!

[@ianstewart9880]

Akechi was a very hastily written character in vanilla p5, he felt very plot device-ey, switching from scene to scene without any sense of transition. royal adding a dedicated confidant to him changed everything, they filled out his character so much more and he feels like a person now. my personal theory is that akechi got out of shidos palace alive, but marukis created a reality where akechi and joker are friends. Akechi went from one of my least favourite characters in vanilla p5 to bring one of my favourite characters in a game of all time

[@infinityeight3800]

The greatest anime character arc, from enemies to friends to lovers

[@Shane_A_M]

Slow burn 500k

[@yilinchua8205]

Summary of P5R plot

[@alleycat2297]

watch me write it

[@Omar-ok7gd]

11:54 ... that moment hit me really hard for personal reasons .. when she said "that one friend you can't save no matter what you try to do" god I hope nobody else suffers that horrible moment like I did

[@Klefth]

"His smile looks fake", "he's TOO friendly", "it's like he's trying too hard". Yup, he was pretty much a textbook psychopath, one of the best I've seen in videogames besides P4's culprit. And once he finally comes to terms with reality and decides to do the right thing at the cost of his life, that huge moment gets pretty much stolen from him, that's why he's so pissed all the time in the 3rd semester. I really appreciate what Royal did for this character. I thought vanilla really mishandled him and ended up turning him into cartoony evil by the end when there was clearly so much more potential to him.

[@Joshua_Cartus]

Oh dude same. But after all the villains to p3 to 5, I decided that I really love the villain in p4. And I love his voice actor too.

[@music79075]

Wouldnt Adachi be more of a Sociopath?

[@Witch_MAHO]

@@music79075 Yeah he'd be a sociopath. He didn't have a great childhood, but he wasn't always messed up in head at a super young age. I think around his early teens is where he started to change for the worst.

[@madeliefynana]

Isn't that more of a psychopath? I mean Akechi is a textbook sociopath since he is way too "emotional"

[@hyakky9945]

Crystal at the start: i hate this boi Crystal at the end: I would die for this boi

[@olan13]

I have a someone close to me who is struggling through heroin addiction and your reaction to Akechi's character shed a new light that made me sympathize even more. Thanks for sharing

[@CrystAAHHL]

Connections to characters always hit harder when you have someone in your personal life that is similar to their situations.. That's where my empathy for Akechi came from, and that's why I also wish you the best with your friend as well! Stay strong

[@unhappyrefrain]

11:51 was soooo deeply moving to me. i love akechi very much and i often shy away from watching people stream p5r because i don't trust players to try to understand him and it makes me lowkey angry seeing streamers miss the point of his entire character. but crystal crying for him in that moment, and the way she explained it- "when you try so hard to be there for someone and they just are so far gone that you can't do anything to help them" was a spot on and devastating observation. thank you for Getting It

[@TheGhostOfTK]

For me the reason the final calling card hurt so much, was because in everyone else's third awakening, you go to their room, but for his, you're in leblanc, so either he sees that as his home or most likely, being with Joker 😭

[@Exeedra]

Seriously though, Akechi is hands-down the best written character in this entire game. Even taking in consideration all the bad shit he's done, the fandom still loves him because of how well written he is.

[@sergiosalazar8702]

Spot on

[@somewhatokperson8007]

I just listened to the jazz club theme again and the lyrics:" But tonight got me thinking about it all, if I am a fool or whatnot." hit me different. I remembered how Akechi was manipulated and how he is no longer sure who he can trust because he doesn't want to be toyed with again.

[@beetljam792]

yeah, no more what ifs hits hard after finishing R. also contrasting it with behind the mask.

[@clairenime]

Laughed through the entire video until she started crying. Whole rest of the video I kept on saying "yo, don't cry. its ok" until I started crying too. GOSH DANG IT

[@Sickyyyy]

As a vanilla goro lover, I’m always glad when people turn to like him in the new game, glad to see your experience

[@kelvinn2022]

"I hate this guy, can he die already?", words that were severely regretted. x)

[@sebotrp]

Fun fact: Nobody actually hates Akechi. People just like being Tsundere for him. Must be part of his charm.

[@mariaevens8969]

No!... Maybe... Not from the...beginning... i mean ..ehm... FU**!! x.x

[@EvaHoshizora]

...I still don't like him, and I finished the game.

[@mariaevens8969]

@@EvaHoshizora That is ok. ^.^not everyone can like everyone. It would be boring otherwhise. I kinda hate that i at a minimum care for Akechi. idk it makes me wanna hate him but i just ...can't anymore! send help!

[@BowserGuerrero]

I still hate akechi Deserves nothing but death His confidant was boring and it felt like the game was forcing to like him whenever i did it

[@mariaevens8969]

@@BowserGuerrero i am Sure you at least Love to hate him x3

[@GuilhermeBOT]

I will treasure this reaction to Akechi in my memories

[@xMawkKnightx]

CrystAAHHL is the TRUE character arc we wanted. Literally the best reaction videos to this great game.

[@minttshake]

I find it funny that she gets suspicious of Akechi because of the Pancakes line, but not for the right reasons. She even says to herself that he heard mona say something, but she takes that to mean he also heard Ryuji instead of just him hearing mona.

[@naelmohammed9551]

Akechi had such an impact, she called Yusuke Akechi by mistake

[@NickVoiceActing]

Akechi is hands down my favorite character in the game. Robbie Daymond, the English voice actor for Akechi, absolutely knocks it out of the park. Akechi is a character that I think almost everyone can relate to in some small way. He’s tired of being controlled and manipulated, but also just wants to finally be appreciated for once in his life. By the end of the 3rd semester, he knows that what he did was horrible, and that the world they are forced to live in isn’t real, so he fights to save the world, knowing that he won’t make it out, thus, also atoning for his sins, which is what the Phantom Thieves are all about, making those who are rotten atone for their actions. If you’re at all interested, I’d highly recommend going to Robbie Daymond’s KZbin channel as he and Xander Mobus (voice actor of Joker) did an in character cover together, and it really reflects their relationship during the main game of P5.

[@namiothe5th211]

This is one of the most wholesome reaction to akechi’s character. Unfortunately I knew akechis whole arc for the original and while I looked up Kasumi’s code name I got spoiled about the entire royal expansion so it was sorta ruined for me, but the one thing I really loved and didn’t get spoiled was akechi, I was so happy on Christmas Eve when he came out of nowhere and was just like what’s up. Your reaction really shows how people can change their opinions and care so deeply for suck a dick of a character and it’s the best. Also your my fav twitch streamer now.

[@OctoGikai]

KZbin just recommended this video to me and in a spur of the moment decision I decided "eh let's watch this" and I am so glad to learn I am not one of the only people who has bawled over Goro. Your reactions to everything are so beautifully real. Atlus, just let the boy be happy, damnit! ;-;

[@exist_without_saving]

Akechi is hands-down my most favorite character in anything I've ever played, read or watched in my life. He has so much character depth it's insane, and while I've always had a draw to mentally damaged/insane character archetypes in media, Akechi's motivations and personality place him in a category all his own. He is the reason why I wish Atlus had grown a pair and made the guys dateable, and damn it, *he deserved better than the ending he got.* And his amazing character in general led me to find out who his (extremely talented!) voice actor is and follow his hilarious KZbin channel/watch panels he's been part of; in some of which he describes what a ride it was to voice Akechi and how it's changed his life. Akechi's story may be over now, but he'll always hold a special place in my heart.

[@VicZam9]

As an introvert, I wasn't as outwardly expressive as you were on my first playthrough. I was given P5R as a gift, it was my first Persona game, totally blind, had never heard of the series or played the vanilla game. But I was internally reacting the same way as you were. Thank you for taking the time to edit this and post it. It tore me to pieces when Maruki revealed that Akechi would die if we returned to the true reality. Akechi stayed true to himself even if it meant he would die, and he also wanted us and the rest of the group to live true lives, not false hollow realities. His whole life was a falsehood and he wanted to finally live true and free and wanted that for us as well. In the end Akechi sacrificed everything for us. He redeemed himself. Oh and the stinger at the end teasing Akechi on the train platform... playing with our emotions. I hope a spin off expands on him and maybe brings him back.

[@mi_ki_yo_mi_art]

Akechi is just one of those characters that I relate to in an emotional level. I love him even though he did bad things. I just can’t hate him :T idk why.

[@kiribean5868]

Same lol

[@chapachuu]

@@crowing3886 Or maybe when you have shitty ass parents who have abused you your whole life you can't help but understand how it messes with you and how nice it would feel to take them down a notch since the "justice" system won't touch them.

[@theinternetsightseer2935]

@@crowing3886 How arrogant and self-righteous you are. As expected of the over-privileged who know no hardships. We like him because he's human. Because quite a few of us have gone though what he has. If we suddenly obtained the same power he had, we too would be tempted to enact "justice" on those who wronged us. We like him because were human. An important trait that you seem to lack. I wonder how many you have wronged, and yet continue to keep up that snobby, high and mighty attitude.

[@cathackzz]

@@crowing3886 hes fictional

[@Silentwolf10uk]

I feel like i just witnessed "Enemies to Lovers" in action

[@sophieamandaleitontoomey9343]

Bro same. I went from loathing the character every time he was onscreen to actively sobbing the second and final time we lost him.

[@mikeybkh]

Every now and then I come back to this video. This is my all time favorite game, and you perfectly represent how I felt during my first playthrough. A 'first' that I'll never be able to experience again. Thank you Crystahl for creating this video, and thank you for keeping it up all this time.

[@Plumkiq]

Same here LOL

[@pisces7443]

Sameeee

[@nochujk101]

I'm fcking subscribing. I understand this a lot, I'm strongly attached to Akechi and wanted him to be genuinely happy as well. Persona 5 Royal was better since we had a hint that Akechi could be alive and I couldn't help but be happy. And this video is hilarious HAHAHAHA

[@poketorr1517]

This is the wholesome content I love T-T

[@poketorr1517]

Also also also also You're understanding of Akechi and his whole character really makes me smile! I almost started sobbing when you said he was "the friend that you can never save"!! I'm really happy that you saw him for the incredible character he is!!!

[@rtiq270]

Akechi in the original was probably the most mishandled character, with story based confidant ranks and minimal interactions outside of Sae's palace. They completely turned that around in Royal, where I feel he's one of the _best_ characters simply due to his normal confidant giving him the natural progression he lacked in the original. In the third term, he's an asshole and he doesn't hide it. He only has his own goal in mind, but his goal isn't rooted in selfishness like he tries to pretend it is. He wants to atone, whether through death like in the original, or through giving himself up to the police. Maruki takes that away from him, the one selfless act he's ever done. That's why he can't accept the new reality.

[@neptune7042]

“Can he die already” And then “This game is trying to tell me he’s going to shoot me”

[@WastedOnMojitos]

Seeing this absolutely glorious madness of a 180 put into a 20 min video truly gives one a solid whiplash lmao. Knowing you grew to care for him so deeply makes me so friggin´ happy I can´t even begin to express it

[@otomeleifu]

I RELATE TO THIS SO MUCH. My heart DROPPED when the scene at 2/2 it hurt me so much. I started the game hating him bc he rubbed me the wrong way. He knew too much and always seemed to be at the right place and time. Even when I got to the part where I fought him I hated him. But that scene where he laid broken and angry on the floor and that they called him special and they kept reaching out to him, That scene broke me. And you could see he was about to reach back. And as he pleaded with Joker to take Shido down behind that door in his last moments? I really broke. Royal really messed me up bc I was not satisfied with the vanilla ending specifically because of us not having closure with Akechi. Royal not only built upon that, but it opened up a space where we could have more in the future. And for that I respect the heck out of Royal. Thank you Atlus for delivering on this. Akechi truly is my favorite character.

[@TeruyaKvK]

I know I'm a little late for this, but did you know that the lyrics of the song during the credits of the true ending are about Akechi? They talk about a person (Akechi) whose "warmth and voice" would disappear once the singer (representing Joker) wakes up, and that same person is the one who "put a stop to that sweet, sweet fairytail kingdom" by choice. The first time the song gets more intense, it says that "even if we'd never meet again" the singer would overcome the pain and let the experience guide them. For more, you can search the translation of "Our light".

[@Acier25997]

Aketchi's royal arc is such an amazing story - you could also see his refusal to accept Maruki's reality as his one and only victory against Joker, his only true friend, because we see everyone else's wishes, but what is Jokers? It's to save Aketchi, the one friend he couldn't save - it was probably the only way he could ever find 1) closure, 2) redemption, and 3) "real" happiness in the end, by sacrificing himself for the man who became the only person who ever truly understood him; in a sense, he really did have a rematch with Joker, the entire royal arc could be considered that for Aketchi, and in the end Aketchi won, he had to win for everyone's sake.

[@Doy6969]

I’ve been waiting for this video. Day made Edit: It’s seriously crazy to think about how long Akechi had to put up the whole “Pleasant Boy” act before seeing his true personality towards the end of the game during the final palace. It must’ve driven him insane not being able to act like his ruthless self.

[@jacobrubin1982]

I was just listening to the OST for Royal and the song that plays during the end credits of the true ending is almost completely about Akechi and Joker’s relationship. How Akechi was the guiding force and voice for Joker to push forward and go back to the real reality even if it meant losing Akechi, and that just makes me cry even more.

[@TheIsleBeforeTime]

Crystal: I hate this guy can he die already. Goro: Okay. **Sacrifices himself in Shido's Palace** Crystal: WAIT NO! NOT LIKE THAT!!! Me: I'm sorry but... this popped up in my mind and I couldn't not just write this down X'D.

[@TheIsleBeforeTime]

HELLO?! How did my comment get 133 likes? It's not even original!?

[@NovaAeternus]

probably cause you pointed out something people missed

[@TheIsleBeforeTime]

@@NovaAeternus I have no idea haha. Maybe?

[@RandomPerson-kz9uf]

Petition to make Atlus put an Akechi Romance Option in the possible Switch or PC port. He has more chemistry with Akira then everybody else except Sumire. Also, Petition to buy Crystaahhl a Yusuke and/or Akechi Body Pillow.

[@Rapdragon222]

If It serves, someone made a mod of female Joker with akechi route

[@falcn8865]

Akechi romance would actually work pretty well. Considering you can only romance characters past rank 9, and the only time you aren't fighting Akechi or talking about police business past rank 9 is in the third semester, I think the best point to introduce it would be if you got Hereward on 2/2. (Of course, then it would be a one night stand lol, but that would mean Atlus could very easily add it without messing up the story/plot/Valentine's Day)

[@googlenumber832]

I do not kn ow what to put a double-sided Akechi + Yusuke body pillow

[@kiribean5868]

Does crystAAHHL do fanmail if so I would send her a body pillow of both Akechi and Yusuke to her lol

[@waveflier9950]

I mean, I don't think Akechi would want to romance Joker or even be able to. In the Royal True Ending, Akechi knows he's gonna die so he wouldn't want a relationship with Joker if he did fall for him by that point. And every other option Joker had to talk to him before his demise in Shido's palace, he was secretly trying to back stab him. So, as much as I would love it, it doesn't fit his character.

[@oak098]

"I hate how he smiles at me" "I just want to see him smile..." *Wow the 180 there* Edit: did i seriously say 360 wtf-

[@lereyna1703]

"wHy hElLO tHerE aSkEtcHy" ... Someone explain to me why this phrase killed me with so much laughter.

[@Leopectus1986]

So! Not to make you cry again, but! That authentic reaction you have for such a stellar character is amazing. I seriously adore his character writing and arc. Thanks for your genuine and wholesome content. Subbed for sure.

[@marikosagarisarchives3281]

I have to admit, your way to see Akechi open my eyes on what I thought was an amazing character arc (thanks to royal) to be even better. I now cry when I see him go berserk in shido palace QnQ

[@Soap0_0_]

Akechi is one of the best characters in anything period. Persona 5 has something in it for everyone and honestly after playing it youre not the same person by the end. It opens your eyes to different perspectives and delves into the human heart and explores so much of the human element. This game is more than a 10/10.

[@myaxoxo]

What's sad is that the ending theme song for the credits is Joker's thoughts towards Akechi. People say it's all of the Phantom Thieves, but to me it's Joker.

[@BravePvP]

I thought it was Akechi’s thoughts to Joker

[@akemiiya]

@@BravePvP no dude it was joker mourning the shit out for akechi

[@yilinchua8205]

The Our Light song makes me feel sad ShuAke. I don't care what anyone says about that song, it's about ShuAke.

[@fun-sizedalchemist4748]

Yeah genuinely I've tried to see it from other perspectives but I just,,,, can't? Some lines fit PT, but eVERY line fits Joker re: Akechi, leading me to conclude it is in fact about Joker towards Akechi :'D

[@JamGameRoom]

So I had this video randomly get suggested. Knew nothing about this person going into this. But seeing this change, going from utter disdain towards Akechi to literally breaking down in tears over him was quite possibly the most heartbreaking thing I will see for a long time, and I loved every bit of it

[@plumeria72]

Man, Robbie is a real one. His voice acting made Akechi like 10 times better and Akechi already is a 15/10 character.

[@cthulhuhoops]

tfw akechi defies death not once but twice, thus giving you future content to love him even more

[@Ryuto0816]

Friend: Tell me why I should I play Royal. Me: This video.

[@NekoPanda122]

watching this video has the exact same feel as reading 200k words, enemies to lover, slow burn, and I love it. I had the exact same reactions, hated him at first, now I am utterly in love and just wants Akechi to be happy

[@abackhip1728]

11:54 Akechi is just full on snapping at this point. Homie is having a mental breakdown and it’s just so painful to watch tbh but I love it because it puts so much of his character into context

[@sflematti]

Clicked on this video expecting to watch it for a minute or 2 and chuckle before clicking off and doing something else. Instead I somehow watched the whole video laughing and experienced a full on character arc of a random girl on the internet. I have no regrets. Best decision I've made all week. Subscribed.