Persona 5’s Existential Crisis: A Psychological Analysis

[@skel-l7825]

This is a damn near perfect analysis of the game's main story. I also didn't expect even the antags to get a thorough analysis. Bravo! I'd love to see an analysis of the other games

[@NobilityPsych]

If it does well, plan is to cover the whole series. So, fingers crossed 🤞

[@skel-l7825]

@@NobilityPsych I'll certainly be wishing and waiting 👍

[@rezahydra]

@@NobilityPsych​​⁠ We have had a few for P5 like this obviously, yet yours stands out due to how obsessive its focus on characters and details is. That being said, now I’m very interested how your style would compare to a certain P3 Analysis… Also, side note, love the reused sprites from older games. Seeing Sayoko as Ryuji’s mom had me cackling lol.

[@SapphireLibra3]

As a super fan of Persona, this is by far, the _best_ analysis of Persona 5 I've ever seen. I've always been more interested in the lore aspect of Persona, but you nailed the themes and deeper meaning of this game. You made me want to pick it up and do another playthrough of Persona 5: Royal.

[@Erikthedood]

This is truly an unjust game. But if my voice is reaching you, there may yet be a possibility open to you…

[@n3rd39]

This is genuinely one of the most well executed and thorough analysis of a game I've seen ever. Back in 2021 this game touched me deeply and this only made that love for it stronger. W vid

[@carmel9583]

I had no way into getting into the game till 2022 when I could get a ps5 and decided to try it when it was on sale. My sister is getting her masters in psychology while I want to do Poli sci while dabbling with psychology and philosophy, and the persona series helps me with street smarts of Carl Jung.

[@magenta_iris]

Holy shit, bro dropped the ultimate video.

[@NobilityPsych]

Merry Christmas, Magenta 🎄

[@magenta_iris]

@@NobilityPsych Merry Christler Building!

[@solar5431]

Is this what persona fans be watching instead of actually playing the games? 😭🙏🏾💔

[@LuigiLonLon]

Nah, add like 5lb of pretentiousness, 2lb of self righteouness and like 20 lb of Death of the Author-ness this feels like the Fat-Cut, Healthier, Organic version of those

[@Ayberrr]

​@@LuigiLonLon me when people look into and analyze a piece of media

[@sugashots]

well … yes ! i’ve been on the last dungeon since like october cs i dont want it to be over 😭 i have 3 other playthroughs going on rn

[@hayasher]

yes cause i aint tryna play this long ass game again for another year😭🙏🏽

[@radiosuitcase1]

story fans when the author writes another "plot" in which a "character" does things in a "setting" for the billionth time:👏👏👏

[@_Kajner]

Absolute banger of a video, you got an amazing, calming, storyteller voice, it was really pleasant to listen to you yap for 2 hours while building lego. I hope your channel becomes more popular and gets more traction, you deserve it! Keep doing what you're doing!

[@NobilityPsych]

Thanks for the kind comment 🫡

[@TDotMajor]

one of the best video essays ive watched in awhile man we've all seen the grail absolute cinema

[@majorlogi5212]

The narration, the editing and the leitmotif are top notch. Bravo

[@sphr533]

I've seen a lot of lecture videos on Persona 5 but this one's gotta be my new favorite. I really liked how you showed the psychology concepts used for each character. Banger video 🙏

[@welingtonmoscoso7691]

Intrigued all the way through and when it was all said and done had a bunch of questions to ask myself and ponder over. Just an amazing watch.

[@MaxAngor]

I'm 41 years old and born 3 months early. My mistake was listening to doctors who swore up and down that I was NOT to exercise or exert myself in any way. It took until I was 38 to throw off the self-imposed shackles of believing them and really grabbing my life. I'm 200 pounds down, I left my unsupportive wife of 15 years (that one was more painful than all the laps I've walked in all the pain I live in,) and I'm ready to really reach the top of Maslow's Hierarchy. Fingers crossed I can find someone who seeks similar actualization. My persona, if I had to take a wild swing, would be Theodore Roosevelt. Similar disabilities. Similar spiteful rejection of his own weak body (let alone society's expectations of a sickly person.) Honestly, I want to pay it forward. There's a lot of disabled kids in a similar situation as I was in and it shouldn't take what it took (let alone how long it took,) for them to figure out how they can live their best lives. But I couldn't even convince my wife to join me in this. Hell, she tried to sabotage me because I was making her look bad. Y'know, buying food I liked and "You need to REST like the doctors said" and stuff. Y'know, that subtle manipulation. My dad did something like that to my mom too. I did convince my roommates though. They walk with me sometimes and we're all slowly reaching our goals (although they're not taking it to the extreme that I am. I'm gunning for 180. I'm 200 now with a lot of excess skin.) I am a prodigious rambler but the point is, I don't want this to end with me. I want to help others grab their lives. Even disabled people deserve autonomy, such as we can. Like I know I'll have to rely on people. There's no shame in that when I physically can't do something like drive. But there's a difference between relying on them for things you can't control and being dependent on them because it's easier to just... be complacent. Complacency is the enemy!

[@travanvishwakarma6122]

King

[@MaxAngor]

@@travanvishwakarma6122 I wish I had gotten angry enough to do it 20 years before I finally did but it just... never occurred to me that doctors are human and humans are lazy and do not care about other humans not directly in their social circles (for the most part.) It also didn't help that I had a REALLY good pediatrician and a few specialists who really did care interspersed with a bunch of others who didn't, My moral to you all, able-bodied or not, is listen to your body's needs. Not wants. Wants will make you fat and lazy. Complacency and all. But if your body needs something? It needs it for a reason. Literally all I did to lose weight was walk to escape my stressful home and eat less of the same low-income stuff we could barely afford.

[@1nsignio__]

200 pounds in 3 years is the stuff of legends. Tossing aside a lifestyle you lived through and casting aside those who didn’t believe in you, stripping them of any influence on your life is far more difficult. You, sir, possess unrivaled determination for better living. You are an inspiration to a lot of people who are struggling in any form, because you had the courage to break free

[@MaxAngor]

​@@1nsignio__ Honestly, I want to pay it forward. There's a lot of disabled kids in a similar situation as I was in and it shouldn't take what it took (let alone how long it took,) for them to figure out how they can live their best lives. But I couldn't even convince my wife to join me in this. Hell, she tried to sabotage me because I was making her look bad. Y'know, buying food I liked and "You need to REST like the doctors said" and stuff. Y'know, that subtle manipulation. My dad did something like that to my mom too. I did convince my roommates though. They walk with me sometimes and we're all slowly reaching our goals (although they're not taking it to the extreme that I am. I'm gunning for 180. I'm 200 now with a lot of excess skin.) I am a prodigious rambler but the point is, I don't want this to end with me. I want to help others grab their lives. Even disabled people deserve autonomy, such as we can. Like I know I'll have to rely on people. There's no shame in that when I physically can't do something like drive. But there's a difference between relying on them for things you can't control and being dependent on them because it's easier to just... be complacent. Complacency is the enemy!

[@MaxAngor]

​ @1nsignio__ Honestly, I want to pay it forward. There's a lot of disabled kids in a similar situation as I was in and it shouldn't take what it took (let alone how long it took,) for them to figure out how they can live their best lives. But I couldn't even convince my wife to join me in this. Hell, she tried to sabotage me because I was making her look bad. Y'know, buying food I liked and "You need to REST like the doctors said" and stuff. Y'know, that subtle manipulation. My dad did something like that to my mom too. I did convince my roommates though. They walk with me sometimes and we're all slowly reaching our goals (although they're not taking it to the extreme that I am. I'm gunning for 180. I'm 200 now with a lot of excess skin.) I am a prodigious rambler but the point is, I don't want this to end with me. I want to help others grab their lives. Even disabled people deserve autonomy, such as we can. Like I know I'll have to rely on people. There's no shame in that when I physically can't do something like drive. But there's a difference between relying on them for things you can't control and being dependent on them because it's easier to just... be complacent. Complacency is the enemy!

[@agentnacho2029]

You better have studied. Imma grade you on this one Nobleebli

[@NobilityPsych]

It's an A+ guaranteed

[@agentnacho2029]

​@@NobilityPsych Just finished it. You've earned an A+ plus extra credit on the next exam! Well done breaking down everything and incorporating psychological definitions, in style of the game's text. Also winking at Persona 4 with Futaba's shadow didn't go unnoticed. I've gone through Vanilla and Royal about a dozen times and still learned a few new things. Excited for the next one! 🙏

[@ceneride1]

bro this slaps, hope it blows up

[@JaymesonDominic]

Fantastic video. I really like the degree to which you emphasise with the characters in the way you describe them. It’s objective but doesn’t carry the “blame” a lot of people will use in situations like say Ryuji hitting his teacher instead of reaching out for help or recording or something. It’s a good way to analyse things like these

[@stubborntiger6638]

This is one of if not the best videos breaking down themes and lesions of this game and there's still aspects you left not touched apawn, not saying that as a critique of a amazing video that i cant imagin how long it took to put together but to show how deep this game and its story truly is. Even at 2 hours the ideas and lessons of other companions and even the second half of Akechi's story during the final act of the game weren't even talked about here. This game is so deep when you truly let it speak and I always love whenever someone like yourself helps to put these aspects into words.

[@marseliene]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSS BEEN WAITING FOR YOU TO DROP ONE ON PERSONA 5

[@NobilityPsych]

Hope you enjoy :)

[@marseliene]

@@NobilityPsych of course!! thank you for such incredible content (been such a fan of u since ur video essay on Devotion)

[@bl0rb0]

this is a FANTASIC video! one of the best analysis’ of Persona i’ve seen yet. I particularly enjoyed the discussion of Akechi during shido’s palace arc. I feel like a lot of people forget that he, too, is a victim. Ren and Akechi are, foils of one another. Extremes of either end of a spectrum but they are both victims to a system that is uncaring and cruel. It was wonderful to see Akechi get more discussion in a neutral tone. wonderful video!

[@polytech8151]

you cooked hard with the thumbnail

[@lachlanwoolacott8698]

Masterpiece of a Video of one of the best RPGS/Games of all time Period.

[@sharkbiteshitposts5506]

Genuinely such a banger thumbnail

[@Inki_Blot]

I love watching an amazing analysis to then learn that the intro was the first 15 minutes

[@Grf1556]

Dude put everything I wanted to say about the psychology of this game into a 2 hour video, goo job dude!

[@Shepherd-Returns]

Great video and presentation! Love this game, and I'm glad there are more videos like this being made of it.

[@ctathe2nd474]

Peak video. Beat persona 5 Royal almost 2 years ago now but its themes never fail to amaze me.

[@31codyskater]

I've watched many hours long videos on this game but this one still manages to feel fresh and explores things about it not done by others. i think i understood a lot of this unconsciously but was never really able to properly communicate that understanding or sentiment. but this video very eloquently organized and deepened my feelings and thoughts on these characters. very well done man congratulations on making such a banger video.

[@gsuit9829]

Dude this video literally helped me realize i was in a manipulative relationship thank you

[@amelialoyselle2123]

This is a perfect summation of the entire game's messages and ideals. The care you put into even analyzing the "cartoonish" antagonists--incredible! I have a particular fondness for Maruki's section just because you perfectly illustrated why I get so frustrated with fans of P5R saying that "Maruki was right": people who think submitting to his niceness would fix things don't seem to understand that it's still submission to a greater authority, or don't care because he's "nice", even though he's shown to literally change someone's dreams because they're not attainable for them. Just, bravo.

[@sondowultimate]

Maruki section even in the game made me question a lot of stuff… fans feel he right because they want to feel safe from the bs that there being dealt with but with someone kinder. They want happy effect of the grail and none of the pain that comes with it and maruki gives them that

[@mystery8820]

Thanks to this video, I don't feel hesitation in regards to Maruki... I am not proud of it, but even after several playthroughs, part of me wishes Maruki died... because his form of control makes me shudder to my core. I could never forgive him for what he did to Sumi in the story after what he had been doing to her for months. I totally got invested in her story too. Beat the game 5 times, romanced Sumi 5 times.

[@Woishy]

Cool video but it's actually about how rotten adults are the worst for real.

[@scarletthecat1491]

This made me give a good, hearty chuckle

[@TheWolfgangGrimmer]

That sounds far less cheesy when you have the context of how age disparities and their implications with regards to human interaction are perceived in much of East Asia though, including Japan of course.

[@dercie]

Saw this in my feed an hour after release. Been watching on and off and I just finished it. I might come back and reply to myself with ideas relating to the video content. But first impression: pleasantly surprised with the channel "rebrand" with the editing style change and whatnot. ❤❤❤

[@MythlyInari]

This is a beautiful analysis of P5R, so glad I just completed it not too long ago so I could watch this.

[@Smitty_Werbenjagermanjensen111]

When I first played p5 I made it to Okumura’s dungeon then stopped. Since I’ve bought Royal for switch and played a few hours but your vid is making me want to beat Royal.

[@jokessparrow-ch.]

braaaah this full recap that I need before i go to bed. damn, its the best

[@JT-Barney]

This is so good. Keep making videos, brotha. Happy New Year 🙏

[@ikarusLox]

Absolutely stellar analysis, I hope to see even greater videos in the future

[@familyunfriendly1732]

Hey man, you're an inspiration. The work and effort you put into this is clear. Amazing job!

[@NobilityPsych]

I appreciate that!

[@hirsute-of-happiness]

I really enjoyed this analysis and think you did an excellent job connecting the characters and story to some of their existential and psychological themes. That said, I wish you had taken this analysis further to really examine whether the game is successful in commenting on the themes and issues it presents. You say yourself that the game grapples with the question of whether the actions of the Phantom Thieves are morally just or not, but I disagree - it doesn't grapple with that question at all, save for the moment during Okumura's arc, after which the question is shelved in lieu of emphasizing how Okumura's badness inherently justifies changing his heart. That Maruki is doing virtually exactly what the PTs are doing, just on a wider scale, is never examined either. Never mind the way the game invalidates its own themes (making Ann, the victim of sexual abuse and coercion, the butt of a joke about sexual coercion merely hours later) and ignores several other forms of oppression. Examining these things would make for a great follow-up video to this one.

[@NobilityPsych]

Thanks for your comment. I understand your concerns, so allow me to offer a bit more context. This isn't a defense; I appreciate you clicking on my video, but I do disagree, and here's why: I don’t analyze any further than the game does, and I don’t plan to. Whether Persona 5 "successfully" comments on its themes is defined by your definition of success. The game does factually cover the discussed themes, and many characters directly commentate on the macro-psycho-political scale of the Phantom Thieves. However, it does it somewhat covertly, often hidden in plain sight. For example, Akechi's discussion of the ethics of the Phantom Thieves - a political analysis of the plot disguised as a recap - is immediately preceded by Ryuji making a joke, like “my ass.” These moments create two effects: The players' ability to subconsciously register the game's deeper messaging, and also disengage from it easily due to the game's use of comedy. This disengagement also happens when the group very briefly feels responsible for Okumura's death before it seemingly becomes irrelevant, but these ephemeral moral and ethical dilemmas are a deliberate choice, not a mistake. Let's genuinely ask ourselves: Would we have wanted 10 hours dedicated to mourning the potential murder of Okumura? This ties into the game’s successful coverage of its themes-- and it's directly tied to its comedy. Or more accurately, it's accessibility. Persona 5 is a thematically mature game but is comedically juvenile. Ann, a victim of sexual harassment, is given latex suits and is the butt of sexual jokes. Ryuji, a victim of physical abuse from authority figures, is humorously jumped by a group of women for comedic purposes. Overall, the comedy can feel... disconnected from the game’s mature narrative, but it’s not exactly a flaw. It's a storytelling method with pros and cons. Its biggest strength: Persona 5 is incredibly accessible. It’s flashy, tons of fun, and easy to pick up. In a way, millions of people have been exposed to its narrative and themes - and it’s even why they click on a video like mine. The tradeoff is that it doesn’t go as deep as it could. That's not to say it lacks depth, but it’s this nuanced interplay of maturity and raunchy comedy that manifests into this blend of a political and accessible anime. The depth is there, and you can analyze it and find profound ideas, but it's not as deep as it could be. And that's precisely what makes the formula great, because it's simultaneously deep and lighthearted fun. In my opinion, to go deeper would be misrepresenting the game. But I’m curious to read what you think.

[@dajazman6858]

Yeah with a title like Persona 5’s Existential Crisis, I would think that this video would go into Persona 5's actual existential crisis with its themes and how it just tells us them rather than showing. The game is kind of a surface level take on a lot of dark topics and it doesn't handle any of it well. It's a shame because big picture wise, Persona 5 has the framing to be this really interesting way to look at the world and how people are stuck in going along with a corrupt system and are too complacent to change that. But when you look at the smaller stuff and what the game actually shows, it just doesn't have that message. Something that especially frustrated me was that despite the game saying the whole world was full of rotten adults, all of the main antagonists were connected to Shido in a way where it basically gave the implication that Shido was the root of all evil rather than Shido took advantage of a corrupt system. I really wish the game leaned in more to the idea that corrupt people take advantage of complacency and greed. But no, it's just 'all adults are rotten'. Occasionally they get a sad backstory, but not really one that makes you think any deeper about systems of power besides 'they're bad'. And it's really not even like the Phantom Thieves got out of that system. Makoto literally ends up trying to change the justice system from within just like her sister. It's just frustrating that the internet acts like this game is so deep and perfect in its narrative execution when it's just not. I love this game, but the story itself leaves a lot to be desired when you look at the themes and if the game actually conveyed them in meaningful ways. I do think Royal significantly improved on it because Maruki's story and that third semester felt like a genuine exploration of the moral ambiguity of giving people their greatest desires and how that's another way complacency can be dangerous by stopping growth.

[@hirsute-of-happiness]

@@NobilityPsych I'm sorry, but this sounds a bit revisionist and like you're making excuses for the game. Yeah, the game "factually covers those themes," but my complaint is that it only skims the surface and often undermines its own messaging. Sure, you could argue that the game intentionally doesn't explore its themes deeply in order to maintain lightheartedness, but a) I've never seen evidence to suggest this was the intent, and b) even if that was the intent, the execution was poor. Making Ann the butt of a sexual coercion joke was not the only way to keep things lighthearted, and was objectively a bad choice considering her best friend tries to kill herself because Ann resists sexual coercion. We could look to other parts of the game as well; prior to release, Hashino and co. were adamant that the game was about exploring the ways people are crushed under oppressive, rigid systems that fail to give space for individuality, and they chose to make their primary queer rep two predatory, limp-wristed gay men who are implied to sexually assault your heterosexual best friend (who is 16, mind you). The problems faced by indigenous people in Japan are totally overlooked and the rampant xenophobia of Japan is almost entirely ignored (except for Ann's story, where it's relegated to the background and never outright called out). What about these oppressive, rigid systems? How is it acceptable to objectify Ann, ignore xenophobia, and depict egregious homophobia and still claim this game is trying to earnestly explore oppression and injustice? When you say that all of these poor choices were intentional, that seems like an excuse at best, and frankly is beside the point that a bad choice is still a bad choice. Hashino and co. chose to favor anime tropes even when they undermined the messaging of the game, and those choices are to the game's detriment. Persona 5 is worse for the things you say it does intentionally. And yeah, echoing @dajazman6858, with a title like "Persona 5's Existential Crisis," I expected a bit of exploration of this exact crisis - the way the game's messaging and content are often at odds with one another and how the game fails to adequately answer (or even explore!) the questions it asks. I still think this was a solid video, but I simply can't agree with this stance that these criticisms of the game aren't legitimate.

[@NobilityPsych]

​@@hirsute-of-happiness I'm not "making excuses" I'm actually being practical. The game is what it is: It covers deep topics, while also sending mixed raunchy messaging to entertain its fans. The creators are more than aware of this. Both the anime and the game contain deliberately crafted "fan service" material (Random shots of Makoto's and Sae's butt in the anime for no reason. Futaba's persona grabs her by their tentacles. We know what this implies.) However, you cannot claim objectivity when you're subjectively evaluating material. And if you don't think you're being biased, you are: You're either not picking up on the tonal differences in the raunchy exchanges vs the more serious bits, or you're deliberately choosing not to make a point. For example, not once is Shiho ever the butt of the joke -- Ever. Makoto potentially being sold by Kaneshiro is never laughed at --Ever. Neither is Ann whenever Kamoshida is mentioned. That dynamic is always portrayed as vile. But does Ann wear a revealing outfit? Yes. Because attractive women are part of the entertainment factor. Do characters (with no chill) check her out? Yes. But these jokes are made in the context of quirky friendship dynamics, not predatorial ones. Are its depictions of homosexual and student-teacher relationships outdated, crass and inappropriate? Yes. But in the context of these being (or attempting to be) funny. Taking these moments seriously is like taking a Seth Rogen movie seriously. Your argument is rooted in emotion. While the concerns you mention spark necessary insight, your stance overgeneralizes the story; it lacks nuance and is ironically claimed to be objective yet framed subjectively. I am glad you liked the video and thank you for expressing so even when we differ. I personally believe any criticism is "legitimate" by the way, as long as it's grounded, because the aspects you bring up are very important to discuss.

[@hirsute-of-happiness]

@@NobilityPsych Is your entire video not, therefore, equally as subjective? Can you explain to me how your stance that the game is supposed to unserious is somehow more objective than mine? Either you're claiming to be objectively right in an effort to win an argument or you're invalidating my stance as subjective despite yours being equally so. I don't buy it. There's no evidence to suggest the lightheartedness was expert craftsmanship as opposed to tone-deafness. None you've provided, anyway.

[@nawazalrabah9693]

The persona fandom is healing 🥲

[@yeetman2174]

I have never heard of some of these things, but they intrigue me a lot. Glad to have found this video.

[@skunthundler]

I needed a new video essay after that 8 hour Sonic CD video.

[@JExtendedProductions]

great stuff man

[@Nekro_Knight]

You using actually good clips from the anime makes me so disappointed at how it ended up.

[@scarletthecat1491]

For real 😔

[@TheOtherLPer203]

"by awakening to his persona, arson"

[@aruzyen4044]

we got deep psychological life lessons from persona 5 this time come to think of it, the whole franchise was about human souls

[@TheWolfgangGrimmer]

Clue is in the title...

[@seph0_1]

35:55 erm, actually those are cognitive beings, not Mishima and Suzui’s shadows 🤓☝️This video is unwatchable (this is the best persona 5 deep dive I’ve ever seen)

[@NobilityPsych]

You’re joking, but you’re absolutely right. Good catch, haha

[@daitigris3473]

Even then, when referring back too Jungarian psychology the game is based on: Kamashido's cognition of them does have a part in their shadows. Many misunderstand the idea the shadow can only be of personal repressed aspects, but it can also include others perspectives of ourselves. The shadow in Jungarian psychology is inherently tied to the collective unconsciousness, even on the personal level. The self is not only formed by our actions alone, but of the impressions other make on us: Even further you can extend this to societal and social expectations. The same is for the shadow and the external unconscious factors that push in on it. Ever seen someone, think to yourself: they must be a particular way or heard rumors about who they are? That's an example of that aspect of a shadow. In addition Kamoshida is actively allowing his shadow to drive his behavior, thus imparting to his victims a perspective of how that part of himself views them, which in turn also can amplify that perspective to their personal shadow. This is also one of the major reasons that others mess up when doing character analysis in 4, due to the frequency of mistaking all aspects of the shadow to only be personal aspects.

[@UniqueHandles]

6:41 That's a heartbreaking transition

[@TheWolfgangGrimmer]

Excellent analysis all-around, although if I can nitpick I kind of wish you had also delved into the thematic implications of all the Confidant story lines. I should especially commend the way you presented Arc 8 and Arc 9, even if I predict the deeper meaning of the former will be the least discussed as usual. Which is unfortunate, since the over-valuing of safety and comfort to the point of relinquishing autonomy and being effectively complicit with coercion is, well, the single most pervasive problem modern human societies face. I mean, I understand that people tend to avoid this challenge at all costs because it's easily the hardest to confront among a gallery of already nigh-insurmontable ones, but said understanding does nothing to alleviate my frustration with the consequences. In fact, I've always related to Makoto's character arc and this video has only reinforced that feeling, but on the flipside it also made feel more common ground with Kunikazu Okumura than I ever thought I had in the past.

[@dyw__]

Finally a new persona video essay 🗣️

[@aeraaureliawashereonce]

I've played through this game twice, once in Vanilla and once through Royal. Here's hoping this video does the game more justice than the game does Haru justice. I'll make edits later when I finish

[@Pajarocaro]

I'm going to finish the game first and then watch this. God knows how long that's going to take me but mark my words I will come back.

[@uhh9919]

this is such an amazing and thoughtful video essay, loved hearing your analysis and im excited to check out your other vids as well!!

[@daitigris3473]

20:24 I wouldn't agree with how you've framed active nihilism here. Your using it as a self reliant definition based on the way Kamoshido uses it, and would not hold true to everyone. To define an Active nihilists you must first define a passive nihilist. A passive nihilist sees the lack of meaning to be the ultimate answer, they do not seek any additional meaning in their world view. Where as an active nihilist will continue onward by constructing self defined beliefs. There is no evidence these new beliefs would be exclusively self serving, perverse, destructive, or extreme forms of self prioritization. Regardless of the form of nihilism, it doesn't make you become an apathetic self prioritizing jerk. It always comes down to what you choose and how you act on it.

[@Ciega_Confidencia]

I’ve never played persona but when i seen nobility dropped had to watch it

[@michaelhowell2809]

Wow this was a well written and well edited. I don't believe I'm watching a small youtube channel video lol

[@muybueno67]

What an absolute banger!!

[@eversinc3d]

top 10 contender for content consumed in 2024

[@NobuKage404]

Exceptional video. I made a video on this topic, and you really hit the nail on the head with every point.

[@CJKris]

While i've still got much of the video to watch, it's looking really good. And i will surely watch it all. But something i wanna add that i haven't seen been addresed in the video so far. Is that the palace rulers are based of real cases of corruption, kamoshida for example is based on how normalized physical abuse, is in japanese school(In the context of, sports) and several cases of teachers beating their students, and go unpunished. Just wanted to add my grain of sand, great video!! Keep up the good work!!

[@snorp_lord6141]

Great video! Have you played Tactica? I'd *love* an analysis of that game too, especially since the antagonist there expands on the ideas you covered with the holy grail and Maruki :)

[@oriongear2499]

Considering where my life is now, I’d happily accept Maruki’s Reality if he existed IRL.

[@of5606]

Really good video so far but I'm really not a fan of how you seem to so comfortably diagnose kamoshida with a condition which symptoms seem to vanish with the change of heart, and at the same time place the blame for his actions so squarely on the same disorder. Gives the impression that said NPD is the source of such behavior and the change of heart is "fixing" it. I have a hard time believing thats actually your perspective, considering how educated you seem to be in other matters of psychology, but firstly it seems irresponsible to diagnose him so unequivocally considering we dont really have access to kamoshida before the events of p5, and second, it gives a less knowledgeable person the impression that the average person with NPD is in any form like him.

[@NobilityPsych]

I'm glad you're enjoying the video, but you've misinterpreted my analysis on several key points: Diagnosing characters in a safe, fictional context allows us to understand behavior without causing harm. My video analyzes Kamoshida's actions within his specific circumstances; it never makes broad generalizations about real people with NPD, nor does it offer a black-and-white view of the disorder either. For example, I have lines that indicate the dual role of perpetrator and victim of NPD, highlighting its complexity. I don't claim that the change of heart "fixes" anything. A core theme of the video is the complexity of human beings, before and after their transformation. This nuanced understanding of the material contradicts the idea that a superficial message is being pushed to viewers, although this won't prevent those people susceptible to misconstruing, simplifying and misrepresenting my stances. While real-life diagnosis requires extensive history checks, diagnosing fictional characters is based on observable, consistent behavior in the narrative. It's not about "comfort" it's about using the story as a tool to learn these psych-concepts. Ironically, there are also Royal flashbacks I researched (which were cut from the full release) that DID actually explore Kamoshida before his descent into hedonism. I understand your concerns, but overall, you have a hard time believing it's my perspective because you're using mental shortcuts and simplifying my stance, which makes it not my perspective at all. The claim that I'm "blaming" Kamoshida for his actions and how the change of heart is "fixing" him (both words which I never use...?) when the section you're referring to quite literally ends by questioning the ethics of the Phantom Thieves' operation, not only shows that my analysis is far from unequivocal but actually invites complex thinking and nuance into the ethical and psychological dimensions of his transformation, and the rest of the narrative.

[@NotUp2Much]

The best part of this video was watching morgana getting kicked into a wall lmao

[@Nekro_Knight]

Kaneshiro is a fly.

[@vroom7815]

Im gonna rewatch this , and take notes

[@kagekun1198]

I have seen some profound analysis of Persona games, and yours is an outstanding one even among the best. The ending point you made is especially poignant. There's no doubt that the world is full of people with the NPC mindset. The kind we see especially toward the end of the Persona games. Nyx cultists. Those bystanders that actually welcome the Fog. The ones who keep misjudging the Phantom Thieves to the very end. (That couple Takemi Tae overhears just after the Shido Calling Card comes to mind.) The scary thing is, there will be players of all three games and still fail to comprehend the message the games espouse. You only need to look at a Persona Hell Group to see what I mean. You were right about the allure of the Grail. It's so unbelievably easy to choose apathy. To emulate the members of SEES, the Investigation Team and the Phantom Thieves is to take the difficult high road, but I must try.

[@dajazman6858]

This was a nice video! But honestly it felt like a summary more than anything else. I feel like calling it an analysis is a stretch when most of it is stuff you should get by just playing the game lol. I was hoping this would be a video about how p5 tends to tell more than show its themes and tbh it’s kind of surface level commentary on the state of the world but I enjoyed this for what it was.

[@horizon92lee]

Great analysis

[@happykilljoyproductions]

“FOR REAL?!?” -Ryuji

[@skyhighlander6447]

I might give this video a try when I have the time, despite quite disliking Persona 5 Royal's adherance to its own themes and the way the cast is handled, because I can imagine there being some stuff I missed by just not enjoying much of it, at all. Don't expect it to change my mind on the game's story quality, but might get something neat out of it.

[@Captain_M27]

great analysis and the thumbnail looks good but needs more of the p5 identity cause i was going to scroll down and skip the video thinking its an ozumaki video And the Okumura is your analysis is way better than the one game that i wish we had more screentime for him to show this side of him but you know the okumura screentime curse Sae and maruki are the only characters that had that treatment in the game and that's what made them memorable compared to the other antagonists

[@RobinKostuch]

never seen anything persona before but this video was super cool. i had no idea a AAA game could have themes and a story that would make me feel something. thank u nobibity

[@yohanfye]

Fire thumbnail

[@robertbeisert3315]

I wasn't sure how you were going to do it in 20 minutes, but it turned out to be another UI bug. Let me get my tea and settle in, here.

[@michaelhowell2809]

Okay I keep thinking it's mother's basement scripting a video game

[@Brutalcel]

This video is insane

[@perpetualbloom]

Good video

[@Meatball63]

my goat

[@mosquitopyjamas9048]

Ah yes Yusuke...the 'art'ist

[@literallyalois2966]

Nice Junji Ito reference.

[@MxPokirby]

You lost us the INSTANT you tried to diagnose Kamoshida with NPD. We don't need this.

[@hgmd3284]

nice and wierd to see you using the anime to spice up the visuals. i wosh that anime was better.

[@vxsionxd130]

fall into despair i see wut u did there😭

[@keito204]

dang, good video ;o

[@angelayoung9170]

WHAT IS THAT CUT AT 25:41

[@allthingslovely13]

omg, i LOVED the feminist lens in the kaneshiro section! women are pressured to "act like men" in society to advance and yet fall short of the same success as men because they are women. unfortunately, women internalize this harsh mindset from the patriarchy to survive and impose that on other women -- but it is only when women decenter men that they feel true liberation.

[@interneteris]

why tf does this only have 300 views

[@zomebody5529]

Persona 5 is just untouchable imo. As good as 4 and 3 are, they didn't even come close to the peak that is this game

[@kostasspirou1010]

I agree, 3 and 4 are amazing but 5 is something else

[@GizmoProfit]

While I don’t discount their opinions, whenever I see people say P3 or P4 are better than P5 I just assume it was their first persona and they were probably teenagers.

[@lindroind0134]

Would be a 10/10 but you need to remove the Morgana part.

[@lindroind0134]

Just kidding great vid bro

[@shadowfoxx5153]

Was that an uzumaki refrence?

[@veturwinter]

Ay yo dude You got a server or smth

[@lufuoena]

i didn't know this game was so heavy, shi making me mad xD

[@byakko35]

nobili beep boop

[@bepstein111]

TOO MUCH BASS

[@TMVsacrophagi]

Oh ok then

[@NobilityPsych]

Just a small video - no biggie

[@bigman4]

Great video, but god these pronunciations…

[@TheWolfgangGrimmer]

"Goemon" especially lol.

[@DryCombee]

Nice vid, but it would be cool if you used less definitions

[@DarthCasus]

Capitalism isn't an exploitative system inherently. All systems that exist are capable of being exploited, that does not make it exploitative, that makes the people that abuse it exploitative. Just wanted to point that out.

[@pasoio]

Another one of those "intellectual" essays, that's really just a recap of the story.

[@thefloodwatch785]

Psychological analyst who pronounces "Camus" wrong? red flag for AI writing hope you can explain this.

[@shido_0]

its not that deep bro