The Psychology of Dr. Takuto Maruki (Persona 5 Royal) | MAJOR SPOILERS

MAJOR STORY SPOILERS AHEAD. Dr. Takuto Maruki, the new confidant in Persona 5 Royal, is one of the most complex and nuanced characters in the franchise. While on the surface he presents like a well-intentioned counselor for the students at Shujin Academy as Joker and the Phantom Thieves start getting to know him, his distortions start becoming more and more readily apparent. And so today I want to look at the psychology Maruki became the man he is today and how his grief, delusions of grandeur, and desire to save the world twisted him in dangerous ways, leading him to become the most engaging and sympathetic antagonist I have ever experienced in a game.
I do want to note that all counselors will come at situations from different theoretical orientations, backgrounds, and belief systems. My opinions correlate with my own education and professional experience up to this point in my education as a Master's level counseling student.
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[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

If you enjoyed this breakdown then check out my latest Persona video looking at the Psychology of Zenkichi Hasegawa from Persona 5 Strikers! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaXYaqWgod5-q8k

[@endershepard7117]

I was at a Apprentice School Class at work the other day and these words were written on one of the chalk boards. If not now, when? If not me, who? People can claim that someone has a hero complex or messiah complex all that they want but as District Attorney Harvey Dent said in The Dark Knight to the woman when asked, “Who gave Batman the right to do what he does?!” Harvey Dent: We did. With our inaction. I have been playing video games 🎮 since I was like 5 years young to the age I am now. And I have never faced a final boss in a game that had me more torn and unsure of whether I should even be fighting them and opposing them as Doctor Takuto Maruki does. The fact that The Phantom Thieves of Justice themselves acknowledge him as essentially a real and true living god at this point when they refused to do that with The Holy Grail, says a lot because they’re not wrong. I would even go further than that. The Marukiverse as I call it makes him nothing less than the God of Gods, Chief Architect of Reality & The Ultimate God of Temptation! Now as Joker 🃏 I stood against the Marukiverse because I choose to fight and struggle and maybe even fail to make my dreams reality rather than having someone be able to just snap their fingers and make all of my dreams come true. Because I believe that unpredictable journey is worth undertaking but the real life person that I am can’t deny that I’m so over this original reality that I was forced into and having the opportunity to alter my reality in certain ways in The Marukiverse is very tantalizing and intriguing. If I could experience my Idealized Reality it would be one where I am 6 foot 5 and my beloved older sister is still alive. My parents are still happily married and great parents until I’m at least 18 years old. And me and my other two siblings have a great bond with each other and I’m a Legendary Game Designer whose works rival all others in the video game industry! I absolutely love the juxtaposition that this game places upon me. What I choose for Joker I would not choose for myself. I’m 5 foot 10. My sister is dead and my parents are divorced. Those are realities that I can do nothing in my own power to alter but The Marukiverse could! Like I said. Doctor Takuto Maruki really and truly does have an apotheosis that turns him into The God of Temptation! Because what greater temptation is there than to offer someone the power to have more authorship of their own lives than God, Nature or Society has ever given us?!

[@fernandozavaletabustos205]

Thank you for making another interesting video about Persona 5 Royal!!

[@Valiantlion23]

Taxi symbolize he is now only helping other people's choice destination. Not by force for the his own decision . Dr.Maruki my favorite persona character of all time

[@OneNamelessHero]

Damn... the taxi symbolism thing is genius.

[@Nitram4392]

Nice role for a support character.

[@requiem165]

Wow

[@matteozefi6219]

nice catch

[@pcharl01]

Interesting. Kinda hate it though.

[@marche800]

It's noteworthy that Azathoth isn't just the Idiot God, he's the Blind Idiot God. In other words the perfect Persona for a man with immense delusions of grandeur. It's also pretty fitting that he took on the role of the God of control given how much of a control freak he was even before taking on the role. It's actually note worthy that Adam Kadmon, the ideal man's, design has a lot of similarities to Yaldabaoth in both size and colour. His ideals also show through his affect on the Velvet Room, a place designed to guide humanity to their potential, being slowly sapped of strength by Maruki's actualization. He is literally killing people's ability to grow.

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

I agree 100% and I hadn't noticed the design similarities between Adam Kadmon and Yaldabaoth, but I can totally see it now. :) Thanks for pointing it out.

[@InklingRacer456]

Azathoth is also Nyarly's Father.

[@thegreenmessor3809]

and Nyarlathotep takes pride in that fact or so I've heard.

[@tuckinatorinator787]

Also to add on to the facts on Azathoth. It is a God that sleeps eternally and through his dreams the universe is made. He remains ignorant of the universe as he creates the universe of his dreams and that if Azathoth wakes up the universe he created would collapse. Maruki is a Blind Idiot God that lives in delusion and creates the universe he dreams of while never being able to properly experience his own Dream World and the moment he snaps out of his delusion the carefully constructed world he made fell apart.

[@april5356]

@@ThoughtBubbleYT i think why adam kadmon and yaldabaoth are so similar is because he's pretty much doing what yaldabaoth did take away humanity's free will for what he thinks is the good of mankind

[@recht_voor_zijn_raap5506]

RIP Billy Kametz. You gave us an amazing performance of one heck of a counselor and final dungeon. You will be missed

[@eamonndeane587]

Erica Lindbeck (aka Futaba's VA) has my Deepest condolences as well since they were dating until his untimely death.

[@gerragotheallidile]

@@eamonndeane587 From what I've heard, he died of metastatic colon cancer. (Colon Cancer has the highest chance to metastisize of all cancer from what i've heard.)

[@marche800]

You know what the ironic thing about his messiah complex is? The cause of all of his suffering in relation to his research, Masayoshi Shido, also has a massive messiah complex, they're two sides of the same coin. Shido believes that he was chosen to steer the country otherwise it'll fall to ruin, and it's better for people to simply blindly follow him. Meanwhile Maruki thinks that he needs to save people by providing them with the exact path to happiness and that it would be better for them if they just forgot about their problems and walked the path he gave them. It's the same thing, they're both trying to steer people's lives in the direction of their ideal world under the guise of Altruism.

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

I think that's a really interesting point and in my mind points out an even larger flaw in Maruki's logic. What happens when one person's percieved happiness lies in direct contrast with another's? Like if one person wants to save a marriage and the other wants nothing more than to escape? Who does Maruki decide is more valid?

[@marche800]

@@ThoughtBubbleYT I mean given the answers he deems right in the screening process in his palace. I would assume he would go with the giving up on the marriage route. Just because trying to make it work could result in struggle and more pain for both the individual trying to make it work and the person who doesn't want to. If he just brainwashed the person who wants it to work that's simpler than brain washing them both to make it work.

[@StBacchus]

@@ThoughtBubbleYT You can already see Maruki making these kinds of judgements in his treatment of Sumire. Like, probably her parents would rather have their dead daughter back if you gave them the choice. Heck, maybe Kasumi would rather have another chance at life! But, like you pointed out, he doesn't even give it a second thought.

[@WatcherPrime]

@@ThoughtBubbleYT That is technically answered with the "If you could steal people's hearts without getting caught" portion of the "treatment screening". Do bare in mind this happens in his Palace, so this does bare on his morality. A option in that question would be to steal another's heart, which if picked as a patient did, would result in getting the treatment applied to offer the 'correct' happiness. To answer the question, he would think forcing a relationship to work is not the path to happiness.

[@matthewbarnes7650]

@@ThoughtBubbleYT I think that's covered in his dungeon. Remember that the alternative to struggling and losing is giving up and trying something else.

[@Blackmage4001]

When you realize it Maruki is the polar opposite of Adachi.

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

Truth

[@B_A-tr]

Funnyli enough there is some guy with a profile pic of tohru maruki

[@ski-meme-trash-k1ll3rsbane71]

The man who would give up everything to help people through force to satisfy his own complex vs. A man who put everything into his studies so that he could be successful, making no friends in the process, and when that didn’t work he got angry and blamed talent he didn’t have and sought to take what he thought was his through force. Both gave up on the world due to their own faults and also was able to change the world through actions they committed in an alternate reality. While I do think they have some parts that are opposing each other they have more in common then one may think.

[@thomasfairburn5254]

Going further I think he's more of an opposite of Persona 1's Kandori as Kandori was the first ever Persona user that ruled over a cognitive world in the series.

[@alfie4234]

Adachi: Reality sucks. Let’s *destroy* it. Maruki: Reality sucks. Let’s *save* it.

[@grandarkfang_1482]

"Reality is often disappointing...or, at least, it was. But now, reality can be whatever I want." -Purple Maruki, 2018.

[@franrukavina6034]

People do say that the path to hell its paved with good intensions.

[@matthewbarnes7650]

Persona 6 will probably have some sort of big villain that Maruki cannot stop coming in and making the bad end to p5r a choice everyone regrets. Remember, nyx and izanami actually existed. Yaldaboth was the only cognitive villain in persona so far.

[@holo6883]

@@matthewbarnes7650 Guess the next one will be the aliens Jose mentioned

[@littlea420]

@@KamehameaaronX100 self promoting

[@kevinespada3421]

It's very interesting that the song "Throw Your Mask Away", which plays in Maruki's Boss Battle theme is Maruki's Point of View. And shown more his delusion as being god by listening to the lyrics. It's like the song "I Believe" that plays, when our heros are going to steal Maruki's Heart in the last day, which is Phantom Thieves's Point of View. I love how those tracks shown both mindset of the heros and villain.

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

Woah, I never thought of that. But that's honestly so cool, thank you for pointing that out because that elevated just how amazing the final battle is for me even more.

[@antowanthomas5413]

I’m glad someone else caught it. Once you read the lyrics, it makes the battle hit harder.

[@Terensworth]

I personally believe Throw Your Mask Away works from both sides, Maruki's, as you mentioned, but the thieves' as well. Ask yourself, what is the mask in this conflict? Who's mask? What does the mask entail? The mask is what hides our true selves, the mask hides our pain behind a smiling face, or our delight behind a sad one. The mask covers up our hardships. Both sides of this conflict went through loss and pain, crashing down, losing what they thought they had, being trampled by the world, one side took off their mask of being fine, and chose to rebel against the world that ignored their plight or built upon it. The other side put on a mask and built a fortress of sorrow to shield himself from everything, while claiming to be trying to save the world that hurt them so much. Have you noticed during the fight that Maruki never actually removes his golden mask to use Azatoth/Adam Kadmon? Sure, they're both summoned all the time, but in my opinion that's another hint at the true nature of a mask in this conflict, and then, when finally beaten completely, after the checkmate moment, Maruki finally removes his mask, and lets his pain loose in the fist fight. The thieves meanwhile remove their masks and show their fury for the whole game, they rebel, they lash out, they fight and they overcome their hardships and grow as a result. Finally, at that last battle, Maruki makes his first step to growth, just as they did so many times. So Throw Your Mask Away is Maruki pleading for the thieves to stop fighting, stop rebelling, stop exerting themselves, because everything is alright now. The world is fine and their fight is over, everyone is happy, don't give up on the dreams you can have right now at no cost with no pain. But Throw Your Mask Away is also the thieves yelling at Maruki, telling him to stop hiding, to stop pretending that everything is fine and that what he's doing is right. To take off his mask and face reality, and the pain he looked past until now, don't give up on the dreams you can have once your fight for them.

[@kevinespada3421]

@@Terensworth Interesting, I never saw Throw Your Mask in that way, until now. Still I think personally Throw Your Mask fits more Maruki then the thieves. It feels like a god promising you a paradise without pain and suffering that everything we will be okay under him, but by taking away your free will and treating you like a puppet. I believe fits more the thieves, especially with lyric like " It's our turn to get back to grab the future which we fully believe. And It not given to us. It's earned" or " Off the road we have to go, the roadless path we shall process until the end. There's no turning back for us, 'cause we will never give up" it show our heros are truly opposite Maruki's reality and rather walk their own path then be guide by Maruki. That's why I think I believe is the antithesis to Throw Your Mask.

[@LorenzoPierleoni]

All of the Maruki's arc songs have a double meaning hidden not only in the songs but also in the titles. "Out of Kindness" can have a positive meaning (e.g. doing something out of kindness, with a kind heart) and a negative meaning (e.g. being out of kindness, not having any more kindness). "Keep Your Faith" can have a positive meaning (e.g. don't surrender, don't let your faith go) and a negative meaning (e.g. keep your faith for yourself, don't bother me with it). "Gentle Madman" applies too, as Thomas Pedemont said, for the contrast gentleman/mad man. In "Ideal and the Real" (which you can listen to in a different version if you decide to accept Maruki's offer) the contrast is quite obvious. I was looking for the complete explanation that I found because it was beautiful, but unfortunately I can't find it anymore.

[@BashfulRosesASMR]

I know I’m your fiancée so I’m biased, but this was a damn good video.

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

Thank youuu! Biased or not I obviously appreciate it so much. :)

[@justinthetraveler2869]

@@ThoughtBubbleYT this was such a wholesome interaction

[@Litsune_Kitsune]

God this is cute

[@SupertoastGT]

Lucky guy.

[@JapanFreak2595]

Awww

[@Alex-yg1rm]

Speaking of maruki, fun fact: in the ending where you accept his reality, if you ask sojiro where maruki is, sojiro responds with “who?” This seems to imply at least to me, that no one else besides you remembers maruki anymore, given that sojiro is shown to have met maruki and learned his name prior to the third semester. Also maruki’s only appearance in that ending has him a seemingly nameless stranger who doesn’t even get a character portrait. I just wanna put that out there Thought Bubble any thoughts on this?

[@Dinker27]

Maybe Maruki, despite his complexes, prefers to be out-of-sight. Perhaps, with his grief and some esteem issues, doesn't want to be remembered.

[@patricktomblin1998]

@@Dinker27 yeah this sounds about right. Also in Maruki's ending everyone got to live there "Perfect Life" and in a perfect life where nothing bad happens nobody would have met Maruki. Kind of Depressing really.

[@TheFahmi97]

Considering that he distanced himself with Rumi hoping that she'll get better, I think he too will just stay out of the world he shape.

[@__-uk3qx]

Wouldn’t that mean that he basically changed nothing? Given that the reality he created may give the chance that he didn’t lose Rumi and because of that he wouldn’t get his research or even Shido to be that distorted therefore nothing, plus seems like it was weakening the velvet room so persona 6 cast would be wiped out by “collective thought something” that or a chance to different timelines

[@Dinker27]

@@__-uk3qx Maybe he's settled for a magical taxi cab.

[@uberkirbeeh7954]

Maruki is a brilliantly written character and has become one of my favorite twist antagonists in gaming. These vids have been so great to watch and I hope to see more vids like these from you in the future.

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

I adore his character, and there will definitely be more to come!

[@thatoneguy5343]

Correction: he’s not a villain, but an antagonist.

[@uberkirbeeh7954]

@@thatoneguy5343 potato potata, but yes, you are right

[@seikotora]

@@uberkirbeeh7954 no antagonist and villain are two different things

[@uberkirbeeh7954]

@@seikotora While they are different, one can become another.

[@chaosahoyhoy]

I love the part in his palace where he gives you a psychiatric evaluation (that's really more of an evaluation of himself because he only accepts one answer to each question) "Should you jump in to save your friend from a bad situation or call for help?" - He wants to be safe and avoids conflict. He never joins the phantom thieves and doesn't even want to fight them until his hand is forced. "If you're struggling with a painful career, should you keep at it or swap to as new one?" - He's adamant that the only answer is to pick a new pursuit, and even actualizes an NPC into this (I believe it was one of Yusuke's classmates?) and at the end of the game counselling is too painful for him so he starts anew as a taxi driver. "If you could steal hearts, what would you do with this power?" - he actually rules out anything that leads to a personal gain at someone else's expense AND doing nothing with the power.

[@jacobfreeman5444]

It is hard to say he switched to be a taxi driver or just paid someone off to let him use the car so he can help Joker. But I think we can take it at face value in the sense of why he is there. He wanted to thank Joker for helping him finally come to terms with his grief and start to move on. So he is helping Joker out with his predicament of being followed by G men.

[@OriginalGameteer]

Yes it was one of yusuke's peers In reality he was a struggling but dedicated art student iirc, but in Maruki's world he's suddenly in archery and far more successful

[@whydoistillusethissite8626]

I like the note about him being a taxi driver in the end. He's still helping people reach their destination, but this time it is the destination of THEIR choosing instead of wherever he wants to take them.

[@ridleyroid9060]

Maruki is one of the most MegaTen villains the Persona franchise has ever seen (MegaTen being the franchise Persona spun out of). In that franchise "villains" are much like Maruki, they have their set of ideals and beliefs that strongly oppose yours.

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

I've been looking to get into the SMT side of the franchise! Would Nocturne be a good starting point once it's remastered?

[@qwcew]

@@ThoughtBubbleYT There are two main roadblocks which can turn off newcomers from Nocturne. 1) If you aren't familiar with SMT game mechanics, then you're going to have a miserable time [Simply put: Buffs, Debuffs and Status ailments matter; and don't be afraid to make a scouting run against a boss to scope out their gimmicks, and then build your team around it next time] and some very infuriating puzzles (May want to take notes in certain dungeons). Nocturne also introduced the Press-turn system [Essentially: Everyone has a certain number of actions, you can get more actions by hitting enemies with their weakness or by critting. Enemies can also get more turns by exploiting weaknesses or critting [Some enemies have the ability to gain more turns. For bosses which can do this, all you can really do is pray they don't spam it too hard, especially on harder difficulties. When enemies with this ability start appearing as random encounters, focus fire on them as they're able to combo into a high damage attack].

[@ridleyroid9060]

@@ThoughtBubbleYT I would say it is although its one of the games whose narrative is obscure and is more about ideas than characters. I say go for SMTIV if you have a 3DS. If not, then SMT3 HD and SMTV are probly good starting points. You will need some time to adjust to the games tho, they are brutal.

[@wJermell0]

@@ThoughtBubbleYT I think you'd really like them. SMT 3 is pretty brutal in difficulty (though I don't know if the new merciful difficulty they're adding will make that a moot point) I'd say SMT 4 and SMT 4 Apocalypse are good jumping on points.

[@kartikayysola]

@@qwcew Hate to be that guy but it sounds exactly like what you'd do for a Souls game. Mainly in the idea that your first run or two against a new boss is primarily to learn attack patterns and figure out where the boss leaves themselves open to attack.

[@BobbyTheGamerOfJUSTICE]

Maruki is genuinely one of my favorite video game villains ever. Honestly, Maruki is the perfect example of someone who cares about people, rather than his own self. Which is ironic, considering all of the other villains in P5 are all selfish adults, only caring about their own twisted desires. But it got to a point where him caring about others went WAY too far.

[@jacobfreeman5444]

His caring about others was an excuse he gave himself. It was all about his own pain and belief that such unavoidable pain was unfair. That is why it was a distorted desire. His grief, which he consistently tries to avoid even acknowledging, is what motivates his actions. He does possess empathy...but that empathy is quite twisted by the emotional hell he is going through and refusing to believe he could and should do anything about. He casually inflicts pain on others because he means to erase that pain later. Like somehow that is a fair trade when he doesn't even make his intentions known unless forced to. When he finally stops being in denial I too like Maruki, he is a good guy. But up until then he is too horrifying for words. He really is a monster and it is no wonder he has a palace.

[@agentc7020]

@@jacobfreeman5444 Monster? No I wouldn't call him that, being motivated by grief to try to do good is not how one becomes a monster in my opinion, he really didn't want what happened to him to happen to anyone else, because he had felt that pain and he couldn't escape from it, he thought no one else could, Sumire wouldn't have had he not done something, his selfish selflessness was too dangerous but he wasn't a monster, he was a misguided powerhouse, too strong for everyone's good but too weak to help himself, had I been Joker would I have chosen maruki's reality? I still don't know but hell take me if I didn't feel for the man.

[@jacobfreeman5444]

@@agentc7020 No, he really was a monster for that time he gained the power of Azathoth to the point Joker made him confront his own emotions. By refusing parts of his own emotional self he was limiting both his growth and his ability to make truly compassionate decisions. You can clearly see the times when he says he is doing a thing for someone's good but is instead following his own self interest. There is a certain smugness to him. Contempt even.

[@malakaikamara306]

@@jacobfreeman5444 calling him Monster considering all the other Antagonists feels wrong tbh

[@jacobfreeman5444]

@@malakaikamara306 it is not like he made a mistake and hurt people, then was immediately remorseful. He was actively mind r*ping people. For the greater good, if you actually believe him. Sure, he had good intentions. But like the saying goes the path to hell is paved in such. And not just his own hell, but those he was supposed to be helping.

[@isakwolff5491]

While I know its wrong, and I want to say that I would say no in a heart, but truth be told, I would probably accept his offer at the end. Lost my ex after she committed suicide that occurred after she got into a depression because of a miscarrying (and yes, she carried my child). I had never saw her so happy than when she told me that she was pregnant.... Is it better now? Yes, but it still stings (a TON) constantly wondering what "could have been". So you can say that I sort of see myself in him a ton and yeah he is easily one of the most well-written characters in a long time. Anyway, great work as always. Love your analysis videos, and you are pretty spot on.

[@OneNamelessHero]

That's such a terrific story :C Stay strong, man. If the same happened to me, I couldn't be able to decline Maruki's offer... And yeah, the controversy of the whole thing around Maruki is what makes him such a memorable antagonist.

[@charlestonho6733]

Condolence to you. However Maruki just essentially create Mary sue world where no need progress. Like Lorien , the immortal First race says that universe decided to have concept of death to allow species to appreciate life and progress

[@owkrikki]

@@charlestonho6733 does it matter tho when everyone’s living their best lives possible? isnt that like our reason to progressing in the first place, to better our society? maruki pretty much jus did that, that’s what makes it so hard to decide whether or not it’s right to actually stop him, he could’ve stopped world hunger or smth or even wars across the world

[@charlestonho6733]

@@owkrikki Problem is if your life are perfect and no problem, what a point to progress if your life are perfects

[@markmystery3536]

@@charlestonho6733 so you prefer war and hunger?

[@ravenknight4195]

Wow... that ending if you dont secure a route to the treasure with the enternal sleep... that sent shivers down my effing spine

[@jacobhansen6712]

I don't think it's really eternal sleep. I think that it's more of a sign that joker has given up his rebellious will and that is why Lavenza just sits on the floor. Because she can't contact him now that he doesn't have the rebellious will inside him

[@gabeitches87]

@@jacobhansen6712 ...That's because he forcefully made Joker stop thinking and made him go into eternal sleep until the day he dies. Maruki literally says this himself before it happens. That would more than do the job of erasing Joker's will of rebellion and his free will entirely.

[@ItsKy99]

OH I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS!!

[@thephantomgamingbros.6329]

You beat me to it ;-;

[@ssnowprince6381]

OKAY! NOW!

[@mx.e2176]

Thanks Aki

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

I hope it lived up to expectations!

[@artudela0066]

you see that shinji?!

[@B_A-tr]

You gotta love how maruki shares voice actor with ferdinand who always tries to be better than edelgard and is a better villian tham her.

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

That's actually hilarious. lmao

[@Dangsm]

Comparing two antagonists that are completely different doesn't make sense at all.

[@227someguy]

@@Dangsm I wouldn't say COMPLETELY different. They're both trying to help as many people as they can, in the best way they know how. The main difference is that Maruki is trying to use the most peaceful means available while in Edelgard's case, her story goes out of its way to tell you that a war wasn't necessary for a better continent.

[@clarkmilstead9927]

What’s really interesting is that maruki can feel somewhat more gray at certain times because of wanting to take the easy way out. I wonder how may of us would be able to resist the temptation of instant gratification and the loss of suffering, at the cost of real growth. Personally, I don’t think I’d be able to resist the escape from the world we’re in now. Edit: I would no longer take the offer. Just as before, I merely wanted the easy way out of tough times. But I thought about it and I realized that being alone was not my problem. Never take the easy way out friends. You are stronger than all things that make you weak.

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

I think that this is a good point. While I feel confident without being offered that I would decline his offer, it would be definitely be interesting if it were actually offered to me.

[@clarkmilstead9927]

ThoughtBubble also I gotta respect Akechi’s wishes so I declined in the game

[@joannamyers1268]

There's also a noticable difference between taking such a deal if it were offered and not opposing it if we were placed into it without our knowledge. Most people, if asked, would refuse the former but accept the latter. It's much harder rejecting a reality you want so badly

[@Nitram4392]

Same. I don't know for shure but I think I would accept his deal too.

[@arctohru]

I'd probably take his deal too...

[@dragonwolftmaer5]

It’s interesting how Maruki’s reality works too. 1. You can see in his palace that happiness is how HE determines it. Looking at the quiz there aren’t always “wrong” answers yet he says so. 2. There may be conflicting realities. Sumire’s parents would likely love both their daughters back, but Sumire wants to be Kasumi and she makes Sumire feel inferior, so what do you do? 3. He can rewrite death, but what if something happens. Accident and illness do happen so what would he do? Bring them back again and rewrite that memory again? And that’s just a few things. I also find it interesting that his using the Metaverse to control others for “good” is exactly what Akechi warned regarding the Phantom Thieves. You could atgue that’s just the “detective prince” but I think it’s his thoughts. He’s been controlled his whole life so having someone say “I can give you happiness if you listen to me” amgers him. Like Yusuke in a way Akechi sees through his complex. When Maruki retraunatizes Sumire he gets angry and says Maruki is only using her pain to prove his point, but it is a pain Maruki helped cause. He says he’s giving them a choice (and genuinely wants to help since he could make them disappear), but it’s in a “I don’t want to fight, but I’m right” way. “Look how happy your friends are then give me an answer” and such comments. Practically guilttripping Joker. Then he uses Akechi’s possible death as a last ditch effort then STILL tries to convince them in the battle (which most thieves give a rousing speach of how they’ll move forward and Akechi just says “shut up”) he believes he is saving everyone, but it is so mired in his own grief in a way it is selfish, but it’s not. He also never asks the Thieve’s if they want his reality (or anyone other than maybe the trio who storm his palace) they act with confusion when told they chose it. Because while they admitted it would ne great they never said “I want to live that life”. And with them it’s interesting how Akechi points out the PT’s bond. When he realizes they won’t arrive and Joker shows his fairh Akechi retorts “oh yes, because you’re all as close as before”. Wiping out the crap the thieves endured wipes out the family they built to cope. Ryuji comments how he’s trying to remember how he and Joker met because without the Kamoshida mess Joker and Ryuji wouldn’t be best friends. Good can come from pain, Maruki’s reality can’t account dor that. It started with pain like Sunire, but then transformed into not settling for less too. In the test from his palace one person wouldn’t steal because his life was content. He says he could be happier sure, but life is pretty fine, but this is WRONG to Maruki. As long as you’re not living your best life it’s bad. People who strive for a gosl are wrong because they can fail despite some of the most well known thimgs comimg out of those who have failed and kept triyong. Humanity would stagnate because no one would try. There’d be no competition or individuality. There’d be no achievement or pride. I could go on, but I think Maruki is a perfect example of the ssyimg “the road to hell is paved with good intentions”. He may have good intebtions, but ultimately he’s jusr a person who can’t move past his own grief given the power of a god.

[@cheesemanzombie9151]

Rest in peace to Dr. Takuto Maruki's voice actor Billy Kametz. One of my favourite villains 💔

[@WolfShadowWhisper2]

You should do Psychology videos on characters in other Persona games, like Persona 4/Persona 4 Golden. Two that I think would be very interesting are Tohru Adachi, and Yosuke Hanamura. Most people don't understand Yosuke's character to the fullest, and I think a video about him would help shed some light. Tohru Adachi is an interesting character, as he has his own thoughts on the world that don't correspond with what the main characters are fighting for.

[@WolfShadowWhisper2]

@Jesse Schoedel That could also be interesting. Either that or what I suggested are fine with me.

[@B_A-tr]

Yukari. Some say that sge is realistkc in the answer, some say shes insane and some say that her being insane is realistic for her. I want an answer to this

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

I personally only have played base Persona 4 (I don't have a PC or Vita) but am definitely planning on covering some of these characters in the future because honestly P4, I loved every moment I got spend with the story and cast.

[@glasseskoala7422]

@@ThoughtBubbleYT If you'd like to take a look at Adachi and haven't played P4G, the P4G-anime has two episodes that focus on him (ep 6+7, if you haven't watched it already). I feel those episodes do an excellent job at diving into his mind, even more so than his added SL in Golden.

[@yomilemondragon1721]

I always thought it was funny how he becomes a cab driver at the end of Royal, because in a way a cab driver is the polar opposite to a counsellor; a counsellor listens to your problems, a cab driver tells you all of theirs :P

[@blightedadmiral7006]

Maruki sends people to where they WANT to go Taxi Maruki sends people where they NEED to go

[@agatha6999]

I honestly couldn’t get mad at him for his actions. When pain is overwhelming for some people they choose to end it. His major interactions are the ones who actually appear to be in this overwhelming state so it’s natural he’s afraid of this happening again. As someone who’s been in contact to someone who was gonna commit self harm (who I thankfully talked out off I never would’ve forgiven myself if they hurt themself) I would love to remove all that pain from them so I can truly understand his desires.

[@giraftlop7047]

I find that yes, his world sounds nice in paper, but some people has... less stellar desires of what makes them happy.

[@__-uk3qx]

In the end he isn’t truly making your wishes come true, he only does what HE thinks is your desire and if doesn’t align with what Maruki thinks he change your wish to whatever.

[@eclecticspaghetti]

My favorite thing about Maruki (and the third semester as a whole, honestly) is how there are so many different possible interpretations, answers, and explanations for why he does what he does, and what the "right" answer is. It's such a difficult choice that's fed into by every aspect of the story, from Sumire, Akechi, the Phantom Thieves, Joker himself, and even the soundtrack names for the new semester, which are all double entendres, for example; "Ideal and the Real" could be referencing the *separation* of these two concepts, or, as we see in the ending where we accept Maruki's reality, the meaning could be literal, the joining of both the Ideal *and* the Real. It's absolutely stunning, and your analysis on Maruki is undeniably impressive. I hope he appears again in Persona 6, even as just a simple cameo. Oh, and one more thing; probably my absolute favorite thing about Maruki just from, like, a simple writing standpoint is that he could *so* easily use his powers to get Rumi back, and give him everything in his life that was lost... but he doesn't. He's not acting selfishly here, he truly wants no one else to experience what he had to.

[@zhaumbie]

In all the comments on all the videos on this topic I’ve watched, you are the SOLE PERSON I’ve ever seen point out that he could have gotten Rumi back and simply, selflessly chose not to

[@AlexKlindt]

Well, the one point of contention that I have for you here is the insistence that the process of "growth" is somehow virtuous. For example, if you could press a button and reach the pinnacle of your potential, know everything you'd ever learn normally, have all the wisdom and experience you'd accumulate and have all of the skills that you'd develop over the course of your life magically come to fruition, is that really a worse outcome than going about your life normally? I'd argue that there are serious tangible benefits to having that kind of immediate direction. Obviously, this is an extreme example, but what I'm trying to argue here is that there are serious benefits to the world without misery that Maruki proposes and that giving up the process of growth isn't much of a price to pay, especially when negative outcomes are all but eliminated. It may seem like cheating, to let a godlike power direct things so that failure isn't an option, but in a world so completely warped and unjust, resignation to that world despite some moral disagreements is the ethical choice. It's all about ultimately reducing human misery. Heck, I guess what it comes down to is that in the outlandish circumstance where Takuto Maruki becomes god, you could really do a lot worse.

[@zhaumbie]

I agree entirely. To your point, reality as presented in vanilla Persona 5 could easily read as a once-peaceful world already corrupted beyond measure-and that Maruki’s reality was a potential facsimile of what came before. If you told me there was another reality where potential/ambition/goals were attained and trauma, suicide, murder, and prejudice have been outright cured… I would consider anyone opposing that a masochist, and anyone barring me from it my worst enemy. I reject the concept of “needing misery to appreciate happiness”. It’s a coping mechanism afforded to the ableist. Must the persecuted suffer? Must the blind not see? In what realm does mankind’s Sisyphean climb outweigh peace-peace AND free will, with all content to live their lives free of distortion? For all their defiance of Maruki, the Phantom Thieves hypocritically don’t ask anyone-not a single soul-what they would have chosen. While Maruki chose solace for all after being told repeatedly to his face it was desired, the protagonists don’t take in any outside consideration. Instead, with their own gloved hands they force mankind back on the mountain, pushing that boulder to a peak never reached. Categorically, by their justice’s definition, IMPOSSIBLE to be reached. And a lot of those people, ignorant to what was taken from them, went right back to committing suicide.

[@0axis771]

I wanna point something out. The fact that Maruki DOES admit at the end that he is running away, that he DOES know that the healthiest method to deal with grief and trauma is to tackle it head-on, shows exactly WHY he could be defeated. Remember that it had been stated at multiple points that Maruki could erase the Phantom Thieves if he so desired. That at any point during the fights with both Azathoth and Adam Kadmon, the Phantom Thieves merely win because Maruki himself is holding back because he doesn't want the Phantom Thieves dead. His own desire to save everyone is the very concept that is holding him back from securing his own victory. Also, when you consider the Maruki ending we get, we learn that Maruki himself is now a mere stranger to the others. No one remembers him. There's a case where some people feel like that "no one will remember or miss them if they're gone" and this seems to be the case with Maruki. He erased himself from everyone's mind while they live their happy lives. He made the world perfect for everyone, but he himself has no place in it. And Maruki's friend at the very end of the game claims that Maruki has always been reckless like this when he was younger, implying that he's even had this mindset for a long time.

[@taiga738]

I love how Maruki is a foil to Yaldaboth in how they're both interpretations of the demiurge, one as an antagonistic force deliberately trapping humanity while the other is genuinely unaware of the harm he's causing in doing so. There's also the angle that one world was blatantly dystopic while the other was utopic and that they both represent different facets of sloth. Apathy (acedia) and sorrow (tristitia). Azathoth, while part of a different mythos, fills a comparable role to the demiurge in being the creator of the universe and lacking awareness. P3 already had a metaphor for the arcana and the journey to self-actualization they represent being tied to eating the fruit of knowledge and the more direct gnostic themes of P5 allows a closer examination of the idea that humanity had to leave the garden of Eden in order to gain the ability to reach its full potential. P5 examined and commented on the notion of sins and the desires they represent being considered inherently bad when they're simply desires that can cause both good and harm depending on how they're managed. P5R deals with how some people lament the loss of a former utopic world and the idea that people have to return to such a world and why that wouldn't be a good thing. A lot of Maruki's dialog in the third semester came off as scummy and gaslighty to me. Even if I can't always put into words exactly what's bothering me I just really hate characters that are masking their disingenuousness with guilt tripping and nice guy routines, which is why I hated Akechi's detective prince persona and initially assumed his backstory reveal in Leblanc was purely an attempt to gain unwarranted sympathy, though it turned out he was probably unconsciously opening up genuinely while thinking he was only doing it for those reasons. Maruki kept making the same pleas over and over again even when he already received and answer and kept trying to undermine their clearly stated beliefs just because they weren't what he wanted to hear. He brings up Akechi's situation, which he created, to guilt trip Joker and says he's not trying to hold him hostage as if that makes it true and deliberately put Sumire in a position where she'd be least able to cope with and accept reality just to prove his point as if that's not a way of forcing people into accepting his reality. Plus that deadline ending was super fucked up like holy shit. He just straight up went 'free will causes suffering so I will remove your free will'. Killing Joker would've been more merciful than gutting him out into a soulless husk to be forgotten until his body perishes. It makes Kasumi mostly being ok with what he did to her because it ended up working out really jarring even though I can kinda understand her reasoning. I wish people other than Akechi went harder on it and you had more say in not feeling conflicted over opposing Maruki. I also wish there was a longer and more detailed resolution sorting out the entirety of that and how Maruki intended to make up for it.

[@silversage8103]

As an Academic, Maruki’s perspective was absolutely interesting as heck. I really enjoyed your analysis of Maruki. Seeing the blend of gaming and academics always hits the soul right on my end. People often associate gaming as a simple pastime but there is truly a deep source of bridging informal education to formal education and understanding that can used as really cool data. This video is an amazing example of that. Thank you for this! You have reinvigorated my desire to continue a thesis! Let the research continue my friend! ^~^

[@jacobfreeman5444]

About the only thing I can add to this is because he was so deep in denial he was taking surface appearances as fact. Yes Yoshizawa seemed happy after he actualized her...but as we get to know her we know this is just a brave front she is putting up. That she actually is disturbed by her inability to live up to her idea of who "Kasumi" is and often feels empty and lost when she tries to ponder about this. Pretty obvious this is a combination of the actualization blocking her as well as the untreated grief and depression. But hey, she was able to plaster a smile on her face so that is enough for Maruki. If he had bothered to properly monitor her he would have noticed what he did was just acting as a band aid to her problems but the actual emotional wound was going untreated. But since he wanted to believe what he did was the right thing so bad he ignored all evidence Yoshizawa wasn't actually doing well and actually gets upset when it becomes clear that not only is this the case but Joker is unknowingly interfering by helping Yoshizawa actually begin to get a grasp on her problems. I too am glad that Maruki finally acknowledges his grief and the fact maybe his ideas were wrong. But that is because the man Maruki was allowing himself to become with his delusions was repulsive.

[@Xolcor]

This was a great look into Maruki's character. I remember at the fist fight near the end I realized why his palace was sorrow, that he was a man broken by his grief and had never dealt with it in a healthy way. I also bet you were glad he decided to quit counseling at the end of the game. Are you going to do more videos on other Persona characters in the franchise?

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

I definitely think it was the right move not to stick with counseling. lol And I am for sure going to look at more Persona characters in the future.

[@jamesvalkyrie7469]

Nice analysis. :) What I also like about Maruki's "Messiah Complex" is that it was more subtle and we see it grow through his memories. Whereas other games/shows just immediately show people who are already mad with power and saying "I AM THE ONE WHO WILL SAVE HUMANITY!" and all that stuff.

[@TehReasoning]

As much as Dr.Maruki has done, it is indeed that many would side with him as well. Maybe over 50 percent. Some trauma and pain don't heal, person doesn't end up making it and changing for the worse. Criminals that have done terrible things don't always change fir better. To be honest the world would end up a better place, at steep cost. But if you told many they can have happiness and do over they always wanted then many in reality would flock to him. In our current world and year, he would be able to get rid of diseases and mental disease, hunger and wars. It's not hard to understand why he would wind up with huge support from masses. To grow, lot of people in real life don't grow especially ones who lost everything and have no one. No matter what anyone says Ignorance is bliss to mortal society... Barely anyone is going to sit there and say they wouldn't want happiness. It's like telling a man who really loved his wife and she died in accident.You can have her back and live your wife as you suppose to be giving him the second chance at happiness. Most people wouldn't dare turn that down, it's normal we're human and there things we want more then anything. Sacrifice is part of life, willing to give something up to have it any costs. Just like sometimes we have to do bad to get the good. Stopping Dr.Maruki literally comes to your personal belief,there literally no right or wrong. Just matter of prospective. Some would even call you the villain for trying to stop him. Funny how each person prospective of you can completely change everything. Sad fact sooner or later someone with more power will take reigns from him because that is also thing about power. Their always someone with more hunger... I always found it amazing how vastly different SMT main series is compare to the Persona series.

[@__-uk3qx]

Good point, just a random person up and says “I want to control reality” an lo and behold suddenly Maruki loses his power and the other guy uses for bad stuff

[@IceQueen975]

While I understand why people would side with Maruki, I pose this question: when there is no sadness, how do you know you're happy? If you are in a world with no light, do you know what darkness is? It's fucked up but humans NEED contrasts. You do not know what joy, love, pleasure and peace are without sorrow, hate, pain and war. When you have nothing to compare to, it all becomes an empty sludge that means nothing.

[@illum6]

@@IceQueen975 You certainly don't need to experience grief to appreciate joy. You have to recognize how much your coping mechanisms warp your perception, just think of all those people who say that their bad experiences weren't actually bad when they would clearly be better off if they avoided them. If life is a good thing, then there is no reason to not maximize it to the point of overturning death entirely (resources for infinite population provided). If people always need contrasts, how come for thousands of years humanity has been making life easier for itself maximizing things like beauty, health, comfort and so on?

[@ashleyunderscorebl]

i mean, i would do anything to have my mom back. why should i care if it limits my growth, she matters more to me than that

[@xmant8842]

I have 2 problems with this assessment 1. No matter what anyone says,, happiness truly means nothing without the existence of sadness. That's just how it is/how we work as people. There's duality in everything and one side means nothing without the other. Heck, one of the teachers basically said exactly this in the third semester. He was like "I'd honestly hate to live in a reality where everything's perfect because then how would I ever know if I'm truly happy" or something like that. 2. You say most people would choose maruki's reality willingly and you're probably not wrong, but the thing is maruki isn't letting them choose. Something just given to you means very little. Heck, even the song I Believe has a line like "we'll make our ideal reality that isn't given to use, it's earned"(I don't remember the exact line bit it's something like that. Ultimately, I say neither side is "wrong" but the phantom thieves' view is definitely the healthier one. Even maruki admits that his reality isn't axactly healthy and that his reality is basically one where everyone is just running away from their problems

[@thomasfairburn5254]

Have you thought about doing a Psychology analysis of Morgana? I feel like he has just as much baggage as the rest of the Thieves do that can be explored with his existential and identity angst. Plus he seems to be the only one left out since he obviously didn't have a counselling session with Maruki out of the Thieves.

[@solitarycrow]

Maruki is an incredibly empathetic yet complex man. Maruki's motives as an antagonist basically is an ultimate compliation of the themes of every persona game starting from 3: Persona 3- Dealing with grief(The loss of his lover to trauma) Persona 4-Reaching out to the truth(putting society in false paradise/lies) Persona 5-Control and becoming truly free(Society would still be under his thumb even though he would make sure people's desires come true)

[@precious_muse]

You know, when I first played through P5R, I didn't really understand what was wrong in Maruki's palace, and I felt like the game didn't either. It made me feel a little bit unsure about the ending because all the other palaces were of people who were incredibly evil (Futaba excepted, of course) and needed to be stopped, and here was one guy wanting to make everyone happy and not wanting to cause harm. I got even more bothered when I noticed a comment from Ryuji on my second playthrough. He said something like, "He just might be doing the right thing, but we don't like it, so we have to change it." It was through going through this and other commentaries that I fully understood what they were going for, that denying suffering also denies growth. I can respect that, but it's still not what I would have done if I were writing for Persona. I would've emphasized that one cannot assume what constitutes happiness for a person, and one person's happiness could mean another person's unhappiness. I guess they kinda touched that in the few Mementos requests we got in the third semester, but I think it would have been a good point to explore further. Hiruta's reaction to the actualization brushed on that a little bit, too. I always thought Hiruta was depressed, but his lesson during the third semester was that he just didn't like happiness. Taking his gloominess away made him even more unhappy. I've been playing around with ideas for a fanfic, and I might explore that further. Might be interesting if characters in future games might distantly remember what Maruki did--but that's probably not going to happen. One thing I didn't understand, in that test in Maruki's palace, the second question (I think) about you have a dream that doesn't work out for you, what should you do, and we're supposed to chose the answer Maruki would've chosen. The right answer was "choose another dream" because that allows the lest pain, but that's not what Maruki did! He stuck with his dream to pursue cognitive psience even when everyone told him it was not reasonable. What's the deal with that? Was he admitting that he didn't make the right choice? I was also kinda sad at the end when Maruki became a taxi driver. He worked hard for doctorate, and he's just going to give that up? I never want to do that.

[@ruki4929]

It's the same with the first question: he's willing to matyr himself to create a world where he saves everyone: but doesn't want you to risk pain to save a friend. He's the exception to his own rules. He will take all the pain to save everyone else from it.

[@minergmaingx2000]

Requiem in Pace, Doc

[@FlankingLinex]

I would LOVE to see a breakdown of Jungian psychology and its influences on the Persona series. I think Persona 4 Golden did a fairly good (if a bit dry) breakdown with the lectures from Mr. Edogawa that are unlocked throughout the game, so that might be an interesting place to start. Specifically, I would really like an exploration of the idea of the Collective Unconscious, from a less-fantastical point of view.

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

I've been kicking the idea about doing a video about Persona and Carl Jung because I think it's super interesting but don't have anything concrete planned yet!

[@KHaskins23]

Wow, his story is really interesting but heartbreaking. He's not really Evil unlike people such as Shido, Kamoshida, Madarame, Kaneshiro, & Okumura. He was just a grieving man who wanted to make the world a better place.

[@IceQueen975]

Thing is, none of the other Palace rulers are "evil" either. Not at first. Yes, even Shido. Consider when Shido was a teen/in his 20s. *During the Lost Decade of Japan* . We Americans don't understand just how DEVASTATING that decade was for the Japanese. The echos of it still linger. His treasure is a legislator's pin. It's very possible he really did want change, to try and make the country a better place so the next generation (aka Akira and Akechi's generation) didn't suffer like his did. But we all know politics is corrupt no matter which country it is. Sae is a good indicator of how hard it is to keep your morality when under that kind of strain for YEARS. This doesn't excuse anything Shido does. Hell no. But if you look at all the Palace rulers, really look, you realize they all started with positive or neutral intentions. But their goals and desires became twisted and decayed into what we eventually saw. And that takes time. Years, really. Yes, even Maruki. The game even has cut files, where when you get a Will Seed you would see a scene of the Palace ruler's past, giving an idea of how they became twisted. It's a shame they cut that, as it makes things more realistic and ALSO calls into question the morality of what the PT are doing, when combined with the scenes in the Depths of Mementos.

[@kichijoji199x]

Rip Billy Kametz 🙏 Maruki's VA

[@GenocidalSquid]

Rest in Peace.

[@ily9718]

YES YES YES YES, this was an awesome video, I love Maruki and I really enjoyed Royal. I was honestly blown away by how good the third semester was, in past Persona remasters it was usually not the best but here they really outdid themselves, I'm currently doing my NG+ and cannot wait to get to the third semester again, everything was all so good!

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

Honestly, the third semester elevated Persona 5 from being in my top 10 games of all time to easily the top 3. Everything they tweaked and added to Royal made me absolutely adore the game so much with Kasumi and Maruki being my favorite characters in the game.

[@ily9718]

@@ThoughtBubbleYT I know right! Akechi (Well, the new s.link and stuff), Kasumi and Maruki all fit in wonderfully, the bad endings add so much to the new semester and it's all just incredible together! I'm so bummed they won't be in P5S, I'm sure that game will be great and can't wait to play it, but it having the P5R characters would've been great.

[@Klefth]

I gotta agree. Maruki was a fantastic antagonist, and a great addition to the game that really elevated it considerably over the kinda... "eh" ending sequence of vanilla P5. Oh, and hey I'm not sure if you'll catch this, but since you also tackle some anime in your channel, have you checked out 3-gatsu no Lion/March Comes In like a Lion? Something tells me you'd have a blast with that one.

[@xXHaname]

Seconded for Sangatsu. The character growths are just fantastic. Rei overcoming depression, Kyouko's broken relationship with her father, the Kawamoto family and bereavement, it's incredible. Sangatsu is very much a love letter to the varied experiences of human beings. Gosh, what would he say about Takagi?? That was one of the most meaningful and nuanced depictions of school bullying that I've ever seen in media, with pieces of the conflict from all sides: the bully, the bullied, the parents, the teachers, and the friends...

[@Klefth]

@@xXHaname Let's not spoil much. :P

[@AngelYt-xs6yy]

after hearing the word of a professional on the matter i dont feel as guilty as before of destroying his dreams

[@gavo7911]

The entire time I was playing through the 3rd Semester, I never truly thought of him as a villain, but rather as a damaged soul who had gone too far to impose his salvation upon humanity. I can’t help but think that if he had won, the world would undeniably have been a better place, but it wouldn’t have been right.

[@JesskuHatsune]

Upon seeing Maruki's treasure for the first time, I interpreted it as a gift of fire. Gaining this ability to erase trauma is such a useful sounding thing, but much like with fire it can still go out of control and destroy everything in the end

[@yurimaldonado4966]

I think its really cool how Maruki has such a huge ego but at the same time no ego whatsoever. He's aways goofing around and giving people snacks, while walking around a japanese school in sandals, a meek guy who you could easily see being pushed around. But when the subject is helping people, misguided as he is, only then he becomes terrifyingly capable and sure of himself. That description would fit any jrpg hero or anime protagonist like a glove, and thats what makes Maruki a great antagonist

[@cn_soraa]

This analysis was so well thought out and so easy to understand. While I was playing the third semester, the events that played out really made my heart heavy, but I didn't have the vocabulary to to explain to myself why it hit me so hard. Listening to your analysis really made me understand why. Thank you so much! Looking forward to your future videos :)

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

I'm so glad you enjoyed and there will definitely be more to come!

[@sapphibee]

after finishing royal on last Monday and quoting Akihiko "I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS"

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

I hope it didn't disappoint!

[@briansmith2831]

@@ThoughtBubbleYT 9th

[@lucienpage2066]

Man this was really well made. As a Persona fan I'd love to see you do more in depth analysis on the other games like Persona 3 or even the Persona 2 duology. Keep up the great work!

[@twilightvulpine]

In 2020 his arc hits differently. Even with all these issues, I can't look out of the window and say "yeah, this is better". A flawed man with a messiah complex is still better than living in this harsh reality under the thumb of selfish sociopathic leaders. He legitimately wants to help people, and that is more that can be said from what we have.

[@necrodamus5481]

True, but the general gist is by granting everyone's wish he's denying them growth as human beings to let them reach their full potentials. And we as humans have to suffer a bit to learn from ourselves and be better people from it to grow. By denying them that and making reality comfortable. He's practically gave up on humanity because he's gave up on how to deal with his own pain in a healthy manner. Tbh I'd rather have a least some chaos than for everything to just simply be "safe"

[@talentroller4413]

@@necrodamus5481 yes but some other people have been through the worst of the worst in life and genuinely feel they have no way up in life. what can you say to them? i’m sure they’d definitely like maruki’s reality

[@necrodamus5481]

@@talentroller4413 Yes I understand. I can see why theyd like Maliki's reality and in a way how thatd be beneficial to them. The problem with Maruki is he wants to push that reality on "everyone". On every human being. Not just the people who been through the absolute worst and cant see the light. In a way, that's scary. Perfect realities all made by one man who we all assume has perfect judgment and isnt led astray by the human factor. Somebody would notice at some point that everything is going too perfectly. And he seems to be the human stand in for the holy grail. He pretty much is the holy grail 2.0. Self appointed, self righteous, believes he's doing the right thing, the only difference is Maruki sugar coats it and treats it like heaven. The holy grail knows it's not and only wanted control

[@Evatallica]

So I teared up watching this video 🥺 Maruki is such an amazing character; and you have done a wonderful job analyzing him through this video as well as the session videos. I hope this won't be the last video you do on P5R but I'm so glad I found your channel. Wishing you nothing but the best.

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

I'm really glad you enjoyed it! And it definitely won't be the last, there's still a lot of interesting stuff to talk about with P5R. :)

[@DJMilez]

Amazing video, love your editing and narration! New sub!

[@izzyxp6830]

It has been nothing but an absolute pleasure to listen to your perspective on my favorite story of all time. Your in-depth thoughts on these characters always shed a light on how I view these characters. Thank you so much for these videos. I would honestly love to hear you talk about Persona 5 and it's characters until there's nothing left to talk about. Congrats on the recent growth and I hope that there's much MUCH more to come.

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

Thank you so much, and there's definitely loads I still want to talk about with P5R!

[@BATCAKE]

Insanely well made video. Thank you for this!

[@AdumbroDeus]

It's a legitimately great analysis, the level of attention to detail to how his trauma affects his decisionmaking and his choices to defy the world in order to achieve what he saw as an Eden is immense, and I really enjoyed a counselor that... you know actually cares about ethics, explaining how his trauma warped his good intentions. Also today I learned that I primarily deal with grief in an instrumental manner. You talked pretty extensively on instrumental grief vs intuitive grief and talked a bit about how styles of grief are associated, but I'd be really interested in a deeper dive into gender roles as they related to Maruki, because I'm noticing that he seems incredibly adverse to actions and solutions associated with femininity and women's gender, and a significant part of his trauma seems to be his inability to protect and trying to make up for that by protecting everyone from every pain. Totally unrelated, really like your outfit today! ^_^

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

I'm really glad you enjoyed it, and thanks I love that shirt! :) And you know, that could be an interesting topic to dive into!

[@AdumbroDeus]

@@ThoughtBubbleYT well, if you make video(s) on it, I'll definitely watch! And np! It's a great shirt ^_^

[@rohanlawrence5161]

Fantastic! Simply Fantastic! You hit the nail on the nail on the head with this guy. A well meaning but arrogant human being. He was so convinced that if he couldn't get through his pain that no one else could. And I loved the part where you mentioned that while he says he wants to come to an understanding with Joker and Akechi that he really just wants them to except his way of thinking. Which only makes me appreciate Akechi more because he called his crap from the get go. Thank you so much for this analysis dude. Hope you move on to P4 Golden Next. So many good characters that I want to here your opinion on.

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

I've only played vanilla p4 but I'd still LOVE to talk about the characters to some extent!

[@Sponguin]

This was so utterly fascinating, I absolutely loved your breakdown. God I love this character so much, I wish one day I could actually write a character as complex and thought provoking as him. Great video!

[@LeonOwO]

Great video i cant believe you only have just shy of 6k subs, the script was perfect the background music was just the right amount of noticable to not be distracting and the voice over work and editing were clean.

[@dynamite2065]

When you explain Maruki's thoughts and the complex he has, it really does help show that Joker's decision to go against Maruki was the correct choice. I was going back and forth with the argument whether it was right or wrong to side with him, hearing others' comments on this KZbin.So thank you for explaining this because I definitely missed it while playing this the first time lol. Too engrossed in what was going on.

[@iaxacs3801]

One thing I've noticed about Maruki and his palace is the sheer amount of Mormon beliefs that are in it. I'm not gonna post everything I've noticed within the palace but the big key points are how it's taken vast amounts of inspiration from Mormon Temples which are seen as places in which couples are married together for eternity and where the ways of obtaining Eternal Happiness are taught in Mormonism. Both of these things Maruki cherishes dearly. This further plays into Maruki dealing with Intimacy vs Isolation as his love and source of happiness in Rumi is now gone. When people get this low in their lives they start seeking for explanations as to why things are happening the way they are and it lead him to Mormonism. He discovered how the religion puts great emphasis on how families can be together even after death and how even those who are dead can be tied together. He was looking for anyway to possibly help Rumi deal with her trauma and discovered this. The temple is also the house of God fitting perfectly with how a palace is a ruler's home. In the end Maruki's Jehovah Complex is formed around his study of the Christ portrayed by Mormonism and the Millennia of peace brought by Christ's Second Coming. Link to a reddit post of all the other details I've discovered to back my theory: www.reddit.com/r/Persona5/comments/i3utba/possible_inspiration_behind_royals_new_palace_and/

[@gogogadgetrectalpunch7436]

Fitting that Maruki became a taxi driver. He guides people where to go without picking the destination for them.

[@xNephilimxXx]

From a clinical psychologist to another, I approve of your diagnosis and earned my sub. :)

[@truej3763]

Really glad I found this channel through this maruki series,looking forward to more content like this. it's really interesting to see how much effort is put into the writing of these characters and I just can't express how interesting it is to finally get a solid grasp on what everything meant. Really love the vids so far and hoping for more in the future.

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

Thank you so much! There's definitely more content to come! :)

[@StoriesWithPrentice]

Found this video and your channel tonight. Recently discovered the Persona franchise - 5 Royal being my first entry, and it has affected me on a personal level due to recent things that it is now in my top favourite ever games. Maruki is my absolute favourite character and it was the perfect ending to this game. Thank you so much for this deep dive and I am looking forward to catching up on the rest of your videos!

[@AlwaysSunny8193]

Why did I just find this channel!! Such quality!

[@fernandozavaletabustos205]

Thank you for making another interesting video about Persona 5 Royal!!

[@Wolfganger1357]

Wow this video is really incredible! You've gone above and beyond with your explanation and visuals. Subscribed, and looking forward to more great videos!

[@makotomikoto]

your videos are soothing, in a way that gives me time to self reflect.

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

That's honestly such an amazing compliment. Thank you.

[@LukasAllgood]

Insanely great analysis, amazing work! :]

[@idea4965]

After watching this video, I realized how appropriate it is to defeat Maruki with Messiah. He is simply a false prophet compared to Makoto Yuki

[@AJkingwing]

Rest in peace, king. We love you and all the amazing work you did.

[@Brave_Tsubasa]

This story is so so so impactful, and it would not be the same without Maruki as an absolutely amazing antagonist. I really enjoyed the video, the connections to psychology really put into perspective how well written Maruki is as a character.

[@aaesopp5613]

Great video! I was searching some P5R videos since it re- released for pc users, I love this game has more than just feeling fun but gives us more pieces to think about in ourselfs. Whats more, I was really surprised and also impressed about this person Maruki, with 3rd semester added in P5Royal, It is self-referensse to the origin of it's series, that "persona" is not mostly about saving world but more to know your friend and to help them get up from their suffering...

[@transegg7780]

I love this content. I dunno if youll ever make any persona palace ruler breakdowns in the future, but it would be really fun to see. I also recommend playing through persona 4 if you want more cognitive breakdown fuel. :)

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

I definitely would love to do more stuff involving persona palace rulers. And I adore Persona 4 and it's cast! :)

[@VXMasterson]

I used to want to pursue Clinical Psychology before switching my major, a lot of the info I had learned kinda fell out of my memory. But watching Psychological breakdowns of complex characters is always a great way to re-invest myself in that line of work. Thanks for these.

[@Syakirin57]

The positive side of Marukis reality is that it is a genuine one and not just an illusion. The only issue that I has is that he's the only one controlling it and it's all fine and dandy if he stays good but if he turn evil for whatever reason, we are all fucked.

[@michaeldixon4947]

What a great video! Thanks for your hard work! Also on a side note, you are adorable! ❤️❤️❤️

[@phantomnite]

Maruki is my favourite persona antagonist and this video definitely made me love him even more

[@hydropizza]

I think Maruki is a very interesting antagonist to have in a game like Persona 5. Compared to most of the Palace rulers, who were complete scumbags, Maruki does genuinely mean well and wants the absolute best for people. But, as you explained in your series of each of his sessions with the Thieves and in this video, the guy can be horribly misguided. He can have a very skewed idea of what being "happy" is, as we see with Yusuke's friend who he turned into an archer in order to avoid an artist block. And even after getting crazy reality warping powers, instead of bringing Kasumi back, he thinks it's a good idea for Sumire to be stuck as fake Kasumi so that she won't compare herself to her sister. I believe that Maruki's reality also falls into the "cobbler's children who don't have shoes" paradox: he's so focused on other people's problems that he neglects or ignores his own, even while those issues still plague him and bleed into his mindset. And as the adage goes, you can't help others if you can't help yourself.

[@phantomslay5612]

I'm so happy you did this. Honestly, I've never felt so much sympathy and heartache for a villain in this franchise before. This is a real evolution on Atlus' part and if we can keep getting characters like this in the future, that would be incredible. You could say that's 'my fantasy'.

[@talentroller4413]

that’s because he isn’t a villain

[@icypika]

Amazing work! Jungian Psycology is a really interesting concept. It gave birth to the amazing game series of Persona. I look forward to more of your videos. Keep up great the work! Also oh god poor Sumire and Maruki :(

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

I always thought Jungian Psychology was really cool and it's actually lowkey what convinced me to start getting really invested in the franchise in college (before that I'd only tried a bit of P3 and never finished it)

[@icypika]

That is fair I only heard about it after I played Persona 4 Golden. I fell in love with game characters and learned it was based on Jungian Psycology. I've always really liked Psycology. It started off with Athena Cykes from Ave Attorney Duel destinies. Is it possible to see Ace Attorney analysis? I think there are some really interesting characters to be analyzed

[@Jake38nine]

Also, I love psychology and you using it to depict characters from video games is extremely unique. I'd love to see you do the psychology of each and every Fire Emblem Three Houses Characters too.

[@PKRockin7]

I can't even put into words how much I loved this video

[@sunjian5458]

To quote James T. Kirk from Star Trek V: Damnit Bones you're a doctor, you know pain and guilt can't be taken away with a wave of a magic wand! They're the things we carry with us, the things that make us who we are. If we lose them, we lose ourselves. I don't want my pain taken away I NEED MY PAIN!

[@eamonndeane587]

My God... Why didn't realize until now....? Dr. Maruki is basically the Persona version of Sybok....

[@daehan8227]

Now honestly this was a great video. You have actually gotten me interested in Maruki (the only characters i found interesting from the P5 series was Zenkichi from the warriors spin off well at least i can Maruki as well), honestly I am mostly a fan of Personas 1-3. Though it would be gnarly to see you tackle 1-3 at some point and see what you would say about the characters there albeit heroes or villains.

[@MultiGamerchick]

I enjoyed watching this video so much, and I found him interesting yet complex at the same time. Reminds me so much of Tohru Adachi in a way, but yet I don't think he's a bad guy! Thank you so much for creating this video, and you got a new subscriber!

[@liorshaked7624]

I've been waiting for this for a long time... Finally! :)

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

I hope it was worth the wait! :)

[@mysterygamerkid192]

This series was fun but sadly all good things come to an end. Thank you for making these videos. It was fantastic.

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

Yeah, I'll miss talking about Dr. Maruki. But there will be more content around Persona and other games to come!

[@farhanahmed1175]

Wow, I stayed till the end and as someone who's deeply interested in psychology I really found this comprehensive and profound. I feel like I missed quite a bit of details during my playthrough because I was just DONE with the last palace especially during the color selection puzzle. But I'll have to do a second playthrough to really notice all these details you mentioned. I think the best part about Maruki's arc is that he really makes you question your choices and ideals. Personally I obviously chose the option of not complying with his idea of reality but deep inside I knew that in real life if I had an opportunity like this I might have went on with the idea of a perfect reality. The idea of having everything handed out to you does sound tempting at the very least even if it isn't the best for your personal growth. Where Maruki actually went wrong is the fact that he misused his powers instead of using them for a more ethical and just purpose, just like how you mentioned in the video that after his research got rejected his desires started reaching the peak of distortion.

[@RealRoboKnight]

Maruki and Akira having the same goal, yet different ways of doing things, it is so cool and humanizing to see tbh.

[@popcornastoria]

After finally reaching the end, I feel like you and me have actually been thru some SERIOUS SHIT together. I got chills, man. I wanna ask you if we can chat sometime, I-need-to-ask-our-group-therapist-if-that's-okay level feelings. Thank you so much for all of this, and being truly vulnerable in sharing what you have to say. I can definitely see you going FAR with this, I'd bet on it, and I can't wait to see it happen

[@VelociousYT]

brilliant video

[@TheShowCrow_Main_Channel]

A fantastic video. It’s very well put together. And you convey everything in a very understandable way. Although I think you forgot to edit out one of your outtakes at 9:55 but that’s just a minor editing mistake and doesn’t make the overall viewing experience any less excellent. It’s clear you have an understanding of what you’re talking about, and that usually makes for more engaging videos, at least in my opinion. Anyway yeah, good job

[@hamzafairs3262]

Great. Great video.

[@robo-raven2157]

It's sad to think that Maruki could have actually been a perfect guide for humanity if he weren't so obsessed with his short-sighted and selfish ideals. He could have done what the Phantom Thieves do, but on an international scale. He could remove oppressive people like Shido who've grown too powerful to be brought down by normal means, and eliminate major distortions before they can trap people and ruin their lives. He could have created a world where everyone has a fair shot, and where people could truly grow through their own power, without impossible obstacles holding them back. Unfortunately, his mind was too distorted to see that solution. He claims that reality doesn't make it so easy to move on from one's guilt and trauma, or to rise above their circumstances, yet despite having the power to warp reality itself and remove the injustices and barriers that stagger people's ability to live their lives the way they want, he decides that the only way to fix the world is to decide everything FOR them. Instead of allowing other people to decide what makes them happy for themselves, he decides to brainwash them into his OWN ideals where only he decides what would make them happy, how they live their lives, and ultimately strip them of any autonomy in the process. Without the ability to choose or act for themselves, their actions become meaningless. The people in his reality essentially become puppets doing nothing more than blindly acting out the roles that Maruki set for them, while their brain is fed serotonin. It's like something out of a horror story, a hopeless world devoid of any meaning masquerading as a perfect paradise. That's the world that Maruki sees as ideal, refusing to acknowledge the consequences that come with it. That's why I believe that stopping him is sadly the only right thing to do.

[@silverspell2830]

Honestly, Maruki is probably one of my favourite antagonists I’ve seen in a game to date. He’s really unsettling on one hand, but still really interesting to think about. It’s kinda weird, but at first one of the number one reasons I liked him is because he reminds me of a character that I write about a lot. I’m a writer, just so this makes more sense. They’ve both gone through some pretty terrible things, and have come out of these experiences with that feeling of ‘I want to spread good into the world, and leave it better than it is’ sort of thing. Though... probably good to say here, Maruki went way, way more extreme about it. And even saying ‘extreme’ is a hint too tame, probably. Then again, thinking about it, I can’t even say that my boy- just for the sake of my typing this, his name is Oliver- would actively be able to condemn Maruki’s ‘perfect reality.’ Not when he’d probably be tempted to live in it, himself, if only until he remembered what it would mean giving up. He’d really and truly admire how much Maruki cares for others. And wanting to help them is a beautiful thing, but taking away their chance to grow is NOT helping them. Oliver’d see it as holding them back from becoming the people they could be. Which... well, I guess is the same way I see it, too. He always has been the one more closely connected to my own feelings. Yet Maruki is right on something, here- life doesn’t always make it easy for people to grow from the things that happen to them. But that doesn’t mean the only valid solution is to take away their free will. That’s hardly a valid solution to begin with. In a way, his own care for other people is hindering his efforts to help them in a way that isn’t just brainwashing. Like, he doesn’t have enough faith in people to become stronger and grow from their struggles. So he becomes the salve to their wounds, so that they won’t struggle and fail to reach ideal happiness. All of the growth and the lessons learned are suddenly for naught, because the things that made it possible may have never even happened. I don’t want to generalize. There are some absolutely horrible things that people have gone through that aren’t easy to heal from, for whatever reason. Yet you have to give them a chance, if nothing else. And I guess the final thing I’ll end on for talking about this is a random thought I had a while ago. It’s probably a bit dumb of me, (to be fair most of this ramble probably is) but I’ve felt for a while like Maruki himself is a victim of his delusions in a way. I don’t know how to explain why, it’s just... ya. Maybe it was mentioned in the video? To be honest, it’s like 4 in the morning as I’m typing this, I’ve only slightly zoned out into the seventh layer of hell by now. I really hope even half of this is coherent.

[@Akechi_The_Phantom_Detective]

Billy, we'll never stop appreciating what you did for this series. One of the best antagonists not just in this series but in all of gaming and I do truly mean that.