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The Phantom Thieves

Ren Amamiya

Code Name: Joker

Adaptational Angst Upgrade: While he doesn't suffer the false arrest and loss of reputation in this story, his parents were killed in an apparent accident sometime before the events of the story take place. This is what causes him to seek out Sojiro Sakura. It's later revealed that Shido had his parents murdered.
Adaptational Badass: Can fight and kill shadows with nothing but a pistol and knife. He even manages to take down several of Kaneshiro's goons single-handedly while trying to rescue Makoto. Even manages to beat both Kaneshiro and The Cleaner with his bare hands.
Adaptational Wimp: Since he doesn't have his persona, he has to rely on his wits to fight and is more vulnerable to debilitating injuries such as getting shot in the stomach by Kaneshiro. He nearly bleeds to death, and it takes several weeks for him to recover. Even after he heals, he still suffers from lingering pain.
Asskicking Leads to Leadership: In the sequel, he has become the mayor of the newly established town of Yongen within the ruins of old Tokyo.
Berserk Button: Threatening and/or hurting his friends, especially Makoto, is enough to make the normally calm and composed Ren go into a blind rage. Kaneshiro finds this out the hard way.
The Chains of Commanding: By the time of the Shido arc, the burdens of leadership are beginning to weigh upon him. Not only are the lives of his teammates resting on his shoulders, but the fate of all Japan hinges on the success of their operation. This coupled with the recent revelations concerning the truth about the death of his parents has left him feeling so burned out that he just wants to be able to go back to a simple life when all this is over. It eventually culminates in him breaking down in front of Makoto.
Chronic Hero Syndrome: While he simply wants to live a normal life, his sense of justice ends up winning out when it comes to helping those in need.
Deadpan Snarker: How he got his code name.
Dying Declaration of Love: Narrowly averted when he passes out from blood loss before he can tell Makoto how he feels. Fortunately, he ultimately survives.
Extreme Mêlée Revenge: This is how he kills Kaneshiro after the latter shot Makoto.
The Gadfly: He takes great pleasure in getting a rise out of his teammates, whether it's flustering Makoto whenever she breaks into Spock Speak or teasing Ryuji over his Belligerent Sexual Tension with Ann.
Happily Married: To Makoto by the end of the first book, and they are still together five years later.
Heroic BSoD: After Makoto is kidnapped by Kaneshiro, he's so distraught over the whole thing that he is unable to think straight.
It's Personal: It's usually a given that when a potential target comes into play, one of his fellow members will get dragged into the mess. This tends to give him the push needed to take down their next target.
Not So Stoic: When Makoto is kidnapped and later shot his calm and composed demeanor cracks and he loses control of his better judgement. Much later during the Shido arc, he breaks down in front of Makoto when he reveals to her the truth of his parents' deaths.
Reluctant Hero: Initially, he merely wants to live a simple life and avoid conflict with other groups.
Team Dad: Shares this role with Sojiro.

Morgana

Code Name: Mona

Adaptational Badass: Despite being a kid, he's more than capable of fighting shadows with a slingshot and acts as the team medic to patch up his fellow thieves when they get hurt.
Adaptational Species Change: In the original game, Morgana was a talking cat who also was the embodiment of humanity's hope. Here, he is an ordinary human child with amnesia.
Adaptational Wimp: In addition to not having a persona, he is also still just a kid. As such he is often relegated to a more supporting role during their operations against corrupt adults.
Green-Eyed Monster: When Ann and Ryuji become a couple, Morgana becomes even more hostile to Ryuji out of jealousy.
The Heart: He takes up the role of the moral compass of the Phantom Thieves.
Identity Amnesia: Has no memory of his life or who he was before he met Ren.
Kid Hero: Fights alongside the Phantom Thieves despite being no more than eleven.
The Medic: Patches up the Phantom Thieves when they get hurt on missions. However, this is mostly limited to minor, non-lethal injuries.
Precocious Crush: Is absolutely infatuated with Ann, despite his crush being unrequited.
Suffer the Slings: He is a crack shot with a slingshot.
Wise Beyond Their Years: Is very knowledgeable about many things despite his apparently young age.

Ryuji Sakamoto

Code Name: Skull

Aborted Declaration of Love: When asked by Ann about what Ren meant when he told Ryuji that he should tell Ann something, Ryuji decides against telling Ann and simply says that he doesn't know. Justified in that Ryuji felt that it was not the time nor the place as Ren was undergoing life-saving surgery at the time.
Adaptational Angst Upgrade: Goes through more hardship than his canon counterpart. His mother was killed in a raider attack on his home settlement. He then gets exiled after he assaults the council for their role in the whole affair.
Adaptational Badass: Can take down shadows with his trusty baseball bat and shotgun. Got his code-name from his propensity for "cracking skulls."
Adaptational Wimp: Doesn't have a persona and is more vulnerable to potentially debilitating injuries.
Back-to-Back Badasses: He and Ann are the famous "Skull and Panther" duo, known for their scavenging ability and their combat prowess against shadows.
Batter Up!: His preferred weapon is his trusty baseball bat. Iwai later gives him a spiked bat with a built-in tazer to shock shadows.
Berserk Button: Already has a short fuse to begin with, but threatening Ann will really set him off.
Bouncer: Took this role back at the old Leblanc in Yongen, kicking out any unruly patrons that got too handsy with Ann.
Cassandra Truth: Blurts out that he and his friends are Phantom Thieves when he and Yusuke get drunk while mingling with some of the locals at a nearby bar. Fortunately, everyone thinks he's just too drunk to be believable.
Cooldown Hug: Gives one to Ann when she's barely holding it together while Takemi is trying to save a gravely wounded Ren. In actuality, he does it to help himself calm down as well.
The Exile: He was kicked out of his home settlement and branded a traitor for assaulting the council. The reason for this was because the council lied to him about the death of his mother.
Friendly Rivalry: Started out as this with Ren and Morgana prior to joining them.
Happily Married: To Ann, and they are still together five years later.
Heroic Sacrifice: Attempts this when the gang is trying to escape Shido's sinking ship. He bars the exit door, preventing Shido's guards from reaching his teammates, and he is fully prepared to go down with the ship. The trope is subverted when Akechi arrives at the last minute, taking Ryuji's place and buying him time to escape.
Hero with Bad Publicity: He and Ann were rather famous among locals for their scavenging capabilities. However, after Ryuji's attack on Kamoshida and his exile from his home settlement, he and and Ann are branded as traitors.
You Are in Command Now: Narrowly averted, when Ren nearly makes Ryuji the leader in the event he died from his injuries. Fortunately for both of them, this doesn't happen.

Ann Takamaki

Code Name: Panther

Adaptational Angst Upgrade: Like Ryuji, her parents are dead in this fic, whereas they are alive and well in the original canon.
Adaptational Badass: In addition to fighting shadows with her whip and submachine guns. She even single-handedly takes down Kamoshida armed only with a switchblade that Ryuji gave her to defend herself.
Adaptational Wimp: She lacks her persona and thus can only rely on her whip and gun to fight and is more vulnerable to injury.
All the Other Reindeer: She is unfairly labelled as the village slut as a result of Kamoshida's Malicious Slander.
Back-to-Back Badasses: She and Ryuji are the famous "Skull and Panther" duo known for their scavenging abilities and combat prowess against shadows.
Berserk Button: While more level-headed than Ryuji, anybody who endangers Shiho or Ryuji will face the full brunt of her fury.
Cluster F-Bomb: Goes into a full-blown, expletive-laden tirade against Ryuji after she thinks he died performing a Heroic Sacrifice while everyone was trying to escape Shido's sinking ship.
Friendly Rivalry: Had this with Ren and Morgana prior to joining them.
Happily Married: To Ryuji, and they are still together five years later.
Hero with Bad Publicity: They were quite famous among locals for their scavenging capabilities. However, after she and Ryuji are forced from their home settlements, they are branded as traitors.
Honey Trap: Poses as this in order to get close to Kamoshida. She also tricks Morgana this way during their first meeting by playfully messing with his hair and calling him cute.
Jumped at the Call: When she learns that Shiho is one of Kamoshida's prisoners, she makes it clear she is going to save her with or without the help of the rest of the group.
Meaningful Name: Got the name "Panther" due to her cat-like reflexes.
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: She gives quite a few of these to several people throughout the story.
Screw This, I'm Out of Here!: Unlike Ryuji, she wasn't exiled from their settlement. She chose to go with him out of digust for their role in the death of her parents and for exiling Ryuji.
Shipper on Deck: Is a strong supporter of getting Ren and Makoto together. She even helps Makoto and Haru get dressed up for their respective "sort-of-dates" with Ren and Yusuke at Madarame's art gallery.

Yusuke Kitagawa

Code Name: Fox

Adaptational Badass: Is a skilled practitioner of Iajutsu and can weild an assault rifle with deadly precision in a firefight against shadows and thugs.
Adaptation Relationship Overhaul: In the original game, Madarame was Yusuke's Parental Substitute who took care of him after his mother died. In this case, Yusuke never even heard of Madarame until Nakanohara was advertising for him at Seiiki. He only agreed to join Madarame after learning that he was an acquantance of his mother. This actually allows Yusuke to see through Madarame's deceptions much sooner than in canon.
Adaptational Wimp: Lacks his persona and is more vulnerable to debilitating injuries without them.
Alcohol-Induced Idiocy: Starts randomly spouting haiku's when drunk, much to Futaba's delight. He also casually insults a couple of women when they try flirting with him and his friends. This earns him a black-eye for his troubles.
Cloud Cuckoolander: Described as someone who lives in his own world where everything is art and beauty. Most of the Phantom Thieves just accept this behavior as "Yusuke being Yusuke."
The Drifter: Was this before joining the Phantom Thieves. He would travel from place to place and would rely on the hospitality of strangers to have a place to sleep.
Idiot Ball: Grabs this when he impulsively decides to become Madarame's apprentice despite only talking to the man for an hour and doesn't question the man's intentions. When Makoto questions him on this, he becomes angry and storms off to pack his belongings. He only realizes his mistake after the fact, when Madarame forbids him from ever leaving the gallery.
Jerkass Has a Point: He confides with Haru his reservations about rescuing Makoto from Kaneshiro in that he questions whether it is worth risking their lives when it was Makoto who went rogue in the first place in her choosing to confront Tsukasa directly, and he questions whether or not he would be able to forgive her if someone died as a result. Subverted in that Yusuke admits that he has no room to talk given his earlier actions with Madarame and he genuinely feels awful for having such thoughts. Haru does, however, understand where he is coming from, but she does point out that Makoto would never forgive herself if anybody got killed trying to save her. He later tells this to Makoto, herself, and while she feels hurt by it, she doesn't blame Yusuke for having these feelings.
No Social Skills: Stalks Ann at first, unaware of how unnerving his behavior is to her. He then flat-out asks her to pose nude for him shortly after they first meet.
Ship Tease: With Haru, whose company he seems to enjoy the most.
Starving Artist: Resorted to selling his artwork to sustain himself while traveling alone.
Vitriolic Best Buds: Out of all the Phantom Thieves, Makoto is only one who actually questions Yusuke's eccentric behavior. However, he actually doesn't mind and actually finds it refreshing when someone calls him out on it.
Warrior Poet: He can slay shadows with his katana with ease, fight off Mooks with his rifle, paint beautiful works of art, and recite haiku's while drunk.

Makoto Nijima

Code Name: Queen

Adaptational Badass: Even without her persona, she is more than capable of fighting shadows with just brass knuckles. She even manages to take down a few of Kaneshiro's thugs with her bare hands after she manages to break free of them.
Adaptational Jerkass: Her "Jinbocho Queen" phase is initially more hostile towards Ren and company and she even arrests them after they "assualt" a friend of Kobayakawa. She then proceeds to strong-arm them into helping her deal with a nearby shadow infestation in exchange for their freedom. Fortunately, she has a Heel Realization afterwards and becomes much nicer after she joins them.
Adaptation Relationship Overhaul: While she had a strained but still otherwise close relationship with her older sister, in this case she and Sae are fully estranged from each other. She hasn't spoken to her sister in many years since Sae left her in Kobayakawa's care and she was initially unwilling to speak to her when Sae resurfaces years later.
Adaptational Wimp: Doesn't possess her persona and is more vulnerable to debilitating injuries like when she gets shot in the shoulder by Kaneshiro. She nearly bleeds to death, and it takes her several weeks to fully recover.
Asskicking Leads to Leadership: With her husband as mayor, she has become the police commisioner of the newly built town of Yongen.
Bare-Fisted Monk: Excels in hand-to-hand combat and can take down shadows armed only with a pair of brass knuckles, and she is capable of knocking down Kaneshiro's thugs with her bare hands.
Berserker Tears: When she angrily confronts Sae over her abandonment of her years ago and gives her "The Reason You Suck" Speech, she suddenly realizes that she's crying as she does it.
Conflicting Loyalty: When Sae's views initially conflict with those of the rest of the Phantom Thieves, Makoto finds herself torn between her sister and her adopted family.
Control Freak: Had this reputation as the "Jinbocho Queen," but it gets lessened after she joins the Phantom Thieves. However, it briefly makes a comeback after their week-long isolation.
Defector from Decadence: Leaves her home settlement of Jinbocho in disgust after preventing Kobayakawa from having Ren, Ryuji, Ann, and Yusuke executed despite their earlier attempts to help with a shadow infestation.
Defrosting Ice Queen: Becomes this after she joins the Phantom Thieves.
Embarrassing Nickname: Was given the nickname "Jinbocho Queen" as an insult because she is seen as a Control Freak, an Inadequate Inheritor, and a suck-up to Kobayakawa by her fellow residents. She decides to keep the name "Queen" as a reminder of the kind of person she wants to be.
Friendless Background: She didn't have any friends at Jinbochu, and she was not very well liked by the residents there.
Happily Married: To Ren, and they are still together five years later.
Idiot Ball: Grabs onto this when she goes to confront Tsukasa directly about his connections to Kaneshiro. This results in her being kidnapped by Kaneshiro's goons and ends up being held for ransom by Kaneshiro.
Inadequate Inheritor: She took the position of Kobayakawa's second in command when her sister left Jinbocho, but she did not receive the same respect as her sister. She was frequently compared to Sae and is treated as little more than Kobayakawa's errand-girl.
It's All My Fault: She fully blames herself for the raid at Kaneshiro's bank turning into a bloodbath in which her friends were forced to kill people to survive and for Ren getting shot and almost dying in the process.
My God, What Have I Done?: During her first meeting with the Phantom Thieves, she experiences this when Ryuji is injured by a shadow courtesy of her carelessness.
No Social Skills: She has difficulty interacting with others outside her group as a result of a combination of her sheltered upbringing, reputation as the Ice Queen of her former settlement, and Friendless Background.
Number Two: She is the second in command after Ren.
The Strategist: Helps to come up with most of the planning for most of the Phantom Thieves operations. She later shares this role with Hifumi after she joins.
Team Mom: Shares this role with Haru. She is the "stern mother" to Haru's "nurturing mother."
Tears of Remorse: After the gang reunites at Takemi's, she breaks down crying in front of everyone while profusely apologizing to the group for having them risk their lives to rescue her from Kaneshiro and almost losing Ren in the process.
Spock Speak: Tends to do this from time to time when she's nervous, prompting Ren to respond with "Beep Boop," much to her annoyance.
What the Hell, Hero?: She is on the receiving end of this a few times:
- The first time was during her time as "The Jinbocho Queen" with the Phantom Thieves. She essentially conscripted them into helping her deal with a shadow infestation in exchange for their freedom after they ran afoul Jinbocho's elites. Having never fought shadows before, she blindly charges the shadows guns blazing. They manage to defeat the shadows, but Ryuji is injured during the confrontation. Ann angrily berates her for her recklessness and gives her a scathing "Reason You Suck" Speech for risking all of their lives just to make herself look good in front of her superiors. Makoto is ashamed of her actions, and admits to Ann that she was right.
- Subverted in the aftermath of the Kaneshiro arc. Makoto fully expects to be berated for getting herself kidnapped which lead to the raid against Kaneshiro's bank turning into a bloodbath and nearly getting herself and Ren killed in the process. However, everyone is just glad that no one died and that they were all willing to risk their lives to save her because she's one of them.
- When Makoto somewhat agrees with Sae's evaluation that finding and bringing Shiho with them is too risky, Ann angrily tears into Makoto. Ann then brings up how everyone else was willing to risk their lives to save her and how Ren almost died in the process. Makoto immediately regrets her words and hides herself from the rest of the group in shame.

Futaba Sakura

Code Name: Oracle, Alibaba

Annoying Younger Sibling: Futaba loves to tease and pester her surrogate brother Ren.
Born in the Wrong Century: Is fascinated by things like the internet and video games, but those things no longer exist in the current world. All she has to go on are strategy guides that she comes across during her travels.
Cloud Cuckoolander: Often acts like she's in a game, comparing their current situation to being on a quest, calling Mishima an NPC, referring to her growth as Character Development.
Gadgeteer Genius: She's the team's tech expert. She's responsible for fixing up many of the appliances around Leblanc2 and even upgraded the security around the compound.
Like Brother and Sister: How Ren and Futaba act around each other. Ren practically refers to Futaba as his little sister.
Hikkikomori: Was this before she met Ren.
Little Stowaway: Manages to sneak out and accompany everyone during their investigation of Kaneshiro by hiding in the dufflebag containing their weapons and gear.
Screw This, I'm Out of Here!: She and Sojiro were originally members of Medjed along with her mother, Wakaba. However, she and Sojiro cut ties with the group after they learned about their intention to frame her for the death of Wakaba.
Troll: Loves to pester Ren, which prompts Ren to call her this.

Haru Okumura

Code Name: Noir

Break the Cutie: Happens to her over the course of the Okumura Arc. First, she discovers that the bombs used to destroy several populated settlements were made by none other than her own father. She then reveals her true identity to Iwai, but is overheard by the people of Seiki, one of the towns that was targeted by the bombs. This causes the people of Seiki to turn on her and run her out of town. When she finally meets her father, she is forced to return to her father's side lest her friends be forced into slavery at his factory. Finally, when she is able to get through her father and it looks like he might actually become a better person, the entire compound is destroyed by bombs, killing Okumura and his staff. At the end of it all, Haru is left sobbing uncontrollably amidst the flaming ruins of her family home.
Calling the Old Man Out: Finally having had enough of her father's behavior, she calls out his callous treatment of her and questions that if he ever truly loved her if all the love he had died with his wife. She then tells him she is not his to control and that she will no longer stand idly by while he continues to mistreat his workers, and she pleads with him to remember the good man he used to be. In the end, it works and Kunizaku has a Heel Realization.
Caring Gardener: Grows her own vegetables in the backyard of Leblanc2 which she uses to both feed the Phantom Thieves and trade with the local settlements.
Dull Eyes of Unhappiness: She shows these in the immediate aftermath of the death of her father.
Friend to All Living Things: She loves chickens and is able to instantly calm down them after the shadow attack. Afterwards, she becomes their primary caretaker.
Heroic BSoD: She all but shuts down in the immediate aftermath of the destruction of the Okumura compound and the death of her father, with her barely responding to her friends.
Riches to Rags: Gives up her life of comfort and luxury when she joins the Phantom Thieves, not that she minds.
Runaway Bride: Literally ditches Sugimura at their wedding and flees with the Phantom Thieves in her backstory.
Sins of Our Fathers: Gets chased out of town by the people of Seiki after she is outed as Kunizaku Okumura's daughter.
Ship Tease: With Yusuke, as they both enjoy eachother's company.
Team Mom: Shares this role with Makoto. She is the "nurturing mother" to Makoto's "stern mother."

Honorary Members

Sojiro Sakura

Code Name: Boss, Hierophant

Anger Born of Worry: Was furious with Futaba after she sneaked out to join Ren and the other Phantom Thieves during their investigation of Kaneshiro.
The Bartender: Was this in addition to a barista and chef at the old Leblanc in Yongen. Ends up working as a bartender for Madarame after Yongen was destroyed.
Dirty Old Man: Subverted in that he has to pretend to be one in order to infiltrate New Shinjuku and get in contact with Eiko without arousing suspicion from Tsukasa.
Like a Son to Me: He comes to see Ren as this and by extension the rest of the Phantom Thieves as well.
Never Found the Body: Was missing and feared dead after Yongen was destroyed by the bombs. Fortunately, he was found working as a bartender for Madarame by Ren and Makoto.
Papa Wolf: Is extremely protective of Futaba, and he even threatens to kill Ren himself if anything happens to her while they are out.
Supreme Chef: He's the team's gastronomer, whose coffee and curry was unmatched. Sadly, after Yongen and the original Leblanc was destroyed, he doesn't have the equipment nor the ingredients to make his famous dishes. However, he and Haru can still whip up a nice vegetable stew.
Retired Badass: Mentions to Ren that he and Wakaba got into their fair share of sticky situations while on expeditions.
Screw This, I'm Out of Here!: Was originally a member of Medjed, but he left the organization with Futaba after he learned that they were planning to frame Futaba for the death of her mother and kill him in order to cover up the truth of United Future's role in the shadow outbreak that destroyed the world.
Team Dad: Treats the Phantom Thieves as if they were all of his children.

Yuuki Mishima

Code Name: Hermes

Bring Help Back: Escaped Kamoshida's settlement in order to find help to bring him down.
But Now I Must Go: At the end of the story, he leaves the group to go live with Shiho.
Cowardly Lion: He sees himself as a coward and weakling compared to the other Phantom Thieves. However, he was the one who left Kamoshida's compound to find help, helps find work for the Phantom Thieves, helps the Phantom Thieves infiltrate Okumura's factory, and even leads a worker's strike at said factory.
Heel Realization: After Ren calls him out for his Jerkass actions, he realizes that he was acting like the very people that the Phantom Thieves went against.
Knowledge Broker: Acts as the Phantom Thieves "manager," bringing them requests and jobs from nearby settlements. He is also the one who introduces them to Tae Takemi when Ren and Makoto are wounded during the raid on Kaneshiro's bank.
Meaningful Name: Takes the name "Hermes" as he is the thieves' messenger who finds work for them and keeps them informed about events happening around the area.
Non-Action Guy: Unlike the rest of the Phantom Thieves, he doesn't fight shadows or participate in their missions against their targets. He sticks to his role of relaying information back and forth to them.
Took a Level in Jerkass: While the Phantom Thieves were dealing with Medjed, Mishima starts to take advantage of their fame by bilking the locals for free gifts and even uses his connections to date multiple girls at once. He eventually gets called out on this by both Sojiro and Ren.
Ship Tease: With Shiho.

Shinya Oda

Code Name: General

Adaptational Badass: In the original game, he was merely a kid who was really good at playing shooter games. Here, he is extremely proficient with firearms despite being a young child.
Commonality Connection: He an Morgana get along rather well as the two youngest members of the group.
Creepy Child: His proficiency with firearms dispite his young age unnerves Ann, and according to Sojiro, Kaneshiro's thugs were more afraid of him than they were of Sojiro.
Gun Nut: Was able to hold a gun since he was three according to him, and is able to weild one with frightening skill.
Hero-Worshipper: Immediately joins the Phantom Thieves after they take down Kamoshida because he thinks they're cool, especially Ryuji.
Jerkass: Downplayed. His jerkass tendencies are quickly put in check when Ren tells Shinya that he won't tolerate assholes in his group and that he either behave or leave. He still has some moments later on in the story.
Troubling Unchildlike Behavior: Claims to have been able to hold a gun since he was three, a claim that Ann finds disturbing.
What the Hell, Hero?: Gets reprimanded by Ryuji for pulling a loaded gun on some local kids that were making fun of him and then yelling at Haru when she snatched the gun out of his hands. He's made to apologize to the families of the kids afterwards.

Eiko Takao

Code Name: Princess

Angst? What Angst?: Despite being the only survivor of her settlement, she still has her bubbly attitude.
The Bartender: Ends up running her own bar in New Shinjuku, which she calls "The Velvet Room."
The Bus Came Back: The gang ends up seeking her out after they are forced to flee Leblanc2 and hide from United Future.
Commonality Connection: Despite her quirks, she and Makoto are able to become friends over their shared love of Buchimaru collectibles.
Love Makes You Stupid: Similar to canon, she refuses to believe that Tsukasa is taking advantage of her, and she even refuses to believe that Makoto was kidnapped, thinking it's all just some elaborate plot on Makoto's part to drive a wedge between her and Tsukasa.
Meaningful Name: She picks the code name "Princess" because it's how she wants to be treated.
My God, What Have I Done?: After Futaba shows her Tsukasa's true colors, Eiko is overwhelmed with guilt and sorrow not only because Tsukasa played her, but that Makoto got kidnapped because she was trying to protect her.
Odd Friendship: Despite their vastly different personalities, she and Makoto become close friends over the course of the story.
Overshadowed by Awesome: The reason for her behavior stems from her insecurity of being in a house surrounded by Action Girls who don't have to rely on others to protect them.
Put on a Bus: Leaves the group for good after Kaneshiro is taken down. She decides to carve out her own path and help the people of New Shinjuku transform their community into a better place without the slavery and prostitution.
Shipper on Deck: Frequently points out Ann and Ryuji's Belligerent Sexual Tension, and tells Makoto to stop beating around the bush regarding her feelings for Ren.
Sole Survivor: Her settlement was destroyed by shadows, leaving her the only one left.
Spoiled Brat: Initially, she merely joined the Phantom Thieves because she thought they would protect her. She merely wants to be pampered like a princess and not have to learn how to fight or have to do chores like taking watch.
Took a Level in Badass: After realizing Tsukasa's treachery, she agrees to help the Phantom Thieves take down Kaneshiro and rescue Makoto. Initially, the plan was to create a diversion in New Shinjuku to draw away the bulk of Kaneshiro's forces. She, however, takes it a step further by convincing all of the women forced to work for Kaneshiro to revolt againts him. Once Kaneshiro's men take the bait, Eiko's forces ambush and successfully take all of them prisoner. Once Kaneshiro is taken down, many of his henchmen decide to switch sides and work for Eiko's side. Eiko herself ends up as one of the new leaders of New Shinjuku.
Ungrateful Bitch: Makoto flat-out calls her this as part of her "Reason You Suck" Speech when Eiko starts complaining about their current situation.

Hifumi Togo

Code Name: Umbra

Adaptational Badass: She joins the Phantom Thieves and becomes an excellent marksman with her sniper rifle. She's able to pick off shadows from a distance, and she even takes out some of Kaneshiro's goons with her rifle.
The Apprentice: Becomes this to Takemi after the Time Skip.
Awesome by Analysis: Her skills at playing shogi has given her a keen analytical mind which proves valuable in planning the raid on Kaneshiro's bank, she even manages to deduce that The Crow and Akechi are the same person when she recognizes Akechi's handwriting.
Big Damn Heroes: Twice manages to save the Phantom Thieves when they are in a tight spot. First, she saves Yusuke from being killed by a shadow by sniping it from her perch. The second time, she takes out Kaneshiro's machine gunner which gives the rest of the team an opportunity to counter attack and wipe out the remaining reinforcements.
But Now I Must Go: At the end of the story, she leaves the group to go reconcile with her mother but promises to rejoin them afterwards.
Calling the Old Lady Out: Severs ties with her mother after learning she effectively sold her out to Madarame in exchange for a life of luxury and proceeded to lie to her about the death of her father.
Commonality Connection: She bonds quickly with Makoto over their shared love of reading.
Damsel in Distress: When she's first introduced, she is effectively a prisoner of Madarame. She's is forced to partake in rigged Shogi matches in order to generate money for him. She also witnessed Madarame's men killing one of his former apprentices.
Friendly Sniper: The sniper rifle becomes her weapon of choice, and her analytical abilities make her an excellent marksman by her ability to predict her targets actions.
Janitor Impersonation Infiltration: Disguises herself as a maid in order to infiltrate Okumura's mansion and get in contact with Haru.
The Strategist: Takes up this role in Makoto's absence and later comes to share it with her.

Munehisa Iwai

Code Name: Gunner

Adaptational Badass: While pretty badass in the original game, he's even more so in Strange New World. He joins the Phantom Thieves on their raid on Kaneshiro's bank and helps Hold the Line against Kaneshiro's reinforcements.
Arms Dealer: Sets up a weapons shop in the villiage of Seiiki after Kaneshiro is taken down, and he supplies the Phantom Thieves with ammo in exchange for trade goods.
BFG: During the raid on Kaneshiro's bank, he brings out a mounted machine gun to use against reinforcements.
Retired Outlaw: Left Kaneshiro's services in order to raise and protect his adopted son, Kaoru.
Shaming the Mob: Briefly closes down his gun store to protest the town's harsh treatment of Haru following the reveal of her true identity.
Ultimate Gunsmith: As a token of his gratitude, he designs some unique weapons for each of the Phantom Thieves:
- He gives Joker a custom-made silver pistol.
- He gives Morgana an ergonomically-made slingshot with explosive pellets.
- Skull gets a spiked-bat with a built-in tazer.
- Fox gets a brand new rifle that uses freezing bullets.
- Panther gets a whip soaked in petroleum that can be ignited.
- Queen gets a Power Fist with retractable claws.
- Oracle gets modified night-vision goggles.
- Noir gets a battle-axe thats soaked in hallucinogens.

Friends and Allies

Shiho Suzui

Adaptational Angst Upgrade: In Strange New World, her abuse is much worse under Kamoshida. She gets locked away in Kamoshida's dungeon and gets the worst of his cruelty. There, it's implied that she was regularly isolated, beaten, raped, and deprived of food and water.
Because You Were Nice to Me: She develops a close relationship with Mishima because he would regularly visit her in the dungeon. He would talk to her and sneak her food and water whenever Kamoshida wasn't looking.
Disabled in the Adaptation: She has a bad knee due to an unspecified injury from her youth.
Sex Slave: Was this to Kamoshida before being rescued by Ann.
Ship Tease: With Mishima.
Stepford Smiler: She puts on a sweet and positive demeanor around her friends, but deep down, she's burying some serious trauma.

Sadayo Kawakami

The Atoner: She works as a maid in an effort to pay the family of one of her students who was killed by a shadow as a way of making amends in her own mind. In reality, shes being blackmailed by the family and the incident really wasn't her fault.
It's All My Fault: Blames herself for an incident in which one of her students was killed by a shadow.

Kaoru

Ascended Extra: Ends up joining Mishima to infiltrate Okumura's factory on behalf of the Phantom Thieves and start a worker's revolt.
Happily Adopted: Considers Iwai to be his real dad.
Related Differently in the Adaptation: In the original game, it is never known who Kaoru's biological father is. In this fic, his father is none other than Kaneshiro.
Odd Friendship: Strikes up a friendship with Makoto during their captivity under Kaneshiro.

Tae Takemi

Back-Alley Doctor: When she is first mentioned, Mishima refers to her as a "quack."
Bunny-Ears Lawyer: Much like her canon counterpart, her appearance does not give the impression of a serious doctor.
The Hermit: Lives alone in a cabin in the woods.
Playing with Syringes: She hasn't been able to test her medications on anyone. So, she's all too happy to have some new "guinea pigs" when a couple of teenagers with gunshot wounds show up at her doorstep.
Shipper on Deck: Playfully teases Ren and Makoto after their Relationship Upgrade and tells Ren that she expects to be invited to the wedding. Unfortunately for her, Ren and Makoto decide to have a more private ceremony when they make their vows.
Shotguns Are Just Better: Has a shotgun on hand to ward off any intruders, nearly blows Ren's head off when they return from their long absence.
Super Doc: She manages to revive Ren from the brink of death by using a blood-substitute that she, herself, concocted. She also manages to successfully heal both Ren and Makoto using her own medicines and painkillers.

Ichiko Ohya

Adaptation Expansion: Plays a much more active role in the Phantom Thieves' operations, such as helping to distribute anti-Okumura pamphlets to help rally the workers to go on strike.
Intrepid Reporter: Becomes very invested in reporting on the Phantom Thieves activities following Kaneshiro's downfall, she also wants to dig up dirt on Okumura's shady business dealings.
It's Personal: She has a specific beef with Kunizaku Okumura due to the fact that her friend and partner, Kayo, went missing trying to investigate Okumura's factory.
Lady Drunk: Literally lives at the Crossroads bar that Lala runs. She cleans up her act after the Kayo is rescued.

Toranosuke Yoshida

The Atoner: Resigned himself to work under Kunizaku Okumura to make amends after he made a bad deal that ended up costing his settlement dearly.
Embarrassing Nickname: "No-Good-Tora" was given to him by his fellow factory workers after his deal with Okumura ended up biting him and his home settlement in the ass.
Rousing Speech: Subverted in that while he gives some pretty passionate speeches, nobody takes him seriously because he's "No-Good-Tora." Played straight when Mishima and Kaoru need his help to rally the workers to revolt against Okumura.
Wide-Eyed Idealist: Despite his situation, he still espouses his ideals and is often called a dreamer by his coworkers.

Sae Nijima

Adaptation Relationship Overhaul: In the original game, Sae and Makoto had a strained relationship but they still cared about each other. Here, they are fully estranged with Sae having left Makoto in Kobayakawa's care many years prior to the events of the story, and they haven't spoken to each other since.
Asskicking Leads to Leadership: After the Time Skip, she has become a councilwoman representing the town of Yongen in the new government.
Big Sister Instinct: Despite their estrangement, Sae still does care about Makoto and is still protective of her. This is evidenced during her interogation of Ren where she becomes angered by the fact that Makoto is part of the Phantom Thieves. She even decks Ren across the face when he implies that he was sleeping with her.
Heel–Face Turn: After Ren tells her the whole story and later Makoto backs it up, she ends up saving Ren from being killed by Akechi and sneaks him out of her hideout to reunite him with the rest of the group.
Heel Realization: After her second attempt to connect with the Phantom Thieves, she realizes that she Misblamed her father for leaving her alone to take care of her sister. She comes to understand her father better and realizes that her leaving Makoto was just her trying to run away from her problems.
No Social Skills: Her first attempt at socializing with the rest of the Phantom Thieves goes poorly due to her blunt and probing nature and she bases her questions on false assumptions that she heard from rumors about the group. Needless to say, this does little to endear her to the group.

Major Spoiler Character

Kasumi Yoshizawa Sumire Yoshizawa

Adaptational Late Appearance: Does not appear until the latter half to the Shido arc.
Dead Person Impersonation: Is revealed while in Maruki's illusory world that Kasumi is actually Sumire in the real world posing as her deceased sister.
Demoted to Extra: She doesn't appear untill really late in the story, and she doesn't accompany the Phantom Thieves during their journey into Mementos. While she is among the group that helps to talk Maruki into undoing his Lotus-Eater Machine, she is never seen again afterwards.
Spanner in the Works: She unwittingly becomes the key to bringing down Shido as her father is the one running the broadcasts from Shido's ship. She ends up giving the Phantom Thieves access to the broadcasting station, allowing them to hijack Shido's speech and start exposing all of his secrets.
What the Hell, Hero?: Downplayed in that she is understandably miffed at first when she realizes that Ren and company were less than honest with her about their plans for Shido. However, she also understands why they needed to expose Shido so her anger is short-lived.

Antagonists

Major Antagonists

Suguru Kamoshida

Adaptational Villainy: In the original game, he was a perverted gym teacher that phsyically, verbally, and sexually abused his students. Here, he rules his settlement with an iron fist, conscripts young boys to be his Child Soldiers, and locks young girls in his dungeon to be part of his personal harem. He is especially cruel to Shiho, whom he regularly isolated, beat, raped, and deprived of food and water.
Bad Boss: He regularly abuses the wards under his care.
Big Fancy Castle: His settlement is built within the abandoned ruins of the Destinyland Theme Park, with his main base being the castle.
The Dreaded: The only reason no one has tried to overthrow him before the Phantom Thieves was because everyone was too scared to try to challenge him.
Dirty Old Man: He keeps all the young girls under his care locked in his dungeon as part of his personal harem. He also tried many times to force himself onto Ann.
Impaled Palm: Ann defeats him by nailing his hand to the floor with a switchblade that Ryuji had given her prior to her infiltration.
Laser-Guided Karma: After he is overthrown, he winds up a prisoner in his own dungeon.
Malicious Slander: He spread false rumors about Ann to paint her as the village slut in order to further isolate her. He also ruins Ryuji's reputation by claiming that he attacked him unprovoked and that he was forced to defend himself.
Screams Like a Little Girl: Ren and Ryuji hear him scream after he was stabbed by Ann and initially mistake him for the latter.
Villain with Good Publicity: He is viewed by many of the local settlements as a hero who takes in young boys and girls to be a mentor to them. This is a stark contrast to what he actually does to those in his care.

Ichiryuusai Madarame

Adaptational Villainy: In the original game, he was a plagiarist who stole credit from his apprentices and cast them aside when they were of no more use to him. Those who tried to expose him had their reputations ruined through Malicious Slander. In this story, his apprentices are effectively his prisoners that he forces to produce art for him to display. He also forces Hifumi to participate in rigged Shogi matches in order to make money off the bets. As for his former apprentices, he actually has them murdered to prevent anyone from exposing his secret.
Con Artist: He pretends to be a humble, old man with a passion for art. In reality, he is leeching off the people of Seiiki by having them provide him with free food while he tricks them into participating in rigged Shogi matches with Hifumi. He hoards a vast amount of riches in his private chambers, and he makes his apprentices provide the art that he then takes credit for.
Et Tu, Brute?: Is ultimately given up by his right-hand man, Nakanohara.
Laser-Guided Karma: Ends up being tranquilized by the mother of one the apprentices that he had murdered.
Villainous Breakdown: When he's exposed as a fraud and a murderer, his nice guy act completely shatters. He accuses the mob of only coming to his gallery to drink and gamble and that they only pretend to be interested in art to feel sophisticated. They aren't moved at all by his words.

Junya Kaneshiro

Adaptational Villainy: Like in the original game, he operated as a Loan Shark that trapped people in tremendous debt. Those who couldn't pay off their debts are forced to work it off. He also kidnaps Makoto and threatens to sell her as a Sex Slave if the Phantom Thieves don't pay his ransom. He also holds Kaoru, his own son, hostage and uses him to blackmail Iwai into making weapons for him.
Death by Adaptation: In the original game, he ends up confessing to his crimes and is sent to prison. In this story, however, Ren beats him to death after he shoots Makoto.
Dirty Coward: When the raid on his bank goes down, he opts to hide in the vault surrounded by his personal body guards. He also uses Makoto as a Human Shield, which leads her to call him this. It's also implied that he has rarely ever held a gun in his life.
I Have Your Wife: Holds Makoto and Kaoru hostage and uses them to blackmail the Phantom Thieves and Iwai respectively. He demands a four million yen ransom for the former and fifty guns and an oath of loyalty from the latter.
Luke, I Am Your Father: He reveals that he is actually Kaoru's father during the raid on his bank.
Motive Rant: Tries to justify his actions by arguing that Might Makes Right in the Crapsack World they live in. Ren and Makoto both throw it back in his face.
Oh, Crap!: When Ren and Makoto actually manage to overpower his bodygaurds, his face starts to show real panic.
Related Differently in the Adaptation: In the original game, he had no relation to Kaoru. Here, he is really Kaoru's father.
Too Dumb to Live: Rather than shooting the guy with the gun, he shoots his Love Interest in front of him. Thus, this prompts said guy with gun to go into an Unstoppable Rage and beat him to death.
We Can Rule Together: Is actually impressed with the Phantom Thieves ability to withstand his army of thugs, and he offers Ren and the rest of the thieves a place in his organization if they surrender. Ren refuses.

Medjed

Adaptational Villainy: In the original game, they were a loosely affiliated group of hacktivists that did random acts of cyberterrorism. Here, they are a team of scientist and researchers that were willing to frame Futaba for the murder of her mother and kill Sojiro to cover up the truth about how United Future was responsible for the Shadow Outbreak fifty years prior to the events of the story.

Kunikazu Okumura

Adaptational Villainy: He forces his employees to work under slave-like conditions for next to nothing pay. His workers are only allowed one weekend off per month and are regularly abused by his security. It is not uncommon for workers to die from unsafe working conditions, working themselves to death, or being beaten to death by guards. Those who try to challenge his authority are locked in solitary confinement. He also made and sold the bombs that were used to destroy several settlements across the land.
Arms Dealer: He builds and sells weapons in his factory and sells them to the highest bidder. This includes bombs that are used by the Crow to destroy the larger settlements.
Bad Boss: The workers in his factory suffer from abyssmal working conditions and are regularly abused by Okumura's personal security.
Dies Differently in Adaptation: In the original canon, he was killed via a mental shutdown when Black Mask killed his shadow. Here, he is killed, along with his staff, when the Okumura compound is blown up by bombs.
Heel–Face Door-Slam: After his Heel Realization, he genuinely seems like he wants to become a better person with Haru's help. Unfortunately, he doesn't get the chance as he and his staff are killed when the Okumura compound is destroyed by bombs.
My God, What Have I Done?: After Haru calls him out, he realizes that the grief of losing his wife caused him to emotionally shut himself off and ended up alienating the people closest to him, including his own daughter, and his obsession with prioritizing profits over people have made him into something that his wife and father would be ashamed of. He becomes overwhelmed with guilt and shame which helps push him towards a Heel–Face Turn.

*Major Spoilers will be Unmarked* The Crow

Goro Akechi

Code Name: Crow

Alas, Poor Villain: Despite everything that Akechi has done and being unrepentant over it, Ren is genuinly saddened by his apparent death.
The Dreaded: Kaneshiro only mentions to the Phantom Thieves that they are better off not knowing who the Crow really is and that if the Crow finds them, they will wish they were dead.
Bait-and-Switch: After exposing United Future and Shido's crimes, Akechi seemingly betrays the Phantom Thieves to Shido while they're trying to escape. After some Evil Gloating, Akechi prepares to execute Ren, only to turn around and shoot Shido instead.
Enemy Mine: Forms a rather tense partnership with the Phantom Thieves to take down Shido.
Dies Differently in Adaptation: In the original game, he is presumed to have been killed by a cognitive version of himself in Shido's palace. In this story, he dies after sacrificing himself by going down with Shido's ship to allow Ryuji to escape.
Never Found the Body: He is presumed to have gone down with Shido's ship after sacrificing himself to allow Ryuji to escape. Maruki's alternate reality confirms his death.
Redemption Equals Death: He seemingly sacrifices his life to allow Ryuji to escape Shido's sinking ship.
Self-Made Orphan: He succeeds in killing Shido and taking his revenge.
Stalker without a Crush: He stalks each of the Phantom Thieves separately after their lock-down and reveals that he knows exactly who each of them are.
Troll: His fake betrayal of the Phantom Thieves was just his way of screwing with them one last time before he takes his revenge on Shido.
Vengeance Feels Empty: Killing Shido leaves Akechi with no satisfaction and no more purpose in life.
You Shall Not Pass!: He takes Ryuji's place barricading the door to prevent Shido's Mooks from pursuing and killing the Phantom Thieves and allowing the rest to escape the sinking ship.

*Spoilers will be Unmarked* Masayoshi Shido

Masayoshi Shido

Adaptational Villainy: His plan for taking over Japan involves bombing the larger, more independent settlements to sow fear and unrest. United Future would then swoop in an cast themselves as the saviors of humanity, when in reality it was United Future that caused the shadow outbreak to begin with. Once in power, Shido plans to carve up the land and divide it among his wealthy supporters, turning Japan into something of a feudal aristocracy with everyone else as the serfs. He was also responsible for the deaths of Ren's parents. When his plans go awry, he's perfectly willing to sink his own ship with all of his former supporters still inside.
The Conspiracy: He is the head of United Future, the organization that was responsible for the shadow outbreak fifty years prior to the events of the story.
Death by Adaptation: He survives in the original canon after turning himself into the authorities. Here, he ends up being killed by Akechi.
Defiant to the End: Even when Akechi has him at his mercy, Shido continues to mock and taunt Akechi to his dying breath.
From Nobody to Nightmare: From Ren's backstory, Shido was little more than a failed mayoral candidate that no one even heard of. By the time he's introduced in the story, he is the president of United Future and is poised to take over all of Japan.
Generation Xerox: His father was the former head of United Future until his death and was responsible for the shadow outbreak that destroyed civilization. Now, Shido is the current head of United Future and nearly succeeds where his father failed in taking over all of Japan.
Villain with Good Publicity: Casts himself as the savior of Japan, filling in the void left behind by the Phantom Thieves after they go into hiding. Nearly all the settlements are willing to join United Future thanks to his broadcasts.