Arcana Alignment
With the first chapter confirming that Sojrio will be represented by the Fool Arcana (akin to previous Persona protagonists) rather than the Hierophant, it comes to question whether or not the other characters will have new arcana's to represent their confidants to Sojiro.
Munehisa Iwai will be the Magician
In canon, Iwai was the Hanged Man Confident for Joker, representing his leave from the Yakuza to raise Kaoru. In the ACAU, he had experience helping his adopted father Kaoru during their Yakuza days and brings Sojiro to Untouchable to gather supplies. Between his experience and resources, he provides the characteristics of the Magician Arcana for the group.- Jossed, it's still the Hanged Man.
Ichiko Ohya will be the Chariot
In canon, Ohya was the Devil Arcana to represent her desire for grand stories from the Protagonist, a cover for hiding her frustration of being forced to do entertainment news and the disappearance of her friend Kayo. In the ACAU, she is still the younger and eager reporter determine to find the truth, which will come into play when a specific incident happens to Kayo and her investigation leads her to Shujin's principal. She's also not as willing to drink alcohol like her canon counterpart, as she wants to keep a clear head as a reporter. Self-control and determination are common traits associated with the Chariot Arcana.- Jossed, it's still the Devil.
Chihaya Mifune will still be Fortune
Just like in canon, Chihaya will be represented by the Fortune Arcana. Those connected to the Fortune arcana take matters to control their own future. In the concept art, Chihaya at first believed that You Can't Fight Fate, and that warning the Phantom Thieves from entering the subway before the train derailing was only delaying the inevitable until Sojiro inspired her to decide her own future.- Confirmed.
Sae Nijima will be Justice
In the concept art, ACAU Sae has been drawn with a hair accessory that looks like the roman numeral for 8, which is the number of the Justice arcana.- I sort of figured this was already the case with this tweet
. - Confirmed
Masayoshi Shido will be the Tower
In canon, Shido was never associated with an Arcana due to being one of the Palace Rulers the Phantom Thieves faced. He can’t represent the Justice Arcana, since that’s already been taken by Sae. Considering his prideful nature, as well as the fact that he may be playing Akechi's role in the ACAU, Shido could represent the Tower Arcana. Characters of the Tower Arcana in previous Persona games are typically shown to be undergo a "fall from grace" of sorts due to their own actions. The Phantom Thieves as a whole will represent the Judgement Arcana
The first chapter doesn't start with Makoto or Goro interrogating Sojiro about the Phantom Thieves like Sae did with Joker in canon. While this could be saved for later, the interrogation served as a framing device for most of the game, showing how they ended up at that point. So the lack of an interrogation could mean that things could go very differently after the sixth Palace. This would also mean that Makoto/Goro won't be taking Sae's place as the Judgement Arcana. Aside from them, the only other choice would be the Phantom Thieves themselves, representing their resolve to reform society for the better and stop the culprits behind the mental shutdown cases. Joker will take over the Hierophant, just like how Sojiro claimed the Fool.
If he shows up, anyway. Ultimate Personas
Sojiro
- Satanael, just like Joker.
- Or some other interpretation of the Devil.
- Lucifer, the Morning Star.
Kawakami
- Ishtar, Babylonian Goddess of Love and Fertility.
Iwai
- Hong Hai Er/Red Boy, a Chinese Fire Demon and son of Ox-King who fought against Sun Wukong and was forced into becoming Guan Yin's sevant.
Ohya
- Eris, Greek Goddess of Discord.
Takemi
- Serket, Egyptian Scorpion Goddess of Healing.
Yoshida
- Hyperion, Greek Titan of Light.
Sae
- Minerva, the Roman equivalent of Athena.
Chihaya
Shido
- Mephisto, a chief demon of German Literary tradition (If he's this timeline's Black Mask).
ACAU Haru used to be in a relationship with the ACAU version of Joker
A lot of this has to do with the fact the author tends to choose her as the romance option in his playthroughs. Perhaps Haru was in love with him but for circumstances unknown, the two never married; nevertheless, she never forgot her first love. Shido is responsible for Wakaba's death
As in canon, Wakaba seemed to have died in a traffic accident, and since Shido is taking Akechi's place he is the most likely suspect. But given her position as a middle school student at the time, it is unknown if she was targeted for any cognitive psience research. Shido could have induced mental shutdown on her when testing the world of the Metaverse by destroying hers or another's Shadow to see what would happen. Shido's initial/fake Persona is not going to be Arsène.
But will instead be another popular vigilante from folklore, such as The Lone Ranger. Joker will be playing a role similar to Zenkichi.
As in, a police inspector who ends up becoming the first adult member of the Phantom Thieves. While he might end up getting a change in costume, his Persona will likely continue to be Arsène, or even his third-tier counterpart, Raoul, and his weapons of choice would likely remain as a knife and semi-auto pistol. However, similar to Zenkichi's Arcana being the Priest, and because Sojiro is the Fool, Joker will fulfill the role of the Hierophant. Furthermore, he might get his element of choice shifted to Almighty due to Sojiro & Robin Hood seeming to be the main handlers of Curse skills, as well as the fact that Almighty is the element that Zenkichi and Valjean use. In the real world, Goro might be his partner on the force. In addition to the above, Zenkichi is Joker's adoptive son.
After the former's mother and latter's close friend, Akane, died in an accident, Joker took Zenkichi in and attempted to investigate, only to be forced to back off after threats were made on his and Zenkichi's lives, similar to what happened to the Hasegawa family in the canon timeline.- This might also mean that Zenkichi is the Monarch of Kyoto's Jail.
Shido's Persona will be themed around a boat.
Say, a mythological figure known for assembling a crew of mighty heroes to pursue a "treasure" for the purpose of furthering said person's political standing? Someone like... Jason Joker will be taking Wakaba's old role.
He will be brought as having been studying Cognitive Psience, only to be killed for his knowledge of the Metaverse and have said knowledge used by the Conspiracy. Bonus points if he's Sojiro's dad, moreso if his death (likely by Mental Shutdown) caused Wakaba's death as well. Joker will be a politician.
Specifically he might take Yoshida's role as a washed up has-been whose career was tarnished by a (false) assault accusation and whose trying to get back into politics while serving as a mentor to Sojiro.Alternately he might serve as a Good Counterpart to the original Shido, a influential candidate for Prime Minister who genuinely wants to change the world for the better.
