History Heartwarming / Persona5

* What motivates Joker to awaken to his Persona in the first place? If he doesn't, it would mean letting Ryuji die for being afraid to do the right thing again. And if that means he'll be "chained to Hell itself"? '''''[[DareToBeBadass So]] [[NotAfraidOfHell be]] [[YouAreWorthHell it.]]'''''

* What motivates Joker to awaken to his Persona in the first place? If he doesn't, it would mean letting Ryuji die for being afraid to do the right thing again. And if that means he'll be "chained to Hell itself"? '''''[[DareToBeBadass So be it.]]'''''

* A rather subtle one when you first meet Sojiro, specifically his AsYouKnow moment where he summarizes how you ended up living in the attic of his coffee shop. "You protected some woman from a man forcing himself on her, he got injured, then sued you." You gotta think really hard about this; he does not give the "official" finding that you randomly punched a dude any thought whatsoever. He indicates that despite all of his initial cynicism and hostility, he doubts you're the dangerous delinquent you've been made out to be.

** He yells at you to save yourself as Kamoshida's cognitive knights are about to execute you both.
** He immediately befriends Joker as a [[BirdsOfAFeather fellow outcast]], apparently deciding that "salvaging what's left of my reputation" falls far below "helping someone else so that they don't end up as lonely as I was" on his list of priorities. He runs to Joker's rescue when people give him trouble over his "criminal record."

** He's very forgiving of the track team despite their downright vicious attitude towards him. Despite the fact that they show NoSympathy towards his rather justified issues -- namely a CareerEndingInjury and a character assassination inflicted on him by their abusive substitute teacher -- and continue to maintain that [[MiseryPoker they have it much worse than him]], he mediates when they turn on each other, and shows serious concern when it looks like they'll fall victim to corrupt authority figures again. And when the track team actually offers Ryuji to come back, he respectfully declines, knowing he still has a place to belong: with his new friends.
** Despite Ryuji's well-founded suspicion that she's going to report them, Makoto is also forgiven within about 5 minutes of getting the team dangerously involved with Kaneshiro -- Ryuji simply says that there's no point in playing the blame game (something he has experienced before), points out the positives that have come from it, and reassures Makoto that her worry about "being useless" is totally unfounded. He also openly admires her abilities in battle.

** The Okumura arc sees Ryuji and Morgana in an aggravating misunderstanding, but the ''second'' Ryuji sees Morgana hurt, he snaps at the perpetrator: "The hell're you doing to our friend!?" [[VitriolicBestBuds He won't let an argument stop him from worrying about Morgana's safety.]]

** Even though he hated and distrusted Akechi the most out of the Phantom Thieves, even before he betrayed them; after it is all over, Ryuji is the first to acknowledge that Akechi really was special and tells him so. He's also the first to try and defend him against the Cognitive Akechi.
** The Thieves turning the tables on Akechi and the police scene is a rollercoaster of emotion, and we're shown a glimpse at all the thieves as they start to fear that their plan may have failed. But after seeing the news reports, Ryuji grins, certain that everything has gone according to plan. He didn't doubt you for a second.

** Most of the other Phantom Thieves occupy "respectable" places in society (Ann is a fashion model, Makoto is the Student Council President, Yusuke is the apprentice of a famous artist, Haru is the heiress to a huge company, and Akechi is a famous detective), and their character arcs involve recognizing and acting upon the rebellious anger that they've been suppressing inside themselves. Ryuji on the other hand, has been outwardly acting as a rebellious delinquent for sometime before the game begins, and his arc is about learning to get over his anger and once again act and be seen as the NiceGuy he really is, while directing his righteous anger at those who ''really'' deserve it rather than everyone who happens to be around him.

* Morgana is very supportive of his friends, though is more open about showing it to the girls possibly due to his own ego. When Joker told them his story, Morgana instantly insists that they need to deal with the guy responsible, and expressed concern when Joker couldn't recall who it was who turned him in. When Futaba goes out on her own, Morgana follows her, albeit secretly, to make sure that she'll be okay. He worries about Haru constantly, especially after her father's death, and just wants her to be safe. Joker takes him everywhere and he is always saying things that support him, instead of judging him for not working on the mission at hand. He even gives him advice on how to [[NotSoAboveItAll complete the Mega Burger Challenge]]. He may be a DeadpanSnarker with an attitude, but it's clear that he loves his friends dearly.
** Even though he chastises Ryuji for trying to rescue Kamoshida's cognitions of the volleyball team from the Palace, Morgana still expresses visible dismay at the physical abuse they've been dealt. He's well aware that the real people that these cognitive beings represent are suffering.
** If you've cleared Kamoshida's Palace, on May 1, Morgana will apologize to you for being unable to reassure you that it will work out. Keep in mind that this is the first successful heist for all four Phantom Thieves, Morgana included, so they don't know what's going to happen until they see it for themselves.

** Another small one occurs when you have to ask Sojiro about Futaba in order to complete Alibaba's request/demands--specifically your second attempt, after another visit from Sae leaves him angry. When Sojiro responds defensively to your questions and leaves, Morgana decides against you asking him further, as it would risk you getting thrown out. He's willing to put ''your well-being'' over the mission.

* After wrapping up the Madarame arc, the group -- consisting of Joker, Ryuji, Ann, Morgana and Yusuke at that point -- have a celebration at Leblanc. From the gang drinking coffee (soda in Ryuji's case, with Joker helping Sojiro prepare the coffee) to eating hot pot and having a much-needed heart-to-heart about their pasts, it's just a very pleasant day overall[[note]]aside from, perhaps, the scene with Makoto and Sae in between[[/note]]. The following day starts with Yusuke moving back to the dorm, but not before leaving his mother's painting in a bemused Sojiro's care. It also shows Sojiro warming up to Joker and glad that he's managed to make friends. He even reveals (to Yusuke, at least) the reason why he agreed to look after Joker in the first place: because he reminds him of his old self.
* When [[StudentCouncilPresident Makoto]] joins the Phantom Thieves, you'd likely think that would cause a fair amount of friction with Ann (who dislikes Makoto for supposedly helping Kamoshida go unpunished for as long as he was), similar to [[VideoGame/Persona3 Yukari with Mitsuru]]. [[SubvertedTrope It doesn't.]] The next school day after Makoto joins, Ann learns Makoto's side of the story -- that Makoto ''wanted'' to do something about Kamoshida, but felt powerless back then, and feels guilty now (not unlike Ann herself). Later, the two girls then exchange apologies and agree to [[FirstNameBasis call each other by their first names without honorifics]], a moment that shows how kind and [[{{Forgiveness}} forgiving]] both characters are.

* "You've changed, Sis. But you don't need to worry about me. I've finally found a place where I belong." --Makoto

* The very events during the boss of Futaba's dungeon '''definitely''' count. Futaba enters her own dungeon, and her [[ShadowArchetype shadow self]] details to her of all the guilt she's hoarded to this day has been slowly devouring both her mind and soul, as the false version of her mother in the form of a [[OurSphinxesAreDifferent giant Sphinx hybrid]] seethes unto her with hateful resentment, her Shadow asks her if she ever recalled her real mother ever saying such cruelly-harsh words to her, then realizes the suicide note was a falsified forgery by the corrupt organization led by [[CorruptPolitician Masayoshi Shido]]. After realizing this, it blooms into such a beautifully-emotional scene as Futaba finally discovers her inner-resolve against the false image of her mother, and '''greatly assists''' Joker and company in taking down the guilt-formed monstrosity in [[BigDamnHeroes badass style]] in the form of a [[SiegeEngines Ballista.]] A '''truly unforgettable''' heartfelt moment mixed with awesomeness.
* After defeating the boss of Futaba's dungeon -- a monster born from Futaba's fears that her mother blamed her for her death, and always hated her -- her mother's true feelings appear in spirit form, and we get this exchange (doubles as a TearJerker):

** After this incident has been cleared up and the team's hideout becomes Joker's room, you can see Morgana curled up in Futaba's lap -- a sign of no hard feelings between the two. As the group move off to begin their operations, they look at each other as if exchanging a final remark.

** Most of the other Phantom Thieves occupy "respectable" places in society (Ann is a fashion model, Makoto is the Student Council President, Yusuke is the apprentice of a famous artist, Haru is the heiress to a huge company, and Akechi is a famous detective), and their character arcs involve recognizing and acting upon the rebellious anger that they've been surpressing inside themselves. Ryuji on the other hand, has been outwardly acting as a rebellious delinquent for sometime before the game begins, and his arc is about learning to get over his anger and once again act and be seen as the NiceGuy he really is, while directing his righteous anger at those who ''really'' deserve it rather than everyone who happens to be around him.

** Politicians often [[CorruptPolitician have bad raps in media]] and one of the chief villains of the game, Masayoshi Shido, is a textboox example of that bad rap (and there's a lot of evil politicians running amok in the game). Yoshida is a kind reminder that in the end, politicians are also humans [[HumansAreFlawed capable of compassion, sometimes making mistakes but also owing up to it and trying to do better.]] Just as there are bad, selfish politicians corrupting the place for their interests, [[RousseauWasRight there are also good politicians genuinely trying their best to selflessly improve the lives of others despite the bad rap they received.]]

** Also in his max Confidant event, Iwai explains to Kaoru about how he was afraid that people would stimatize his son if they learned about that, just like how Iwai got bullied because of his loser parents. Kaoru just sincerely says, [[YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre "My father isn't a loser though. He's a brilliant business owner."]]

* At Ranked 9 of the Strength Confidant, the twins tells Joker of a story related to the twenty-two arcana, namely how the Fool embarks on a Journey, defeating Death and achiveing the World. It is clear the person who told this story to the twins is [[VideoGame/Persona3 Elizabeth]], who is still tirelessly trying to find a way to unshackle her guest from his fate. Much like Margaret, the twins also care for their dear sister very much, hoping she could one day be successful in her own Journey.

** Another hangout has him go to the bathouse with Joker, and he tells him that once his mother mistakenly conceived him after having impulsive sex with Shido, she would tell young Akechi to go to the bathhouse as she "receives customers." Finally, Akechi has a way to vent his suppressed anger without hiding it.

* The ending cutscene once you finish the last battle in the True Ending path. Maruki has closed his eyes and has surrendered, prompting the crystal they're on to crack, with him about to fall to his death. Joker, despite completly exhausted, battered, and bruised, immediately lunges forth to grab his arm to keep him from falling. When Maruki just begs for Joker to let him go, Joker refuses, with one option of dialogue even being "we're going back together" before Maruki expresses his admiration for him. Despite the fight and everything that happened the last few months, the two young men truly and genuinely respect and care for the other. The ending animation even shows that Maruki is making the best out of his second chance at life.

*** Also a bit of extra heartwarming for any player who chose to [[RomanceSidequest romance]] Futaba is that while Sojiro does tell Joker to not get with her, because he would find it pretty weird for Joker to call him "father", he does reconsider immediately and concedes that it wouldn't be so bad. OverprotectiveDad he may be, but Sojiro does want what's best for Joker and Futaba.

* A rather subtle one when you first meet Sojiro, specifically his AsYouKnow moment where he summarizes how you ended up living in the attic of his coffee shop. "You protected some woman from a man forcing himself on her, he got injured, then sued you." You gotta think really hard about this; he does not give the "official" finding that you randomly punched a dude any thought whatsoever. He indicates that despite all of his initial cynicism and hostility, he doubts you're the dangerous delinquent you've been made out to be. The only people who would have both the opportunity and motivation to convince him of your side of the story are your otherwise unseen parents, but even without this, he sticks to this belief.

** Akechi's Third Awakening goes into a different direction since he never fell for Maruki's illusion. Instead Akechi is the one urging Joker to keep fighting despite knowing the former might return to being dead if they succeed. Since as Akechi said he already chose his path and wants Joker to do the same by fighting for his own believes.

** This is also reflected in the appearance of his Third-Tier Persona Hereward. He's clad in dark combat fatigues, but he retains Robin Hood's HeroicBuild and looks more like [[MovieSuperheroesWearBlack a modern interpretation of an anti-hero]] than an outright ChaoticEvil entity like Loki. The implication is that Akechi finally found his purpose and became the hero he always wanted to be, a rogue but ultimately free one.

** The morning after discovering that Joker and Futaba are Phantom Thieves, Joker finds Sojiro watching a news report declaring that the police have placed a 3 million yen bounty on the Phantom Thieves. Rather than be tempted to turn them in, this just makes Sojiro even more worried about their predicament. From then on, every time Joker comes back to [=LeBlanc=] in the evening, Sojiro will express relief that he returned home safely and managed to live another day without getting arrested or killed.

** The morning after discovering that Joker and Futaba are Phantom Thieves, Joker finds Sojiro watching a news report declaring that the police have placed a 3 million yen bounty on the Phantom Thieves. Rather than be tempted to turn them in, this just makes Sojiro even more worried about their predicament. From then on, every time Joker come back to [=LeBlanc=] in the evening, Sojiro will express relief that he returned home safely and managed to live another day without getting arrested or killed.

** The morning after discovering that Joker and Futaba are Phantom Thieves, Joker finds Sojiro watching a news report declaring that the police have placed a 3 million yen bounty on the Phantom Thieves. Rather than be tempted to turn them in, this just makes Sojiro even more worried about their predicament. From then on, every time you come back to [=LeBlanc=] in the evening, Sojiro will express relief that you returned home safely and managed to live another day without getting arrested or killed.

** Most of the other Phantom Thieves occupy "respectable" places in society (Ann is a fashion model, Makoto is the Student Council President, Yusuke is the apprentice of a famous artist, Haru is the heiress to a huge company, and Akechi is a famous detective), and their character arcs involve recognizing and acting upon the rebellious anger that they've been keeping hidden inside them. Ryuji on the other hand, has been outwardly acting as a rebellious delinquent for sometime before the game begins, and his arc is about learning to get over his anger and once again act and be seen as the NiceGuy he really is, while directing his righteous anger at those who ''really'' deserve it rather than everyone who happens to be around him.

* A rather subtle one when you first meet Sojiro, specifically his AsYouKnow moment where he summarizes how you ended up living in the attic of his coffee shop. "You protected some woman from a man forcing himself on her, he got injured, then sued you." Think really hard about this. He does not give the "official" finding that you randomly punched a dude any thought whatsoever. He indicates that despite all of his initial cynicism and hostility, he doubts you're the dangerous delinquent you've been made out to be. The only people who would have both the opportunity and motivation to convince him of your side of the story are your otherwise unseen parents, but even without this, he sticks to this belief.

** Also subtle, but due to unforeseen circumstances that he can't explain, Joker misses the first half of his first day at school. Sojiro, naturally, gives him the riot act for this... but that's ''all'' he does; he doesn't take away any of Joker's limited freedoms or impose more restrictions, when a less-forgiving person might've done just that at the first sign of trouble.

** Ryuji and Ann's relationship in general is this. They've known one another since middle school, but it's only [[FireForgedFriends after confronting the same man who had wronged them for the past two years do they rekindle their friendship.]] Despite their poking fun at one another and Ryuji's sporadic [[MaleGaze ogling of Ann's figure]] (Ann, notably for the series, resorts to friendly teasing Ryuji in response instead of beating on him[[note]]This is likely owing that in comparison to duos like Junpei and Yukari, or Yosuke and Chie who share similar dynamics, Ryuji and Ann have the benefit of having known each other for far longer[[/note]]), they have one another's backs, and Ryuji not only respects Ann as a person, he also ''always'' comes to Ann's defense whenever harassment of her goes too far. It's a refreshing take on the initial male-female dynamic of the game's initial ThreeAmigos, as many have felt that the prior two cases ([[VideoGame/Persona3 Junpei and Yukari,]] and [[VideoGame/Persona4 Chie and Yosuke]]) have the girls act just plain hateful towards the boys, while the boys take their perversions a bit too far.

** Ryuji and Ann's relationship in general is this. They've known one another since middle school, but it's only [[FireForgedFriends after confronting the same man who had wronged them for the past two years do they rekindle their friendship.]] Despite their poking fun at one another and Ryuji's sporadic [[MaleGaze ogling of Ann's figure]] (Ann, notably for the series, resorts to friendly teasing Ryuji in response instead of beating on him[[note]]This is likely owing that in comparison to duos like Junpei and Yukari, or Yosuke and Chie who share similar dynamics, Ryuji and Ann have tbe benefit of having known each other for far longer[[/note]]), they have one another's backs, and Ryuji not only respects Ann as a person, he also ''always'' comes to Ann's defense whenever harassment of her goes too far. It's a refreshing take on the initial male-female dynamic of the game's initial ThreeAmigos, as many have felt that the prior two cases ([[VideoGame/Persona3 Junpei and Yukari,]] and [[VideoGame/Persona4 Chie and Yosuke]]) have the girls act just plain hateful towards the boys, while the boys take their perversions a bit too far.

** Ryuji and Ann's relationship in general is this. They've known one another since middle school, but it's only [[FireForgedFriends after confronting the same man who had wronged them for the past two years do they rekindle their friendship.]] Despite their poking fun at one another and Ryuji's sporadic [[MaleGaze ogling of Ann's figure]] (Ann, notably for the series, resorts to friendly teasing Ryuji in response instead of beating on him), they have one another's backs, and Ryuji not only respects Ann as a person, he also ''always'' comes to Ann's defense whenever harassment of her goes too far. It's a refreshing take on the initial male-female dynamic of the game's initial ThreeAmigos, as many have felt that the prior two cases ([[VideoGame/Persona3 Junpei and Yukari,]] and [[VideoGame/Persona4 Chie and Yosuke]]) have the girls act just plain hateful towards the boys, while the boys take their perversions a bit too far.

** What follows is a months-long TimeSkip punctuated by a montage of the Thieves and max-rank Confidants all doing whatever they can to help Joker. The core team along do everything they can to investigate the original assault case. In the meanwhile, the other Confidants do as much as they can in their own way: Sojiro testifies on his behalf; Tae, Yuuki, Hifumi, and Shinya go about getting as much public support and awareness as they can; Kawakami gets the Shujin staff to back him up; Iwai calls on his old Yakuza contacts to make sure nothing happens to him behind bars; Chihaya gathers people for demonstrations against the police; Ohya tries to uncover the gaps in his falsified record; and Yoshida rallies to get support from his allies in the government. All this to [[AFriendInNeed help get Joker his well-deserved freedom]].

** Based on the conversation after his friends leave Leblanc for the day, Sojiro asks Joker if her wants to stay for the rest of his school education and even a bit afterwards. It’s implied that Sojiro’s desire was for Joker to stay and become a family with him, Futaba and Wakaba. [[LikeASonToMe Boss truly loved his ward like a son]].

* While Sojiro's initially upset to hear that Futaba wasn't just targeted by the Phantom Thieves, but ''is one herself'', along with Joker, he ultimately decides that he won't turn them in, and is fine with them continuing as long as they don't start a fight that they can't win (granted, he doesn't know about their present circumstances). Keep in mind, he's aware of the reports surrounding President Okumura's death and his connection to the Phantom Thieves too, so he has [[AdultFear every right to worry about his daughter enountering potential]] ''[[AdultFear murderers]]'', especially after Wakaba's death; yet he knows you well enough that you're not that sort of person. Ultimately, he concludes by saying that he's made himself hungry by getting so loud, before fixing a meal for them. For someone who said that he'd kick Joker out if he got into any trouble a mere six months before, Sojiro turns out to be [[ReasonableAuthorityFigure quite understanding and caring]].
** Even before then, while initially surprised that they're in his house, Sojiro trusts Joker and company enough to tell them Futaba's situation. Also, the primary reason for Sojiro keeping you out of his residence was less about keeping a delinquent away from his daughter -- itself [[AdultFear a perfectly valid reason]] to [[TearJerker keep a distance from you]] -- and more to avoid exacerbating her already-precarious condition. When Joker learns that, you have the option of saying, "I understand", showing that he can't begrudge Sojiro for doing what he thinks is best for Futaba.

* Haru's character trailer includes a scene of her, Joker, and ''Mr. Okumura'' talking together in a public setting. Though it's rather early to be sure, this implies that in ''Royal'', Okumura may be able to survive his canonical death this time. Unfortunately, it ''isn't'' and he ''didn't''; this Okumura is actually an illusion that Maruki manifested for her so she wouldn't feel grief-struck.

* In the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XWlZ4FM1w4 Japanese Launch trailer]] for ''Royal'', it is revealed [[TrailersAlwaysSpoil that a cognitive version of Haru appears in Kunikazu Okumura's Palace]]. While this may be somewhat confusing as to ''why'' it is heartwarming, one must remember that in the original game, there was no tangible evidence implying that Haru had become so unimportant to Kunikazu that she was metaphysically "out of sight, out of mind". The presence of this cognitive Haru shows that Kunikazu may still have some fatherly love buried deep within his distortions after all. Horribly subverted in a TearJerker fashion, since he doesn't treat her as anything better than the other robots; once all of the frontlines are down, he calls her out to suicide bomb the Phantom Thieves!
** However, in the Third Term, when Maruki's fake reality starts kicking in, the Okumura revived is a perfectly fine person and is a genuinely caring parent to Haru. He might not have always been so bad before gaining a Palace after all...

* Morgana is very supportive of his friends, though is more open about showing it to the girls possibly due to his own ego. When Joker told them his story, Morgana instantly insists that they need to deal with the guy responsible, and expressed concern when Joker couldn't recall who it was who turned him in. When Futaba goes out on her own, Morgana follows her, albeit secretly to make sure that she'll be okay. He worries about Haru constantly, especially after her father's death, and just wants her to be safe. Joker takes him everywhere and he is always saying things that support him, instead of judging him for not working on the mission at hand. He even gives him advice on how to [[NotSoAboveItAll complete the Mega Burger Challenge]]. He may be a DeadpanSnarker with an attitude, but it's clear that he loves his friends dearly.

** After, maybe even during, Futaba's Palace. Morgana becomes very caring for Futaba. Morgana is the first to truly grasp the gravity of Futaba's situation, noting how little control Futaba has over her own Palace.[[note]]and by extension, her mind[[/note]]
** When Futaba goes out on her own for the first time, Morgana follows her from the shadows. To A; make sure that she is okay, and B; give her the confidence to know she can face the outside world all on her own. [[note]]Her not knowing she has someone looking after her, is more helpful than knowing Morgana will leap to her rescue if she needs help.[[/note]]

** However, in the Third Term, when Maruki's fake reality starts kicking in, the Okumura revived is a perfectly fine person and is a genuinely caring parent to Haru. He might not have always been this bad after all...
* At one point, Morgana asks both Futaba and Haru if they're going to be okay working with Akechi during the new Palace. They both thank him for asking about it and assure they'll be fine with it. Justified, since all of the Phantom Thieves unanimously put the blame on Shido and not Akechi himself.

** He's very forgiving of the track team despite their downright vicious attitude towards him. Despite the fact that they show NoSympathy towards his rather justified issues -- namely a CareerEndingInjury and a character assassination inflicted on him by their abusive substitute teacher -- and continue to maintain that [[MiseryPoker they have it much worse than he does]], he mediates when they turn on each other, and shows serious concern when it looks like they'll fall victim to corrupt authority figures again. And when the track team actually offers Ryuji to come back, he respectfully declines, knowing he still has a place to belong: with his new friends.