Works of art are usually reflective of the real world in some way, be it replicating settings for locations in their game, or even shining the light on issues that affect the real world using lore-friendly metaphors. This can also be true in terms of characters, creating fully 3D characters with merits and flaws.
All of the above-mentioned is true of most of thePersonaseries, set in locations across Japan that usually touch on problems facing real-life, such as serial killers or corrupt adults changing society for the worst. With society so rotten, is it surprising that some of the characters on its expansive roster have a cynical outlook on life?
There are some spoilers beyond this point, so readers should proceed with caution.
After moving cities and schools, the protagonist Yu Narukami is taken in by his Uncle Ryotara Dojima whoworks as a Detectivein the small town of Inaba. One might think not much crime would happen in this small town, but they would be wrong, and Ryotara takes his job as a protector very seriously.
Part of how seriously he takes his work is his cynical and downtrodden outlook on life. He struggles with the loss of his wife while poorly managing his work and life balance. As a result, his daughter Nanako is often left at home with the protagonist as her father throws himself into his work.
A transfer student with an air of mystery about him Reiji proves quite popular to the girls in his school though with his somewhat aloof and antisocial tendencies, the affection is very rarely returned. His low-level people skills areborn from a life of tragedywith ties to Kandori, the main antagonist ofPersona.
Reiji is disenchanted with his own life, viewing it through a cynical lens but placing the blame on his half-brother Kandori for how it turned out, and avowing revenge. His entire surly demeanor is just further proof of how cynical this character is.
Sae is one of the core NPCs inPersona 5with whom Joker confesses all of his deeds as a Phantom Thief to, as well as one of the corrupt adults he must steal the heart of. She views the Japanese legal system as in need of reform, and even views the courtroom as a gambling arena as seenin her Palace, showing her cynical views on her job as a Public Prosecutor and the justice system as a whole.
She also views her younger sister as a burden she must take care of, claiming she is a leech in her life, but after being left to care for her younger sibling following the death of their parents, she can’t be fully blamed for this outlook. But in the end, Sae views the world in a much brighter light and decides to become a defense lawyer to see if she can help more people like Joker.
Persona 3has who might be the most tragic of all main characters as he is someone who has suffered loss. This is a similarity shared with fellow Persona user and classmate Yukari Takeba. On the surface, it may seem like Yukari is a cheerful and bright young lady whose social link revolves primarily aroundthe relationships with othersaround her, but there is a hidden darkness beneath the pink exterior.
In truth, Yukari has suffered loss in the past and as a result, she has a cynical outlook on the thought of letting anyone get too close, afraid to go through the pain once more. She also in general seems to assume the worst of other people, the protagonist, Junpei, and Mitsuru experiencing this for themselves firsthand.
The younger sister of Sae, Makoto shares her sisters' sadness over the loss of her parents, as well as the tragedy and cynicism such a loss can bring. She is one of the most academically brilliant students of Shujin Academy, but suffers under the strain of others' expectations. Her sister expects her to succeed in school, attend a good college, and get a well-paying job, and the Principal expects her to investigate the students of the school to see ifthe Phantom Thievesare in fact students.
She suffers from a cynical viewpoint of herself and her own worth, worrying that she is a burden to her sister who is forced to financially support her alone, a concern that Sae reinforces at one point in the game.
The main antagonist ofPersona 4was hiding in plain sight all along: Tohru Adachi. Working as a partner (but also underling) to Dojima as they investigated the string of murders,none thought to suspectone of the officers on the police force, making it an almost perfect crime.
Adachi’s actions and words are full of cynicism, believing the world is doomed to remain stagnant with no hopes for progression or improvement, though this aspect of his personality is hidden beneath the visage of an earnest and somewhat naive young man. But this false personality is the perfect mask to hide the cynical Adachi who thinks reality is a waste of time when people could instead live in a world of their own choosing.
