How Persona Explores Death | Vacated's Ultimate Persona 3 Analysis

День тому

One of my all-time favorite series of video games is the Persona series. There are countless things I love about each of the individual games, but something about the third numbered entry, Persona 3, and its particular story and themes has just always stood out to me as being so uniquely brilliant.
P3's main thesis is very heavy, but strangely simple: Death is something that each and every one of us will eventually have to face, and is an aspect of our existence that we mustn't ever let become lost on us. This theme is established as soon as the very first opening cutscene, and is then carefully explored through just about every single aspect of the experience, from the characters, to the lore, to even the game mechanics.
Persona 3 is just teeming with stuff to talk about, and having first played and completed the game almost exactly two years ago now, I'm still to this day regularly reminded of and wowed by just how innovative it actually is. So that brings us to this particular video: An in-depth analysis and breakdown of Persona 3 and its themes of death and mortality. I'm SUPER proud of this one, so please let me know what you guys think in the comments! Thank you so much for watching, and Memento Mori!!
Chapter Guide: I get it, you may not want to watch EVERY single bit of this video, so here's how you can pick and choose!
Chapters that are designated with Part:(Roman Numeral)-Re are simply sections that are dedicated to laying out and recapping the story elements. So if you're already intimately familiar with P3's story, you may totally skip these if you'd like.
Chapters that aren't designated with Re, however, are the analysis sections. These are the parts of the video where I really dig into the themes of the game by making certain observations, drawing literary parallels, discussing character dynamics/story elements and their deeper meanings, etc. (AKA, the stuff that you don't want to skip)
Enjoy the video!!
Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
3:06 - Part I-Re: The Beginning | Main Story Introduction
10:05 - Part I: Time and the Calendar System
13:25 - Part IS: Social Link Introduction
14:46 - Part II: Bunkichi, Mitsuko, and Immortality Through Legacy
20:14 - Part III: Akinari Kamiki: The Dying Young Man
26:41 - Part IV-Re: The Calm Before the Storm | A S.E.E.S. Renaissance
37:44 - Part IV: Akihiko, Ken, and Death Portrayed Through Loss
45:46 - Part V-Re: Revelations | The Betrayal of S.E.E.S.
53:36 - Part V: Strega, Ikutsuki, and Death As Deliverance
58:01 - Part VI-Re: Strega's Rebirth | The Dark Ages of S.E.E.S.
1:02:29 - Part VI: Chidori, Bonds, and The Myth Of Sisyphus
1:12:04 - Part VIS: Aigis, Humanity, and the Sisyphean Pursuit of Protection
1:15:49 - Part VII-Re: The Rejuvenation of S.E.E.S. | First Omen of the World's End
1:22:18 - Part VII: Shadows, Ryoji, and the Humanization of Death
1:29:10 - Part VIII-Re: Death Notice for the World | The Return of the Mother Entity
1:32:15 - Part VIII: NYX: The Origin of Everything
1:39:50 - Part IX-Re: Harrowing Dilemma In A Dying World | Ryoji's New Year's Ultimatum
1:43:05 - Part IX: Ending I: To Forget Death
1:48:20 - Part X-Re: Memories of the World | The Death and Rebirth of S.E.E.S.
1:52:00 - Part X: The Arcana | A Fool's Journey
1:59:07 - Main Story COMPLETED | Ending II: Remember Death
2:14:17 - Video Ending and Conclusion | Memento Mori
Works Referenced:
The Epic of Gilgamesh - Maureen Gallery Kovacs
Komm, süßer Tod - Johann Sebastian Bach
Persona 3 & Japan’s Lost Generation - LadyVirgilia
The Myth Of Sisyphus - Albert Camus
Jung’s Theory of Personality - Carl Jung
Persona 3 Club Book: World Guide Q&A - Atlus
Megami Ibunroku Persona - Atlus
Persona 2: Innocent Sin - Atlus
Persona 2: Eternal Punishment - Atlus
Persona 3 FES: The Answer - Atlus
Persona 4 - Atlus
Persona 5 - Atlus
Forgot to put this in the actual in-video credits because I'm a dingus, but the English translation of the Q&A section of the P3 Club Book was done by Nenilein, a creator here on UKposts, and the fan who first discovered and delivered this information to us western players! Go check them out!
/ @nenilein
Soundtracks Present:
Persona 2 IS Original Soundtrack - Atlus
Persona 3 Original Soundtrack - Atlus
Persona 3 The Movie Original Soundtrack - Atlus
Trauma Center: Second Opinion Original Soundtrack - Atlus
Persona 3 Portable Original Soundtrack - Atlus
Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne Original Soundtrack - Atlus
Trauma Team Original Soundtrack - Atlus
Shin Megami Tensei V Original Soundtrack - Atlus
Persona 3: Dancing In Moonlight Original Soundtrack - Atlus
Persona 3 Reincarnation Album - Atlus
With Celebrity Bonus Appearances From:
Nine Inch Nails and Aphex Twin
Overwhelming Bulk of Gameplay Footage from: JohneAwesome's Persona 3 FES Walkthrough
B-Roll Footage From Noire Blue's No Commentary Persona 3 Walkthrough
(Far more detailed credits for everything can be found at the end of the video's runtime).
Thanks For Watching!!

КОМЕНТАРІ: 484

@vacated3188 4 місяці тому

I forgot to put this in the actual in-video credits because I'm a dingus, so I'll go ahead and mention it here to spread the word: The (as far as I know) ONLY English translation of the Q&A section from the Persona 3 Club Book (AKA everything that we know about Nyx's lore) was done by Nenilein, a fellow creator here on UKposts, and the fan who first discovered and delivered this information to us western players. So without them, the entire Nyx section of my video (which is my personal favorite part of the whole thing) wouldn't even be possible. So check out their blogpost here! - ask-persona.tumblr.com/post/99861586798/persona-3-club-book-world-guide-qa-translation It contains the translation for everything I referenced as far as Nyx's lore goes. Nenilein has also made their own video on Nyx as well, so I highly urge you to check it out! - ukposts.info/have/v-deo/hV15iIuWh3uKlYU.html Edit: While you're here, also make sure to check out LadyVirgilia's video on Apathy Syndrome! I never actually linked it anywhere despite it being a pretty big inspiration for part 5, so let's change that! - ukposts.info/have/v-deo/hZmZqmqPpXepmo0.html

@benjaws5263 3 місяці тому

Thank you for uploading this magnificent breakdown on the themes and message of Persona 3. It was really a well edited and put together with even the 4:3 aspect ratio emulating how it would like to play this game on the PS2 back in 2006. I also feel like every Persona game with its varying themes can resonate with us at different stages of life but especially Persona 3 and with the key phrase „Memento Mori" and how with should take strides in life to not be afraid of death but to celebrate life and how even though we have a limited time on this Earth, we can achieve alot with our lives be it in the present or in our future. Also glad you talked about my favourite social link Akanari. I feel that even though his tale is one of a very bittersweet end, I feel we can take so many messages from his life and apply it to our own. Like as you said in the video, that even though we are mortal and we will not persist after we die, the impact that we can have on others will be everlasting. I do hope that you will cover Persona 4 with the same passion and fervor like with Persona 3 even though it may not be as massive a breakdown as this. Thank you so much for uploading this wonderful video of the messages and themes of Persona 3 and how we can take so much from it.

@vacated3188 3 місяці тому

@@benjaws5263 Yes, thank you so much for watching!! Glad you enjoyed. I absolutely adore Persona 4, and I 100% intend to make something for it one day! I can't promise that it'll be anytime soon, but it's gonna happen for sure! Again, thanks for the thorough comment, it truly means a lot. Cheers friend, and take care!

@loadupthejaj3809 3 місяці тому

Spoilers for Persona 4: Golden One of my favorite moments in the whole Persona series is in P4G during one of Adachi's social links. Nanako is given an assignment to read a book, and the book she read was the Pink Alligator story that Akinari wrote. Even years after his death, his legacy lives on through his book, even reaching yet another protagonist, even if it wasn't directly.

@vacated3188 3 місяці тому

Yes!! I love that nod in P4 :) Not only is it a great throwback for fans of 3, but it sort of adds to his arc in a way, proving that the legacy he had built did in fact live on.

@TheSupremeStriker 2 місяці тому

I wonder if mitsuru used the kirijo group's resources to get it widely published after makoto's death. Like she found it while SEES cleared out his room and could tell it was important to him.

@veslets 2 місяці тому

I never noticed that bc I played p4 before p3.. that’s really cool though. The sun was my personal favorite social link in p3

@richterbellassi Місяць тому

One thing about Reload is that it attracts a lot of new fans who brought their own insights and appreciations for Persona 3. This game is special to me, and seeing it being cherished warms my soul

@Erekt0 4 місяці тому

Persona 3 has such a major impact on me and how I see life, and as I’ve grown my feelings for the games message have grown. I used to cry at the ending because it was sad, but now I cry because how unapologetically beautiful and thoughtful it is, truly a game, I personally believe everyone should experience start to finish at least once.

@jonathan_byers_stan2416 4 місяці тому

BABE WAKE UP NEW 2 HR PERSONA ESSAY DROPPED

@michaeljohnson6905 3 місяці тому

Persona 3 is such a great examination of the two sides of nihilism, with Strega and SEES being the differing sides of the same coin. I hear a lot of people wrongly clinging to nihilism being solidified as "nothing matters, and nothing has meaning"; but that's just one half. The other is choosing to apply meaning yourself, and Chidori's arc really hammers this connection home

@vacated3188 3 місяці тому

Exactly! Very well said. That "optimistic" flavor of nihilism is something that Camus was very big on, and is exactly why his essay and messages resonate so much to this day.

@ryoujiarisato7308 3 місяці тому

Nihilism was always meant to be about "life has no meaning, you need to find your own", people often forget about that second bit

@Codreanu_Prezent 29 днів тому

Many of the main characters believe in the soul though so that throws the idea out the window thst they're explicit nihilists... They're more akin to Dostoyevsky than most existentialists in their approach to post-nihilism. Makoto's 'Messiah' persona is a direct reference to the negation and defeat of death, as death has no telos, but life does. Also there is the fact that Makoto (the Messiah figure) venturing into hades/tartarus and destroying it, is signfying the transcendence of death and a direct reference to the 'Harrowing of Hades' by the famous Christ. To live and suffer meaningfully, you must believe in an overarching purpose for preserving life beyond the subject, as truth or love can not be relative. The prime message of Persona 3 is life has an objective telos and is worth preserving; and though many do not know what that telos is, most cling to a primordial and spiritual cherishing of it; an unconcious love of life's eschatological value forgotten since the fall of Eden/the cosmos. This verse is the humble and powerful exemplification of Persona 3's moral message: "There is no greater love among men, than to lay his life down for his friends."

@mysticalspace2596 4 місяці тому

This is legitimately my favorite persona game as I am a sucker for darker themes,this game really teaches you the importance of a end and a beginning especially when it comes to time. And this video is faithful to its message and theme,and this analysis really nailed it.

@vacated3188 4 місяці тому

Thank you!! I too am an absolute sucker for this game (clearly, lol), and it means the absolute world to me to see that my video is resonating with fellow fans as much as I hoped it would!!

@dlubber7071 4 місяці тому

It's my favourite game in the series too! Man can i not wait for reaload

@GamerBoy603 4 місяці тому

I remember when I first played persona 3 and when Makoto had shown up in front of everyone after using the Great Seal. Seeing Aigis look at him and not have the same happiness that the others did and when she started crying. It felt like something was wrong, I didnt truly understand at the moment that he was meant to die, but I knew something was wrong by the way Aigis acted in that cutscene. Then when proceeding days continued and then graduation it just hit me like a ton of bricks. It truly was an experience that I will never forget. Persona 3 will always hold a special place in my heart.

@CusterdCrange 4 місяці тому

where my only 5 persona 3 fans in the world at 🗣🗣🔊

@vacated3188 4 місяці тому

On GOD ✊️😔 Lol thanks for the interest in my stuff, man!!

@jonatoncopeland4798 4 місяці тому

I'm number 3 persona 3 fan😎✊🏻

@hanishreddy5985 4 місяці тому

@madhur7 4 місяці тому

we're here

@iju 4 місяці тому

I'm here bro 🗣️ ‼️‼️

@DerpyAlusky 3 місяці тому

Its my belief too that the ending credits song "Memories of You" is sung from the perspective of Agis to Makoto and honestly it tears me up every time I hear it.

@neko-tan 4 місяці тому

This. This is genuinely the single most impactful video I've ever watched. The final chapter completely renewed my sense of self, changed my outlook, and renewed my will to go out and LIVE. Thank you for all of the effort you put into this. If nothing else you've made one person's life a little better, and I hope you have a great day, week, year and life!

@vacated3188 4 місяці тому

Wow, thanks!! I can't believe this little project of mine is proving to be so impactful to so many people. So glad you loved it, and thank you for watching!!

@DamianGshow 3 місяці тому

I'm midway through the video and I'm feeling similar to this sentiment. LIVE!

@Sk_Et 2 місяці тому

Persona 3 is still the single greatest story I've encountered on any medium. Front to back it delivers without pulling a single punch. Incredible. Fantastic video going over all the themes of death, the inevitability, the tragedy and the beauty of it all. Well done!

@Sega_420 3 місяці тому

I was really depressed when I played this game and it was during the pandemic. This game saved me. It made realize a lot of things, I lost a friend, and I used to have low self esteem but now. I appreciate everything and has moved on. Thank you Persona 3, thank you for changing my life!!!

@gegsdbdhdvdvd1271 3 місяці тому

I'm a grown ass man and im sitting here damn-near bawling my eyes out because of this analysis. Excellent video. You made me remember just how important this game is to me and even found new ways for me to appreciate it. I had honestly never considered to look at Ryoji in that manner. What a fantastic game. Here's hoping Reload can capture the heart of what makes this game so special.

@reireizo624 4 місяці тому

This is a video to absolutely be proud of making. You voiced feelings of the game shared by so many, and even offered new perspectives that shed so much more light on just how beautiful Persona 3 is. The editing mirroring the style of the original game, even being presented in 4:3 was such a wonderful touch. The combination of script work and musical choice moved me to tears several times, reminding me of things I love about this game and more. Thank you for putting this out there - you made me appreciate my favorite game even more than I already did.

@vacated3188 4 місяці тому

Thank you!! So glad you loved it. I think it's so cool how you got such a kick out the editing, the aspect ratio, the music choices, etc! As an editor and not a viewer, it's really easy to lose sight of things like that and fall into the trap of thinking "ehh, well nobody but me is gonna care about all of these things", and it always delights me every time one of your guys' awesome comments disproves that! For me, the goal when making a project like this is for each of the video elements to come together to create a memorable experience above all else. And there's really no better feeling than when this succeeds, and that full "editor's vision" is felt by, and just as visible to the viewers as it ever was to myself! Again, really glad you loved it, and thank you so much for watching and commenting!!

@mikespataro6095 2 місяці тому

There are so many social links that have to do with death in some way or another as well. And overcoming the impact of that death. The Gourmet King's little brother. Maiko dealing with the death of love between her parents. Yukari's father. Hayase's dad dying and him having to become the patriarch because of that and him having a sick mother. Again the death, AND rebirth of love for family, with the Monk. So many themes based around death.

@MaxusFox23 2 місяці тому

I know Nozomi's SL is infamous among the fanbase but MAN that one hit me like a truck (the only other one being Akinari for obvious reasons). I relate to his inferiority complex towards his brother so much and everyone seems to dismiss how sad and messed up it is that a literal kid ended up joining a cult in a misguided attempt to not feel like a failure in this life and "be saved" for the next one. Y'know, because cults are known for snaring people when they're at their lowest and most vulnerable state. I guess it's more of a me thing because I related to his feelings A LOT and not everyone is on that same boat, but patience, nurturing and validation are things that a lot of people out there need every once in a while. That's why it kinda bothers me how people write him off as "an insufferable fatso that's part of a cult".

@_yikesforever 23 дні тому

Not only did I cry for a good 30 minutes over finishing Reload yesterday, but I cried for another 30 watching your video. Thanks for such an enlightening one and making me love my giant memento mori tattoo even more!

@nooneipromisse22 3 місяці тому

persona 3 was a game that touched me at a hard moment of life, where i was thinking to just give up, but when i saw makoto's story and the bonds that gave him strength, i could realize again that there is beauty in this flawed, boring world and that i don't need superpowers and a great journey to make my life have a meaning, just the bonds you forge with your fellows, the laughs, the cries, the challenges, the memento mori's of your life, we all can have beautiful stories to tell. great video man, it reminded me again of the impact of the game, i really hope that p3 reload can have the same impact on the lifes of others, as the original had on mine. remember that you are mortal and live your life to the fullest, thank you.

@pralenkaman8105 3 місяці тому

Something I really like about persona 3 is that it has scenes without the protagonist for the other members of S.E.E.S, I've never player P4 so I won't comment of it, but from what I remember of P5, the characters always developed with our protagonist present, rarely was there a scene without the protagonist for the other phantom thieves, I like the way persona 3 did it, makes the characters feel more dynamic, reaching to conclusions without our help

@lucalamanna-vg2bz 2 місяці тому

It's even worse in 4 imo

@nintenmax3DU 5 днів тому

Because Makoto didn’t care.

@imranzaidi1486 4 місяці тому

For once my UKposts recommendation knows what I want. I'm so glad I stumbled upon this video. I can tell you put a lot of thought and hard work into making this. I also love your take and analysis on the concept of death in this game, which is something that I think only hardcore fans of P3 truly appreciates. There are a lot of points that you made in the video that really resonated with my own thoughts on the overall theme of the game so it was nice to see it in a video format. I hope this video blows up soon, especially with the upcoming P3 Reload. You have my like .. 👍

@vacated3188 4 місяці тому

Wow, thank you!! Your response among so many others so far has just made my week! It's been a really busy holiday, so I'm only just now getting around to responding to everybody, but I've been keeping up with each of the comments as they come in and am ecstatic to see that so many people have found something to love about this video!! I gotta say, when making videos like these, it can be really easy to lose sight of just how many people share the same passion that spurred on the project to begin with. I myself fell many times into the trap of thinking "Bahh, this is ridiculous, nobody's even gonna care about or watch this thing when it's done". And I couldn't be more delighted to see with my own eyes that this nagging fear was purely and utterly irrational. Again, thank you so much for the comment friend, it truly means the world to hear such genuine words of praise from a fellow fan of this incredible game and series!!

@lucalamanna-vg2bz 2 місяці тому

I have played and loved every version of Persona 3 and today I finished Reload before stumbling to this video. Thank you for making me appreciate one of my favourite games ever even more.

@algoalgo5821 4 місяці тому

Out of this world quality standard here. Captured most of my thoughts on the game beautifully and introduced me to a lot of new parts of it too! Fantastic editing as well. Looking forward to watching over your career!

@vacated3188 4 місяці тому

Thank you!! Love how you described that cause in a lot of ways, that was the main thing I wanted to accomplish with this video: To present the themes of this game in a way that'll live up to and resonate with what the viewers already know and feel about the game, while also hopefully introducing some new aspects of it to them as well! And thank you for the editing praise!! I slaved pretty hard over some of these sections (especially the Nyx one, yikes lol), so to get even the slightest bit of recognition for it means more than you know. Again, thank you so much friend, and I hope to see you around for future videos!!

@DamianGshow 3 місяці тому

For some reason Shinjiro's death hurt me more than the ending at the time. Even now I feel like Akihiko when he yells out in pain and anguish.😢

@egbertmilton4003 3 місяці тому

Oh wow, you're hurt by the dumbest death in the Persona series, truly the writing was causing indigestion.

@vacated3188 3 місяці тому

@@egbertmilton4003What do you mean, if I might ask?

@anotherquestioneer9386 4 місяці тому

11/10 analysis, that ending was great and the video as a whole was top tier longform content. Cool chapter transitions too! I've played 4 and 5, and a few weeks ago finished 3 because I wanted to experience it before the remake comes out. Funny enough, I've played each of these games at a time in my life where their messages and themes helped me overcome the changes and challenges I was going through. For 5, I played it when going through rough times at home with an abusive parent, and finished it while staying at a family friends house while they took me in, it's themes of standing against injustice and fighting for freedom helping me get away from the bad environment I'd been stuck in for years. I played 4 while fittingly discovering my true self, and the themes of radical truth in the face of your own denials were instrumental in me accepting that I was transgender and finding friends and making experiences in highschool that are still major parts of me and hold prominence in my life to this day. And now in my early 20s, persona 3 gave me another opportunity to reflect on the hope and meaning that my experiences and the people around me have given my life. Despite the inevitability that the show one day ends, and everything I've become or can ever be will stop, the point of life is to live and love and experience the beauty life holds in spite of that. It's an absolutely gorgeous story and I've cried more times than I can count to it and it's messages. Can't wait for reload!

@vacated3188 4 місяці тому

This is an incredible comment, thank you!! Loved reading your story! I think that's one of the main things that makes Persona so special to be honest: The fact that its messages and themes serve as such universal lessons that just about anyone can take and apply to their own lives. I hold P3 and 4 incredibly close in that regard, especially 4 with its themes of personal growth and introspection, which was a message that really meant a lot to me when I first played the game at around 15 years old or so, which were, in a lot of ways, pretty dang confusing and depressing times, lol. However, I'm INCREDIBLY lucky to have always had a great family and support system, which is something that, as your story demonstrates, not everyone is privileged enough to have. And pretty damn poetically, that's where P5 comes in, with its uplifting themes of rebellion that explicitly give a voice to all of those people that DON'T have it good: A Persona for the underdogs, if you will. It's all just so brilliant, and I can't wait to see what the next game in the series tackles. Again, thank you so much for sharing!! It was a delight to read, and I'm so glad you loved the video!!

@CADPgamer 4 місяці тому

I always felt like 3 did the uneasiness and time pressure better than 4 did because of the fact that 3 had a fatigue system in the middle of dungeon exploration. You'd have to be careful with how you explore dungeons because constantly fighting or staying in Tartarus for too long would exhaust your party members (MC included). Meanwhile, the fatigue system was never included in 4, so you could actually reach the end of the dungeon in one day, and then after that, you can do whatever you wanted. Sure, you still wouldn't be able to do all the social links in 4 just like in 3, but I think the way 3 handled that pressure was much better.

@vacated3188 4 місяці тому

You're absolutely right! I feel like the tiredness mechanic in particular is so frequently written off as just being something "obnoxious" and totally unnecessary, and while I agree that it's generally a good thing that it didn't return in 4 onward, I don't at all think it's without its own significance as far as 3's plot, themes and gameplay goes. I also feel like 3 is super unique in how it was able to take this mechanic, and seamlessly weave it into the actual story toward the very end, what with the main character's death basically just being this exhaustion taken to the absolute extreme after the full draining of his HP and SP in the Nyx fight.

@Aereist 3 місяці тому

I believe it's because P4 never meant to use time to pressure you like how 3 did. It's about spending time peacefully surrounded by good friends, and then later threatening you by robbing the life of those you hold dear and making you desparately need to attempt the saving.

@CADPgamer 3 місяці тому

@@Aereist I mean... there was really only one person you held dear who was suddenly taken? The rest were people you didn't even know at the beginning. The reason you save them is because you knew that they were gonna die if they stayed when the fog appears IRL, and by saving them, you hope that you can find more truth about the serial killer. Even then, the tension of trying to save someone in P4 is kind of deflated if I can just go to a dungeon the day that I unlock it, and then stay there for as long as I want without the day advancing.

@Aereist 3 місяці тому

@@CADPgamer As I meant by 'later', I specifically meant that one. You see her every day. She's an adorable sister. She's beloved by every of the main casts. And when something does happen to her, hell broke loose, the chill group of friends become absolute desparate. Even the friendliest of the group like Yusuke got desperate enough to ridicult us for not immidiately finishing the culprit off. You see, by nature P4 is a slow burn. It never meant to pressure us like how P3 did. While P3 had braindead people walking around like zombies, P4 had calm scenery, friendly townfolks, and chill music. The town is supposed to be growing on us, made us attracted to the place and the people, and then we would fall in love with them, not wanting any of them to face any bad stuff. It's just different themes.

@jupiter4602 Місяць тому

moved me to tears all over again. Incredibly presented and well executed analysis.

@DamianGshow 3 місяці тому

2:15:59 watched this tonight, and was pulled in so many directions emotionally.....i cried, sobbed, reminisced, mourned, grieved at various points. As someone who is a suicide survivor....ive never looked at life this way... Wanted to push everyone away because feelings hurt, etc. But this game and video have me thinking differently. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, soul, persona,shadow...

@vacated3188 3 місяці тому

Of course man, and thank you so much for watching! I truly appreciate you sharing your story, and am so glad you're still here with us today. The fact that this video of mine has been able to touch anyone this deeply is gratifying in a way that I can't even begin to put into words, and I seriously thank you for taking the time to comment. It means the whole world, man! 💙

@helenap8826 3 місяці тому

I love P3 and this articulates why beautifully. ❤ Death is inevitable yes, but why and how we live our lives no matter how long they are is what’s important. And the way P3 explores this theme is so well done

@Voldemortsuncle Місяць тому

The editing on this analysis was amazing. The script is as well, but I just wanted to draw attention to the care that was put into editing in every part.

@BooksfromaBiGuy 4 місяці тому

girl between hearing shinji in that final fight again (haven’t done a full playthrough of this game since my first playthrough in 2013), and the way you tackled the shit in this video… you got my eyeballs sweating a bit I fear. I’ve been replaying the game over the last few weeks (less for Reload, more because of how much the game meant to me the first time I played it just a decade ago), and this video really sums up just a LOT of my feelings and why I appreciate this game so much. Especially with having lost both of my parents in the time since I played this game and having my own personal journeys with grief and death… just… whew. Looking forward to literally whatever you decide to write a video essay on next. You clearly got the chops. You the Male Lindsay Ellis methinks.

@vacated3188 4 місяці тому

Haha, thank you so much!! So glad that this video is able to evoke that kind of response in the fans! It's truly an honor. And holy crap... the male Lindsay Ellis?! That's probably the greatest compliment I could ever get, thank you, man!!

@rezahydra 4 місяці тому

I saw when this video was 3 days old, but only just got around to watching it. I’m glad I did. P3 is my favorite persona story-wise and character-wise without a shadow of the doubt. While I may relate more with the small, sleepy country town of Inaba and its residents than the bustling cities, or prefer the gameplay of the tricksters reforming society, the story of life’s greatest meanings in the face of adversity and even Death itself always held a firm-tight grip on my heart and soul both. When I discovered it in mid 2019, emulating after Joker’s inclusion in Smash when I was on summer break after my first full semester of college, everything just… hit. It was the first of the modern 3 I tried to as looking up I had noticed the massive split in gameplay from 1 and the 2 duology, and even in spite of how much I loved 4’s characters and could relate to each one or relate someone I knew to, in spite of how fulfilling and agreeable P5’s political messages were, this story reaffirmed the message my heart came to in 2017 thanks to another game handling similar topics. It’s funny… looking back, if I had grown up with this, it may of been forgotten by me until later, yet if I heeded its messages, than my own trauma may of been adverted. Yet, instead, I got it at the perfect time to hit me harder than ever before. And this video, putting into words feelings I still struggle to in spite of all of it, genuinely makes me smile. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

@Yaarmehearty 7 днів тому

One thing I love about this game that wasn't touched on is that the theme of death and loss being inevitable, and the acceptance of them are an essential part of life are tied into the decisions given to the player. You choose accept that you will fight Nyx, the game makes the encounter with the true form of Nyx a player controlled one rather than a cut-scene so you expressly choose the great seal and accept it, and then at the end of the game it gives you a final test. I believe that there are two options there not to give a fake choice, but to give the player who knows what is happening the final choice to accept the death and the loss of the MC and their experience with the game. That final choice is the game saying "this is going to happen, you don't have to like it, but you have to accept it, as this is how it has to be." and then you close his eyes and accept it.

@raulphi 4 місяці тому

its absurd how incredible this analysis was. persona 3 was already one, if not my favourite game of all time, and i can see you share the love for it as well. you should be proud of this thorough review and analysis. absolutely deserve more recognition

@vacated3188 4 місяці тому

Thank you, so glad you liked it!! To have fellow diehard fans approve so highly of this video is probably the biggest honor in all of this!

@sebavju 4 місяці тому

I only understand 70% that you speak (i'm not native speaker), the subs was my allied to understand the whole content 😅. Very interesting analysis, i will share this. Good work, new sub.

@vacated3188 4 місяці тому

Ahh, awesome, I'm glad you enjoyed it! I actually meant to make subtitles for this video, but I never got around to it. I hope the automatic ones sufficed, and maybe I'll still get around to doing that soon. This video took me about 2 years, believe it or not, so I'd like for it to be as accessible as it possibly can be! Again, thanks for watching, I really appreciate it!

@sebavju 4 місяці тому

@@vacated3188 amazing work dude, very complete. I save this video to favorite, the content is excelent and make me appreciate more this beautiful game.

@ItzSwxzy 2 місяці тому

My first and favorite example of memento mori is Lelouch, my second is without a doubt Makoto Yuki and persona 3 as a whole.

@ToastAtDusk 4 місяці тому

Amazing work, here. It's overwhelmingly clear just how much love you have for this game, and following that logic, for life. I really appreciate you making this, my life is better for it.

@vacated3188 4 місяці тому

Thank you friend, seriously. The fact that this little passion project of mine has been able to impact even just one person like this is enough for it to have all been worth it. Again, thank you for watching, and I hope to see you around for future videos!!

@Youhadabadday2021 2 місяці тому

I'd also like to point out that the Death Shadow's connection to Makoto also serves as a representation of the concept of personalized Shadows. I mean, think about it. At the start of the Death Shadow's existence, it had a very generic, unpersonalized form. It wasn't until Aigis sealed it away into the protagonist that it slowly but surely began to change. Specifically, it changed into an echo of the protagonist themselves, sharing aspects of his appearance and voice. For all intents and purpose, the Death Shadow became the Protagonist's Shadow Self. This is even further supported by the initial Persona Awakening that the protagonist went through. In that initial awakening, our persona, Orpheus, was effectively torn apart and gave way to a completely different Persona, one that eeriely resembles the inital form the Death Shadow took. That was Thanatos, which I can only describe as Ryoji/Pheros getting the Persona 4 Shadow Into Persona treatment. Hell, Ryoji even transforms into Thanatos when trying to convince the Protagonist to kill him. Though, since we had no idea about our situation with the Death Shadow, at the time, Thanatos was completely uncontrollable. The only reason we didn't suffer a situation similar to Chidori getting strangled by Medea or Castor killing Kens mom was because the goals of the protagonist protecting themselves and Death's goal of reuniting with it's other pieces both would have to end in the Magician Shadow's demise, so everything worked out. It's only until we are able to confront Ryoji and his true goals and accept him as a permanent part of ourselves that we as the protagonist are able to harness at the very least the weakened form of Death as a Persona to call our own, just like the protagonists in Persona 4.

@vacated3188 2 місяці тому

Dang, I never even thought about it like that! Honestly, you might just be right on the money with this. On a fundamental level, the Human, Shadow, Persona dynamic is virtually the same in every entry, so when going by that precedent, I think it's totally fair to say that Ryoji might just be a very unique flavor of that very same "facing yourself" Shadow concept that P4 is so keen on. Really cool interpretation!

@ultramariogeno 4 місяці тому

Persona 3 fundamentally changed my life and how i choose to live it now. I could never put it into words to those close to me on how but this analysis has done the job for me better than I ever could have. Thank you for this amazing piece of work

@oblivivian 2 місяці тому

I actually took Makoto dying as him holding a physical form and losing his grip on it slowly. Only holding out to see his friends, his reason for living, one last time. Because in P4A we see that Makoto BECAME the seal that holds Nyx back. He used the universe to turn himself into a seal great enough to hold the primordial evil back. I also once read a theory on how him becoming the seal locked shadows away from the physical world and that's why the TV world exists in Persona 4 but yknow. Mostly the first part to this I agree with whole heartedly.

@vacated3188 2 місяці тому

Yes, you're absolutely right! The Answer and P4A do flesh out the whole Great Seal thing a lot more, and I would have to agree that you're illustration of it here is a lot more accurate than mine as far as the full canon goes. I just intentionally chose to keep my explanation of it kind of vague in an attempt to wrap things up a bit more nicely, since The Journey was all I had really planned to talk about in this particular video. Spot on interpretation though, and I really like that theory about The Seal being what keeps P4's and P5's TV World and Metaverse separate from the real world! That would explain why P4 and P5's final god battles/climaxes heavily center around the "crossing over" of these other realms into our world, while P3's Tartarus was very clearly doing this from the very start with no apparent pushback. Really cool stuff! Awesome comment, and thanks for watching!!

@gildrop Місяць тому

He wasn't holding Nyx back, he was protecting the door so Erebus couldn't get in and corrupt Nyx. Nyx as a whole isn't evil at all, she's just the reset button on the world.

@jrthepinwitch1911 3 місяці тому

Damn this took me back. A beatiful love letter to a beautiful game.

@tristanraine 4 місяці тому

Memento Mori and Carpe Diem are two separate phrases but work perfectly with each other. Remember these.

@lockekhushrenada1919 3 місяці тому

I finished Akinari's social link on the last possible day, having him come back in the final battle not long after made me bawl pretty hard.

@ulisesrada3117 4 місяці тому

Gorgeous analysis. I really respect the love and care you showed in this video to my favorite game of all times. I felt exactly the same after the jorney of makoto. It gave me a reason to always keep going no matter what. Even to this day, the meaning of this game is as fresh as ever. Friends I wish you also had a blast with this video and.. I pray the universe that you may always remember that you are mortal, remember death always, so that it ignites your path.

@paula04pau 4 місяці тому

Me too

@ChungusSenpai445 2 місяці тому

I have this little theory that all the girls find ryoji attractive is because he is yhe embodiment of death and they are subconsciously attracted to him

@drunkmagicman3234 2 місяці тому

it may sound weird but before watching all 4 of the persona 3 movies, persona 3 never really clicked with me, I played till the king and queen boss then never finished it, but after watching all 4 movies and seeing Makoto learn to live and find joy I cried, his desire to end his own life during his movie awakening all the way to his final realization are all so powerful to me. Anyway spectacular work on the video, it is an amazing analysis on the story and themes that this beautiful game presents, you cooked hard

@_keygen 11 днів тому

definitely didint cry like 25 times during this

@Ikcatcher 2 місяці тому

You really echoed the sentiments I had with Persona’s calendar system. It’s amazing from both a gameplay and narrative perspective, always reminding you of a deadline you must meet, significant events on certain dates that might be life changing, and the quiet downtime of every other day in between simply enjoying the life you have.

@FloofPuppy 3 місяці тому

I love the details you made in the chapter select segments!

@ohSuey 4 місяці тому

this is such a great analysis, it was an absolute delight to listen to. thank you so much!

@zoophagous666 2 місяці тому

It’s always fascinated me how persona 3 deals with the concept of death, and how everyone deals with mortality. The whole humanization of death probably stands out the most to me, and I’m surprised this is the only video talking about this game’s relation with death I could find, so thanks for making it! By the way, love the use of nine inch nails in the video!

@vacated3188 2 місяці тому

Of course, so glad you enjoyed!! And heck yeah man, Downward Spiral! NIN is freaking killer, and I knew I had to represent. I had actually just watched Natural Born Killers around the time that I started working on the editing for the Nyx chapter, and since Trent Reznor produced that movie's soundtrack, A Warm Place is featured in it, and as soon as I got to the part of the movie where it played I was like "yep, that's it, that's Nyx's theme" lol. It's just such a soothing, yet almost dreadful track, and I just felt it to be so perfect for such an all-encompassing entity like Nyx; The calm before the storm, if you will. Thanks so much for commenting, man, and have a great one!!

@hemera5518 2 місяці тому

The only one thing I want in life is saying "I have lived a fulfilling life, I can't wait to meet my loved ones once more and tell them my story" To this day I still can't listen to "Kimi no Kioku" without crying. Having losing someone dear to me, it's more of a painful reminder of those times. But your word is beautiful. I'll probably still cry listening to it, but it won't be because I miss the times I had with them, but because I know that one day, I'll be reunited with them and I can't do that without living an empty and hollow life. Thank you for that encouragement at the ends.

@Bagelboy4 4 місяці тому

Persona 3 was and still is my favorite video game, few games made me cry but this game was exeptional, moment like meeting akinari's mom at the very end and shinji's death made me cry every single time

@MrRim91 26 днів тому

Dude i've watched this video so many times since it released and it's officially my favorite video on youtube, which is ironic cause p3fes is my favorite game of all time, like the editing has that nostalgic feeling to it which i love

@alainbcdefghijk 4 місяці тому

It's funny how thematically most people would play the Persona series. 5 was a huge hit and brought in many new fans to the series. In it they learned about their justice and fought for freedom. 4 Golden got a pc release and in it they learned to stick to the truth. Now 3 Reload is coming and it asks all old and newcomers alike an important question. In the face of your own mortality, what do you choose to do?

@BetaXeeta 4 місяці тому

Hearing the Persona theme play during 53:21 is chilling. It’s moments like this that define Persona to me

@vacated3188 4 місяці тому

Yes!! That really was such a cool nod to P1!

@rabbitcrime4086 3 місяці тому

this was such a fantastic video, thank you so much

@azure8433 2 місяці тому

a lot people write that p3’s ending broke them. Well, i don’t think i can really relate to that. Of course i did cry a bit in the ending credits, but pretty soon i was okay. Maybe i just realised that while i should be sad, i should also move on, keeping in my heart and in my memories all this adventure and all this moments with SEES. And then i started to feel in my mouth a sweet aftertaste of a good fucking story and game overall, not the bitterness of tears

@Iamyungshinra 3 місяці тому

Thank you for making this. Analysis is spot on.

@atochi2578 2 місяці тому

Thank you so much for making this video

@everlvrk6975 3 місяці тому

amazing video - love the editing and the analysis

@xMando7833 4 місяці тому

Truly a great video I appreciate the analysis of this games story this was one of my favourite childhood PS2 games

@cheezystix5940 3 місяці тому

Very good analysis. I especially liked your commentary on Chidori’s character and the whole pushing the boulder analogy. Awesome work all around.

@swisspunker94 23 дні тому

fantastic essay, really enjoyed it!

@Mrsbockbock 4 місяці тому

How does this video only have two thousand views??? This is really well made and enjoyable to watch! Persona 3 is my favorite game of all time and I think it is the best game ever made and I think you did a great job making an essay about it!! Keep making great content!!

@SomeGuyXD65 2 місяці тому

I have rewatched this video several times. The analysis is simply perfect, and let's me revisist such a beautiful story.

@themoonsreachingstars 4 місяці тому

i genuinely love your way of retelling the events of the game, persona 3 is one of if not my favorite game i've ever played and i really liked this video because of how you go in-depth about the details

@doesnervoustoes6465 4 місяці тому

Truly an amazing video hope it gets the attention it deserves with how much work you put into this

@StormsEyeScepter 4 місяці тому

This game will always have a special place in my heart, and I'm so happy to see it getting the justice and love it deserves with a whopping 2 hours of analysis. This was a really beautiful trip down memory lane, you knocked it out of the park with this one

@drgskates 2 місяці тому

Ah!!! This was such a good watch! ❤

@envyofthenight171 4 місяці тому

This is the best Persona 3 analysis I have seen. Absolutely loved the editing and your take on the game. Thank you!

@FreidAurein 3 місяці тому

Your analysis and storytelling brought me to tears. This game's story and message are so beautiful and I carry the lessons I learned through it with me everyday. Thank you for making this video, it's one you should be proud of.

@xSoulEater23 3 місяці тому

Finally got the chance to watch this all the way through. Excellent analysis of P3 and the concept of Death it presents. The MC’s ultimate sacrifice will always be remembered

@Xanexiz 4 дні тому

Amazing video, thank you so much for this.

@toxicnova5849 2 місяці тому

God this video is phenominal you did amazing work!!!

@healingbunnyboi2742 2 місяці тому

I just finished Reload, and was keeping this video ready until that day. Thanks ❤

@malakile 4 місяці тому

I will never thank you enough for finding the words to my thoughts towards this game, I can’t stress enough how great your analysis is it resonates perfectly with how I feel with P3🙏

@SargentGrey 2 місяці тому

This video made me cry different times. Brilliant and insightful into death/life and a video game I loved in younger years, after the recent loss of my Dad. Thanks for making it 🙏

@Hibiscuitsy 3 місяці тому

im not good with words but this video is so well made im genuinely sobbing watching the end now. thank you

@nosignal2240 3 місяці тому

This is the best video on this game in the entire platform. You managed to truly bring back what I first felt when experiencing this story.

@user-du7wg5er1v 4 місяці тому

Wow this was such a good video... top quality analysis! I really enjoyed watching it, thank you so much.

@Enwhycee 4 місяці тому

This game is incredible and it was my introduction to the persona series. Became one of my favorite series of all time.

@colinmacphee 2 місяці тому

This was an absolutely stellar video. Incredibly well put together and excellent pacing. There was never a point where I thought it was dragging on or anything. Amazing work.

@jaysabilla8596 3 місяці тому

awesome work dude!

@jackiedaytona7201 9 днів тому

This is an excellent analysis. The insight you give into the themes of the game linked with broader philosophical ideas makes this a must watch for anyone who wants to understand Persona 3

@tizurl 2 місяці тому

this vid was AMAZING, i got goosebumps in so many parts despite knowing what would happen narrative wise, the analysis and narration were great as well! some parts of symbolisms and stuff i didn’t know too, and some connections i didn’t even see before

@miniminmina6259 3 місяці тому

Thank you for this it was absolutely magnificent and beautifully ended 😢❤

@guit4rguy 2 місяці тому

Great use of Avril 14th by Aphex Twin. This is one of the best video essays I’ve watched on the platform and I’ve watched a lot. Great exploration and summarization of the plot and themes of the game that reminded me of how much this game means to me.

@XanderGray1990 3 місяці тому

A superb video from start to end explaining the themes really well and the editing was class. Liked and subbed excellent work!

@kyeseo12IZ 4 місяці тому

Great video man! The persona series as a whole has always been one of my favorites but this game in particular always had a special place in my heart and the way you broke down all the aspects of death that they were trying to show really deepens the absolute adoration I always had with this game, thank you for that. I know videos like these aren't the easiest to make but this is so wonderfully made and I really appreciate it

@mrsalty6884 4 місяці тому

this video is incredibly underrated. probably the best persona 3 video I've seen

@manleyfgc7981 2 місяці тому

im not crying, you are. great video!

@ThisJustIn1516 2 місяці тому

This is one of the best video essays I've ever watched. We will watch your career with great interest

@spaciouswheat4580 Місяць тому

I think the Answer not really going with the idea that Aigis could tell Makoto was dying Is a really sad missed opportunity. I think the ending of Persona 3 Is infinitely sadder when you can tell Aigis kinda knew. She's a robot. She can obviously tell his vitals is lowering each day. And the tone of her voice imo easily implies she knows he's dying and just wanted to share one last moment with him and their friends together (Reload heavily changes the tone of this ending, and really implies Aigis actually can't tell, at least that lines up with Episode Aigis better)

@toaster8005 3 місяці тому

What an important video, thank you so much for taking the time to do this. I just finished P3 Reload and feel absolutely blessed to have experienced it, and I hope I can start to live my life through these values.

@alyssaguacate 3 місяці тому

greatest persona 3 analysis (and i think i've seen all the major ones) great writing and edition, i hope i can see more of your work soon 🙏

@TehFlyFlakes 4 місяці тому

I gotta say, with this being one of my favourite games and a game I reflect upon a lot. The thematic of death has always played a very important part in how I view a lot of media but nothing has hit as powerful as Persona 3 and honestly you covered every aspect I love about the game and how it chooses to explore those themes and not just that. You taught me new things I didn't actually know like the origin of Nyx as well as different stories and phrases that I might look into myself. Thank you for this, it was a masterpiece of a videa and got me so much more excited for Persona 3 Reload and seeing how it chooses to add onto the game, gameplay and potentially story wise. I look forward to your future projects!

@radioactivenathan 9 днів тому

Bro, fantastic, beautiful video. Thank you

@Tobi_Hall 4 місяці тому

This is such a fantastic analysis, I can't even put it into words. Persona 3 is my favorite game of all time and seeing other people put into words how great it is is always nice to see. Keep up the great work, you should be so proud of this video!

@nephilitic5877 3 місяці тому

You have real talent. Amazing vid 👏

@FoxyAreku 4 місяці тому

Always nice to see someone who truly loves this game as much as I do. You captured my thoughts so perfectly in this video, I watched it all too. Thank you!