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rozeart · 7 years

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[Major Spoilers] “Follow your true feelings!”: My Musings on P5′s Wildcard Couple

Can we talk about Morgana’s astute observations regarding Akechi’s true feelings for Akira? Can we talk about how (Morgana’s words–not mine) Akechi’s smile when he was hanging out with Akira had been genuine? This boy– who had distanced himself from everyone, who had wrapped himself up in layers upon layers of lies that he wears like a second skin, who had made revenge his one and only goal in life – had also, in spite of himself, serendipitously found kinship in the one boy whom he has decided that he has to kill.

In the most unlikely of places and at the most inopportune of times, Goro Akechi had found a place where he could let his mask hang a tiny bit askew, a place where he could let his cracks show, a place where he doesn’t have to stretch his plastic smile too thin or wrap the veneer of polished deference too suffocatingly tight.

Goro Akechi enjoyed spending time with Akira. Goro Akechi enjoyed fighting alongside Akira. Goro Akechi wanted to be and wishes he was Akira’s friend. And the most tragic thing about the whole ordeal is that they probably would have been friends– if only fate had been a little kinder and allowed for their paths to cross a lil sooner than it did.

Can we talk about how it was immediately after hearing those words (and consequently, the implications that those words carry) that Akechi rabidly snaps and lashes out in vehement denial? Because (as much as he loathes to admit it) those words that Morgana had spoken rang true. Morgana had hit the nail on the head. Had exposed Akechi’s true feelings and laid it bare for all to see. Feelings that I don’t think even Akechi himself had come to terms with. Feelings that he didn’t quite understand and imo, didn’t quite want to understand.

Because they complicated things. They would have made him falter in his grand plans for revenge that he had spent his whole life curating. And he can’t afford to let that happen. Not now, when he’s oh-so-close to seeing it through to the end.

Can we talk about how personal and intimate that little blurb for the rank 10 Justice SL is? Seriously. Take a look at that lil snippet and go compare it with everyone else’s. Unlike the majority of the other social links (sans the romanced rank 10 links, mind you), this one singles out Akira specifically. Thus, placing a greater emphasis on their shared bond– rather than that of the Phantom Thieves as a whole or the personal growth that they themselves had individually experienced.

Can we talk about how Akechi is one of the just four confidants in the game (out of a whopping 21) that is a part of a confidant link, which just naturally progresses to its highest rank on its own accord. Meaning that in every single playthrough of the game, Akira will always, no matter what, max out his bond with Akechi. Meaning that, despite whatever misgivings that the player themselves might have about Akechi, canonically in-game, both Akira and Akechi feel so strongly about the bond they share that it inexplicably, in spite of everything that transpired between the two, ultimately manifests itself into a blood oath.

Player agency is thus, set aside as the game’s narrative takes center stage. The player may have previously chosen to be brusque and rude towards Akechi’s advances of companionship but during the final confrontation with Akechi, Akira canonically comes to an understanding of why Akechi did the things he did. And it poignantly ends with Akira agreeing to fulfil Akechi’s final wishes.

There’s a strong undercurrent of understanding, empathy and perhaps even unspoken forgiveness that threads through the entire fight, which finally culminates in that final promise. Defeating Shido, as stated by the rank 10 Justice SL, is an act that hence, symbolises the alignment of their wishes finally becoming one. So yes, Akira does want to stop Shido because he wants to save Japan. Yes, Akira wants to make Shido repent for the decade-long atrocities that he has committed throughout the years. Yes, Akira wants to defeat Shido so that he can, in a way, get back at him for the false charges that he had made against Akira. But, on top of that, Akira is also reforming Shido because he wants to honour Akechi’s final request.

(augh, my heart.)

Can we talk about how (after Futaba confirms Akechi’s death) you can interact with the shutters twice in the engine room? (Usually you just get one conversation exchange per every interactive object). Implying that Akira was actually standing by the shutters (in shock, grief, regret, anger etc who knows?) – idling there, staring at the closed shutters long enough that he had to be prompted twice to get a move on by his teammates. And that sad look that Morgana gets when he gently urges Joker to go… Akira was grieving for Akechi. You can’t tell me otherwise.

And c'mon. Just take a look at that. You can’t tell me that that quiet, lingering look that Morgana gets when he trails off isn’t directed at Akira. Because while the rest of the party did pity/begrudgingly sympathise with Akechi in the end, it’s Akira who shared the deepest connection with the late detective. Seriously though, rank 10 Confidant bonds are no joke. These are the confidants who (thanks to the strength of their bonds with Akira) are able to see past the illusions of a god; these are Akira’s most trusted companions who are willing to literally throw their lives away in order to protect him. And losing one that abruptly– just moments after it was gained… How fucking brutal is that?

Can we talk about how AKECHI ECHOED THE SAME EXACT THOUGHTS THAT I HAD BEEN PONDERING OVER ALL THIS TIME? Like I had previously said, I always believed that if time/fate/destiny had been a little kinder to them and allowed for them to meet sooner than they did— I genuinely do believe that they would have become fast friends.

And the fact that Akechi himself shares the same sentiment– the same Akechi whose terrifyingly myopic single-mindedness had funnelled him into a life of constant lies, murder, hatred and loneliness – had been moved enough by the bond that he shared with Akira that he had wondered what his life would have been like if only he had met Akira sooner…It breaks my heart.

Here’s some food for thought: if, even with a relationship that had been mottled with lies, uncertainty and ulterior motives, these two boys were still able to inspire feelings of kinship in one another– imagine what could have blossomed if they had met each other years prior, clean slates and all.

Can we talk about how every other time that we’d run into him, Akechi would always make a reference to his and Akira’s supposedly fated bonds? Can we talk about how all of us probably side-eyed him a lil’ and thought: “Damn. You’re coming on a lil too strong there, Goro boy.”

Can we talk about how he had been absolutely right? Can we talk about how the fates of these two boys were pre-destined to be intertwined– gnarled and twisted by celestial forces that were seemingly beyond their control? Two boys. Gifted with the same powers. Moulded to be unwitting pawns in a game between two deities. One, who was haunted by the scars of his troubled childhood. Who was never shown the importance of love and companionship, and thus, had hung himself out to dry with a completely non-existent support system. Who was subsequently, bestowed with this insane power without the additional company of a talking cat by his side.

And the other, who yes, undoubtedly carried a heart that was purer and infinitely kinder than Akechi’s own awful, selfish, distorted soul. But one who did also have the physical embodiment of human hope itself by his side. Morgana was there, born with the sole purpose of guiding him through his turbulent journey, to answer Akira’s queries. He was able to explain the inner workings of the Palace to a group of rightfully scared and confused teens. He was able to provide them with a clearer purpose and a more noble goal.

Golly gee. I wonder who would come out on top. Spoiler: It’s the one with the cat. I don’t have to be a fucking god to tell you that. Fuck Yaldabaoth.

And finally, can we talk about how in a game all about redemption and second chances, fate still managed to once again screw Akechi over and deal him with yet another shitty hand? ffs, fate. leave the boy alone.

#my word vomit #akeshu #long post #persona 5 spoilers #srsly there are major end game spoilers here #i have a lot feelings abt these two that I just need to get off my chest. indulge me if you will.#goro akechi #p5 #the detective prince & the joker thief #shuake #p5 spoilers #persona 5

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