Unveiling the Unrivaled Charm of Persona 5 Royal's Takuto Maruki – The Ultimate Confidant!

Warning: This article contains major spoilers for Persona 5 Royal. Read at your own risk.

One of the reasons why the Persona franchise is so beloved is its consistently excellent cast, and Persona 5 Royal is no exception. Despite already being a highly popular game, Persona 5 Royal managed to make improvements and additions that enhanced the gameplay experience and introduced one of the franchise's best characters: Takuto Maruki. Maruki's story arc as one of Joker's Confidants is crucial to the overall narrative of Persona 5 Royal and takes the confidant system to new heights.

Takuto Maruki seamlessly fits into the story of Persona 5. After the Phantom Thieves defeat a major boss, Maruki becomes the school therapist. Throughout the game, players will witness Maruki engaging in conversations with various characters from the Phantom Thieves, providing a rare glimpse into their emotions and traumas outside of their interactions with the protagonist. Maruki and Joker also develop a special connection as Joker assists Maruki in his research on the Metaverse, the supernatural realm that encompasses Mementos and the palaces in the game. As players engage with Maruki on a deeper level, he evolves into one of the most captivating characters in the entire franchise.

Takuto Maruki Is Morally Complex

Maruki's role as the Councillor Confidant is strategically significant. As a therapist for the Phantom Thieves, he provides valuable insights into the emotional complexities of each character, while also encouraging players to reflect on their own reactions to the game. Maruki's outward focus on others allows him to create a deceptive sense of security around himself. He is genuinely well-intentioned and easily trusted. The revelation of Maruki as the ultimate ruler of the game's final Palace may come as a surprise initially, but it aligns perfectly with the idea that good intentions can lead to undesirable outcomes. Despite being a supportive friend to Joker throughout the story, it is ultimately the player's assistance that inadvertently creates the game's ultimate antagonist.

Maruki's fascination with the Metaverse stems from his desire to utilize it as a tool for healing trauma. In the third semester of Persona 5 Royal, players are introduced to an alternate world where characters' longings and desires have been realized. For instance, Makoto and Haru's fathers, as well as Futaba's mother, are somehow brought back to life, and Ann's friend Shiho appears to have never experienced the torment inflicted by Kamoshida. It is later revealed that Maruki is responsible for this utopian existence, as he seeks to bring happiness to people by eradicating their painful memories. Alongside this revelation comes the shocking realization that Sumire Yoshizawa has been manipulated by Maruki into believing she is her deceased sister, Kasumi. Maruki believed this would bring her the greatest happiness.

Maruki Is Persona's Most Redeemable Villain

Maruki's backstory is a tragic one, as it involves him using his powers as a Persona user to alter his former girlfriend's memories. This was done to save her life, but it also resulted in him being left alone. Despite the pain it caused him, Maruki saw the Metaverse as a means to help others cope with their trauma, including himself. His involvement with Yoshizawa, the Faith Confidant, allowed him to delve deeper into these possibilities. Maruki sought solace in a fabricated reality rather than facing the real world, and his creation of a new world reflects his desire to provide that same comfort to others, much like he did for Yoshizawa.

What makes Maruki's arc fascinating is his genuine desire to help others. His story poses the question of whether a perfect lie or an imperfect reality is preferable. In the realm of Persona, Maruki stands out because he experiences redemption. Eventually, he comes to realize his mistakes and once again aids Joker. Ultimately, Maruki remains Joker's friend throughout, always fighting for what he believes is right and just. This sets him apart from other Persona villains and establishes him as one of the series' most morally complex characters. Maruki's and Kasumi's narrative is one of the most intricate in the Persona series, and it is hoped that future installments will feature similarly deep and compelling characters like Maruki.

Persona 5 Royal is available now on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.