Persona 5 fans are elated, as Persona 5 Strikers is finally out in the West, serving as a direct sequel to the original game. Joker and the Phantom Thieves are back to stop rotten rulers from manipulating the masses with a few new friends in tow.
While players are undoubtedly excited to see how the next chapter of the Phantom Thieves’ lives shakes out, they may want an update on what transpired after the credits rolled in the base game. Here’s everything that happened in the six months between Persona 5 and Persona 5 Strikers.
9 The Events Of Persona 5: Royal
Dedicated fans of the Persona franchise have undoubtedly heard of the definitive edition of Persona 5, Persona 5: Royal. This release adds a new semester, palace, and several new characters to the game’s campaign. With new Persona forms, allies and enemies, this is a piece of the story no fan of the original game will want to miss. Check out how things truly ended in this 2020 release.
8 Haru and Makoto Graduated
After Persona 5 and Persona 5 Royal events, the Phantom Thieves resume their lives as high school students. After their next semester, Haru and Makoto completed their final year of high school and graduated from Shujin Academy. Those who complete the social links for these ladies know that they further their studies and pursue two very different dreams. They may have a way to go before they realize their goals, but they’re well on their way.
7 Futaba Returned To School
Haru and Makoto may have graduated, but Futaba’s high school experience has just begun. After plenty of reassurance from Sojiro and Joker, she was ready to work on her social anxiety and head back to her studies in a public forum.
Unsurprisingly, Futaba’s grades are excellent. What’s more impressive than her classroom performance is her integration back into society. She’s been getting along well at school, acclimating to smaller groups of people as time moves on. She may still struggle with crowds, but she’s come a long way from hiding in her room and avoiding all human contact.
6 Ryuji, Ann, And Yusuke Became Seniors
Several members of the Phantom Thieves continued their high school struggles, moving on to their final year. Ryuji and Ann barely survived exams at Shujin as usual, while Yusuke focused on his art at Kosei High. With just one year left until graduation, Ryuji and Ann are afraid of mentioning the future. Yusuke is as eccentric as always, putting his art before anything else. All in all, it’s great to see after half a year, the gang hasn’t changed much. Some members of the group may have made more progress than others though. . .
5 Ann Refined Her Modeling Career
Ann may not like talking about her future, but she’s making strides in her modeling career. Ann’s been working hard on forging relationships with others in the field, including the first antagonist of Persona 5 Strikers, Alice Hiiragi. She’s been doing her best to inspire others who struggle as she does in honor of her friend Shiho. It’s great to know that she’s just as determined as she was at the end of Persona 5 to make a difference.
4 Haru Began Her Business Pursuit
After she graduated from Shujin, Haru started studying to be a business owner. She attends college classes while attending meetings in preparation for owning her own café in time. She may be the heir to her father’s Big Bang Burger empire, but she’s more interested in creating a more modest living with products she’s grown herself. Ever since Persona 5, she’s been working on her coffee and produce via practice and gardening.
It’s a lot of responsibility for an 18-year-old to assume, but Haru wants to make her late father and grandfather proud. If she keeps on going as she has, she’s sure to create a thriving café of her own.
3 Makoto Went To College
While Haru studies to become a successful business owner, Makoto can become an honorable police officer like her father. Though he passed away almost four years ago, he still serves as her inspiration, a model of what police ought to be like.
Makoto hopes to change the law enforcement system from within, making as much of a difference as possible. If the Phantom Thieves’ strategist applies herself as she has been, she’s sure to become the model police officer her father once was.
2 Joker Went Home
After Joker is released from juvenile detention, he’s free to return home to the town he was exiled from, thanks to Masayoshi Shido. With his name cleared, he’s no longer seen as a failure or a criminal. He even takes Morgana with him to his hometown to keep him company. Together, the two lead out a normal life for a time, free from the concerns of palaces and rotten adults that they’d grown accustomed to as Phantom Thieves. Unfortunately for the pair, this period of rest would be short-lived.
1 Jails Began To Emerge
After the Phantom Thieves return to their lives, a new phenomenon begins in Japan. There are reports of large numbers of people acting strangely, almost as if they’re being brainwashed. Some people sell their belongings to try and appease idols; others take on debt to buy an author’s book. Each of these instances seems to be orchestrated like they’re framing the Phantom Thieves. The police see the similarities between the heart change prevalent during the Phantom Thieves case and immediately cast suspicion on Joker and his team.
Before long, they plan to arrest Joker once again, placing him on a path of ruin. Lavenza calls Joker to the Velvet room as soon as the game begins, letting him know that his work as a rebel is unfinished. He’ll have to clear his name once again with the help of his friends in Persona 5 Scramble to set things right.
