, whose Phantom Thief code name is , is a fictional character in the
''Persona'' series, first appearing in ''
Persona 5
is a 2016 role-playing video game developed by Atlus. It takes place in modern-day Tokyo and follows a high school student known by the pseudonym Joker who transfers to a new school after being falsely accused of assault and put on probation. ...
'' as one of its main characters. She's the student council president of Shujin Academy who lives a double life as a Phantom Thief.
Concept and creation
Makoto Niijima first appears in ''
Persona 5
is a 2016 role-playing video game developed by Atlus. It takes place in modern-day Tokyo and follows a high school student known by the pseudonym Joker who transfers to a new school after being falsely accused of assault and put on probation. ...
'', and her design was created by
Shigenori Soejima
is a Japanese video game artist, best known for his work in the ''Persona'' series of role-playing video games by Atlus. Inspired in his work as an artist from an early age, he initially worked in minor roles on several games after joining Atlus ...
. ''Persona 5'' director
Katsura Hashino
is a Japanese video game director and producer, best known for working on the ''Persona'' role-playing game series by Atlus. From 2006 to 2016, Hashino served as director of P-Studio, an internal team at Atlus that manages the ''Persona'' serie ...
described her as someone who "no longer
asa place where they belong in society" and as a "juvenile academic," adding that the game's events gave her a sense of belonging. He discussed how her role as a Phantom Thief reflects how she breaks away from societal expectations.
Her Personas, Johanna and Anat, are based on
Pope Joan
Pope Joan (''Ioannes Anglicus'', 855–857) was, according to legend, a woman who reigned as pope for two years during the Middle Ages. Her story first appeared in chronicles in the 13th century and subsequently spread throughout Europe. The s ...
and the
Semitic goddess of the same name. She is voiced by
Rina Satō
is a Japanese voice actress with hundreds of television and video game productions, many multi-year, and is active in film and as a singer as well. She won the Best Lead Actress Award at the 8th Seiyu Awards. Satō has been appearing since 2003, ...
in the original Japanese audio, and
Cherami Leigh
Cherami Leigh (born July 19, 1988) is an American actress. She has provided voices for a number of English-language versions of anime series and video games with Funimation, Bang Zoom! Entertainment, NYAV Post, Studiopolis and Viz Media. Some o ...
in the English localization. Leigh regards Makoto's story as her dealing with moral and ethical grey areas, specifically in how she feels about the protagonists. She describes her character as "unconventional."
Appearances
Her role in ''Persona 5'' begins with her being tasked to uncover clues about the Phantom Thieves, a group of people going into a place called the Metaverse and changing the hearts of ne'er do wells, after being pushed into it with the threat of not getting a recommendation for university. She eventually starts following
Joker,
Ryuji Sakamoto
''Persona 5'', a role-playing video game by Atlus, is centered on the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, a vigilante group of high-school students working to change the hearts of criminals by getting them to confess their crimes through defeating a phy ...
,
Ann Takamaki
is a character in the 2016 video game ''Persona 5''. She is a Japanese teenage girl and a second-year student at the fictional Shujin Academy. She is also one of the founding members of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, a group formed with the in ...
, and
Yusuke Kitagawa
''Persona 5'', a role-playing video game by Atlus, is centered on the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, a vigilante group of high-school students working to change the hearts of criminals by getting them to confess their crimes through defeating a phy ...
, eventually discovering their true identities as the Phantom Thieves due to Ann and Ryuji's failure to discuss their activities subtly. She keeps their identity secret, on the condition that they are able to change the heart of an unidentified mafia boss. She secretly holds the Phantom Thieves in high regard, much to the chagrin of her sister Sae Niijima, who is a prosecutor investigating the Phantom Thieves. After being called a burden by her sister and the Phantom Thieves, she aims to use herself as bait to discover the identity of the mafia boss, which ends up getting her and the others blackmailed for 3 million yen, with the risk of Makoto being forced into prostitution if they cannot pay up. Forgiving her for her mistake and realizing she has become one of the mafia boss' "customers", the Phantom Thieves allow her to come with them to the Metaverse to the mafia boss' Palace, a manifestation of a person's heart, where she becomes so angered and disgusted by his misogyny and callous greed that she awakens to her Persona, Johanna, and joins the Phantom Thieves. After they defeat him and change his heart, she gets a call saying that the blackmail is over. She reports to the principal that she found no evidence that the Phantom Thieves are students, and expresses disinterest in a recommendation letter.
She comes to bond with the Phantom Thieves, including Ann, who previously disliked her and wrongfully accused her of overlooking an abusive teacher. She aides the Phantom Thieves with her tactical skill and by planting spyware in her sister's laptop to get investigation information. She suggests reaching out to a detective named
Goro Akechi
, who uses the code name , is a fictional character in the ''Persona'' series, first appearing in ''Persona 5''. A high school detective nicknamed "The Second Coming of the Detective Prince", Akechi opposes the Phantom Thieves' actions and becom ...
to get information, but discovers that he knows the identities of the Phantom Thieves and blackmails them into stealing her sister's heart. Makoto reveals that she knew of her sister having a palace, but wanted to change her heart through other means. Upon exploring her palace, Makoto discovers that her sister thinks of trials as games to be won by any means, and has a breakdown while fighting her sister's shadow. After defeating her, Makoto is able to convince Sae to change her ways. Makoto and the others later discover the true nature of the Metaverse and Akechi's true identity as the Black Mask, and after some tribulations are able to defeat its master.
She appears in ''
Phantasy Star Online 2
is a free-to-play online action role-playing game in the ''Phantasy Star'' series, developed and published by Sega. It was created as a successor to '' Phantasy Star Online'' and ''Phantasy Star Universe'', ''Phantasy Star Online 2'' features ...
'' as a costume, and in ''
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' is a 2018 crossover fighting video game developed by Bandai Namco Studios and Sora Ltd. and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It is the fifth installment in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series, succeeding ...
'' as a background character on the stage Mementos, which comes with
Joker's DLC Pack.
Merchandise
Makoto received a
Figma figurine and a
Nendoroid
The series is a brand of plastic figures created by the Japanese Good Smile Company in 2006. They typically depict characters from anime, manga or video games and are designed with a large head and smaller body to give them a cute appearance. Th ...
figurine, both which were announced at the CCG Expo 2018.
A prototype of the Figma figurine was later shown. A prototype Amakuni figurine was revealed at Wonder Festival 2017 of Makoto riding her Persona, Johanna.
Reception
Makoto has received generally positive reception, identified as a fan favorite.
She was the second most popular ''Persona 5'' character by fans after the lead protagonist. Her anime adaptation was well-received by fans as well.
Kimberley Wallace of ''
Game Informer
''Game Informer'' (''GI'', most often stylized ''gameinformer'' from the 2010s onward) is an American monthly video game magazine featuring articles, news, strategy, and reviews of video games and associated consoles. It debuted in August 1991 w ...
'' regarded her as her favorite ''Persona 5'' character and one of her favorites in the series. She cited her work ethic and strong convictions as part of why she enjoys her so much. Holly Green for ''
Paste Magazine
''Paste'' is a monthly music and entertainment digital magazine, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with studios in Atlanta and Manhattan, and owned by Paste Media Group. The magazine began as a website in 1998. It ran as a print publication fro ...
'' found her to be one of the best new video game characters of 2017, citing her "stylish" character design.
RPGFan called her their favorite supporting character of 2017, praising how she balances her Phantom Thief role - a "motorcycle-riding badass" - and her role as a "fastidious student council president." RPGFan's readership felt similarly, where she was "far and away" the favorite. Clayton Purdom for ''
The A.V. Club
''The A.V. Club'' is an American online newspaper and entertainment website featuring reviews, interviews, and other articles that examine films, music, television, books, games, and other elements of pop-culture media. ''The A.V. Club'' was cre ...
'' ranked her his second favorite character in ''Persona 5'', identifying her "inner rage boil
ngover" as the game's best moment and the most "interesting character moment." Steve Jones for ''
Anime News Network
Anime News Network (ANN) is a news website that reports on the status of anime, manga, video games, Japanese popular music and other related cultures within North America, Australia, Southeast Asia and Japan. The website offers reviews and oth ...
'' felt similarly about this scene; he noted that the scene - depicting someone "who's expected to be the model student and nothing more" - was a typical one, but that it was also executed well.
She has been considered as the best female character in ''Persona 5'' by writers from various websites, including ''Siliconera'', ''
Gamasutra
''Game Developer'', known as ''Gamasutra'' until 2021, is a website founded in 1997 that focuses on aspects of video game development. It is owned and operated by Informa and acts as the online sister publication to the print magazine '' Gam ...
'', ''
Destructoid
''Destructoid'' is a website that was founded as a video game-focused blog in March 2006 by Yanier Gonzalez, a Cuban-American cartoonist and author. Enthusiast Gaming acquired the website in 2017, and sold it to Gamurs Group in 2022.
History
' ...
'', ''RPGamer'', and ''
GameSpot
''GameSpot'' is an American video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information on video games. The site was launched on May 1, 1996, created by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. In addition ...
''.
Jenni for Siliconera discussed how she has sides to her that she doesn't show, regarding her as a "practical character."
Amanda Yeo for
Kotaku
''Kotaku'' is a video game website and blog that was originally launched in 2004 as part of the Gawker Media network. Notable former contributors to the site include Luke Smith, Cecilia D'Anastasio, Tim Rogers, and Jason Schreier.
History
...
discussed how despite initially disliking Makoto due to her cold demeanor and how she works against the protagonists at first, she warmed up to her due to Makoto recognizing her flaws and working towards improving. She regards her as a stark contrast to fellow protagonist
Ryuji Sakamoto
''Persona 5'', a role-playing video game by Atlus, is centered on the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, a vigilante group of high-school students working to change the hearts of criminals by getting them to confess their crimes through defeating a phy ...
, due to his brash and hot personality and felt that his fans would dislike her, and vice versa.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Niijima, Makoto
Female characters in video games
Fictional aikidoka
Fictional Japanese people in video games
Orphan characters in video games
Persona 5 characters
Sega protagonists
Teenage characters in video games
Video game characters introduced in 2016
Fictional gentleman thieves
Vigilante characters in video games
Video game characters who have mental powers
Atlus characters
Anat