Ren Amamiya

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Ren Amamiya
IC Information
Full Name: Ren Amamiya (雨宮　蓮)
Gender (Pronouns): X-Gender/Genderfluid (Any/All, Primarily He/They)
Arcana: 0. Fool
Age (Birthdate): 17 (October 31, 1995)
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Dark Grey
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
Residence: Yongen-Jaya, Tokyo
School: Shujin Academy
Grade: Second Year
Role: Focus
OOC Information
Source: Persona 5 (FC)
Voice Actor: Jun Fukuyama / Xander Mobus
Groups: The Phantoms
Player: Naganaki Shrine

"The show's over."

At a glance, Ren Amamiya would seem to be a calm, quiet, boring high schooler, barely notable for his frizzy hair, constant slouch, and large glasses. Listen to the rumors, though, and one will learn he's also a convict on parole--for exactly what depends on who's doing the telling--who carries around a cat in his shoulder bag. Behind both the gossip and those non-prescription lenses burn the eyes of one who seethes at the injustices rife in "proper" society. This spirit of rebellion and an accidental trip into the Metaverse birthed the leader of the infamous Phantom Thieves of Hearts, codename Joker. But that's a secret. First, he needs to make sure he doesn't get expelled...

Background

Ren Amamiya is a silent protagonist, so there's a lot about his background that is not detailed or left open-ended. For the purposes of the Velvet Room MUSH, this is what I've decided to establish for him.

  • Born on October 31, 1995 (birthday based on the Japanese release date of Persona 5 Royal)
  • Born and raised in Inaba, Japan, a town in the countryside
  • Father is Mayor Subaru Amamiya; mother is Akira Amamiya (née Kurusu)
  • Father has been mayor for four consecutive four-year-terms, so almost Ren's entire life
  • Ren often butted heads with his parents, with his father disapproving of him and pressuring him to Fit In, and his mother passively taking his father's side
  • Kept arguments private, but unspoken knowledge in Inaba was that "the mayor's son is a little too headstrong"
  • Was generally privileged despite family friction; had money, could spend time with friends, could dress and decorate as he pleased as long as he stayed clean-cut, even got a smartphone for his 15th birthday in 2010 (an excessive luxury for most Inabans)
  • This contradiction quietly built up resentment among many of Ren's friends, peers, and teachers, including his childhood best friend, Yoshio Sato
  • Enjoyed ice skating; starting skating seriously once discovered by his Coach Himuro in 2009 at a skating rink in Okina City
  • Coach Himuro both trained Ren to win competitions with a goal of the Olympics, and helped him discover and understand their own gender (genderfluid) and sexuality (pansexual)
  • One night while coming home from practice at school, Ren ran into a couple arguing on the street
  • The woman begged for help, so Ren got in between them; the man, drunk, fell on the sidewalk and accused him of assaulting him
  • A pair of policemen who came to the scene to check out a reported disturbance arrested Ren
  • Ren was found guilty in court, thanks in part to the man (who did not personally appear in court and had his name kept out of the proceedings) forcing the woman to testify against him
  • Ren was expelled from Yasogami High School; the court sentenced him to a year of probation in Tokyo, to which his parents agreed
  • Ren's parents set up a school for him to attend (Shujin Academy, class 2-D) and a place for him to stay (Café Leblanc's attic)
  • On the way to his first day at his new school, Ren encountered Ryuji Sakamoto and Ann Takamaki, and ended up stumbling into the Palace of Suguru Kamoshida
  • Ren awoke to his Persona and met Morgana within Kamoshida's Palace, and the four came together to change Kamoshida's heart to protect themselves and avenge Ann's friend Shiho Suzui, who was victimized by Kamoshida
  • After successfully changing Kamoshida's heart, Ren, Ryuji, Ann, and Morgana agreed to stay as the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, or The Phantoms for short
  • The Phantoms targeted and changed the heart of Ichiryusai Madarame next, saving and recruiting Yusuke Kitagawa in the process
  • Ren is dealing with the suspicion of the school's principal and student council president in the wake of Kamoshida's change of heart
  • Ren met "Second Coming of the Detective Prince" Goro Akechi when he came to Leblanc with a lawyer associate, and later again during a school trip to a local TV station
  • Present day...

Season 1, Episode 1

Forthcoming!

Personas

Arsène (Fool): The Great Thief; the Pillager of Twilight. Ren's main Persona, who directly reflects who he is at his core. The quintessential gentleman thief who stole for thrills but also for social justice, and who also famously clashed time and time again with Sherlock Holmes--whoops, I mean Herlock Sholmes--Arsène Lupin was originally the debonair lead of a series of books by French author Maurice Leblanc. Dark and stylish, Arsène has feathery black wings, an outrageously tall top hat that might well just be part of their head, a ghoulish grin on a black mask-face, a white neck scarf tucked into a black lace-up vest, clawed fingers, a red jacket and tall boots with knives for heels. They vibe like they're dangerous and loving it.

Cait Sith (Magician): A Puss in Boots-looking Persona that represents Ren's catlike nature as well as his bond with his mentor in phantom thievery, Morgana. One gets the sense that there will be a long line of cats in Ren's future. This one in particular has a focus on buffs and physical attacks.

Ame-no-Uzume (Lovers): Fused to have Frei line attacks, a request made by and completed for the jailer twins, Caroline and Justine. It otherwise has a focus on healing and area attacks. It conveniently also represents his bond with Ann, a fellow Phantom Thief.

Angel (Justice): A representation of Ren's strong sense of justice and righteousness, acting as the flip side of his will of rebellion via Arsène. With a focus on light magic and status effects, it definitely does not represent any kind of brewing bond with any obnoxious Detective Princes.

Ixtab (Death): A fusion accident produced the rare Persona, Ixtab. (Canonically, it's no Persona at all; it appears in P2EP as a Demon.) It focuses on disastrously powerful Earth and Gravity magic, and represents Ren's bond with his physician/dealer, Dr. Takemi.

Special Skills

Ren has the Wild Card, and as such can summon multiple Personas in battle. His version of the Velvet Room is unique to him and reflects his mindset; it takes the form of an enclosed circular jail decked out in blue, and he, a prisoner confined to one of its cells. Igor is the jail's warden who addresses him as a "prisoner of fate" in need of "rehabilitation," and Ren's attendants, the young twins Caroline and Justine, are the guards who watch over his cell.

When Ren has to address a difficult situation, he has three particular approaches:

1. Thief Talk (Proficiency): Ren engages with a Shadow or Demon with the tricks of the trade that he's been learning as a Phantom Thief.

2. Diplomacy (Understanding): Ren uses calm reason and negotiation to talk a Shadow or Demon into agreeing to cooperate with him.

3. Warning Shot (Guts): For when Ren needs to brute-force intimidate a Shadow or Demon into doing what he wants, courtesy of his handgun.

Relationships

Phantom Thieves

Name Arcana Social Link Journal Notes
Morgana I. Magician ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ My mentor in the ways of the Phantom Thief--at least, as long as our deal stands. He moved in with me at Leblanc and has taken to riding around in the bag on my shoulder.
Makoto Niijima II. High Priestess ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ Shujin's Student Council President. She sure showed Kaneshiro's Shadow what for, and her Persona is cool as hell. I misjudged her--but then, I think she also misjudged herself up 'til now.
Haru Okumura III. Empress ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ A third-year who lets me help her grow plants on the school roof. Morgana scouted her and helped induct her into The Phantoms. She wants us to help change her father's heart.
Yusuke Kitagawa IV. Emperor ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ The one member of The Phantoms who attends and lives in the dorms for Gekkoukan High. A highly skilled artist, he's already starting to do crime sketches for The Phantoms.
Ann Takamaki VI. Lovers ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ A classmate, a fellow Phantom Thief, and a good friend. She always says exactly what's on her mind and it's incredibly funny.
Ryuji Sakamoto VII. Chariot ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ My first friend in Tokyo and a fellow Phantom Thief. I was a little slow to warm up to him at first, but now I call him Ryuji and he calls me Ren-Ren.

Confidants

Name Arcana Social Link Journal Notes
Hazuki Nakao 0. Fool ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ A transfer student from London. I think she's in Ryuji's class. She seems cool so far, but also kind of sad... I hope nothing bad's going on with her friends.
Maya Amano 0. Fool ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ A reporter who's looking into the Joker Killer. She's shockingly honest and forthright; she told me to my face she has a Persona. Her attitude is refreshing.
Minako Arisato 0. Fool ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ A recent transfer to Gekkoukan High from somewhere else in the country. Minato's twin sister. Sweet and friendly; we agreed to go on a nature walk together sometime.
Minato Arisato 0. Fool ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ A former Shujin student who transferred to Gekkoukan High. Minako's twin brother. Quiet and stoic; loves cats. It sounds like he dodged a bullet with Kamoshida... He liked the Boss's curry.
Sojiro Sakura V. Hierophant ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ The owner of Cafe Leblanc who's letting me stay in the attic in exchange for me working there. I thought he didn't like me at first, but lately it feels like he's warming up to me.
Umie Akabane VII. Chariot ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ A fellow part-timer at the Triple Seven on Shibuya Central Street. Friendly on the surface, cool and spicy underneath. Secretly a Persona User. Connected to, and maybe escaped from, the NWO.
Goro Akechi VIII. Justice ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ An annoying prick, but there's something real under the façade--I think. I want to beat him, and for some reason, he's into it. Pushed Makoto towards The Phantoms. What's he up to...
Ichika Kawase XIV. Temperance ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ Came to confront me at Shujin about if I was causing trouble because she didn't want to ignore her friend who might be in danger. Once I heard that part, I knew we were alike.
Tsubasa Seki XV. Devil ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ Came to confront me at Shujin about if I was causing trouble along with Kawase-san. Seemed to hate me at first for being at Shujin, but now we're cool, I think.
Myunghon Yeo XV. Devil ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ The owner of book/games store Cardboard Dragon; also in trouble with Kaneshiro. The selection is incredible, but even more importantly, Yeo-san might be like me... How can I bring it up casually?
Kasumi Yoshizawa XVII. Star ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ A sweet first-year who calls me senpai. She doesn't believe the rumors about me. She's also helping me with training. It's not the same as before, but... it helps.

Enemies

Name Arcana Social Link Journal Notes
The Black Mask ?. ??? The One in the Black Mask A drama king who's starved for attention--and terrifyingly strong. Why did they let me live...?
Junya Kaneshiro V. Hierophant Yakuza Scourge of Shibuya Scammed kids in Shibuya; stole property in Sumaru. Sir Junya Kaneshiro, we have stolen your distorted desires without fail.
Old Maid XIX. Sun The "Joker Killer" A twisted supernatural serial killer who's obsessed with "Joker." He claims I'm a fake for some reason. If we can learn his real name, then maybe we can change his heart.

Original NPCs

  • Name: Subaru Amamiya (雨宮寿春)
    • Arcana: Emperor
    • Relation: Father
    • Age/Gender: 43M (was 25 when he married, 27 when Ren was born)
    • Occupation: Mayor of Inaba
    • Appearance: 5'10" (179 cm); black hair and eyes; a no-nonsense, short, straight hairstyle; always wears suits; square shoulders, good posture.
    • Details: A stern, stubborn, driven man with traditional values. He does not believe in violence and thinks it's gauche to get openly angry, and so makes a point of always being soft-spoken but eloquent, unyielding but calm. He does love his wife and son in his own way, more or less, as seen by his eventual support for Ren's ice skating, but he buys heavily into inexpressiveness as manliness and so is emotionally remote. He's been mayor for four terms and is going for a fifth; however, as he ages, he's grown ambitions beyond just being mayor and was going to meet with Representative Shido in the hopes of getting a finger in the national pie while offering him an inroad to the rural vote in return. Accordingly, he is icy-furious at Ren for endangering his career on multiple levels. He has no desire to be in touch with him while he's away in Tokyo, and is hoping that his time away will straighten him out and stamp out his rebelliousness. He just wishes Ren would be normal.


  • Name: Akira Amamiya (雨宮　暁), née Kurusu (来栖)
    • Arcana: Temperance
    • Relation: Mother
    • Age/Gender: 41F (was 23 when she married, 25 when Ren was born)
    • Occupation: Housewife/mayor's assistant
    • Appearance: 5'0" (153 cm); curly, dark brown hair kept just above shoulder-length; brown-red eyes; slight and diminutive; tends to wear dresses.
    • Details: A demure, kindhearted, secretly fatalistic woman with a sharp mind but a weak spine. Ren gets his curls and emotional intelligence from her. She met Subaru through their parents and married him because she was impressed by his strong core values. She's significantly more loving to both her husband and son, having accepted the burden of emotional labor for the family, but she's also passive, tending to listen rather than speak, go with the flow and do what others want. She frequently tells Ren to do the same out of a misguided sense of love; she feared his rebelliousness would get him in trouble one day and blames herself for not properly getting him in hand before his arrest and expulsion. She wants to sweep it all under the rug and let everything go back to normal, and hopes having Ren far from home will let everyone in town forget what happened. She doesn't call, but she thinks about him often. Even so, she also wishes Ren would just be normal.


  • Name: Coach Himuro (氷室コーチ)
    • Arcana: High Priestess
    • Relation: Ren's former ice skating coach
    • Age/Gender: 26M
    • Occupation: Professional ice skater
    • Appearance: 6' (184 cm); lean and muscular; short and spiky brown hair and brown eyes; a dazzling smile; usually wears sports wear with expensive cologne.
    • Details: A professional skater who discovered Ren at the Okina City Skating Rink one day three years ago and nurtured his love of the sport into an ambition for the global stage. He's also queer and privately out but professionally closeted; he encouraged Ren's journey of self-discovery when he realized it about them, and has provided them with a lot of support and advice about their gender and sexuality as well as their skating. However, while he believed in Ren's innocence, he was too much of a coward to go to bat for him or even continue to coach him, concerned about what either would do to his own career. He did apologize and express his regrets, though ultimately told Ren he shouldn't have gotten involved, and both advised him about glasses as a way of managing his image and gifted him a pair as a farewell present.


  • Name: Yoshio Sato (佐藤芳央)
    • Arcana: Hanged Man
    • Relation: Ex-best friend
    • Age/Gender: 16-17M
    • School: Yasogami High School (second year)
    • Appearance: 5'6" (167 cm); dark hair and eyes; plain features with wide-set eyes; small scattering of freckles; basic haircut
    • Details: Ren's former best friend since about ten years ago, ever since Yoshio moved into town to live with his grandparents while his parents were getting divorced. (Even after the divorce, he still lives in Inaba with his grandparents, and consequently he feels unwanted.) Ren was the first to welcome him, so they became close in elementary school, but over time Yoshio grew jealous of Ren due to feeling like Ren was better than him and had more than him. Ren sensed this and tried to cover up or brush aside the parts of his life that were more privileged, but it didn't help. When Ren was arrested, Yoshio made a big show of believing he was guilty and publicly cut ties with him. On the surface, Yoshio insists Ren betrayed his trust first by committing a serious crime, and so keeps himself from feeling ashamed, but deep down, he doesn't really believe Ren was guilty; he simply seized his chance to rip him down from the pedestal he'd put him on. He hasn't confronted this about himself.

Soundtrack

Logs and Cutscenes

Season 1

Episode 1

Episode 2

Season 1 Cutscenes

Gallery

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