Persona: The Incredible Origins of Joker’s Inner Demons

Joker

Persona 3 Reload’s recent Episode Aigis DLC gameplay trailer revealed an extra boss battle against Persona 5’s Joker, the most recognizable protagonist in the series. While the dashing Phantom Thief needs no introduction, the Personas he uses in his boss battle are not as well known. Arsene and Satanael each carry lore that expands far beyond the Persona series itself, all of which ties into their user’s story. Major spoilers for Persona 5 follow.

Arsene Parallels Joker

Despite Arsene’s demonic appearance within the Persona series, he is based on the gentleman thief Arsène Lupin originating from Maurice Leblanc’s 1905 short story, “The Arrest of Arsène Lupin”. The titular character would star in many short stories, novels, and novellas as a great thief capable of making the entire upper class of the Victorian era look like fools. This scathing criticism of the rich ties well into Joker’s story of upending those who abuse their power in society.

More specifically, Lupin’s journey begins not with an entirely successful heist but rather an arrest. He could have made his escape, but instead, he chooses to allow the police to haul him to jail so that he can protect a woman he cares about. The parallel with Joker is clear, as Persona 5’s protagonist begins his adventure when he tries to protect a woman who is being sexually assaulted and winds up on probation for a crime he did not commit as a result.

Lupin escapes from prison by altering the perception people have of him. He repeatedly insists that he would not attend his own trial, implying that he would escape long before. When the trial date arrives, the miserable man in the defendant’s seat is declared by the court to not be Lupin, letting him free. Lupin was acting completely unlike himself to make the court believe he switched with a body double. His statement that he would not be at his trial was nothing more than the power of suggestion, altering the cognition of those he was trying to fool. To fans, parallels with Joker should be clear across many points in Persona 5‘s plot, including his prison break.

Satanael’s Ultimate Sacrifice

Joker
Image by Total Apex Gaming

While Arsene is from a classic series of books, Satanael’s roots are in Gnostic Mythology. He is often considered to be the Gnostic equivalent of Lucifer, but the context behind the two entities is quite different. While Lucifer is depicted as being an evil fallen angel, Satanael is a rebel fighting against the false god Demi-Urge (also known as Yaldabaoth). In Gnosticism, the Demi-Urge is the creator of humans, but not the creator of the universe. Despite this, he wishes for humans to believe the latter and considers himself the only god deserving of worship.

Satanael is the one who tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden, ultimately granting humanity knowledge from the fruit. This is what resulted in the Demi-Urge banishing him, which reads as Satanael sacrificing himself to allow humans the freedom to stand up to their false god. Persona 5 uses this reading in the text of Satanael’s description, and Joker’s arc follows a similar path. Joker must sacrifice all he has by going to prison and testifying against those in power, to truly free humanity.

The Mythology in Persona

While Joker may only be a fun crossover boss fight in Persona 3 Reload, his Personas still carry the weight of their journeys. Both Arsene and Satanael represent Joker’s story and make it more rich in symbolism and theming. Persona is a series about giving physical form to metaphysical psychological concepts, and this could not be clearer than how Joker’s two most important Personas parallel him.

For More Great Content

Are you desiring top-tier content that covers everything? From thrilling sports and intoxicating entertainment news to gaming tips and professional betting advice, Total Apex covers it all. Delve into our no-fluff articles to stay ahead of the game with the latest sports action, uncover the hottest trends in entertainment, and get the latest scoops in the gaming industry that will take your experiences to the next level.

Finally, our betting advice will give you a decisive edge over the competition and increase your odds of beating the books. Whether you’re looking to stay updated or gain a competitive edge, Total Apex is your one-stop shop for all things compelling and relevant.

Don’t forget we cover Fantasy Sports, too! Check out all our sites: Total Apex SportsTotal Apex Fantasy SportsTotal Apex EntertainmentTotal Apex Sports Bets, and Total Apex Gaming. Out of the ashes of obscurity will rise a beast. Always remember to Respect The Hustle! Follow us on Twitter/X @TotalApexSports to stay informed.

Share this post

More stories from Total Apex Gaming

Total Apex Gaming Sports Entertainment Fantasy Sports Sports Bets is the only destination you'll need for all of your daily content.

Scroll to Top