P5r Maruki - Tumblr Posts

Ok... I guess very random thought I had: I'm honestly starting to fully see and get the frustration about the, "Maruki is a bad Therapist and an actual Therapist said so themselves!" takes. Especially since, well... A lot of them were AMERICAN therapists.

Now they have a right to an opinion but when it comes to applying Western views and values to a game made in and takes place in Japan... With the idea of appealing to primarily its Japanese audience... Yeah... That's where it gets stupid. The critiques are undeniably good in some areas, but it's mostly about Japanese society. Not U.S. or Western society, that is at best of course. Like, just because the critiques in it happened to match up with the West's doesn't mean that it's trying to appeal to the Western audience too. They just HAPPEN to align and match up somehow. That's it.

Now let say this: I do agree that Maruki wasn't good at his job per se and he clearly did bad and even manipulative shit. He did things wrong. But to apply American rules to him isn't exactly fair either since that's apparently how Therapy in Japan works.

(Source: Tv Tropes)

(Source: https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1094&context=orpc )

You can like or dislike a character but at least maybe get some FACTS straightened out first. I guess if people are going to apply American laws and values to P5/P5R/P5S then I guess... The girls would get in SERIOUS trouble for beating up Ryuji in public for example as it's a form of assault. Same can apply to Makoto during the Hot Springs event in Kyoto along with animal cruelty since to the public, Mona is just a regular cat and she beats him up anyways along with the guys. Or Yusuke when he resorted to blackmail in the 2nd arc which can warrant as a form of harassment regardless of the context. Or Sumire would probably get institutionalized at best, serious trouble at worst for basically impersonating someone along with a form of fraud since Kasumi was a well-known and popular/famous athlete. Unknowingly yes and it would primarily effect her parents since she's a minor but let's face it, Western laws wouldn't exactly care. Even Akechi probably wouldn't be spared at all for what he did regardless of the motive. Maybe even be given imprisonment or the death penalty depending on things. See what I mean?

Maruki was more casual and honest compared to other Therapists and that was part of what contributed to Japanese players liking him. The difference in values is interesting to analyze no doubt but good god people...

Do I still hate some of the writing decisions? Oh yeah. Including some of the jokes, especially double-standard ones? Definitely! But I get that some of it was primarily rooted in appealing to the Japanese audience really. I'll still be annoyed and frustrated but yeah. It's all about understanding the differences and looking at things through a different lense. Do I consider myself an expert? Nope, I'm still slowly learning and there's bound to be other people that know more than me. It's just that this take is getting beyond tiring and even comes off as ignorant at best. And that's putting it mildly. I'm not defending or justifying his shitty actions at all, just getting tired of this really.

Icarus (my idea for Maruki's new persona) design notes:

He would definitely be of an average build at best with Greek attire but said attire would maybe look torn up and a bit damp as an allusion to Icarus drowning along with the second (often overlooked) part of his father's warnings: Don't fly too low/close to the sea or the wings will get soaked and heavy/clogged.

I was thinking parts of his body be wrapped in damp and/or burned bandages (or a mix of both) like a burn victim of some sort. His or one of his eyes would be visible. Or perhaps Icarus would have one eye covered while the 3rd tier Persona would have both eyes visible as symbolism for Maruki's outlook on things and that he's not gonna blind himself again? I kinda like this one!

As a reference to him and his father (Daedalus) being imprisoned before they escaped, there would be some chains. At least one ankle chain at best if anything.

Since the "skin" would be mostly covered, perhaps just a pitch black like Valjean or even something celestial? An alternative would be a shade of blue or even white to have him stand out more? Either that or shades of red to continue the "burning" theme? Or ooo! Maybe have him look like cracking glass! The eyes would be the standard glowing yellow/gold. Basically the skin color scheme ideas being kind of like what's pictured in those screenshots here:

His wings would constantly be on fire with feathers occasionally falling continuously. I vaguely remember my bf suggesting a bit of a space pattern for them along with blue flames.

The pose would definitely be challenging but it'd be more of a "determined" type of mood/tone at best.

2nd Tier I was aiming towards Cthulhu maybe? It's not set in stone yet since I want to replace Adam along with Azathoth.

3rd tier would be named after Icarus' Etruscan name: Vikare

Possible Compendium entry: "The son of the master craftsman Daedalus. His father ended up crafting pairs of wings to escape imprisonment in Crete. Sadly, Icarus doesn't survive said escape due to ignoring his given warnings and flew too close to the sun... Costing him his wings."

And that's about all I have so far! I would love more input really! ^_^

# maruki did nothing wrong

So Maruki scar HC brainworms: To give a basic description, it's a HC that Maruki got a scar on the back of his neck from when he fused with Adam (which was done by being jabbed by a tentacle in that area which looked like it hurt and that horrified me!).

Now he did give verbal permission for Azathoth/Adam to basically "use him" (which already is horrifying no matter how you spin it) but he probably didn't think it involves a painful neck jab and knocking him unconscious. Basically being reduced to a puppet as a result of the fusion. So fast forward to the aftermath, Maruki is honestly shaken and even traumatized by it. He felt used, violated even and that scar he ended up getting is a grim reminder of that along with his impulsive decisions.

He covers it up when he can just so that he doesn't have to see it and be reminded of that experience. But when he does see it or anyone remotely notices and even touches it, he panics. Yes, it does undeniably go against what he ultimately learned but let's face it; there's bound to be relapses and he wouldn't be an exception to that. But yeah, every bad and impulsive decision, the moments where he hurt and even nearly got a group of kids who wanted to help him killed. Regardless of whether he was in control or not, there's no denying that he would be messed up by that knowledge. Even when he was able to hold Adam back somehow because he does care and they know he didn't intend to, his mind drifts to negative thoughts and self-loathing. Everything basically comes back to him with a vengeance and can even go into a PTSD induced panic attack at worst.

When asked about it (the scar), he denies it being there or dodges the question and changes the subject. He knows he's running again but he's too afraid of confronting those feelings of hurt and violation at the hands of his own so-called, "Persona." He basically acts like someone who dealt with a toxic partner (romantic or platonic) from an outsider's perspective which is what would lead to a subject change sometimes. Not only that, but he would have nightmares of the experience... Sometimes with horrifying outcomes.

Now let's add HaseMaru/MaruKichi to the mix shall we? Zenkichi has scars too. Mostly from his time in the Metaverse and using his "Fury" ability and hey, maybe even surgery scars if we go with the Trans HC for him! Zen would undoubtedly be insecure but Maruki just says otherwise. Naturally, the latter would know about his own hypocrisy there but he does genuinely think Zen looks beautiful regardless. Maruki still hides his own scar and Zen would slowly get curious until one day they were just laying in bed and Maruki sits up for a moment and that's when Zen sees it. He asks about it only to get denial of its existence. He's confused and scoots closer, asking again. Still denying it. He gets a little annoyed and ends up tapping on it with his finger before asking once more and... Maruki freezes as memories come flooding back, especially that motion. He clutches his head and quietly says the "I am thou" quote as tears run down his face and then hyperventilates. Zen starts to panic too and tries to calm him down only for Maruki to scream and repeatedly apologize with a faraway look in his eyes. He does snap out of it but by then Zen had backed away from him, looking extremely guilty and thinking he had hurt him. Maruki tries to explain but he gets a rushed apology followed by a door opening and closing. Maruki could practically hear Azathoth mocking him as he's now all alone with no one to help him and that he caused it. Maruki finally has it. He's done. He already pushed away everyone else, Rumi especially... He doesn't want to lose more loved ones. He finds Zen in the living room trying to collect his thoughts and immediately hugs him tightly as he fully breaks down. He tells him everything, even the more darker aspects of his story. He doesn't look at Zen as he finishes, feeling like he would be viewed as a monster but he doesn't hear any hate or berating towards him.

"Can you turn around? I want to fully see it."

Maruki's confused but does so. He jumps a bit when he feels a small touch and then a kiss on it. To his surprise, he feels more... Warm. Especially when he feels arms wrap around him. None of the cold, empty tentacles or pain. Just a warm, gentle touch. No pain, just safety. Zen doesn't hold any of it against him, in fact... He appreciated the moment of honesty and vulnerability and that, like how Maruki viewed his scars, he thinks it's beautiful like him. They both cried but are happy that night. Ever since then, Zen made it a routine to kiss that scar when he could and Maruki doesn't associate it with those traumatic memories anymore, just that night and his lover/partner. Recovery is slow but progressing regardless. He still has the attacks and nightmares but he has someone to help ground him now if needed. The PTs themselves included once he fully reconnects with them. He's genuinely happy.

You know I've always wanted to ask. And I know it might be an obvious question. But I've seen your phantom thief Maruki design. So does that mean you want Maruki to come back and join the thieves?

Absolutely! Maruki had definitely dealt with lots of injustice in his life on top of letting his trauma overtake and control him (best represented by Azathoth/Adam). Hell, Joker could have easily let him fall to his death but didn't. The kid knew that he was a man who was hurt badly to the point where his mindset became warped. He's basically what he could have become had he not met the group who kept him grounded (same with Akechi but there's not enough talk about how Maruki is a foil to Joker as well). He needs people who care about him and to take care of himself. But yeah, Maruki redemption, recovering, and becoming a PT? Hell yes!

Saviour ☀

This started as a very quick scribble just to see what slick-haired Maruki would look like in the fantastic new outfit Yaldabaoth gave him.. And then I went crazy with it §(*￣▽￣*)§ 

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Guess it's sad Maruki hours because... This bit hit way too close to home and even cemented him as a favorite character.

Like... No... Honey... 😭

So I just realized something... What if after Maruki fused, Adam/Azathoth put him in a dreamlike state during the fight... In particular, a perfect reality of his own where he regains what he lost all those years ago while he "sleeps."

Adam getting destroyed basically wakes him back up to that harsh reality and just everything sinking in at once leads to the fist fight phase. All of his pent-up emotions, trauma, and guilt come out of the woodworks until he's done and gives up.

The underlying tragedy being that he will never have a "happy ending" no matter how hard he tried and even his diary entries indicate that he struggled before and after encountering Azathoth. Like Sumi, he lived in a fairytale in his reality and only fell deeper and deeper into his own despair and madness. So Adam giving him a form of "cruel mercy" by knocking him out and giving him an ideal wish of his own while he is unconscious would be just be horrible and sad. Especially when it would have led to the deaths of a group that actually wanted to help him and not have him keep running away anymore. I feel that moment he vented was also him snapping. He has nothing left to lose so why not just let it all out before... Well you know the rest.

Inspired by the concept art where his Palace attire was originally a tuxedo like he's dressed for a wedding which he never got with Rumi. That would have hurt a lot though, ngl since that was one of many losses for him before breaking.

Ok, funnily enough, me and my bf were just talking about those takes and just this is some good tea here! It's also apparently mentioned that he opened or ran a clinic himself while still continuing his research which would have definitely required some form of licensing here to do that? Either way, he would have definitely needed something to be able to do that sort of thing to begin with there.

Persona fans be like “Oh Maruki’s not a real therapist lol!!!! I can’t believe Shujin hired a fake psychologist, they must not care at all!!!!” as if it ISN’T possible to um maybe go to fucking school again? Pick a new major or get a second one? Get multiple degrees? Not to mention he was originally qualifying to become a COGNITIVE PSIENTIST, so it may be likely he already had something in the field of psychology… Also he would have been arrested if he was faking as a therapist.

So was anyone going to tell me about these parallels or was I just supposed to fIND OUT ALL ON MY OWN?????

You know, I've often seen takes (mostly anti) that basically say that Maruki should have been punished for his actions... Mostly of the severe/horrific kind that even involves Joker letting him fall to his death (which is SEVERELY OOC btw). Though to be perfectly honest... He actually does when you think about it, it's just more subtle. As he said during his breakdown, he gave up everything for his dream and he's not exactly wrong. He's lost his perfect reality, his research/his life's work, he doesn't get back with Rumi as one would expect, he fully quits his job as a counselor/therapist, he's lost everything except for maybe Shibusawa and the PTs themselves. The biggest thing is though, is that he starts to let go of those losses and uses them to start over. He even uses his job as taxi driver to help Joker get away from the police and seems more than happy to do so. Also, remember his final interaction with Joker which best sums up one of Royal's main messages:

So yeah, I feel like he already faced punishment for what he did. But as per the message there, he uses it to improve and heal and potentially atone. That's at least my takeaway here.

Plus remember how Ichinose tried to turn herself in at the end of Strikers only to be rejected because no one believed her about the supernatural occurrences (her case was odd though because Zenkichi was exposed to it too so he could've vouched for her story there, then again he would probably be dismissed too but it's hard to say) so jail time wouldn't work if Maruki even remotely tried (which I wouldn't be surprised if he did but who knows).

"Everyone is capable of changing themselves - your imagination is the only limit." —Takuto Maruki, Persona 5 Royal R.I.P. Billy Kametz... You will be dearly missed and thank you for bringing such beloved characters to life and just overall always being a kind and bright person.

So I just recently learned that the P5 Dialogue Generator now has Strikers characters, so I now have the opportunity to bring this old canon divergence AU to life! Basically, what if Zenkichi and Sophia joined before Third Semester (Twitter thread here)? I quickly put together the possible exchanges with Maruki during his boss fight if they were in the party.

Generator: Persona 5 Dialogue Generator (p5generator.com)

Zenkichi:

Sophia:

Honestly, along with "Gentle Madman," "Throw Away Your Mask" is also a good showcase of Maruki's character and mental state.

It's a good mix of somber and desperation. He's pleading with the group to see his perspective and stay where they won't suffer ever again. He sympathizes with them, he wants to help them and everyone else in the world and it's tragic but also madness and unhealthy. His trauma is left untreated and festering because of circumstances out of his control. He clearly blames himself for what happened to Rumi and is also upset and even angry at the world itself that someone he loved, who was innocent, got hurt so badly. He's breaking.

He's running away, hiding behind his own mask in a twist of irony. The group DOES sympathize with him (well, except Akechi) but they also know that he needs to be stopped for both their and other people's sakes along with his own. He has a high amount of empathy but it's being used against others along with him. But the whole reality is good on paper but ultimately stagnant... Unfeeling. There's no growth, people won't suffer but at what cost? Their individuality is stripped away and they're basically in a gilded cage of what's considered to be "happiness" and Maruki warped himself in feelings of denial that it was ultimately wrong and believing that this is the "right" way. He's slowly losing it and himself.

Ultimately, it is a plea to stop fighting and consider his way and viewpoint... But it's also ironic that he's hiding behind his own mask as a result of running away from the truth and everything else (probably why his actual mask almost resembles a shield in hindsight).

Another Maruki analysis: His literal Mask

I kinda wanted to do an analysis on his literal mask since this was a realization that hit me really. Now I agree that it looks absolutely silly and I wonder what Atlus was thinking with his overall outfit but... I can't help but think of something here...

Now "Masks," both literally and figuratively, play a primary role in P5 in regards to its characters. They hide who they really are because of either pressure to meet societal expectations, fear (Ex: rejection), dealing with various forms of abuse, and of course trauma. Especially as way of coping with said trauma. It is also a thing in Psychology known as, "masking" which is basically the description I just gave. Masking is basically, as an example, someone performing in a way that it is considered, "acceptable." But it can be at the expense of expressing who they really are, hiding their true selves. It's never fun at all as someone who deals with this on occasion and can even hurt the individual deep down. It can even worsen their mental state as well.

I always feel bad for those that had to go through it for one reason or another. But back on topic. When the MCs awaken their Personas, they literally tear their own masks off (with an exception or two). It's framed as painful but then liberating. They feel free and are done with all the bs they had to deal with. Each mask also has a unique design for every Thief and it's all unique to them and even symbolic of either their true selves or even just overall personality.

So, what about Maruki? While it does look ridiculous... As I've mentioned in a previous post, it almost resembles a shield. A large one at that. Now you could argue Makoto's does as well but it's short and is more like a knight. It also reflects her more tough personality. In Maruki's case though... It covers his whole head and top part of his face (minus his eyes 'cause he needs to see somehow). I also mentioned that it's ironic that "Throw Away Your Mask" is basically his thought process and mental state and yet he is hiding behind his own mask.

Now the "shield" thing can be a double meaning: He doesn't want to hurt the Thieves at all and can be considered a pacifist unless pushed and even while fighting he tries to reason with them and mostly uses Azathoth/Adam. But at the same time, it can also be his own mental defenses coming to the surface. He's hiding behind a metaphorical shield and running away from everything. The truth, his true feelings, his trauma, everything. He gives a calm and serene/gentle demeanor ("Gentle Madman") which is genuine but also puts up his defenses. Even when everything around him is falling apart, he refuses to believe that "his way" was ultimately wrong and harmful even when he knows or realizes it.

Then it gets damaged, and Adam is destroyed which is when he starts to fully break. His barrier is falling apart. He starts to show more of how he really feels. He has awareness and is regaining it at the same time and the cracks remain.

Then he fully removes it and later his godhood outfit changes to his white attire albeit torn up, damaged, and dirty. He's completely vulnerable. No barriers... No mask.

He's not hiding anymore, and we see who he really is: A sad, traumatized, and broken man who gave up everything for a dream that was ultimately not gonna help anyone... Not even himself. He wanted to do good so badly but went too far and about nearly lost himself in the process. It was unhealthy and self-destructive... Like the story of Icarus, hubris got the better of him and flew too close to the sun. All because of things that were out of his control and led to him making impulsive and downright harmful decisions. It's being human and understandable. But he still needed to be stopped, otherwise... Things will turn out for the worse for everyone, including him. Now I wonder what other character this can remind people of...?

So, joking and small fandom jab aside, a TL;DR version: Maruki's mask can represent a barrier he put up for himself to hide and run from it all and once it cracks and it's fully taken off, he shows his true feelings, coming to terms with himself and the truth. It's only then he starts to take steps towards healing and starting over on his own two feet. No hiding, no mask, no barrier. Just him and whatever reality will throw at him, and he'll try his damndest to get better and even redeem himself.

I just think Maruki deserved a crying sprite of his own. You know, as a treat!

Moooore pain with screencap edits using it!

"A false god is slowly coming undone, a decaying gentle madman... How long will he continue to maintain his ideal world as it becomes real but he loses himself to self-destruction?"

So... Possessed Mooki anyone??

Also a couple alts w/o the glamour and bg! The tears are black and reminiscent of the mental shutdown symptoms. I also made him seem more thin, sickly, tired, and pale. Like he hasn't been taking care of himself AT ALL.

So here are some quick Aesthetic Boards I did based on an idea that hit me, Monarch Maruki and Sumire (more context further down below):

Monarch!Sumi Aesthetic Board with a fairytale/Swan Lake theme: "Shattered Princess KaSumire"

Monarch!Maruki: "Sorrowful Savior Takuto"

This was an idea that hit me while chatting on Discord: So basically, if you don't complete Maruki's Confidant you'll be barred from the 3rd Semester and get the Vanilla ending instead right? Wellll... Considering all that, this means that he and Sumi will be left to their own devices... As in their own problems won't be solved. Sumi would more or less remain in her Kasumi delusion until the filter potentially wears off and Maruki disappears to god knows where.

The unwitting inaction from Joker would then have MAJOR consequences in Strikers since that game can take place after either timeline... Either one or the other or even both fall prey to EMMA and become Monarchs themselves:

Maruki is self-explanatory as his desire to help people consumes him and kickstarts his self-destruction, warping his cognition and wanting to spread the Jail's influence further. People who have their desires stolen would just be mindlessly happy and "cured" of trauma or hardships (big or small). Much like canon, he thinks he's "helping" them. Maruki's "crown" would be a gold crown of thorns (biblical influence anyone?), representing his savior/martyr complex and how much he's really hurting. Removing it represents him renouncing his "godhood" and taking steps to move on and heal himself.

Sumi's is more or less revolving around herself and desperation to keep up the Kasumi filter/charade. Her own delusion and self-hatred festering. It's basically her living an ideal fairytale and not wanting to leave it. Anyone who got their desires stolen would join the Kasumi delusion. Basically, they all would view her as her dead sister and address her as such. Her "crown" would be her sister's red ribbon that her Shadow wears and then removes, symbolizing her finally letting go and developing her own identity and independence.

Idk, I just feel like with all horrifying implications that the now optional Vanilla ending are giving out... I feel like they would be easy prey to EMMA. Especially at their most vulnerable states. They both have the blueprints for having a Jail; Just need a design, layout, cores, trauma cells, etc.

tw: blood and injury

Decided to kind of sort of redo my crying Maruki sprite edit to compliment my Berserk Sumi edit there. This time with a neck injury based on the scar HC! Enjoy!

"Why... Why Rumi!?"

A screencap edit bonus!