Every Mainline Persona Protagonist, Ranked By Power

What Makes a Persona Protagonist Truly Powerful?

Before we jump into the rankings, let’s break this down. A Persona protagonist’s power goes beyond their ability to smack down shadows or summon mythical beings at will. We’re also looking at versatility, narrative significance, and their ability to defy the laws of reality itself (because, you know, Persona). Some of these characters bend time, some rewrite fate, and some just… exist as pure chaos. The bar is high, people.

So grab your Evoker or your good ol’ trusty tarot cards because here’s the lineup you’ve been waiting for.

7. Makoto Yuki (Persona 3 Protagonist)

Oh, Makoto Yuki. The king of edgy protagonists who literally shoots himself in the head to summon his Personas. Sure, that’s hardcore and all, but Makoto’s true claim to power is his role as the seal that keeps the world from falling apart. Maybe not exactly combat power, but he does single-handedly hold back humanity’s collective death wish. That’s cool, but it also means he’s a bit… dead at the end. Hey, sacrificing yourself for humanity is commendable, but it doesn’t leave you much room to flex on others.

6. Tatsuya Suou (Persona 2 Protagonist)

Raise your hand if you’ve spent hours trying to explain Tatsuya’s convoluted double-life situation to a friend. Yeah, same here. From his unique connection to the Persona Trinity Soul to literally having the power to rewrite reality, Tatsuya is a powerhouse. The only real issue? His story’s often overshadowed by the mind-bending chaos in Persona 2’s plot. Like, seriously, Hitler pops up. You’d think reality-warping powers would put him higher on the list, but compared to some recent entries, his magic just seems a little “Monday afternoon” these days.

5. Naoya Toudou (Revelations Persona Protagonist)

Ah, the OG persona dude. Naoya might not have today’s cinematic Persona team-ups and villain takedowns, but he set the stage. His abilities? Surprisingly solid for a guy working with the series’ earliest (read: clunkiest) battle systems. Plus, he’s got raw determination and childhood trauma on his side, which somehow makes him punch above his era’s weight. But nostalgia aside, Naoya lacks the sheer versatility of modern protagonists.

4. Yu Narukami (Persona 4 Protagonist)

Yu Narukami is undoubtedly a fan favorite, and for good reason. The man is literally charisma personified. His command over Izanagi-no-Okami is no joke, and his ability to unite friends with sheer likability is downright terrifying. But when it comes to sheer cosmic-level power? He’s not quite top-tier. If there’s a power ranking for being able to read a room or diffuse tension among your teen mystery gang, though, Yu takes gold.

3. Ren Amamiya (Persona 5 Protagonist)

If Yu is the king of likability, Ren is the definition of suave rebellion. Persona 5’s stylish trickster can bend the will of the masses with his charisma (and maybe a little help from Igor’s funky nose). His ultimate Persona, Satanael, is straight-up God-tier. But it’s his ability to inspire rebellious change in an oppressed Tokyo that makes him uniquely powerful. Ren doesn’t just fight shadows, he takes on corrupt systems. That’s a flex.

2. Maya Amano (Persona 2 Protagonist)

Maya doesn’t just inspire those around her; she literally fights off a god who’s rewriting reality to spread eternal despair. Unlike many silent protagonists in the series, Maya has a voice and identity that she uses to fuel her fight. Her arsenal of Personas? Brutal. Her resolve? Unshakable. She might not be as universally recognized as Ren or Yu, but she’s undeniably one of the most powerful protagonists Atlus has given us.

1. Joker (Persona 5 Royal Protagonist)

All hail the trickster king of crushing celestial entities. If regular ol’ Ren Amamiya was already threatening, his Persona 5 Royal Joker form is practically unstoppable. The merging with world-shaping Personas like Loki or Arsène? Insane. The way he rewrites fate and takes down cosmic beings with style? Chef’s kiss. When it comes to sheer power combined with narrative importance and flexibility, Joker reigns supreme.

Final Thoughts

Every Persona protagonist has their own unique flavor of might, and each brought something unforgettable to their respective games. Whether it’s reshaping reality, inspiring rebellion, or just shooting shadows in the face with a gnarly Revolver (looking at you, Makoto), these characters embody power in all its forms.

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