( eachdraidh ) ❧ app

[contrasting]

( PLAYER ★ INFORMATION )

NAME: Arisa
AGE: 23
CONTACT: sausages
CURRENT CHARACTERS & LATEST AC: Jack Frost (Rise of the Guardians) (november ac)

RESERVATION LINK: here

( CHARACTER ★ INFORMATION )

DOES THIS CHARACTER MEET SKELETAL BASICS? yes
NAME & AGE: Minako Arisato ❦ aged 17
CANON & CANON POINT: Persona 3 Portable ❦ December 31, 2009 (prior to making the decision of killing Ryoji or letting him live)
CANON INFORMATION: character history, male counterpart history, original game story, female protagonist remake

( NOTE: The game was originally released with Minato Arisato as the main character. A remake of the game was later made called "Persona 3 Portable" in which players were allowed to choose a female counterpart, Minako, as the lead instead. The overall story line and character history is entirely the same for both characters. The only differences are their own personalities and their interactions with the other characters in the side story social links. )


PERSONALITY:

-------- ( player choice dependent ) --------

It is important to note that Minako is a "silent" protagonist, a status which shows that a lot of her quotes and decisions are entirely up to the player's choice. However, despite the nature of her representation in the game, this does not exemplify her as lacking a personality, as despite having multiple choices to make when speaking with others, all line up fairly similarly into a specifically set personality that can be supported by other character's words and feelings about her. Because her personality never truly alters between each of the options, the story line rarely ever differs if alternate choices are made by the player save for two notable instances, one of which has not yet occurred in her canon point.

In the main story line, Shinjiro Aragaki is meant to die on October 4th by being shot in the chest. However, in Minako's route, if the player chooses to complete the Moon Social Link, Minako will return Shinjiro's lost pocket watch, which, now in his possession, will prevent the shot bullet from going further in his chest, thus saving his life and simply leaving him in a coma. This app will follow the completion of that Social Link.


-------- ( minako arisato ) --------

Despite her exterior image, Minako can hardly be qualified as an ordinary girl. Ten years prior to the events of the game, her parents had been killed in an accident that she alone survived, during a battle between a Shadow and an Anti-Shadow Suppression Weapon named Aigis. Upon realizing that the Shadow could not be defeated, Aigis sealed the Shadow, Death, within the body of the young survivor. Upon doing this, a power was created within Minako that not only granted her the ability to summon multiple personas, but enabled her to be open-minded and adaptable to any conditions ( Igor: "Your power is unique. It's like the number zero ... It's empty, but at the same time holds infinite possibilities." ). This is shown through the way that she rarely ever judges others on their choices and decisions, understanding how different circumstances bring forth different results, and is open to helping others through their own troubles.

That is not to say that Minako's personality is solely dependent on the Shadow inside of her, even noted by the human personification of Death later that he was only able to feel specifically because of Minako ( Ryoji: "I can talk to you, laugh with you, cry with you ... all gifts I received because I was inside of her. Of all the people on earth, it was she who carried me ..." ). Through the death of her parents, Minako chooses to embrace life rather than get trapped in the sadness of it, thriving on a more positive aspect of her personality that she conveys as soon as she first arrives on Port Island. Upon meeting the others, she remains entirely enthusiastic and polite, even showing off her sense of humor ( Minako: "Remember — I'm your senpai!" / Fuuka: "Huh? Oh, that's right! I'm sorry, I ..." / Yukari: "Um, she was kidding ..." ). Her optimism is a constant method of showing her willingness to be supportive and friendly to anyone she meets.

When she has her first encounter with a Shadow, the one inside her provides her with the instincts to fight, constantly pushing her forward to act without hesitation, such as when she first picks up an Evoker and uses it to call out her first persona despite having never been told how to before. It is the way she's able to take initiative that makes her the immediate choice as the new leader of S.E.E.S. ( Mitsuru: "Your ability to adapt to new situations and environments is impressive." ). The eagerness mixed in with her positive spirit will often begin to act as a catalyst that encourages the others to join in and do the same, rushing into battle with determination ( Akihiko: "Are you ready?" / Minako: "You betcha!" ). Even so, having undergone the dangers from her past on the bridge where she lost her parents, Minako has still been willing to admit her fears in multiple occasions as she starts to engage in battles with the Shadows ( Minako: "I was so scared ..." / Junpei: "Oh crap ... Hey, hey, don't cry!" ). It shows that despite Death inside her pushing her instincts, she's still able to feel a natural fear, a factor that is needed to summon personas in the first place. The balance of that fear for the lives of herself and her friends along with the bravery to continue forward allows her to be an even better leader, giving her a purposeful reason to fight.

While positivity and eagerness is a factor, several of the others have commented on Minako's constant reliability as a leader, even being told directly by Shinjiro, who tends to refrain from expressing many compliments. It's even noted several times that she tends to be tremendously punctual ( Aigis: "The paper on the wall says 'Do things five minutes early'." ) and can be extremely attentive to what goes on around her ( Rio: "You've really got an eye for details. Seriously, you're a much better leader than I am." ). Even when entrusted with such a high position, Minako accepts the title with ease, determined to do all she can to meet others' expectation, despite not always having the answer. Yet even when she's faced with uncertainty, she will often improvise to come up with alternate solutions and make things work even when the situation seems hopeless. It's evident in drastic events such as when she pulls a lever to stop a speeding train ( Yukari: "But, how did you know which one was the brake?" / Minako: "Woman's intuition." / Yukari: "I don't think this is the kinda thing woman's intuition helps with ..." ) or smaller mishaps such as taking Fuuka's ruined rice (after using too much water) and turning it into rice porridge.

Because of her status as a leader and her determination to be open to all cases and situations, Minako will often carry a large sense of responsibility. As the school year begins, beginning with agreeing to join the Student Council, she'll start to join in a numerous amount of clubs to grant the members a little extra help and guidance, especially clubs with only one other member such as the Fashion and Cooking clubs, ensuring they don't continue on alone. Feeling a sense of obligation, she will constantly express a need to get along well with everyone ( Narration: "You feel a wall between you and Shinjiro ... as the leader, maybe you should be friendlier with him." ), always listening intently when they express their troubles. A possible result of losing her parents at an early age which had caused a sense of loneliness, her determination to befriend most people she meets comes from a sense of dependence of needing others, shown in how the strength of her relationships determine the strength of her power in battle. The more Social Links she forms with others, and the stronger they become, enable her to create numerous and powerful personas, showing the gradual growth of her inner strength.

Despite having plenty look up to her, Minako will often get teased about being very much like a child, notably by the older members of the group such as Shinjiro and Akihiko, usually because of her tendency to be overly excited about subjects and situations that seem immature ( Shinjiro: "Oh, yeah ... you seemed into ghost stories that first time you went to that back alley, too ... Seriously, you're such a kid." ). It also shows with how she looks at their dangerous missions of fighting Shadows as something fun and enticing to look forward to ( Minako: "Adventure time!" / Junpei: "Huh? You're actually excited about this!?" ). Her tendencies to jump into action, even when plenty prepared, is often times cause for others to be worried for her, such as Akihiko who will often worry she'll get herself hurt. But Minako will more often than not either laugh off the worry or pout if others get too much on her case ( Akihiko: "If you don't eat right, you'll never grow stronger." / Narration: "You feel that Akihiko is treating you like a child." / Akihiko: "Why are you glaring at me like that?" ). However, despite her playful nature, Minako will still show her own maternal side, having a strong understanding of children such as Ken, whom she'll scold to eat his bell peppers but encourage to enjoy his action shows, and Maiko, whom she convinces to confront her divorcing parents but still act as a caring big sister figure towards.

Wanting to live up to the title given to her, not wanting to fail those that have come to trust her, Minako will take on every obstacle, always wanting to prove that she could handle anything even if she does sometimes do it alone ( Junpei: "It's just ... you don't have to do everything yourself." ). It's shown in how Minako will keep her biggest worries and secrets to herself instead of wanting to burden others, such as how she never tells anyone about her confrontations with Pharos, Death's alternate form, even when asked about it, despite Pharos' constant warnings to her about darker times to come. But as Minako slowly begins to develop stronger relationships with her friends, the walls she's built of constant optimism begin to lower and she becomes more willing to show that she doesn't always have the self-assurance she tries to convey ( Shinjiro: "But your powers look like they're helping out a lot, too." / Minako: "I hope so ..." / Shinjiro: "You aren't confident? ... You really are trying hard." ). But her humanistic caring nature and her fight through uncertainties is what constantly boosts up the confidence of those around her, despite her own shakiness ( Fuuka: "But you saw all the things that were bad about me while you were here cooking with me ... and you always encouraged me even when I messed up." ). Despite helping others, their trust in her helps her fight through her own insecurities, transforming from a mere spirited child to a stronger, confident and mature woman.

Minako's beliefs begin to shake when the discovery is made that she has had a Shadow living inside of her most of her life, with Ryoji confessing that the upcoming end of the world is inevitable ( Junpei: "And that won't be a problem cause we've never lost!" / Minako: "Is that possible...?" / Junpei: "H-Hey, c'mon! That's not the leader I know!" ). For the first time, she begins to cast doubt on her own abilities and that playful nature becomes more subtle over the following month as the group must decide whether to kill Ryoji, allowing them to forget about the Dark Hour and live the rest of their short lives in peace, or let him live, taking a risk to fight for the very little chance of a future. Because Ryoji has been a part of her for so many years, his persistence in wanting to be killed leaves her completely uncertain in her choice, lacking that usual confidence she's known to hold ( Ryoji: "I ... I don't want you to have to endure such pain." / Minako: "I don't know what to do ..." ). However, witnessing the constant resolve of her friends over the course of the month gives her a reassurance that they are stronger than they believe themselves to be. With their support of wanting to fight for their lives, understanding what her answer needs to be ( Aigis: "Why are you wasting your lives!?" / Minako: "I don't plan to waste it." ). It is at this point that the player is allowed to make the choice of whether or not they should kill Ryoji, but as letting him live provides the "true ending", hence the canonical ending, that is the true nature of the choice Minako follows.

With her own resolve determined, Minako and her friends continue on to fight Nyx to prevent the ending of the world. However, when all is grave and hope seems to be lost, she is reminded that the bonds she's made over the past year will grant her more strength, thus showing just how important her relationships with others truly have an effect on her being ( Igor: "Separately, they are weak ... But together, they will bring about a great change in you." ). It is because of this that Minako realizes how important everyone's lives are and thus chooses to sacrifice her own to seal away Nyx's power in order to save the world. Coming to know everyone over the past year strengthen her knowledge of her responsibilities and the selfless nature within her. Yet, she also believes in fulfilling promises, those she holds with friends being the most precious of all, and clings to the remaining days of her life in order to fulfill the promise of meeting together on Graduation Day.

With the ending of the battle, everyone but Minako forgets their memories of the Dark Hour and fighting Shadows, leaving her alone to remember the bonds they forged and the sacrifices they made, but she carries on strong without complaint for the next months, accustomed to bearing that pain for the sake of those important to her. It is only when everyone regains their memories of their time together, rushing to meet up on the roof of the school, that Minako is unable to hold on to her life any longer, but bears so much relief at having her friends come together again, living happily in a better world that she tells Aigis, who holds her in her arms, to not cry, before closing her eyes with a smile on her face. And thus, even in death, Minako's selfless nature shines out above all else, dying peacefully from knowing she was able to brighten the lives of others somehow.


COURT ALLIANCE & REASONING: ( SEELIE )

DEATH BEFORE DISHONOUR;
Through Social Links, Minako forms bonds with precious friends that become iron tight without chance of shattering. Her word towards her friends and respecting their lives and futures is one of her highest priorities. It is because of those very strong bonds that she is able to create the final Arcana that helps to fight against Nyx in the end. It results in her sacrifice, choosing to become the very seal that closes off the threat to their world and protects those she's formed unbreakable friendships with through her death.

LOVE CONQUERS ALL;
There are several choices for Minako in her social links that involve her falling in love. Whatever choice the player makers in choosing someone, Minako embraces that love with her entire being. Most of the options such as Shinjiro, Ryoji, or even Ken, will provide reasons that the love won't be able to work but through every instance, she will counteract it by continuing to believe in the possibility of the relationship ( Shinjiro: "No way. It's not gonna happen. Look, you need to watch yourself. Don't bother with someone like me." / Minako: "I still love you, Senpai!" ). Even towards the ending when Minako's life is almost completely lost, she continues to live up until she has the chance to see her true love one last time.

BEAUTY IS LIFE;
Beauty is the very thing that Minako fights for, joining S.E.E.S. to fight the Shadows that threaten to destroy the beauty of humanity that fills up the world. It is also shown in her interactions with the friends she makes how she continues to comfort them, trying to help rid them of their struggles in order for them to bask in the more beautiful, worthy aspects of life. Her entire demeanor is a symbolic gesture of wanting to hold those most precious things in life dear and to allow them to continue on.

NEVER FORGET A DEBT;
Minako chooses to always treat others the way she is treated in return. With kindness and gifts, she never forgets and always repays it with favors and friendship. Even when doing good acts, she is always given something in return, such as her relationship with Theodore which consists of her offering him rare items in exchange for something that will be useful towards her battles.

ABILITIES:

( naginata ) Minako has the ability to engage in physical battle using a naginata, expertising in slash attacks, with a balance in speed and range. However, Minako also has skills with battling using "weapons" that are similar in size and shape, such as hockey sticks.

( evoker-enabled persona summoning ) Minako can summon personas and uses an evoker, a specialized gun, to call them forth. It's meant to cause a sense of fear and stress that triggers the summoning.

( wild card ability ) Minako has the rare ability to access and summon multiple personas, able to switch between them in battle.

( personas and their abilities ) Minako can hold up to twelve different personas in battle, each with eight different abilities. However, for the sake of this game, she is limited to five personas (pending a possible stronger sixth if she were to be canon updated) with three abilities each. Personas are listed from weakest to strongest for nerfing purposes:

ORPHEUS (lvl 1)
→ [ ✘ WEAK: electricity, dark ]
BASH ❦ Inflicts a small amount of Strike damage on one enemy.
AGI ❦ Inflicts a small amount of Fire damage on one enemy.
TARUNDA ❦ Decreases an enemy's Attack strength temporarily.

UNICORN (lvl 11)
→ [ ✔ RESISTS: light / ✔ BLOCK: electricity / ✘ WEAK: ice ]
DIA ❦ Small health recovery. 1 ally.
HAMA ❦ 25% chance of instant death by Light. 1 foe.
POISMA ❦ 25% chance of inflicting Poison status. 1 foe.

KING FROST (lvl 30)
→ [ ✔ BLOCK: ice / ✘ WEAK: fire ]
MABUFU ❦ Inflicts a small amount of Ice damage to all enemies.
BUFULA ❦ Inflicts a moderate amount of Ice damage to one enemy.
DODGE FIRE ❦ Doubles evasion against Fire attacks. Passive.

ODIN (lvl 57)
→ [ ✔ ABSORBS: electricity / ✘ WEAK: wind ]
ZIODYNE ❦ Inflicts a large amount of Electricity damage/stuns one enemy.
MAZIODYNE ❦ Inflicts a large amount of Electricity damage/shocks all enemies.
ELEC AMP ❦ Increases Electricity damage output by 50%.

MARA (lvl 77)
→ [ ✔ ABSORBS: pierce / ✔ REFLECTS: fire / ✘ WEAK: ice ]
MARALAGIDYNE ❦ Inflicts massive Fire damage upon all enemies.
PRIMAL FORCE ❦ Inflicts severe Pierce damage upon one enemy.
ABSORB ICE ❦ Absorb Ice-elemental damage towards health.

INVENTORY:

→ SCHOOL UNIFORM; she'll be wearing her gekkoukan winter uniform.
→ MP3 PLAYER W/ HEADPHONES; an mp3 player that she always hangs around her neck along with a set of headphones given to her by Fuuka. these will not function outside of the station.
→ CELLPHONE W/ STRAP; a pink cellphone with a strap given to her by Yukari attached. this will not function outside of the station.
→ KEYS W/ PIG KEYCHAIN; a key to her school dorm and a house key given to her by Ken, attached to a pig key holder given to her by Junpei.
→ LEATHER WATCH; a wrist watch given to her by Shinjiro. this will not function outside of the station.
→ RABBIT DOLL; a small rabbit doll given to her by Akihiko.
→ EVOKER; a specialized gun that doesn't shoot bullets. is used to summon personas.
→ NAGINATA; her main weapon of choice.

( WRITING ★ SAMPLES )

NETWORK SAMPLE:

[It's a magical locket! A magical locket! There's no time wasted when the images appears that there's a young girl laughing on the other side. Her bright smile stands out even with the vibrant atmosphere of Caer Glaem behind her.]

Whoa, hey there! So apparently I was brought here to jump up into battle, fight for world peace, a kind of been-there-done-that scenario, but hey! Did you see the fairies!? [There's a giggle of fascination even as she rolls her eyes at herself.] I mean, of course you've seen the fairies. They said you guys have been here for a while, right?

[She moves in closer, the glow of red eyes radiating in the visual within the locket, scanning around as if hoping to see someone on the other side.]

So where is everybody? Come say hi! Don't be shy. I really don't bite. Go ahead and tell me all about what's been going on with you. I can tell you some stories about my home too, even if this play is huuuge compared to Japan and is way, way cooler. No doubt about that, I can already tell!

[Her giggles soften into a more settled smile, warm and welcoming.] I don't really know what's going on here, but I'm a lot tougher than I look — I promise! So if you need some help pummeling some bad dudes, I totally have your back.

LOG SAMPLE: ( test drive meme )