Persona 4: Golden Part #131 - March 20 Part 4: The Land of the Dead

Part 131: March 20 Part 4: The Land of the Dead

The finalized design for the Persona 4 protagonist. His sharp eyes are carefully drawn.

The finalized design for Izanagi, the Persona 4 protagonist's Persona. The key aspect of his appearance was a manly bearing.

-Studio Backlot-

Sensei...Good luck!

*yip*

(Pat its head)

> He seems to be enjoying it...

Hey! Those yellow and black lines...What you have there...could it be...?

*yip*

> Obtained Track Suit.

Huh!? Chie! That's...a catsuit! Why are you so happy about that? It shows off...everything...!

It's not a catsuit! Hey, Teddie! Don't you start blushing!

......

And you two! Don't look at me like that!

......

After this, it's over! Let's go, Sanzo!

Alright! Let's give it our best shot!

I'm all set now...Let's go!

Hell yeah! Let's do this in one shot!

This is the last one! I'm ready and rarin' to go!

Have you finished your preparations?

Umm, Senpai...

I know you can do it! Show me one last time that you're the coolest guy in the world!

-Corridor-

As we have begun, so shall we go on.

Hm? Did you change, Senpai? Hey, is that the Gekkoukan High uniform? It looks good on you!

Woo! Private school uniform! How's it look?

This is the uniform of the place we went to on the school trip, right? Hm...I only have bitter memories of that trip...

Oh well. Time's supposed to heal all wounds.

Oh, this is the Gekkoukan High School uniform, isn't it? That's the school we visited on our school trip, right? D-Does it look okay? I've never worn another school's uniform, so wearing such a fancy big city uniform feels a little strange...

Oh, I changed into the Gekkoukan High uniform. This is the uniform of that school we visited on the school trip, right? Oh...

Remember how I fell asleep really early the second night? I wish I could have stayed up a little longer...

Oh, how do you like your new outfit, Sanzo-kun?

You're wearing a different school's uniform. A jacket, huh?

Yeah, it looks really good. There's no denying that you're a city kid.

Whenever we'd go in to rescue someone, I could sense their restless heart, and how unstable it felt...But there's none of that here...Does this Izanami person not have a heart or something...? Who is she...? Anyways, be careful, Senpai!

Corridor is really pretty in a somber and vaguely threatening sort of way, which makes it perfect for this dungeon and the bad endings' credits. I can't help feeling like it doesn't really fit what the kids are trying to accomplish here, though.

-I'll Libera Myself From Hell-

Thou art I...

And I am thou...

From the sea of thy soul, I come...

From the very moment of my emergence, I have been a guiding light shed to illuminate thy path...

I am the original god...

Izanagi-no-Okami...

The O.G.

Like Margaret's Aqua Invitation, this fusion requires Clear Data from a game where you beat Izanami. You also need to have completed the Fortune Social Link at some point, since Norn is part of the formula.

In Japanese, the first characters in all those Personas' names spell out "Create Izanagi-no-Okami."

The World is the very last of the Major Arcana. It represents wholeness, accomplishment, and fulfillment.

Izanagi-no-Okami can't be registered in the Compendium, and never gets bonus XP from Social Links. As he levels up, he can learn all four Dynes and all four Amps. No fancy uniques here--just a rock solid foundation for kicking every ass ever.

And the Victory Cry skillcard, if you like that sort of thing.

I can't believe you came without cowering in fear...Is that bravery, or ignorance...? Very well...I'll be waiting for you at the end of the Yomotsu Hirasaka...

Was that Izanami!? L-Let's not freak out...C'mon, Senpai!

At times like this, we all have to pull ourselves together. It's so strange...I never thought I'd feel that way in this world.

The Shadows are getting stronger as well...

The scenery of this corridor...You've seen it before, haven't you?

Yes, I remember.

What you saw in your dream that night was the result of your awakening to your power...Could it be fate that I now await your arrival...? *chuckle*

Was that Izanami again...!? Senpai, is it true what she just said? Anyways, no matter what kind of enemy we're facing, we have to fight!...Right, Senpai!?

Let's see how strong they are...

Now that's just insulting.

Come, then...Though you may accomplish nothing but to needlessly prolong your suffering.

Despair, emptiness, and hope...Those are the three qualities by which I selected those coming from outside...You showed the most grounding of the three; I would expect nothing less. In which case...I will personally and directly test your power.

"The three qualities"...Did she mean Senpai, Namatame, and Adachi...? Izanami saw those qualities in them...? What kind of power does she have...?

One had not the eyes to see things as they were, and failed to awaken to his power...One chose to avert his eyes from the truth, and allowed evil to taint his awakened power...But this one...He has come this far, yet he still yearns for the truth...He still fights...

It sounds like Izanami's surprised by Senpai's power...even though she's the one who awakened it. Could it be that Senpai's power went beyond her expectations...?

I did not choose three pawns in jest...It was all to ascertain what mankind wished for. I learned that man gladly favors falsehood over truth...Thus, I sought to fulfill their desires by shrouding the world in fog...

True, there's a lot of things we don't see...And yeah, some of them we'd prefer not to...But that doesn't mean everyone wants to live blindly! Izanami has it all wrong! We've gotta end this...Let's do our best, Senpai!

There's something past here again! Be careful, Senpai!

You cannot surpass me...Learn that!

Ugh, what a bitch! Who does she think she is!? I'll make her eat those words!

And I know Nanako-chan and Dojima-san would agree! We're not gonna let her do whatever she wants! Right, Senpai!?

I've been thinking about what she said. It's really complicated, and I don't get all of it...But I feel like I need to think it over for myself.

...What is best for mankind is to return the world to the void of its origin, where they need not shy away from the truth. All that exists will be thick fog and writhing shadows--a tranquility called peace, that will last forever. Everything has been wished for and chosen by mankind. I shall abide by their decision.

A thick fog and writhing shadows...? So it comes down to her screwing up our world...? We have no idea what we're about to face...But we have to stop whatever it is that Izanami has in mind!

This is our last chance at this...Let's end this with a bang so we don't regret it later!

I'll let you have the grand finale, Senpai. Beat the crap out of it, and leave this place tomorrow with a big ol' smile on your face.

*chuckle* This may well be the last time I hear you say that to me...

...Then I shall fight for the "good of mankind" with all my strength. You are but a few pitted against the wishes of many. Your strength is truly astonishing, but you are the exceptions. You will soon reach the place where I am. Now...come.

Like she just said, I'm sensing a strong reaction from just ahead...This really is the last battle...Keep your guard up, Senpai!

We're finally here. Are you ready?

Well thank you very much, Ms. Root of All Evil!

-Border of Insanity-

You granted certain individuals the power to enter the TVs. You created the Midnight Channel as well. And lastly, you started a rumor about the Midnight Channel to raise its public awareness...Is this correct?

This "Midnight Channel" you speak of...It is indeed a device to draw hearts into this world. But it was always your individual wills that would determine what appeared on it.

Humans ache to expose their suppressed sides, while the prying eyes around them are curious to see them laid bare. The want to show, and the want to see...I granted a "window" that catered to both.

That is all.

And the Midnight Channel was there to grant their wishes. Once the person they wanted to see entered the realm formed by human though, they would appear even more clearly...

I see...So that's how it worked.

Are you saying...all you did was give that initial spark to Senpai and the others, then watched things unfold? And the rumors spreading, things going wrong...We're to blame for all that's happened!?

People's curiosity was at fault...?

Everything was for your sake...To create the world mankind so wanted.

Man struggles to understand one another. You can only truly know a finite number of people within your lifetime...

But humans disregard this fact, and try to know more people than is possible. Only by comparing yourself to others can you define yourselves. Thus your ever-present anxiety...

Your anxiety causes you to see only what you want to see, and believe only what you want to believe...

As I said...your desire is for a world enshrouded in fog!

Don't put words in our mouth.