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"This world is so messed up! The weak are left to fight for themselves, while rotten adults get away with whatever they want!"
—Ryuji Sakamoto, Persona 5

Ryuji Sakamoto is a playable character from Persona 5. He is a student at Shujin Academy who lives a double life as a Phantom Thief.

Appearances

Design

Ryuji has short spiky dyed blond hair and dark brown eyes. According to Sadayo Kawakami, his hair is naturally black. He has a noticeable widow's peak and his eyebrows are unusual in that he lacks the outer sides. He is shown to be muscular.

He wears his winter school uniform a bit modified. It consists of the standard black blazer, unbuttoned to reveal a yellow t-shirt with a comic style star symbol and the word 'ZOMG!' He has plaid trousers rolled up to reveal his ankles. His pants have black suspenders that hang down instead of being worn on his shoulders. He has a white belt. His white sneakers have a rising sun flag motif.

His summer school uniform is the same as his winter's, except his yellow t-shirt is replaced with a red one reading 'NO MO RULES' and he no longer wears his blazer.

His burglar outfit consists of matching black jacket and pants with knee pads, a red ascot, combat boots, a pair of yellow gloves, and a skull mask.

Due to his injury, he walks and runs with a slight limp, and occasionally trips if he overexerts himself.

In Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight, he retain his Shujin Academy uniform except he wears a yellow with black "X" design and a red tattered scarf, and yellow and light blue sneakers with matching laces. He wears sunglasses on his head, a golden chain bracket on his right wrist and metal bracket on his left wrist.

Personality

"We're going to catch all these shitty adults by surprise and make ourselves known to the world!"
—Ryuji Sakamoto, Persona 5
Persona_5_Introducing_Ryuji_Sakamoto

Persona 5 Introducing Ryuji Sakamoto

Ryuji English trailer.

Ryuji is known as a disruptive "problem student" at school whose bad behavior causes all sorts of trouble for the teachers. He is quite proud of his status as a self-proclaimed "troublemaker" and his rebellious, mischievous and disobedient nature are the perfect qualities to be a Phantom Thief. He is very vulgar and aggressive, using by far the most foul language of the group and often tearing into people with no concern for their feelings, as shown in his early interactions with Yusuke and Makoto. He is also rather short-tempered, easily taking offense from even the slightest of comments and can sometimes even resort to violence. He tends to be very blunt about his feelings without showing any hesitation, especially in regards to his hatred of selfish adults and authority figures who abuse their power. It gets to the point where simply listening to the protagonist's story of how he got arrested makes him extremely angry.

Ryuji can be clumsy and overly energetic sometimes; he has a habit of yelling constantly, despite frequent warnings from Morgana to keep his voice down, which usually results in loud outbursts that often includes accidentally revealing himself and his friends as the Phantom Thieves. This consequently helped Makoto to identify him and the others when she was tailing them. This, combined with his frequent density, causes him to be viewed as an idiot by his peers, Morgana in particular. Ryuji also occasionally has a hard time accepting blame for things, though it's less he doesn't recognize when he's at fault so much as he hates being held solely responsible for an incident when he feels he isn't the only issue, or if it was simply beyond the group's control; when Yusuke scolds him for carelessly exposing them as the Phantom Thieves to Makoto, Ryuji points out that Ann got recorded as well, ignoring the fact that he was much louder than her and the one who implicated them by name-dropping the Phantom Thieves, while Ann was just responding to what he said. Then she apologizes, but he doesn't and changes the subject instead (though he does say "My bad" when Morgana brings it up again). He also never gives a real apology for repeatedly calling Morgana useless, which resulted in him briefly leaving the team; when he does apologize, it's rather half-hearted, and when Morgana returns, it's for his own reasons and for Haru. The two ultimately seem to consider themselves even, as Morgana had been insulting Ryuji from practically the moment they met.

Beneath his seemingly delinquent-like behavior, Ryuji is actually a kind and altruistic person who is still trying to cope with his inability to continue becoming an athlete after the injury he suffered at Kamoshida's hand. He deeply cares for his mother and takes fervent effort as an athlete to relieve her worries; he reveals his father was an alcoholic who beat him and his mother and then left, so his mother is the only family he has. When he tells the group about the aftermath of his confrontation with Kamoshida, he sounds broken when he admits that, following a meeting with the school authorities, she apologized to him for being a single mother and not giving him a strong father-figure in life. He even calls himself a "bad son," due to him messing up his efforts to make things easier for his mother.

Ryuji cares a great deal for the afflictions of others around him, such as when he attempts to help end the abuse of the volleyball team. He has a strong sense of right and wrong; when Morgana warns him and the protagonist that stealing Kamoshida's treasure may result in his death, Ryuji is shocked and reluctant to take that risk, believing that he and the protagonist going around secretly doing whatever they wanted would make them no different from Kamoshida. He changes his mind after Shiho Suzui's attempted suicide, but even after it's done, he wonders if it really was for the best. After a chance encounter with Shido, however, Ryuji comes up with the idea to continue as the Phantom Thieves, in order to get rid of adults who have gone unpunished for so long and give courage to all those who need it.

Hobby-wise, apart from being on the track team, he also does muscle training. He can drink a 500mL bottle of carbonated water in one go which he did as training during his track and field club days. When he was active, he could also do 1000mL bottles. He is often impatient and has a habit of tapping the ground with his toes when he's bored, and prefers to get "straight to the point" during conversations. He claims he never reads, and his artbook profile claims he only reads manga. He also plays video games. He likes ramen especially, and is fussy about the flavor and texture of the noodles. Ryuji is also quite perverted, such as when he stares at Ann in the Mona car while the group were traveling through the desert in Futaba's Palace. When Ann confronts him about this later, he doesn't even try to deny it, saying that "it was a great view."

Profile

Persona 5

"Right on... Wassup, Persona... This effin' rocks! Now that I got this power, it's time for payback... Yo, I'm ready... Bring it! Blast him away... Captain Kidd!"
—Ryuji Sakamoto after awakening his Persona, Persona 5

Ryuji Sakamoto is a student of Shujin Academy and knows about Ann Takamaki since middle school even though they are not too acquainted. Ryuji borrowed money from Ann in middle school so he could buy a stuffed dolphin for his mom from a school trip, but never paid her back, which Ann holds against him.

He originally came from a household with an abusive father, who eventually abandoned him and his mother. Later on, Ryuji got a great opportunity for his future and to ease his mother's burden by becoming a star athlete on the school's track team. However, this earned disdain from the volleyball coach, Suguru Kamoshida, who then abused Ryuji and the entire track team. To put more salt in the wound, Kamoshida began telling everyone at Shujin about Ryuji's parents. This caused Ryuji to try and attack Kamoshida but in a manner of "self-defense" broke Ryuji's leg and caused the track team to disband.

The protagonist first meets Ryuji after Kamoshida picks up Ann by car, and Ryuji, who is nearby, calls him "pervert" before greeting the protagonist who inquires about Kamoshida. Realizing the protagonist really knows nothing about Kamoshida, Ryuji quickly assumes he is a transfer student and the two get along. The two accidentally enter Kamoshida's Palace, the embodiment of Kamoshida's Shadow erected at where the school should be. Ryuji wants to help the students trapped in the palace, but fails. They are blocked by Kamoshida at the entrance when they try to escape and are nearly killed but was saved when the protagonist awakened his Persona ability. With the help of shape-shifting cat called Morgana, they manage to escape from the Palace. When the two confronts the real Kamoshida, however, the teacher has no idea what they are talking about. To make sure whether they were dreaming or not, Ryuji suggests they once again go to the Palace using the app installed in the protagonist's smartphone, at which they succeed.

Persona_5_Ryuji_Awakening

Persona 5 Ryuji Awakening

Ryuji's Persona awakening.

Meeting Shadow Kamoshida again, the Shadow reveals that he intentionally injured Ryuji's leg while acting as his advisor to ruin Ryuji's ability to participate in athletics again. His scheme is for the principal to invest in his volleyball team only and to gain admiration and submission from all the students of his school, but Ryuji was a great threat to him for drawing that attention. Kamoshida's true intention angers Ryuji deeply and Captain Kidd calls out Ryuji to awaken to his Persona ability for vengeance. Returning to the real world, Ryuji vows to expose Kamoshida's true self and becomes friends with the protagonist after both confide their backgrounds to each other.

Together with the protagonist, they try to get information about Kamoshida from other students, but everyone is too afraid to talk. Morgana, in cat form, then approaches Ryuji and the protagonist, suggesting they steal the source of Kamoshida's corrupt heart to make him confess his own crimes. However, when Morgana mentions that Kamoshida will die if they by chance killed his Shadow, Ryuji and the protagonist ask for time to think. Not long afterward, Ann's friend, Shiho Suzui, attempts suicide and when Ryuji and the protagonist heard from Yuuki Mishima that Kamoshida called Shiho a day before, Ryuji and the protagonist realizes that Kamoshida has sexually assaulted her. Ryuji angrily confronts Kamoshida about this, resulting in Kamoshida's intending to expel him, the protagonist and Yuuki.

Finally having enough with Kamoshida, Ryuji and the protagonist agrees with Morgana's suggestion to steal Kamoshida's treasure and make him confess his crimes. They later are joined by Ann who also wants to expose Kamoshida after hearing everything from Shiho. To agitate Shadow Kamoshida once they almost reach the treasure, Ryuji makes and attaches a calling card on the school board under the name "Phantom Thieves of Hearts" that is addressed to Kamoshida, stating he will confess his crime soon. After Kamoshida confesses his crime in front of the whole student body, Ryuji and the protagonist's expulsion is cancelled, much to their relief.

With the case over, Ryuji and the others decides to celebrate at an expensive restaurant by using the money they got after selling Kamoshida's treasure. At the restaurant, Ryuji and the protagonist meet an arrogant man named Masayoshi Shido who quickly gets on Ryuji's nerves after rudely shoving them when they were waiting for the elevator. This encounter makes Ryuji decide to continue working as Phantom Thieves to cleanse the corruption from corrupt adults' hearts. The protagonist and Ann also agree with him, so they decide to continue being the Phantom Thieves.

Confidant

To check his Confidant dialogue options and skills, see Confidant/Ryuji Sakamoto
"Acting as a Phantom Thief would've been more efficient alone. You could've gone about it that way... However, you did not. There are merits to having associates... That's what you decided. Am I wrong?"
Sae Niijima talking about Ryuji Sakamoto, Persona 5

Ryuji's Confidant relationship is unlocked automatically on April 12th but his first Confidant ability is only obtained at rank 2. Maxing this Confidant makes Captain Kidd evolve into Seiten Taisei and unlocks the fusion of Chi You.

Ryuji's Instant Kill ability, granted at Confidant rank 7, triggers when the player ambushes a Shadow group which consists of Shadows at least 10 levels lower than the protagonist. The battle is skipped, earning the player a free Persona based on the possible enemies in that mob, but also denying experience, money, and items. The player will also be unable to gain the free Persona if their stock is full or if they possess a copy of it. While this is convenient in backtracking through earlier parts of Mementos, it's also not conducive for grinding. Unless the player has been grinding extensively (especially by hunting the Reaper) this ability should not be an issue in story-relevant Palaces.

Ryuji's Confidant revolves around his resolve to help reestablish the track club after Kamoshida disbanded it. One day while training, he faces Nakaoka and Takeishi who was still angry at Ryuji for getting into a fight with Kamoshida. Rejected by his former teammates, they go to train at Protein Lovers where they meet his alumni Ikeda who had joined the university track team despite how Kamoshida had no intentions of writing their letter of recommendation and used Ryuji punching Kamoshida as the excuse while letting word slip that the team is being reinstated as Shujin's Volleyball team is in turmoil since the incident with Kamoshida came to light but learn that Yamaguchi, one of Kamoshida's supporters is the new coach despite lacking any credentials and rampant alcoholism which raises Ryuji's concern that the team will be doomed to repeat the same mistakes he did with Kamoshida.

While training one day, he runs into Takeishi accusing Nakaoka for exposing their personal lives to Kamoshida in hopes for a scholarship and kicks Nakaoka out of the team as Nakaoka confesses to being one responsible for Ryuji's suffering. However Ryuji knew that after all the suffering he has been through, he would have remained an obedient tool to Kamoshida's false promises and made the resolve to get the team to abandon Yamaguchi as the coach by spying on him with the protagonist's help. Eventually he learns that Yamaguchi indeed doesn't care about the team and wanted only the attention and fame as the protagonist records their conversation on day at a restaurant. There he reveals his intentions was to play the role of the sympathetic teacher who help saved the Track Team after Kamoshida's actions and have a coach do the actual work while he reaps the rewards and ensuring Nakaoka gets kicked out of the team after informing Takeishi subtly about Kamoshida learning about their darkest secrets and using him as a puppet to keep others in line. With the information recorded Ryuji realize the importance on relying on others to succeed and decided to help the team confront Yamaguchi. Faced with the incriminating truth, Takeishi and Nakaoka comes to terms with Ryuji who stresses the importance of relying on one another and being independent from the demands of others. Shortly after the confrontation, Takeishi and the Track Team makes the decision to practice without relying on Yamaguchi and get the old coach back and succeeds in doing so. Ryuji however declines the offer to join the team as he felt Joker was responsible for helping him realize the importance of relying on others to succeed in life and be free. 

Ryuji's farewell gift after maxing his Confidant is a Sports Watch, allowing Ryuji the ability to use Harisen Recovery from the beginning in New Game+ once the Confidant has been established.

Persona 5 The Animation The Day Breakers

"Right! We're Phantom Thieves on the side of Justice. Why don't we show this gang of low-level crooks how overmatched they are?"
—Ryuji Sakamoto, Persona 5 The Animation The Day Breakers

Ryuji is first seen at the subway with the protagonist, Ann and Yusuke Kitagawa. They transform into their Phantom Thief outfits and enter the Mementos.

After discussing with the group, Ann and Ryuji talk loudly at a restaurant and lure one of the members of the criminal gang to Cafe Leblanc.

Later, he engages battle with Kazuya Makigami directly and changes his heart.

Quotes

Persona 5 (English)

Confidant:

  • "Heheh. I'm totally gonna wreck your expectations! ...U-Uh, I mean that in a good way!"
  • "I'm only thinkin' about the future now! That's what we're gonna do—build the future! We gotta think positive thoughts, brother!"
  • "I guess now that I'm thinkin' about it, tryin' to fit in is a real pain in the ass."
  • "I've realized something, Nakaoka. I might've messed up with Kamoshida back then, but hangin' on to the past ain't gonna help anythin'. I'm just gonna focus on bein' myself now...on bein' free."
  • "I guess bein' free is like... It's like how I feel when I'm talkin' to you, man."
  • "They suffered with me, gritted their teeth with me... ...Honestly, I think it was only 'cause of them I was able to run at all. So I can't just go and turn my back on 'em now, right?" (About his former track team)
  • "Who're you livin' your life for? Your parents? Teachers? Society? Maybe you should stop tryin' to live for them, and just try livin' for yourself." (To Takeishi)
  • "Y'know...it ain't so scary not havin' a place you belong. You can kinda be free that way." (To Nakaoka)
  • "Wherever you decide to be, that's where you belong."
  • "But I've realized now... as long as I'm bein' myself, I'll always have somewhere I can fit in."

Battle Quotes:

  • "I'm all fired up!" (Using Shotguns)
  • "Perrrrsonaaaa!" (Summoning Persona)
  • "Wihip 'em, Persona!" (Summoning Persona)
  • "Captain Kidd! / Seiten Taisei!" (Exploiting enemy's weakness with Persona skill)
  • "Hah! / Eat this! / Get wrecked!" (Attacking with offensive skill)
  • "Up to you, man!" (Using Baton Pass)
  • "Leave it to me. / Taggin in!" (Receiving Baton Touch)
  • "Hang in there!" (Using Harisen Recovery)
  • "Don't just stand there!" (Shielding protagonist)
  • "Now or never, right?" (Follow-Up)
  • "Need a hand?" (Follow-Up)
  • "Gonna knock you out!" (Initiating Follow-Up attack)
  • "I'm on it!" (Initiating Follow-Up attack)
  • "Just stay there!" (Hold-Up enemies)
  • "For real?! / No way!" (When an enemy dodges his attack)
  • "Try to keep up!" (When Ryuji dodges an enemy's attack)
  • "I-I a-ain't a-afraid..." (Ryuji is inflicted with Fear)
  • "Sorry. / Whew!" (When someone heals him)
  • "This is it!" (Initating All-Out Attack)
  • "All right! Time for some pain!" (Initiating All-Out Attack)
  • "Let's tear 'em apart!" (Initiating All-Out Attack)
  • "And don't come back!" (All-Out Attack finishing touch)
  • "Slam!" (All-Out Attack finishing touch)
  • "That's all she wrote!" (All-Out Attack finishing touch)
  • "Time to go wild!" (Tactics changed to Act Freely)
  • "Beat 'em down!" (Tactics changed to Full Assault)
  • "Hold back, huh?" (Tactics changed to Conserve SP)
  • "Playin' it safe." (Tactics changed to Heal/Support)
  • "You're the boss." (Tactics changed to Direct Command)
  • "Who's next!?" (Battle results)
  • "Yeah! Nice!" (Battle results)
  • "Ha! Losers!" (Battle results)

Gallery

Persona 5
 
Ryuji cut-in
Ryuji's Close Up.
 
Ryuji Text Icon
Ryuji's text icon.
 
Ryuji
Ryuji's Confidant icon.
 
RyujiCrowd
Ryuji in the crowd.
 
P5, Ryuji Sakamoto concept art
Concept art.
 
RyujiFace
Concept art.
 
Artbook1
Skull concept art.
 
P5 Cinamatic artwork of Ryuji
Cinematic expressions concept artwork.
 
RyujiShirts
Ryuji's "NO MO' RULES" and "ZOMG!" shirts.
 
P5 key art of Ryuji Sakamoto
Key art of Ryuji Sakamoto from the Persona 5 website.
 
P5 Wanted Poster
Ryuji along with other playable character appear on Visual Wanted Poster.
 
P5 illustration by Shigenori Soejima
Illustration of Ryuji Sakamoto and the others by Shigenori Soejima.
 
P5 illustration 02
Illustration by by Shigenori Soejima.
 
PERSONA5 20th Anniversary package visual of the ''Phantom Thieves of Hearts''
Illustration of the main members of Phantom Thieves of Hearts.
 
Phantom Thieves of Heart Group 2 P5
Illustration of the main members of Phantom Thieves of Hearts.
 
ThievesLeft
Illustration of the main members of Phantom Thieves of Hearts.
 
PERSONA5 package visual
Illustration of the main members of Phantom Thieves of Hearts.
 
P5 illustration by Rokuro
Illustration of Ryuji, the Protagonist, Ann, Morgana and Yusuke by Rokuro.
 
Illustration of the Protagonst, Ryuji, and Anne
Illustration of Ryuji, the Protagonist and Ann by Shigenori Soejima.
 
P5 released art
Illustration of the Protagonist, Ryuji, Ann and Morgana.
 
Persona 5 Official Design Work key visual by Shigenori Soejima
Illustration of Ryuji and the others by Shigenori Soejima.
 
Illustration of Phantom Theives of Heart for P5 Maniax User Handbook Cover Illustration
Persona 5 Maniax User Handbook Cover Illustration of Phantom Thieves of Hearts
 
Ryuji theme
Theme.
 
Ryuji theme2
Theme.
 
Ryuji Opening
Ryuji in the opening movie.
 
P5-Ryuji
Ryuji in the opening movie.
 
RyujiBlood
Ryuji screaming in pain while unmasking his Persona.
 
Ryuji Sakamoto Combat
Ryuji in his thief uniform.
 
Ryuji All Out
All-Out Attack portrait.
 
Ryuji's Finsihing Touch
All-Out Attack finishing touch.
 
Ryujin and the Protagonist in their athletic attire
Ryuji and the protagonist in their athletic attire.
 
RyujiCredits
Ryuji in the credits.
 
Ryuji Japanese trailer.
Persona 5 Portraits
 
P5 portrait of Ryuji Sakamoto
Ryuji Sakamoto's portrait
 
P5 portrait of Ryuji smiling
Ryuji smiling
 
P5 portrait of Ryuji's phantom thief outfit
Ryuji's Skull outfit
 
P5 portrait of Ryuji's phantom thief outfit without mask
Ryuji's Skull outfit without mask
 
P5 portrait of Ryuji Sakamoto's summer school uniform
Ryuji's summer school uniform
 
P5 portrait of Ryuji's gym uniform
Ryuji's gym uniform
 
P5 portrait of Ryuji Sakamoto's summer attire
Ryuji's summer attire
 
P5 portrait of Ryuji's winter attire
Ryuji's winter attire
 
P5 portrait of Ryuji's casual attire
Ryuji's casual attire
 
P5 portrait of Ryuji's swimsuit-nude
Ryuji's swimsuit/nude
 
P5 portrait of Ryuji with bear ears
Ryuji with bear ears
 
P5 animated expression of Ryuji Sakamoto 01
 
P5 animated expression of Ryuji Sakamoto 02
 
P5 animated expression of Ryuji Sakamoto 03
 
Ryuji Happy Cut-in
Ryuji happy cut-in
 
Ryuji Angry Cut-in
Ryuji angry cut-in
 
Ryuji Confused Cut-in
Ryuji confused cut-in
 
Ryuji Surprised Cut-in
Ryuji surprised cut-in
 
Ryuji Determined Cut-in
Ryuji determined cut-in
 
Ryuji Serious Cut-in
Ryuji serious cut-in
 
Ryuji Harmed Cut-in
Ryuji harmed cut-in
 
Ryuji Sad Cut-in
Ryuji sad cut-in
Persona 5 Costumes
 
Ryuji-Winter-School
Shujin Winter School Uniform
 
Ryuji-Winter-Clothes
Winter Casual Wear
 
Ryuji-Summer-Clothes
Summer Casual Wear
 
Ryuji-Summer-School
Shujin Summer School Uniform
 
Ryuji-P1-Costume
 
Ryuji-P2-Costume
 
Ryuji-P3-Costume
Gekkoukan High School Uniform (DLC)
 
Ryuji-P4-Costume
Yasogami High School Uniform (DLC)
 
Ryuji-P4D-Costume
 
Ryuji-P4AU-Costume
Persona 4 Arena Shadow Operation Outfit (DLC)
 
Ryuji-SMT-if...-Costume
Karukozaka High School Uniform (DLC)
 
Ryuji-SMT-IV-Costume
 
Ryuji-Swimsuit
Swimsuit (DLC)
 
Ryuji-Raidou-Costume
 
Ryuji-Catherine-Costume
Catherine Costume (Orlando) (DLC)
 
Ryuji-Butler-Costume
Butler Uniform (DLC)
 
Ryuji-Christmas
Christmas Costume (DLC)
Persona 5 (Manga)
 
Skull Ryuji Manga
Ryuji in his Skull outfit
 
Captain Kidd Manga
Ryuji and Captain Kidd
 
P5 Vol 2 Cover
Cover for Volume 2
 
DengekiCover
Ryuji on the cover
 
P5CharacterAnthology
Persona 5 Character Anthology
 
CharacterAnthologyArt
Illustration by Persona Q: Side P4 manga author Mizunomoto
Persona 5 The Animation The Day Breakers
 
PERSONA5 THE ANIMATION - THE DAY BREAKERS - DVD package visual by Shigenori Soejima
Ryuji Sakamoto and his allies on the cover of Persona 5 The Animation The Day Breakers
 
P5 anime Ryuji
Ryuji Sakamoto in Persona 5 The Animation The Day Breakers
Persona 5 The Animation
 
P5A visual key art of Ryuji Sakamoto
Visual art of Ryuji Sakamoto
 
P5A Ryuji Sakamoto Concept Art 1
Concept art of Ryuji Sakamoto
 
P5A Ryuji Sakamoto Concept Art 2
Concept art of Ryuji Sakamoto (2)
 
P5A x SHIBUYA109
Persona 5 x SHIBUYA109 artwork
Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight
 
P5D key visual art
 
P5D screenshot of Ryuji
Ryuji dancing
 
P5D Ryuji Sakamoto initial costume
Initial Costume
 
P5D Ryuji Sakamoto winter school uniform
Shujin Winter School Uniform
 
P5D Ryuji Sakamoto summer school uniform
Shujin Summer School Uniform
 
P5D Ryuji Sakamoto Shujin Gym Uniform
Shujin Gym Uniform
 
P5D Ryuji Sakamoto Swimsuit Outfit
Swimsuit Outfit
 
P5D Ryuji Sakamoto Phantom Thief Costume
Phantom Thief Skull Costume
 
P5D Ryuji Sakamoto butler suit
Butler Suit
 
P5D Ryuji Sakamoto Velvet Room Outfit
Velvet Room Outfit
 
P5D Ryuji Sakamoto Halloween Outfit
Halloween Outfit
 
P5D Ryuji Sakamoto Christmas Outfit
Christmas Outfit
 
P5D Ryuji Sakamoto Featherman Outfit
Featherman Costume
 
P5D Ryuji Sakamoto SMT II Hero DLC
SMT II Hero Costume
Tribute Artworks
 
P5 Illustration of the main characters by Akaume (PQ Roundbout illustrator)
Illustration of Ryuji and his team by Akaume (PQ Roundabout author)
 
P5 Illustration of the Protagonist, Ryuji, Anne, Morgana and Yuske by Rokuro Saito
Illustration of Ryuji, the Protagonist, Ann, Morgana and Yusuke by Rokuro Saito
 
P5 Illustration of Ryuji by Yoko Nihonbashi
Illustration of Ryuji by Yoko Nihonbashi (Cartoonist of G Senjou Heaven’s Door and Shoujo Fight)
PERSONA 20th Anniversary Festival
 
Persona 20th Anniversary Commemoration Illustrated, P5, 01
 
Persona 20th Anniversary Commemoration Illustrated, 09

Trivia

  • Ryuji's name referencing Ryōma Sakamoto (坂本 龍馬) from the bakumatsu period is supported by his Confidant subplot which is an allusion to the blade wound incident in Iguchi village (井口村刃傷事件?): A lower samurai Toranoshin Ikeda (池田 寅之進)'s brother was killed by a higher samurai for possbily shoulder bumping. Informed by the witness, Ikeda quickly arrived at the scene and killed the two superiors for revenge. This serial murder stoked the tension between the lower and higher samurais in the next day. Sakamoto as a fellow lower samurai helped mediate, but things actually settled down after Ikeda had performed honor suicide by seppuku and confiscation of the salaries of Ikeda's and his brother's families, while the superiors' families received virtually no punishment for the initial killing. The unequal treatments led to desertion of many lower samurais including Sakamoto and his later comrade Shintarō Nakaoka (中岡 慎太郎) from their serving clans who were disappointed by their higher-ups' suppression.
  • In the Japanese version, Skull self-proclaims "Phantom Thieves' Captain Kirikomi" (怪盗団の切り込み隊長, Kaitō-dan no kirikomi taichō)? which loosely means "Assault Captain" or "Captain Foodie" (which could be an intentional double entendre.) "Captain Kirikomi" is a reference to the Marauding Captain card from the Yu-Gi-Oh! series. "Kirikomi" precisely refers to curing fish slices from Hokkaido regional cuisine. The term was later borrowed for naval boarding in ship-to-ship combat, referring to the grappling hooks for closing the distance between the ships.
    • The official translation in-game is "charge commander."
  • Ryuji's civilian shoes are censored in the Chinese and Korean versions of the game, due to containing the Rising Sun Flag.[1] The symbol is a sensitive issue in many other Asian countries when they suffered from Japan's invasion during World War II; Atlus removed it out of courtesy when the issue was brought up.
  • Just like with Makoto Niijima and Goro Akechi before, the official twitter account for the Persona series posted a "Happy Birthday" message for Ryuji on July 3, 2017 JST.
  • Only in the English version, after escaping Kaneshiro's Palace Ryuji comments in the gang's message group "I'm a Phantom, on a steel horse I ride." This is a reference to Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive" from the 1986 album "Slippery When Wet" to which Makoto follows up with continual reference by stating that she is not wanted.
    • In the Japanese version, this conversation is completely different with Ryuji stating he wants to drive a stolen bike and Makoto instantly denies hers to be stolen from elsewhere.



Appearances in Other Media

Chain Chronicle
 
Ryuji sakamoto in CC3
Skull in Chain Chronicle
 
Ryuji sakamoto unmask in CC3
Skull in Chain Chronicle
Granblue Fantasy
Skull's official design for Granblue Fantasy collaboration event June 2018


Characters
Playable Protagonist - Morgana - Ryuji Sakamoto - Ann Takamaki - Yusuke Kitagawa - Makoto Niijima - Futaba Sakura - Haru Okumura - Goro Akechi - Sumire Yoshizawa
Confidant Igor - Sojiro Sakura - Chihaya Mifune - Munehisa Iwai - Tae Takemi - Sadayo Kawakami - Ichiko Ohya - Shinya Oda - Hifumi Togo - Yuuki Mishima - Toranosuke Yoshida - Caroline & Justine - Sae Niijima - Takuto Maruki
Major Targets Suguru Kamoshida - Ichiryusai Madarame - Junya Kaneshiro - Shadow Futaba - Kunikazu Okumura - Masayoshi Shido - Holy Grail / Yaldabaoth - Azathoth / Adam Kadmon
Other Principal Kobayakawa - SIU Director - Shiho Suzui - Natsuhiko Nakanohara - Mika - Lala Escargot - Angel and Julian - Medjed - Wakaba Isshiki - Sugimura - President Tanaka - Kazuya Makigami - Naoya Makigami - Shadow Mishima - Shinichi Yoshizawa - Rumi - Shibusawa - Jose - Kasumi Yoshizawa - Coach Hiraguchi
Locations
Tokyo Yongen-Jaya (Café Leblanc) - Shibuya - Aoyama-Itchome (Shujin Academy) - Shinjuku - Akihabara - Kichijoji - Ogikubo - Inokashira Park - Tsukishima - Akasaka Mitsuke - Suidobashi - Odaiba Seaside Park - Ichigaya - Ikebukuro - Ginza - Harajuku - Meiji Shrine - Jinbocho - Miura Beach - Maihama (Tokyo Destinyland) - Kanda - Roppongi - Ueno - Asakusa - Chinatown - Nagatacho - Shinagawa - Nakano - Kosei High School
Palace Kamoshida's Palace - Madarame's Palace - Kaneshiro's Palace - Futaba's Palace - Okumura's Palace - Niijima's Palace - Shido's Palace - Mementos (Path of Qimranut - Path of Aiyatsbus - Path of Chemdah - Path of Kaitul - Path of Akzeriyyuth - Path of Adyeshach - Path of Sheriruth - Depths of Mementos - Qliphoth World - Path of Da'at) - Maruki's Palace
Other Velvet Room - Hawaii - Thieves Den
Music
Albums Original Soundtrack (Persona 5 / Royal (JP / EN))
Songs "Wake Up, Get Up, Get Out There" - "Life Will Change" - "Beneath the Mask" - "Last Surprise" - "Rivers in the Desert" - "The Whims of Fate" - "Tokyo Daylight" - "Hoshi To Bokura To" - "Break In To Break Out" - "Infinity" - "Dark Sun..." - "Autonomy" - "Found a Light" - "IT'S TOO LATE" - "Colors Flying High" - "Take Over" - "He's a Trickster☆" - "I Believe" - "No More What Ifs" - "Throw Away Your Mask" - "Bokura no Hikari (Our Light)"
Archives
Story Persona - Persona user - Shadow - Shadow Self - Second Awakening - Picaro Persona - I am thou - Cognition - P. A. D. - Metaverse - Metaverse Navigator - Mask - Wild Card - Phantom Thieves of Hearts - Phantom Aficionado Website - Antisocial Force - Treasure - Police - Calling Card - Change of Heart - Psychotic breakdown - Mental shutdown - General Public - Seven Deadly Sins - Sea of Souls - Bond - Featherman
School Life Calendar - Weather - Seasons
Confidant - Social Stats - Hideout - Class - Train - Invitations - Gifts - Decorations
Activities Bathhouse - Studying - Diner - Cleaning - Maid Café - Billiards - Books - DVDs - Retro Games - Movie Theater - Big Bang Challenge - Crane Game - Bed - Batting Cages - Fishing Pond - Crossword Puzzles - Darts - Infiltration Tools - Cooking - Training - Old Temple - Laundry - Part-time Jobs - Shrine - Confessional - Jazz Jin - Houseplant - Refrigerator - TV Quiz Show - Blackboard - Drink Stand - Lottery - Cultivation - Fortune Telling
Vendors Shops: (Persona 5 / Royal) - Vending Machines - Takemi Medical Clinic - Untouchable - Jose's Shop - Home Shopping Program - Tanaka's Shady Commodities - Military Vending Machine - Trading
Phantom Life Mementos Requests - Third Eye - Security Level - Search Objects - Treasure Chests - Safe Room - Thieves Guild - List of Shadows (Treasure Demon - Disaster Shadow - Savage Shadow) - List of Bosses - Skill Card - Will Seeds - Deviations - Slot Machines
Battle Items: (Persona 5 / Royal) - Skills: (Persona 5 / Royal) - Difficulty - Status Changes - Weaknesses - Traits - Navigator - Tactics - Guard - Party Switch - Baton Pass - One More - Critical - Technical - Showtime - Cut-in - All-out Attack - Hold Up - Personality - Drops - Game Over
Follow Up - Harisen Recovery - Endure - Protect - Pickpocket - Crocodile Tears - Sexy Technique - Down Shot - Bullet Hail - Oda Special - Kakoi Kuzushi - Sleuthing Instinct - Detox X - Mindfulness - Flow - Tumbling
Velvet Room List of Personas: (Persona 5 / Royal) - Fusion - Special Fusion - Hanging - Lockdown - Electric Chair - Arcana - Skill Inheritance - Fusion Accident - Fusion alarm - Challenge Battle
System Trophies: (Persona 5 / Royal) - Cutscenes - New Game Plus - Patches and Updates - Steam Profile Items
Unused Content: (Persona 5 / Royal)
Development
Corporate Atlus Co., Ltd. - Sega
Personnel Katsura Hashino - Shigenori Soejima - Shoji Meguro - Lyn Inaizumi - Atsushi Kitajoh - Ryota Kozuka - Kenichi Tsuchiya - Toshiki Konishi - Kazuhisa Wada - Lotus Juice
Other Media
Games Royal - Dancing in Starlight - Strikers - Tactica - The Phantom X
Productions Persona 5 The Animation The Day Breakers - Persona 5 The Animation (Episodes - Dark Sun... - Stars and Ours - Proof of Justice - A Magical Valentine's Day) - Persona O.A. - Persona 5 The Night Breakers - Persona Stalker Club V - PERSORA AWARDS 3 - Persora -The Golden Best 5- - Persona 20th Anniversary All Time Best Album - Persona 5 The Stage - Persona VS
Publications Manga - Dengeki Comic Anthology - Comic à La Carte - Comic Anthology (DNA Media Comics) - Tartarus Theater Wild - the Animation Dengeki Comic Anthology - Mementos Mission - Mementos Report - Persona Magazine
Events Night of the Phantom - Super Live 2017 - Super Live 2019 - TGS 2021 - 25th Anniversary Symphonic Concert
20th Anniversary Festival - 25th Anniversary - 25th FES
TGS 2015 - Take Tokyo Tower - E3 2016 - Take the Treasure - TGS 2016 - Morgana's Report - DJ Morgana
Miscellaneous Merchandise - Catherine: Full Body - Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
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