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"You claim to hunt the Shadows to prevent the disaster they bring, yet countless lives are lost every day without their intervention. The power we wield is not itself evil...you cannot deny that. So why don't you just admit it? You do not wish to eliminate the Dark Hour..."
—Takaya Sakaki, Persona 3

Takaya Sakaki is a character from Persona 3. He is the Strega leader and secondary antagonist in the story.

Appearances

Design

Takaya has long gray or platinum blonde wavy hair and yellow eyes. It is unknown why he has yellow eyes, but yellow eyes are often depicted to be the mark of a Persona user or Shadow Self.

He wears a wire like headband, faded and torn light blue jeans with a red, ragged scarf tucked in the back pocket, a studded white belt, and brown boots. He has full tattoo sleeves on both arms, and a small tattoo on his lower back. He is never seen wearing a shirt, jacket, vest, or anything of the sorts. He also looks rather emaciated, commented on in-universe - one NPC thinks he lives on nothing but air, and Junpei calls him a 'freaking ghost'. His age, like the other Strega members, is never revealed, but he appears older than both Jin and Chidori and SEES, perhaps in his early twenties.

Takaya was designed around the concept of "charisma", according to Soejima, particularly in reference to cult leaders who he considers to be "obviously suspicious", yet with their high charisma able to garner support and adoration from others as easily as wealth and power. His first design began as a "cool and handsome" clean-shaven male with combed back hair, but his final design is achieved as Soejima attempted to make him more antagonistic. The revolver Takaya uses is a model of Smith & Wesson Model 500.[1]

Personality

"Don't let the past control you, and don't look to the future: simply live in the moment..."
—Takaya to Jin

Takaya's personality is added during the course of the story. In his first appearance, where he was on a "mission" with his fellow members, he is shown to be cold and indifferent, mocking and pointing at his victim with his gun. When asked by his victim why he is doing this, Takaya says that it is not the victim's concern and even justifies his action by saying that "people hear what they wish to hear and believe what they want to believe".

During his first encounter with SEES, he tells the team that the world is crawling with sin and that there will always be disasters, caused by Shadows or human folly, further reinforcing his negative world view. This, along with his other comments during the game, shows that he is misanthropic. His later multiple attempted murders (Shinjiro in the female protagonist route if his Social Link is maxed, Ken, Junpei etc.) shows that he has little or no appreciation for the life of others with the exception of Jin and Chidori, although in the end he puts his own life first. This is illustrated when he convinces Jin to stop SEES from advancing while knowing that he is not capable of doing so, also knowing that the Shadows from the lower floors can attack Jin as well.

When confronted by SEES for the final time, Takaya shows a great deal of himself. He simply answers to the questions of the team without any intimidation and also in a very melancholic manner, asking them what they hope to achieve since Nyx is unbeatable. During this conversation, he claims that the future is but an illusion and a soul can be satisfied if it only lives for the moment. He claims that any meaning in life was lost long ago and that humanity actually prays for Nyx's "salvation".

Takaya's actions and philosophy seems to stem from the fact that he has nothing to actually live for: the fact that he is dying seems to have some impact to his mental state, but his comments in the game imply that he is a bitter and weak-willed man who is simply trying to find some excitement in his short life, and that in fact he is jealous of SEES for their hope and will to live.

Profile

Persona 3

Takaya is the confident and charismatic young leader of Strega who was once experimented on by the Kirijo Group. He functions as the protagonist's foil, leading the rival group of Persona-users and setting himself up as a false messiah. In battle, Takaya uses a five-shot revolver to strike down his opponents. Aside from Aigis and Fuuka Yamagishi, he is the only Persona-user in the game who does not use an Evoker to manifest his Persona, instead summoning it "manually" by clutching his head and falling to his knees. Persona-users in previous games also did not use Evokers, but summoning their Personas never appeared to cause them any pain.

Since Takaya doesn't have long to live, he lives fully for the moment, heedless of the harm he causes others. His dearest wish is to see the world end along with his own life. Though he does have some care for Jin Shirato and Chidori Yoshino, he has no qualms about using either of them as tools. At first, he tries to prevent SEES from killing the twelve Arcana Shadows, since it'll end his Revenge Request website business and his 'powers', and as if he is trying to save the world in his own way. But he embraces death once he realizes their true purpose.

Persona_3_Movie_13_-_Tragedy_English_*Spoilers*

Persona 3 Movie 13 - Tragedy English *Spoilers*

Takaya kills Shinjiro in front of Ken.

Takaya is seen in-game spying on some of the party's first Full Moon Operations but it is not until the Arcana Chariot/Arcana Justice fight that he encounters them, revealing his hostile intent. His first major impact on the storyline is during the October Full Moon event; he comes across an indecisive Ken Amada about to kill Shinjiro Aragaki. Takaya motioned to execute Ken, but Shinjiro took the bullet for him; Takaya fled as the rest of SEES converged immediately after, and Shinjiro died, awakening new resolve in the hearts of Akihiko Sanada (Shinjiro's foster brother) and Ken.

Persona_3_FES_The_Journey_Full_Moon_Boss_Takaya_and_Jin_Hard

Persona 3 FES The Journey Full Moon Boss Takaya and Jin Hard

Takaya and Jin boss fight.

Following this, he and Jin had their first official battle with SEES during the operation on November 3rd; the two leapt off the Moonlight Bridge, refusing to surrender, following their defeats.

A couple weeks later, they revealed themselves alive when Chidori led SEES to Tartarus; displeased with Chidori being emotionally attached to his enemy, Takaya shot Junpei, who only survived once Chidori sacrificed her life to save him. Takaya and Jin fled the scene.

Near the end of the game he creates a cult centered around the coming of Nyx as a salvation, with himself as the high priest and Jin spreading rumors around the network. Around the middle of January, Junpei Iori will invite the protagonist out to Hagakure, saying that it's Akihiko's treat due to a little bet they had at Yakushima. When they arrive, Aigis will pull out a newspaper with the flap opened to the section on the new cult, which also contains a picture of the cult's high priest, who is quickly identified as Strega leader Takaya Sakaki. In the interview, Takaya claims that the world is in a state of turmoil, and that there is little chance for hope. He then claims that a magnificent being is the only salvation for humanity, which is identified as Nyx. Takaya then states that he has received a blessing from Nyx, and has learned of her divine power. He further manipulates the public by stating that there are also 'those who have been blessed by Nyx' that use this 'blessing' for their own selfish goals. The group deduces that Takaya is attempting to make the public hate SEES by stating that they are, in fact, the ones responsible for everything.

Persona_3_FES_The_Journey_Boss_Takaya_Hard

Persona 3 FES The Journey Boss Takaya Hard

Takaya boss fight.

On the 262nd floor of Tartarus, Takaya confronts SEES. He tells them his life was stolen from him and was given a power he never asked for, and talks about how humanity wishes for Nyx's salvation, not just him alone. His final defeat occurs when he tries to forcibly stop SEES from climbing Tartarus and facing Nyx. Takaya asks for SEES to kill him, but Mitsuru claims there's no honor in taking the life of someone who can't even move, and tells him he will live to see if what he wishes for comes true or not. He closes his eyes, and SEES moves on.

Afterwards he crawls to the top of the tower to witness the final battle. Lying on the floor, Takaya comments that death is imminent and trying to avoid it is futile. Before he passes out or dies, he says he would have wished to see the end with his own eyes, and wishes Jin could have witnessed it with him. It is unknown whether he survived after the Protagonist sealed Nyx away. If Takaya survived, his potential for future evil would've been heavily mitigated by the end of the Dark Hour.

Stats

Arcana Level HP SP
Strength 35
Magic 35
Endurance 35
Agility 31
Luck 30
Fortune 53 1500
?
Slash Strike Pierce Fire Ice Elec Wind Light Dark Almi
- - - - - - - Repel Null -
List of Skills
Skill Effect
Pierce Attack Normal attack using the Pierce attribute.
Agidyne Deals heavy Fire damage to one foe.
Bufudyne Deals heavy Ice damage / Freezes one foe. (10% chance)
Ziodyne Deals heavy Elec damage / Shocks one foe. (10% chance)
Garudyne Deals heavy Wind damage to one foe.
Megido Deals medium Almighty damage to all foes.
Mind Charge Doubles magic damage dealt next turn. (2x damage)

Arcana Level HP SP
Strength 45
Magic 60
Endurance 45
Agility 45
Luck 50
Fortune 75 7000
?
Slash Strike Pierce Fire Ice Elec Wind Light Dark Almi
- - - - - - - Repel Null -
List of Skills
Skill Effect
Pierce Attack Normal attack using the Pierce attribute.
Agidyne Deals heavy Fire damage to one foe.
Bufudyne Deals heavy Ice damage / Freezes one foe. (10% chance)
Ziodyne Deals heavy Elec damage / Shocks one foe. (10% chance)
Garudyne Deals heavy Wind damage to one foe.
Mahamaon Light: instant kill, all foes (high odds). (35% chance)
Mamudoon Darkness: instant kill, all foes (high odds). (35% chance)
Megidola Deals heavy Almighty damage to all foes.
Megidolaon Deals severe Almighty damage to all foes.
Mind Charge Doubles magic damage dealt next turn. (2x damage)

Battle Quotes

Full quotes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYyuaKDXcnA

  • Mere luck.
  • This is destiny.
  • Out of my way.
  • Sleep well.
  • Disappear.
  • Death is unavoidable.
  • It is time. Show yourself.
  • Behold my power.
  • Not good enough.
  • Death is... but a blessing.
  • It appears that even I am fallible.
  • I will not lose.
  • Death is silence's fools.
  • Salvation draws near!
  • Now you shall be judged!
  • It appears you have more than just luck on your side. So be it!
  • I never imagined that your power would rival ours. Astonishing. Perhaps I misjudged your strength.
  • Ugh... So this is the power of those whose Persona awakened naturally.
  • Ugh... This can't be.
  • You needn't hurry. The moment we await is predestined. It's only a matter of time. Even as I speak, I can feel it. The end... of everything!
  • I pity those who cannot see it for what it truly is... a blessing.
  • We are mere mortals. We cannot change our fate. You would be foolish to deny it.
  • Hahaha... It seems we are destined to be in opposition.
  • Ah... how can you summon such power. Even in the face of death.
  • Death is but a blessing.
  • Hypnos!

Gallery

Persona 3
 
Takaya close up
Takaya close up
 
P3TakayaPortrait
Takaya's in-game portrait
 
Persona 3 takaya
Concept art of Takaya
 
Stregamembers1
Takaya's expressions
 
Persona 3 Takaya anime
Concept artwork of Takaya (cinematics)
 
P3Takaya
Takaya as he appears in game
 
TakayaShootsShinji
Takaya shooting Shinjiro in front of Ken
 
TakayaSummon
Takaya summoning his Persona
 
TakayaFloor
Takaya on the floor in the finale
Persona 3 (manga)
 
P3 manga Takaya's burnt body after being burn alive by Trismegistus
Takaya being healed by Yukari after being almost burned alive by Trismegistus
Persona 3 The Movie
 
P3M concept art of Takaya
Concept art from Persona 3 The Movie
 
P3M Takaya
Takaya's character info in Persona 3 The Movie
 
Strega in Movie
Strega
 
Takaya in Movie
Takaya in Persona 3 The Movie #2: Midsummer Knight's Dream
 
P3M - Takaya summoning
Takaya summoning his Persona
Persona 3: the Weird Masquerade
 
GnM Takaya
Takaya as he appears in Persona 3: the Masquerade
 
SnK Takaya
Takaya as he appears in Persona 3: the Masquerade -Souen no Kesshou-
Other
 
Takaya costume
Akihiko and Caesar as Takaya and Hypnos in Persona 4 Arena
 
PSC official line stickers 39

Trivia

TakayaPose

Takaya spreading his arms upon defeat.

  • His stereotypical Jesus-like appearance has been the basis of many fan-jokes and fan-comics. It has even garnered him the fan nickname of "Revolver Jesus." His headband may be a reference to Jesus' (supposed) crown of thorns. When defeated in battle, he spreads his arms very wide apart, probably a reference to Jesus' crucifixion.[1]
    • Because of the apocalyptic themes of Persona 3 and the fact that Takaya begins a religious cult, it is possible that Takaya may symbolize the Antichrist as a false messiah.
    • The Persona 3 protagonist likely symbolizes the true Jesus figure, as he becomes crucified on the Great Seal to save all life and humanity from death. Fans have nicknamed the protagonist "Emo Jesus" and "Emo Messiah."
  • Takaya means "respectful one" while Sakaki means "sacred tree." Therefore, his name means "Respectful Sacred Tree." For example, he is greatly respected by Jin.
  • His style in summoning his Persona is clutching his head in pain instead of using an Evoker. This trait is shared by Tohru Adachi from Persona 4.
  • Despite the fact that he summons his Persona without an Evoker, Persona 3 Portable mentions him holding one to his head after the battle on the Moonlight Bridge. This may be an error, as in Persona 3 and FES it appears to be his regular gun.
  • In Persona 3 The Movie, it is revealed his experiment number was Subject no. 01A056.

References

  1. Atlus (2006, 2014). Persona 3: Official Design Works. Kadokawa Enterbrain - UDON Entertainment. pg. 50.
Characters
Playable Male protagonist - Female protagonist - Yukari Takeba - Junpei Iori - Akihiko Sanada - Mitsuru Kirijo - Fuuka Yamagishi - Aigis - Koromaru - Ken Amada - Shinjiro Aragaki - Metis
Social Link Kenji Tomochika - Hidetoshi Odagiri - Bunkichi and Mitsuko - Kazushi Miyamoto - Chihiro Fushimi - Isako Toriumi - Keisuke Hiraga - Yuko Nishiwaki - Maiko Oohashi - Pharos - Bebe - President Tanaka - Mutatsu - Mamoru Hayase - Nozomi Suemitsu - Akinari Kamiki - Rio Iwasaki - Saori Hasegawa - Ryoji Mochizuki
Major Igor - Elizabeth - Theodore - Shuji Ikutsuki - Officer Kurosawa - Takaya Sakaki - Jin Shirato - Chidori Yoshino - Takeharu Kirijo - Kouetsu Kirijo - Eiichiro Takeba - Natsuki Moriyama - Nyx - Erebus - Margaret
Minor Maki - Kiyoshi Sakuma - Mr. Edogawa - Mr. Ekoda - Ms. Miyahara - Ms. Ounishi - Mrs. Terauchi - Kikuno Saikawa - Yuu Kimijima - Souta Aizawa - Kyouka Sayama
Cameo Yukiko Amagi - Noriko Kashiwagi - Man Drinking Alone
Location
Port Island Gekkoukan High School - Paulownia Mall - Iwatodai Station - Port Island Station - Naganaki Shrine - Dorm - Moonlight Bridge - Velvet Room
Tartarus Blocks: Thebel - Arqa - Yabbashah - Tziah - Harabah - Adamah - Monad Depths
Abyss of Time Malebolge - Cocytus - Caina - Antenora - Ptolomea - Judecca - Empyrean
Other Kyoto - Great Seal
Music
Albums Original Soundtrack (JP / US / FES / Portable) - Bonus CD - Burn My Dread -Reincarnation- - Spring of Birth OST - Midsummer Knight's Dream OST - Falling Down OST - Winter Of Rebirth OST - Persona 20th Anniversary All Time Best Album
Songs "Burn My Dread" - "Aria of the Soul" - "Want To Be Close" - "When the Moon Reaches for the Stars" - "Iwatodai Dorm" - "Mass Destruction" - "Color Your Night" - "Deep Breath Deep Breath" - "The Meaning of Armbands" - "Deep Mentality" - "It's Going Down Now" - "Changing Seasons" - "Current Net Price Tanaka" - "Battle Hymn of the Soul" - "Kimi no Kioku" - "P3 FES" - "Mass Destruction -P3fes version-" - "Heartful Cry" - "Brand New Days" - "Soul Phrase" - "A Way of Life" - "Time" - "Wiping All Out" - "More Than One Heart" - "Fate is In Our Hands" - "One Single Word" - "One Hand, One Heartbeat" - "One Determination" - "Sound of the Beast" - "Storm for a Butterfly" - "Light in Starless Sky" - "My Testimony" - "Self Redemption"
Archives
Terminology Persona (Initial / Prime / Ultimate) - Persona user - Shadow - Wild Card - Evoker - Attack Properties - Tactics - All-out Attack - Shuffle Time - Dark Hour - Moon Phase System - Full Moon Operations - SEES - Kirijo Group - Nanjo Group - Strega - Artificial Persona user - Suppressants - Apathy Syndrome - The Fall - Death - Who's Who - Phoenix Ranger Featherman R - Plume of Dusk
P3RE: Shift - Theurgy - Combat Characteristics
Lists Arcana - Personas (P3 - FES - P - R) - Shadows - Bosses (P3 - FES) - Skills - Items (Heart Items / Vending Machines) - Status Effects - Elizabeth's Requests - Activities - Calendar - Trophies (Portable / Reload) - Steam Profile Items - Patches and Updates
School Life Daily Life - Seasons - Social Link - Social Stats - Yen - Class - Studying - Movie Theater - Bed - Part-time Jobs - Shrine - Tanaka's Amazing Commodities - Crane Machine - Chagall Café - School Club - Linked Episode - Computer - Refrigerator - Gardening / Books / DVDs / Cooking - Studying - Fortune Telling
Other Media
Games FES - Portable - Reload - Dancing in Moonlight
Productions The Movie - The Movie: Escape from the Dark Hour - the Weird Masquerade: -Ao no Kakusei- / -Gunjou no Meikyuu- / -Souen no Kesshou- / -Ai no Seiyaku- / -Hekikuu no Kanata e- - Persona Stalker Club - 「PERSORA AWARDS」 - PERSORA AWARDS 2 - PERSORA AWARDS 3 - Persora -The Golden Best-
Drama CDs A Certain Day of Summer - Daylight / Moonlight - Character Drama CD Vol. 1 / Vol. 2 / Vol. 3 / Vol. 4 / Vol. 5 - New Moon / Full Moon - Portable Vol. 1 / Vol. 2
Publications Manga - Shadow Cry - Memento Mori - Owari no Kakera - Alternative Heart - Velvet Blue - Persona Magazine - Dear Girls Comic Anthology - Dengeki Comic Anthology - Tartarus Theater - Persona VS
Mobile Games The Night Before - Persona Ain Soph - Social - Escape - Illust Puzzle - Broken Shadow - Aegis: The First Mission - Qix - Chaining Soul - Em
Events Music Live 2008 - Music Live 2009 - Music Tour 2010 - Music Live 2012 - Music Fes 2013 - Music Box 2014 - Super Live 2015 - Livehouse Tour 2015 - Super Live 2017 - Super Live 2019- 25th Anniversary Symphonic Concert
20th Anniversary Festival - 25th Anniversary - 25th FES
Miscellaneous Merchandise
P3 Bosses
Guardians Venus Eagle (3) - Dancing Hand (3) - Rampage Drive - Crying Table (3) - Change Relic - Golden Beetle (3) - Intrepid Knight - Furious Gigas (3) - Fanatic Tower - Magical Magus (3) - Natural Dancer - Arcane Turret (3) - Sleeping Table - Hell Knight (3) - Mythical Gigas - Judgement Sword (3) - Stasis Giant (3) - Phantom King - Royal Dancer (3) - Reckoning Dice - Noble Seeker (3) - Carnal Snake (3) - World Balance - Fierce Cyclops (3) - Jotun of Grief
Full Moon Operation bosses Arcana Priestess - Arcana Emperor and Arcana Empress - Arcana Hierophant - Arcana Lovers - Arcana Chariot and Arcana Justice - Arcana Hermit - Arcana Fortune and Arcana Strength - Arcana Hanged Man - Death
Other Takaya Sakaki and Hypnos - Jin Shirato and Moros - Chidori Yoshino and Medea - Reaper - Elizabeth
P3P Exclusive Theodore - Margaret
P3 FES Bosses
Guardians Immortal Gigas + Visceral Maya (3) - Brilliant Cyclops - Death Castle + El Dorado Beast (2) - Harem Dancer + Merciless Maya (2) - Judgement Sword + Ice Raven + Brave Wheel - Primitive Idol + Shouting Tiara + Wrathful Book - Wondrous Magus + Crying Table + Cowardly Maya - Neo Minotaur - Spastic Turret + Slaughter Drive (2) - Conceited Maya - Rebellious Cyclops + Acheron Seeker (2) - Tenjin Musha + Kaiden Musha + Onnen Musha
Other Metis and Psyche - ??? - Akihiko Sanada and Caesar + Ken Amada and Kala-Nemi - Junpei Iori and Trismegistus + Koromaru and Cerberus - Yukari Takeba and Isis + Mitsuru Kirijo and Artemisia - Erebus
P3 Reload Bosses
Monad Shadow of the Void
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