Two huge anime games were released earlier this year, to favorable reviews from critics and excitement from fans: Scarlet Nexus and Persona 5 Strikers. From its combat to its story, there are plenty of reasons that fans of both Persona 5, and its sequel Persona 5 Strikers, would be drawn to Scarlet Nexus. However, one thing that really makes Scarlet Nexus a must-play for fans of the Persona series is its bond system.
Having systems devoted to the friendships the protagonist of a game has to their party isn't anything new, but fans of Persona champion the relationship-building aspects of each game as a highlight of the entire series. Now, fans of Persona have a new crew of anime characters to befriend and grow to love in both Yuito and Kasane Platoons. Persona 5 was the best-selling entry in the series, and if someone is looking for more excellent characters to meet on the PS4 and PS5, they should look no further than Scarlet Nexus. Here are all of the companions in Scarlet Nexus and which confidant from Persona 5 they're most like.
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Arashi is the laid-back, mischievous type of friend in a group. In the many bond episodes that she shares with both Yuito and Kasane, Arashi teaches both protagonists how to learn to slack off and relax. Paired with her love for video games, Arashi fits right in line with Persona 5's Futaba Sakura. Both are tout, mischievous personalities and have a love for taking it easy and relaxing with some games. Additionally, Arashi's somewhat complicated relationship with her brother Fubuki shares some similarities with Futaba's relationship with Sojiro in Persona 5.
Speaking of Sojiro, Gemma from Scarlet Nexus and Sojiro from Persona 5 have a lot in common. Because he's a good deal older than everyone else, Gemma essentially serves as the dad of Yuito Platoon, providing insight and worldly knowledge whenever applicable. Sojiro, Joker's legal guardian for the story of Persona 5, fills a similar role once he starts opening up to Joker and the rest of the Phantom Thieves around the time Futaba joins. When spending time with both Sojiro and Gemma in their respective games, it's clear just how much they both know, and how much passion they have for the younger people in their lives.
Without getting into spoiler territory, Kagero lives a very interesting life. Similar to Arashi, he helps both Yuito and Kasane learn to unwind throughout Scarlet Nexus' story. Instead of relaxing in the hideout like Arashi might suggest, Kagero unwinds through nights out on the town. He can get serious when needed, but like Ohya, the journalist and nightlife fan from Persona 5, Kagero is the life of the party wherever he goes. Despite Ohya's journalistic background, the two characters both know better than anyone in their games how to let their hair down and really let loose. They both feel most alive with a drink in their hand and someone cute on their arm.
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Similar to Kagero, there's a lot to Kyoka's life that would be considered major plot spoilers, but her kind and caring personality is apparent from her first line. When in charge of Kyoka Platoon or when taking a backseat in Kasane Platoon, Kyoka's main goal is to make sure everyone is okay and cared for. While their personalities might differ in major ways, that ever-present goal of taking care of the people they're around makes Kyoka a comparable character to Persona 5's Sae Nijima. Although she spends a majority of her screen time interrogating Joker, the third act of Persona 5 and her role in Persona 5 Strikers show just how caring Sae can be.
Although initially pretty abrasive, once Kasane and Yuito spend enough time with Shiden, he opens up and becomes something of a good friend. While never dropping his attitude entirely, Shiden feels like someone who's really in it to win it throughout the entirety of Scarlet Nexus. He has similar vibes to the Twin Wardens Caroline and Justine from Persona 5 as a result. The three are constantly playing the protagonists hot and cold throughout their time together, but at the end of the day, end up proving themselves to be good friends despite their harsh exterior.
Scarlet Nexus sees a lot of characters come out of their shells and grow to be more confidant in their abilities, and that's perhaps best seen in Tsugumi. Although she begins the game as one of the shyest characters in video games, she really comes into her own when it concludes. Her love of gardening as well as her initial shyness puts her on par with the Beauty Thief, Haru Okumura from Persona 5. Both women prefer spending time in the garden, as opposed to being in large social groups, but really own their abilities by the time the credits roll. Tsugumi and Haru are also both voiced in the English dubs by Xanthe Huynh, bringing them even closer together.
Despite his smaller appearance, Luca is a force to be reckoned with. As a Septentrion Sixth class, he is as strong as he is intelligent, but still feels like he's inadequate. Despite his inadequacy issue never being front and center in Scarlet Nexus' main story, he has a lot in common with Morgana from Persona 5. Both are worried about their powers and how their pasts might negatively influence their futures. Despite those worries, both Luca and Morgana shape up to be worthy friends who are able to overcome their issues when the time is right.
Hanabi has a lot in common with a few of the companions in Scarlet Nexus. She's as caring as Kyoka, can be as timid as Tsugumi, and as tenacious as Gemma, but her desire to be a useful part of the team is what sets her apart. Hanabi wants nothing more than to be an asset to Yuito Platoon (although that might be because of her love for Yuito.) In a similar fashion, Ann Takamaki from Persona 5 shares similar desires with the Phantom Thieves. Much of her Confidant arc is devoted to getting stronger so that she can overcome whatever obstacle in her way. On a superficial level as well, both women specialize in fire abilities, drawing further comparisons between the two.
Scarlet Nexus is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.