Persona 5 Fans Claim Makoto Is Highly Overrated

Look, I love reporting on Persona. Atlus is handily one of my favourite developers, and I’ve dropped thousands of hours into their games. As such, I keep a steady bead on any and all discourse. And a recent conversation between fans certainly counts as discourse.

While it’s hardly the first time that Persona 5’s Makoto Niijima has come under fire for being a bit too beloved, the current chatter contains some of the most heated exchanges I’ve yet seen on the subject. I’ll drop some choice beats, and then I’ll offer my own perspective, on the off-chance anybody actually cares.

Best Girl Or Biggest Popularity Mystery?

Makoto Niijima in her civilian and Persona forms in Persona 5

The conversation kicked off on Twitter. A user who goes by the handle “Persona Anonymous” tweeted the statement in the form of a two-part direct message; the account purports to post opinions, statements, and tier lists. The identities behind the senders are never disclosed; it’s all rather Phantom Thief-y, really.

“Makoto Niijima is the most wildly overrated character to come out of P5/P5R,” the anonymous individual begins, before delving into their total lack of understanding as to what has made Shujin Academy’s student council president so treasured. “I’m not knocking anyone for liking her but I just don’t get it.”

Right off the bat, I noticed a trend in the nearly-one-hundred replies. Folks who tend to concur that Makoto is overrated often cite the alleged weakness of her Social Link. “Genuine facts here, her SL puts me to sleep,” one commenter responds. In fact, even among many of Makoto’s supporters, there’s a semi-consensus that it’s not because of her version of that series-staple one-on-one development mechanic.

I’m with @ScooIsaiah:

“Tbh I think Makoto’s social link is awful and not what makes her enjoyable, for me at least it’s her role in the main story, general character, and how excellent she is in gameplay that makes her so great” -Skiddish van fan

Yep. Ditto. That’s the key. While some players do like Makoto’s Social Link, I’m not one of them. It’s fine. It’s pretty irritating that you’ve got to max Joker’s Charm stat before you can even progress it past the first few parts, but gating stuff based on Social Stats is a consistent, and understandable, aspect of the gameplay. But the actual story here – looking after a petulant friend whose boyfriend is a real jerk – isn’t compelling.

What Makoto has in spades, however, is a great tie to Persona 5’s main storyline. Her relationship with her sister, Sae Niijima, is continuously pivotal. And her conviction in the concept of justice fits like a glove with the game’s overarching themes. And yeah, her gameplay is excellent. As is her motorcycle.

“I like her, but I’m not going to pretend there aren’t valid reason[s] not to,” Swampert bardero chimes in. That one’s got 500 likes, including my own. Some of these replies might go overboard for me, though. “She’s Mitsuru done properly.” Opinions are opinions, and more power to you, @Zelkiiro. Mitsuru rules, though?

Where do y’all stand on the Makoto question? For nine years and counting, she’s led the charge for so many Persona diehards, which has ruffled feathers and/or simply mystified those who don’t connect with the codename Queen half so well. Not everybody has gotten the most out of Makoto via her spinoffs, and she does have great moments in them. Plus, she’s fun in Persona 5: The Phantom X. Even if that game’s chock-full of its own controversy at the moment.