I don't have any interest in your differing opinions or pet theories;
I’ve already locked the door
I went beyond “love” and “hate”
And fell deeply in love with “abnormality” a long time ago
And from the ruins of that warped love, it was created—
A brand new me.”
A bit of a Soul Eater with this one, but I gave Yosuke some actual design tweaks this time. I also decided to play with some CRT effects with the background to add to atmosphere. Hopefully it’s not too much of an eyestrain.
If anyone cares for the design notes for Yosuke since I haven’t made any reference sheet:
- He has hair clips and rings for the number numeral 13 to represent Death (and a nod to Kotone Shiomi from P3Portable)
- Nails are painted black
- Uniform is largely the same, but with the skull buttons, striped pants, and large shoulder stitching like DTK has
- Headphones have the Grim Reaper skulls (but they’re largely covered by the pose)
Persona 4 Thoughts: Yosuke doesn't like things pressing into his neck
I've been rewatching Persona 4 the Animation, generally looking for subtle things in the background, or reevaltuating certain things I might have missed/forgotten over several rewatches throughout the years.
Notably, when I got to episode 3, I brought up the intrigue of Shadow Chie opting to strangle Yosuke and it got me thinking. This isn't concrete, and more theories and speculation.
Thoughts under the read more, but I will warn there will be discussion of sensitive topics, tread with caution
During my latest rewatch, I will note that episode 3 stuck out to me because it reminded me of how P4tA decided to frame the noose in episode 1.
In game, Yosuke is given some plausible deniability when he brings up the topic due to the framing. He's far away, and the camera is low to the ground, with a simple statement of "this chair and rope... That kind of arrangement is never good..."
Inherently, that means little in regards to him, that's a bit of a "no, duh" statement. It is worth noting that death by hanging is a bit of a sticky subject in Japan where it's VERY rare, if never, depicted in a way where you can see the entire person (Ace Attorney, for example only shows the victim's feet). So, it's kind of no surprise that Yosuke's pretty unnerved by it.
Animation, however...
Feels a little unsubtle.
I feel that there's plenty of ways they could have framed this, but they specifically chose to show Yosuke from this perspective. He doesn't speak a word, merely looks up from catching his breath, to stare right at the scarf, then freak out. Only after this does the camera pan out to show Yu also staring intently at it while Chie freaks out about the posters.
From there, I'm taking into consideration that Yosuke and Kanji are basically the only two party members that refuse to wear anything close to the neck, and Kanji teeters that line.
Now, this in of itself can just be personal preference, I don't really jive with things tight on my neck either, but the same can be said of my wrists, but mine come down to health issues more than anything.
But comparatively (excluding Golden costumes because it's clear that those are usually Yu's choice and the party doesn't always like them, and promotional artwork for its dubious status), Yosuke just never wears anything high on his collar. Every other party member has at least one outfit with something that rests around or at the base of their neck. The closest he ever gets is his midwinter/New Year's outfit, but that's just where his shirt collar barely hits his collarbones.
Some examples: Chie's regular jacket, Teddie's Alice costume, Yukiko's scarf for casual winter, Rise's winter Yasogami, Yu's various turtlenecks, and Naoto's casual winter. Kanji skirts around it with his casual winter outfit only having a chain necklace that sits around his collar.
"Ok, but what about his ski outfit and Dancing All Night? He has scarves there, and those are more his choice." True, but, he wears those pretty loose, where they're only resting at the back of his neck, where he clearly doesn't have much issue (given the headphones he wears 80% of his waking life). You can easily get your hand under the front.
When it comes to the Yasogami uniforms, it's really hard to say anything about them because none of these guys wear them properly, but like I said, basically everyone else has shown they don't mind things touching their neck. I can give some leniency to his winter gakuran, because Yosuke's headphone cable goes under his jacket, and if he buttoned it all the way up, he'd squish that right into his neck. But, with his summer outfit and tracksuit, where his headphones aren't an excuse, he still decidedly refuses to even do them up to the collar
"Isn't this all a bit anecdotal?" Yes. Yes it is. The only real reason I even put this much thought into it is because P4 already makes it quite evident that Yosuke has depressive and slightly suicidal issues (or at least non-active self-harm, given he overworks himself and will neglect to eat to the point of losing weight). This person has a good post showing some of the instances of it.
I'd love to say Jiraiya also a plays a part into my theory here, but it's hard to say. P4 Personas are heavily based on what their host wants to be and Jiraiya himself is cloaked in deception and camouflage. Nevermind that he's supposed to be a ninja, stereotypical or not. The scarf is kind of important to that aesthetic, so it's hard to judge Yosuke's aversion to neckwear compared to his Inner Self. For all we know Jiraiya could have something going on, which is why his scarf is so bulky.
All of this is to say, it could just be character design I'm reading too much into, but the games/Animation seem to at least imply Yosuke has either attempted, or at least contemplated, killing himself, specifically by hanging.
Coming back to this post, with some minor future thoughts.
Yosuke's Personas may also have some tell on this whole thing that he doesn't want things near his neck.
Like, of course Jiraiya has the cool red scarf of asskicking. He's a "hero" and a ninja. Like, that's a dead giveaway of him being inspired by the likes of Kamen Riders and maybe even characters like Strider Hiryu. But, it's also one of the things shared by Shadow Yosuke and Jiraiya.
Yes, Shadow Yosuke was designed first to show the deep connection between Shadows and Personas, but nevertheless, he has that bright red scarf tied around his neck in both forms. I already covered that Kagemura/Jiraiya is all about camouflage and deception, so I won't rehash that.
But, this also extends to Susano-o with his turbine around his neck. Yes, they were trying to represent the fact he is the god of storms/wind. But, it seems telling to me that, beyond the sawblade floating around him that already gives the air of "getting close to me is dangerous" (possibly indicative of his self-loathing, especially after what happened to Saki), there's also the turbine.
Much like part 1, I could be reading too much into it. But Susano-o especially gives the air (ha) that Yosuke REALLY thinks anything coming close to his neck is a bad thing. Like, the turbines could have been anywhere, but they specifically replace Jiraiya's scarf.
If there wasn't a bigger red flag that Yosuke does NOT want things touching his neck, I don't know what would be
I kid- y'all know how much I love comparing him to a dog. But also consider that Susanoo has a spikey collar because livestock guardians get into fights with predators- and the spiked collar is to protect their throats from getting ripped out. Yosuke oft positions himself as (trying) to be a responsible senpai to the younger members.. and he often shows this by nipping and antagonizing just enough to keep everyone in line or to act as a wrangler for the groups rowdy nature.
In a scene from Q- while talking about Kanji.. he confesses to Yu that as much as tries, he feels like everyone is strong without him... but he frames it as a point of pride alongside the melancholy of it. It's such an honest confession that Rise gets mad and cries tells him to stop talking the way he is, because it sounds like he's about to die. Cuz even if he feels like everyone is outgrowing their need for him- he remains an important, foundational pillar of their group. Outside of that, he often refers to the team as his family. Outside of their silly moments, the team really does look to him as one of their leaders.
Could also relate to susano-o being a more explosive and passionate figure vs the 'noble bandit' figure Jiraiya is. If I may tilt on your read: Yosuke might hate his neck being touched, but by the time he's got susano-o, he's willing to stick it out and make a scene and make sure it's gonna hurt as much as it hurts him- especially if it means his family is in danger.
Persona 4 Thoughts: Yosuke doesn't like things pressing into his neck
I've been rewatching Persona 4 the Animation, generally looking for subtle things in the background, or reevaltuating certain things I might have missed/forgotten over several rewatches throughout the years.
Notably, when I got to episode 3, I brought up the intrigue of Shadow Chie opting to strangle Yosuke and it got me thinking. This isn't concrete, and more theories and speculation.
Thoughts under the read more, but I will warn there will be discussion of sensitive topics, tread with caution
During my latest rewatch, I will note that episode 3 stuck out to me because it reminded me of how P4tA decided to frame the noose in episode 1.
In game, Yosuke is given some plausible deniability when he brings up the topic due to the framing. He's far away, and the camera is low to the ground, with a simple statement of "this chair and rope... That kind of arrangement is never good..."
Inherently, that means little in regards to him, that's a bit of a "no, duh" statement. It is worth noting that death by hanging is a bit of a sticky subject in Japan where it's VERY rare, if never, depicted in a way where you can see the entire person (Ace Attorney, for example only shows the victim's feet). So, it's kind of no surprise that Yosuke's pretty unnerved by it.
Animation, however...
Feels a little unsubtle.
I feel that there's plenty of ways they could have framed this, but they specifically chose to show Yosuke from this perspective. He doesn't speak a word, merely looks up from catching his breath, to stare right at the scarf, then freak out. Only after this does the camera pan out to show Yu also staring intently at it while Chie freaks out about the posters.
From there, I'm taking into consideration that Yosuke and Kanji are basically the only two party members that refuse to wear anything close to the neck, and Kanji teeters that line.
Now, this in of itself can just be personal preference, I don't really jive with things tight on my neck either, but the same can be said of my wrists, but mine come down to health issues more than anything.
But comparatively (excluding Golden costumes because it's clear that those are usually Yu's choice and the party doesn't always like them, and promotional artwork for its dubious status), Yosuke just never wears anything high on his collar. Every other party member has at least one outfit with something that rests around or at the base of their neck. The closest he ever gets is his midwinter/New Year's outfit, but that's just where his shirt collar barely hits his collarbones.
Some examples: Chie's regular jacket, Teddie's Alice costume, Yukiko's scarf for casual winter, Rise's winter Yasogami, Yu's various turtlenecks, and Naoto's casual winter. Kanji skirts around it with his casual winter outfit only having a chain necklace that sits around his collar.
"Ok, but what about his ski outfit and Dancing All Night? He has scarves there, and those are more his choice." True, but, he wears those pretty loose, where they're only resting at the back of his neck, where he clearly doesn't have much issue (given the headphones he wears 80% of his waking life). You can easily get your hand under the front.
When it comes to the Yasogami uniforms, it's really hard to say anything about them because none of these guys wear them properly, but like I said, basically everyone else has shown they don't mind things touching their neck. I can give some leniency to his winter gakuran, because Yosuke's headphone cable goes under his jacket, and if he buttoned it all the way up, he'd squish that right into his neck. But, with his summer outfit and tracksuit, where his headphones aren't an excuse, he still decidedly refuses to even do them up to the collar
"Isn't this all a bit anecdotal?" Yes. Yes it is. The only real reason I even put this much thought into it is because P4 already makes it quite evident that Yosuke has depressive and slightly suicidal issues (or at least non-active self-harm, given he overworks himself and will neglect to eat to the point of losing weight). This person has a good post showing some of the instances of it.
I'd love to say Jiraiya also a plays a part into my theory here, but it's hard to say. P4 Personas are heavily based on what their host wants to be and Jiraiya himself is cloaked in deception and camouflage. Nevermind that he's supposed to be a ninja, stereotypical or not. The scarf is kind of important to that aesthetic, so it's hard to judge Yosuke's aversion to neckwear compared to his Inner Self. For all we know Jiraiya could have something going on, which is why his scarf is so bulky.
All of this is to say, it could just be character design I'm reading too much into, but the games/Animation seem to at least imply Yosuke has either attempted, or at least contemplated, killing himself, specifically by hanging.
Coming back to this post, with some minor future thoughts.
Yosuke's Personas may also have some tell on this whole thing that he doesn't want things near his neck.
Like, of course Jiraiya has the cool red scarf of asskicking. He's a "hero" and a ninja. Like, that's a dead giveaway of him being inspired by the likes of Kamen Riders and maybe even characters like Strider Hiryu. But, it's also one of the things shared by Shadow Yosuke and Jiraiya.
Yes, Shadow Yosuke was designed first to show the deep connection between Shadows and Personas, but nevertheless, he has that bright red scarf tied around his neck in both forms. I already covered that Kagemura/Jiraiya is all about camouflage and deception, so I won't rehash that.
But, this also extends to Susano-o with his turbine around his neck. Yes, they were trying to represent the fact he is the god of storms/wind. But, it seems telling to me that, beyond the sawblade floating around him that already gives the air of "getting close to me is dangerous" (possibly indicative of his self-loathing, especially after what happened to Saki), there's also the turbine.
Much like part 1, I could be reading too much into it. But Susano-o especially gives the air (ha) that Yosuke REALLY thinks anything coming close to his neck is a bad thing. Like, the turbines could have been anywhere, but they specifically replace Jiraiya's scarf.
If there wasn't a bigger red flag that Yosuke does NOT want things touching his neck, I don't know what would be
I kid- y'all know how much I love comparing him to a dog. But also consider that Susanoo has a spikey collar because livestock guardians get into fights with predators- and the spiked collar is to protect their throats from getting ripped out. Yosuke oft positions himself as (trying) to be a responsible senpai to the younger members.. and he often shows this by nipping and antagonizing just enough to keep everyone in line or to act as a wrangler for the groups rowdy nature.
In a scene from Q- while talking about Kanji.. he confesses to Yu that as much as tries, he feels like everyone is strong without him... but he frames it as a point of pride alongside the melancholy of it. It's such an honest confession that Rise gets mad and cries tells him to stop talking the way he is, because it sounds like he's about to die. Cuz even if he feels like everyone is outgrowing their need for him- he remains an important, foundational pillar of their group. Outside of that, he often refers to the team as his family. Outside of their silly moments, the team really does look to him as one of their leaders.
Could also relate to susano-o being a more explosive and passionate figure vs the 'noble bandit' figure Jiraiya is. If I may tilt on your read: Yosuke might hate his neck being touched, but by the time he's got susano-o, he's willing to stick it out and make a scene and make sure it's gonna hurt as much as it hurts him- especially if it means his family is in danger.
Super quick yosukes just deciding how he looks... I think yosuke has soft features and is conventionally pretty but he is insecure about having acne and thinks he looks too "girly"
stormborns
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titsay
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