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Application - Expiation
Character Name: Kei Nanjo
Character Canon: Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
Canon Point: End of the game (at the bar waiting for the P1 protag to show up at a promised 3 years later meeting)
Age: 20
Crime: Incitement (More specifically; For finding out too late the Nanjo's Group's nefarious projects including human testing and the creation of artificial personas, and also for being the heir of the said Nanjo Group, from which the Kirijo Group broke off from but still worked with, therefore being indirectly responsible for nearly causing The Fall in the future and failing to stop the events leading to it.)
Background: Profile Section of the Wiki
Personality:
(FYI: I used some manga screenshots but the same events happened in the games.)
Kei Nanjo's current personality was majorly influenced by two things; the love that his butler, Yamaoka, gave him during his childhood that stopped him from being completely cold and heartless as his parents, and the events in the first game that allowed him to grow and accept friendships instead of looking down on others. It's important to look at his past personality since it highly affects his current one.
In the first game Kei is a snobby, arrogant, annoying asshole who treats his classmates more like props (the cast of Persona 1 are all the same age and in the same schoolroom before they become friends). Multiple times he flaunts his social status, and berates his classmates whenever they act stupidly because he's clearly better. Being part of the 0.0001%, he's only in a public school because it's his way of rebelling against his parents. His first display of emotion towards others that isn't negative/insulting in game is when he cries at Yamaoka's death when his butler sacrifices himself to save others (1) (2). Yamaoka makes Kei promise he'll become the #1 man in Japan. Whatever that entails, we're never told, but it clearly forges a path onward for Kei to follow and be better. Slowly, at first.
His main Arcana, the Hierophant, reflects Kei's ideology of using logic, skepticism and wisdom to solve situations. Originally a lot more cold, as the most dramatic example is in Persona 1, where the group is faced with the choice to shut down a machine that would mean the death of a friend, but in doing so save the world. Kei believes it is the LOGICAL choice for the greater good (1) (2) (3). Thankfully, he rightfully gets punched in the face by another classmate, and the game implies it also literally and figuratively knocked some sense in him. It makes Kei slowly realize he needs to follow his heart as well, as it is a major turning point and the last time Kei would be that cold. By the end of the game, he's ready to fight for his friends, accepts following Naoya, the game's protagonist, and Kei has formed actual bonds (THE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP) with his classmates, realizing that despite Yamoaka's death, he's not alone.
Three years later, the drastic personality shift is even more clear; when he shows up in Persona 2, he has begun to investigate shady dealings all the while knowing his family is involved (1). Morally, however, he knows it is the right thing to do. When he is faced with the true horrors of what the Nanjo Group is doing without his knowledge, he takes responsibility and attempts to save those who were part of horrible experiments (1) (2) (3) (4) (5).
Older and wiser, Nanjo now acts more like a refined gentleman. His speech is polite and articulated, and he frequently utters quotes and proverbs. Despite his best efforts Kei can still come off as sarcastic and 'dry' due to his upbringing, and also condensing without meaning to (for example, he calls those barely younger than him "young lad/man" and "young maiden/lady"). He still has flareups with his temper, unable to accept those that are completely inefficient, while also highly valuing someone's intelligence.
However, friendships and the desire to protect others are now extremely important to him (1), as he still feels the guilt of what he had suggested three years ago. If you become friends with Nanjo, he'll stick by through thick and thin.
With duality and shadows being important plot points in Persona, Kei's personality is purposefully reflected in the main antagonist of Persona and minor antagonist of P2:EP, Kandori. Both games showcase Kei being his shadow/rival (like Yu/Adachi and Akira/Akechi) instead of the P1 Protagonist. Cold, calculating and highly intelligent, Kandori however sees himself above everyone else. However Kandori's death in Persona 1 also serves as Nanjo's realization about how he could turn out if he hadn't had Yamaoka's love and his friends, and motivates to better himself. When Kandori (somehow) returns alive three years later, Nanjo even tries to stop him before they fight (1) and then pleads with him to escape with them upon his defeat (1) (2).
He's grown to be a sympathetic leader that values all life, seeing them as equals. Even if he can be a little eccentric in his hobbies or due to the fact he's always been privileged, he promises to use his family's name to become the person he knows Yamaoka and his friends would be proud of (1) (2).
Abilities:
Persona User (We have Wildcards at Home version)
The power of Persona allows Kei to summon his other selves to combat foes. While characters in Persona 1 and 2 can summon multiple persona, there are certain restraints to their wildcard abilities unlike the true wildcard protagonists of the later games. Not all Arcanas will fit a certain user, known as 'affinities', so certain Personas can only be used by certain users. There's no fancy summoning tool, just blue circles of glowly lights and out pops the Persona.
Here is the potential full list of Personas he will come with. I am more than willing to cut back on the number of Personas as needed.
It's also important to note that Kei has a very unique Ultimate Persona. While most Persona are based on world mythology, demonology, real historical figures or fictional stories, Kei's is his dead father figure / butler on a surfboard (well not literally his dead butler, but a representation of him) with a naginata. Partly because Yakaoma told Kei he'd always be 'in the young master's heart' but also because of how important he was/is to Nanjo and continues to influence his decisions.
Persona Fusion
Nanjo's 'wildcard' Persona usage also comes with the ability to cast fusion spells. All possible fusion spells are listed in the official game list and theoretically, can only be combined with other Persona users. Please note that most of these wouldn't be doable with his current Personas on hand (as some require specific personas), and is listed here more as a 'rule of cool' type of ability that might be used for a log or two when fighting in the future.
Persona User Buff
As a Persona user, Kei has increased endurance and agility. Attacks that would normally kill or badly harm a non-user might just be incredibly painful for them (so basically, the difference between bleeding to death from a wind attack, vs feeling like someone punched you really hard in your gut). However, that only applies to other Persona skills. A GUN, for example, would hurt him like any other normal human being would be against one.
Persona Aura Detection
This is something unique to P1 and P2 users, Kei can detect other Persona users as long as he's relatively close to them (as in, nearly face to face or close proximity). It doesn't serve that much purpose apart from the initial shock (and also based on what other players want me to do with this - it might not even work at all and Kei would not realize they are persona users) and for flavor text (for example, true wildcards might feel more 'powerful' and briefly frighten him, or feeling the warmth of a friendly persona user.) Anything involving this ability would be confirmed with the other players (as mentioned above.)
Persona's Secret Power
When a wildcard and a persona's affinity is great, there's a possibility when the user nearly dies for the Persona to act on its own in an attempt to save them. The power depends on the Persona (I've listed them in Kei's Persona list above). Again, much like fusion, it's listed more as something for the 'rule of cool' if it ever comes to being used in RPing.
OTHER NOTABLE ABILITIES:
Demon Contact
Nanjo is able to negotiate with demons and gain their cards to turn into Personas, items or yen. It's a bit like the Negotiation options in Persona 5 or the normal demon contact in earlier Shin Megami Tensei games. His original Contact options are: Pontificate, Condescend, Bribe, Sarcasm and in P2 he talks about the future of Japan. I am not sure if this will be useful here, but it's worth mentioning since he will probably try it once or twice on the creatures of this world.
Firearm usage (Rifles)
Nanjo used a sniper's rifle in P1 and while he isn't using it anymore in the second game, he does enjoy Fox Hunting (he's rich also it's 2000) and is able to use rifles with relative ease while riding a horse.
Swordplay
Nanjo uses long swords and has trained since very young in kendo. He can handle anything from samurai swords to 2 handed claymores.
Horseback Riding
He has a favourite horse too because of course he does.
Economics
Kinda important because he was studying economics/business in Oxford and apparently wrote a brilliant thesis, unlike me who can barely calculate the price of two items plus taxes. He can run things efficiently when there is money involved, basically.
Will eat anything
To quote him "a real Japanese man should not be a picky eater."
Inventory:
- His Personas
- Motorcycle outfit (including his #1 scarf) that he was wearing
- His sword (2 handed which he wields with 1 hand)
- A top-of-the-line 2000 cellphone with FLIP TECHNOLOGY (tm)
- The glass that contains(contained?) whisky he was holding before being whisked away
Samples:
(1) (2) Bonus older from previous TDM (3)
Questions: N/A!
Character Canon: Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
Canon Point: End of the game (at the bar waiting for the P1 protag to show up at a promised 3 years later meeting)
Age: 20
Crime: Incitement (More specifically; For finding out too late the Nanjo's Group's nefarious projects including human testing and the creation of artificial personas, and also for being the heir of the said Nanjo Group, from which the Kirijo Group broke off from but still worked with, therefore being indirectly responsible for nearly causing The Fall in the future and failing to stop the events leading to it.)
Background: Profile Section of the Wiki
Personality:
(FYI: I used some manga screenshots but the same events happened in the games.)
Kei Nanjo's current personality was majorly influenced by two things; the love that his butler, Yamaoka, gave him during his childhood that stopped him from being completely cold and heartless as his parents, and the events in the first game that allowed him to grow and accept friendships instead of looking down on others. It's important to look at his past personality since it highly affects his current one.
In the first game Kei is a snobby, arrogant, annoying asshole who treats his classmates more like props (the cast of Persona 1 are all the same age and in the same schoolroom before they become friends). Multiple times he flaunts his social status, and berates his classmates whenever they act stupidly because he's clearly better. Being part of the 0.0001%, he's only in a public school because it's his way of rebelling against his parents. His first display of emotion towards others that isn't negative/insulting in game is when he cries at Yamaoka's death when his butler sacrifices himself to save others (1) (2). Yamaoka makes Kei promise he'll become the #1 man in Japan. Whatever that entails, we're never told, but it clearly forges a path onward for Kei to follow and be better. Slowly, at first.
His main Arcana, the Hierophant, reflects Kei's ideology of using logic, skepticism and wisdom to solve situations. Originally a lot more cold, as the most dramatic example is in Persona 1, where the group is faced with the choice to shut down a machine that would mean the death of a friend, but in doing so save the world. Kei believes it is the LOGICAL choice for the greater good (1) (2) (3). Thankfully, he rightfully gets punched in the face by another classmate, and the game implies it also literally and figuratively knocked some sense in him. It makes Kei slowly realize he needs to follow his heart as well, as it is a major turning point and the last time Kei would be that cold. By the end of the game, he's ready to fight for his friends, accepts following Naoya, the game's protagonist, and Kei has formed actual bonds (THE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP) with his classmates, realizing that despite Yamoaka's death, he's not alone.
Three years later, the drastic personality shift is even more clear; when he shows up in Persona 2, he has begun to investigate shady dealings all the while knowing his family is involved (1). Morally, however, he knows it is the right thing to do. When he is faced with the true horrors of what the Nanjo Group is doing without his knowledge, he takes responsibility and attempts to save those who were part of horrible experiments (1) (2) (3) (4) (5).
Older and wiser, Nanjo now acts more like a refined gentleman. His speech is polite and articulated, and he frequently utters quotes and proverbs. Despite his best efforts Kei can still come off as sarcastic and 'dry' due to his upbringing, and also condensing without meaning to (for example, he calls those barely younger than him "young lad/man" and "young maiden/lady"). He still has flareups with his temper, unable to accept those that are completely inefficient, while also highly valuing someone's intelligence.
However, friendships and the desire to protect others are now extremely important to him (1), as he still feels the guilt of what he had suggested three years ago. If you become friends with Nanjo, he'll stick by through thick and thin.
With duality and shadows being important plot points in Persona, Kei's personality is purposefully reflected in the main antagonist of Persona and minor antagonist of P2:EP, Kandori. Both games showcase Kei being his shadow/rival (like Yu/Adachi and Akira/Akechi) instead of the P1 Protagonist. Cold, calculating and highly intelligent, Kandori however sees himself above everyone else. However Kandori's death in Persona 1 also serves as Nanjo's realization about how he could turn out if he hadn't had Yamaoka's love and his friends, and motivates to better himself. When Kandori (somehow) returns alive three years later, Nanjo even tries to stop him before they fight (1) and then pleads with him to escape with them upon his defeat (1) (2).
He's grown to be a sympathetic leader that values all life, seeing them as equals. Even if he can be a little eccentric in his hobbies or due to the fact he's always been privileged, he promises to use his family's name to become the person he knows Yamaoka and his friends would be proud of (1) (2).
Abilities:
Persona User (We have Wildcards at Home version)
The power of Persona allows Kei to summon his other selves to combat foes. While characters in Persona 1 and 2 can summon multiple persona, there are certain restraints to their wildcard abilities unlike the true wildcard protagonists of the later games. Not all Arcanas will fit a certain user, known as 'affinities', so certain Personas can only be used by certain users. There's no fancy summoning tool, just blue circles of glowly lights and out pops the Persona.
Here is the potential full list of Personas he will come with. I am more than willing to cut back on the number of Personas as needed.
It's also important to note that Kei has a very unique Ultimate Persona. While most Persona are based on world mythology, demonology, real historical figures or fictional stories, Kei's is his dead father figure / butler on a surfboard (well not literally his dead butler, but a representation of him) with a naginata. Partly because Yakaoma told Kei he'd always be 'in the young master's heart' but also because of how important he was/is to Nanjo and continues to influence his decisions.
Persona Fusion
Nanjo's 'wildcard' Persona usage also comes with the ability to cast fusion spells. All possible fusion spells are listed in the official game list and theoretically, can only be combined with other Persona users. Please note that most of these wouldn't be doable with his current Personas on hand (as some require specific personas), and is listed here more as a 'rule of cool' type of ability that might be used for a log or two when fighting in the future.
Persona User Buff
As a Persona user, Kei has increased endurance and agility. Attacks that would normally kill or badly harm a non-user might just be incredibly painful for them (so basically, the difference between bleeding to death from a wind attack, vs feeling like someone punched you really hard in your gut). However, that only applies to other Persona skills. A GUN, for example, would hurt him like any other normal human being would be against one.
Persona Aura Detection
This is something unique to P1 and P2 users, Kei can detect other Persona users as long as he's relatively close to them (as in, nearly face to face or close proximity). It doesn't serve that much purpose apart from the initial shock (and also based on what other players want me to do with this - it might not even work at all and Kei would not realize they are persona users) and for flavor text (for example, true wildcards might feel more 'powerful' and briefly frighten him, or feeling the warmth of a friendly persona user.) Anything involving this ability would be confirmed with the other players (as mentioned above.)
Persona's Secret Power
When a wildcard and a persona's affinity is great, there's a possibility when the user nearly dies for the Persona to act on its own in an attempt to save them. The power depends on the Persona (I've listed them in Kei's Persona list above). Again, much like fusion, it's listed more as something for the 'rule of cool' if it ever comes to being used in RPing.
OTHER NOTABLE ABILITIES:
Demon Contact
Nanjo is able to negotiate with demons and gain their cards to turn into Personas, items or yen. It's a bit like the Negotiation options in Persona 5 or the normal demon contact in earlier Shin Megami Tensei games. His original Contact options are: Pontificate, Condescend, Bribe, Sarcasm and in P2 he talks about the future of Japan. I am not sure if this will be useful here, but it's worth mentioning since he will probably try it once or twice on the creatures of this world.
Firearm usage (Rifles)
Nanjo used a sniper's rifle in P1 and while he isn't using it anymore in the second game, he does enjoy Fox Hunting (he's rich also it's 2000) and is able to use rifles with relative ease while riding a horse.
Swordplay
Nanjo uses long swords and has trained since very young in kendo. He can handle anything from samurai swords to 2 handed claymores.
Horseback Riding
He has a favourite horse too because of course he does.
Economics
Kinda important because he was studying economics/business in Oxford and apparently wrote a brilliant thesis, unlike me who can barely calculate the price of two items plus taxes. He can run things efficiently when there is money involved, basically.
Will eat anything
To quote him "a real Japanese man should not be a picky eater."
Inventory:
- His Personas
- Motorcycle outfit (including his #1 scarf) that he was wearing
- His sword (2 handed which he wields with 1 hand)
- A top-of-the-line 2000 cellphone with FLIP TECHNOLOGY (tm)
- The glass that contains(contained?) whisky he was holding before being whisked away
Samples:
(1) (2) Bonus older from previous TDM (3)
Questions: N/A!