Shadows, Ryoji, And The Humanization Of Death | Vacated's Ultimate Persona 3 Analysis

Note: This is merely Part 7 of 10 out of a larger Persona 3 analysis video project that I've recently uploaded to my channel. If this smaller, standalone chapter has piqued your interest, then by all means, please check out the full video!
   • How Persona Explores Death | Vacated'...  

One of my all-time favorite series of video games is the Persona series. There are countless things I love about each of the individual games, but something about the third numbered entry, Persona 3, and its particular story and themes has just always stood out to me as being so uniquely brilliant.
P3's main thesis is very heavy, but strangely simple: Death is something that each and every one of us will eventually have to face, and is an aspect of our existence that we mustn't ever let become lost on us. This theme is established as soon as the very first opening cutscene, and is then carefully explored through just about every single aspect of the experience, from the characters, to the lore, to even the game mechanics.
In this chapter, I discuss the true nature of the game's main monster, the Shadow, as well as the greater symbolism and meaning behind the character of Ryoji Mochizuki. Thank you so much for watching, and Memento Mori!!

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:24 - A Revelation (cutscene)
1:51 - Analysis
8:36 - Outro

Footage Used:
JohneAwesome's Persona 3 FES Walkthrough
Persona 2 Innocent Sin PSP Opening - ProjectChaosVII
Persona 4 PS2 Walkthrough - Sophie's Gaming Archive (Annes84)
Persona 1 PSP Cutscenes - Atlus
Persona 2 Eternal Punishment PSP Opening - Shikoune
Persona 2: Tsumi Playthrough Part 29 - MorayAbyss
Persona 3 The Movie #3: Falling Down

Songs Used:
(intro) Burn My Dread - Persona 3 Original Soundtrack
(cutscene) Unavoidable Battle - Persona 3 Original Soundtrack
Mistic - Persona 3 Original Soundtrack
Darkness - Persona 3 FES Original Soundtrack
Between Doors - Persona 3 FES Original Soundtrack
Next Move (Arrange Version) - Persona 3 The Movie Original Soundtrack

Works Referenced:
Jung's Theory Of Personality - Carl Jung

A more detailed, comprehensive list of all credits and works referenced can be found at the end of the main video. Thank you for watching!!