WARNING:
THIS POST CONTAINS DISCUSSIONS OF TOPICS THAT MAYBE BE DISTURBING TO SOME READERS. DISCRETION IS ADVISED
The 3rd Card Empowered by the Zodiac, The Lovers are powered by Gemini and designated 6.
The Lovers is the 1st of the Influence Cards that deal in Emotion after the last 4 were Society.
The Artwork is very well known and conveys the tarot's Mixture of pre- and Post-Christian Imagery. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve are holding hands as Above them, Cupid is ready, Bow drawn, ready to let loose a Arrow of Love. (Or in the image used it's The Archangel Michael giving his blessing) However in the tree of Knowledge behind them, The Serpent is Ready to tempt them!
The Lovers in Context with the Fools Journey, is that of a child reaching Sexual Maturity, and both cards in today's essay are intertwined, Not only the pleasures of Adulthood and willingness to please your love, But the hardships of Adulthood that come with it! Such as this is referenced in Persona 5, EVEN THOUGH ALL THE PERSONA GAMES ARE COMING OF AGE STORIES, The fact the Lovers and Chariot Social links are your first is not an Accident.
The Card Means that a Decisive Choice cannot be made by Reason alone, but by putting stock in Happiness. Successful Relationships and Reconciliations. It also means Passion and Sex, but only of your Query is expressingly about Your Love Life. Inverted it means affairs, Indecision, and Emotional Loss.
It Goes without Saying, but in regards to a single person, it's your other half. Or someone born Under Gemini!
Our 4 lovely Ladies waiting in the wings of this love-match game are Yukari Takeba, the Unsightly Pink Archer , Rise Kujikawa, the Idol Formerly known as Risette, Ann "Panther" Takamaki, And Elena, a Kenyan Tribal Princess.
ROUND ONE-BACKGROUND AND CARD MEANING
Yukari Takeba
Yukari Takeba is most the Popular girl in her year at Gekkoukan High school.
A girl next door style young lady!
All the girls are her Friend, all the boys want her to be their Girlfriend
A Key member of the School's Archery team and Student Body Council's Event Committee, Despite all the hard work, nothing gets her Down.
IF Only they knew.
If only they knew about the Dark Hour, an extra hour of the day that freezes most in place and brings monsters to this world. To her Father who's scapegoated in causing a explosion to Cover up it's existence by the Wealthy Kojiro group. To having this trauma all her life, giving her access to a being called Io, a Persona. To having to take Orders from the Heir of the same Group. To having to move all over Japan shamed as the family of a bomber, to grow up seeing your Mother's way of "coping" was to have numerous lovers and affairs!
Yukari's Social Link is her reconciling with her Mother, who plans to remarry, in the story proper, it's about forgiving The Kirijo Group and family. Thus being the Reconciliation Aspect of the Lovers.
First, We not be Discussing her Character Assassination in The Answer. Base games Only! But Yukari, Despite having this Bedrock of Confidence and a Safety Net of Dear Friends was a lonely child who had Only a Talking Sailor Moon doll to talk to. She is also really broken about taken orders from Mitsuru Kojiro. It also toughened her up as she can hold her own when she is almost mugged by a gang. It's only when Mr Kojiro let's her know the truth via a tape recording and how in fighting between the board lead to the Scapegoating, when Yukari forgave them, though it was a hard sell for a time, But She was also there For Mitsuru when her father was killed moments later!
And though FES is not a base game we learn of Yukari's dream, which we see come to life, in Persona 5. Yukari becomes ....a Power Ranger....So she can spread the same message of Hope to children without guidance everywhere!
Unfortunately, Yukari is the least developed Character of S.E.E.S, Being beaten out by a dog and a toaster! She is "Pretty Girl" and will find herself in towels, bikinis and Maid costumes because Plot Demands It!
However for Card Motif She gets a Point!
RISE KUJIKAWA
On His Long Journey to Inaba, the 1st thing Yu would see is a rather Saucy Soda Ad with a Bikini Clad Idol! He Never would have Guess he would move to her home town, meet her in Person, Save her Life and become her Boyfriend!
Since 3 years Old Rise ("REE-ZAY!") Had being an Idol and Actress ever since she was entered into a competition by her parents. As a Girl with no real Friends and Low Confidence, she was Surprised she won and was Snapped up by an Agency. When she returned to school, the same people who ignored and bullied her, was now her friends. This Revelation at an Early Age, made her Hide her true Feelings behind a false smile and allowed her to be thrown in any costume and role she was asked of.
The Soda Ad Campaign was the limit, though and she Retired, Returning to Inaba to live with her Grandmother and Assist with her Tofu Shop. However Rise's Return bought a media circus with her. By then the Investigation Team had worked out that People who appeared on Tv, would be kidnapped that week. And the team had spotted a very Eager Paparazzi with Equipment to climb Telephone poles, the very same Place the first two Victims were crucified on later! Thinking they solved the case, They Had inadvertently allowed the real Killer, Detective Tohru Adachi, close enough to Rise to enact his plan. and just like that Rise Became the 5th Victim of the Midnight Channel.
The Broadcast Showed The Idol's Shadow Form dressed in another Bikini, vowing to Strip by the end of her Broadcast, In the Tv World Part of it became a Strip Club. When they arrived, They Found Shadow Rise and Dozens of Copies from Magazines Come to life, telling her true self that deep down, she enjoys attention from men. When she denied it the Copies and Shadow Rise Combined into a Nightmarish Social Commentary on Fame at a young age!
The Team arm for Battle, But Shadow Rise is a different Persona than one they fought before, she is a Support Persona, who keeps Curing and Raising her Stats, the team could not make a dent on her. Until Rise realizes that she must reunite with her dark Counterpart. However all the talk of "Feeling Empty Inside" Triggers Teddy and His Shadow Appears. However the Team Now have Rise on side and her Shadow is purified into her Persona, The Princess Goddess of Light, Himiko as her new role of Support and Navigator.
Rise, even if you don't pick her as your Romantic Interest, Is so forward she might as well be. Canonically she is. Her Social Link is the Decisive Choice Aspect of the Lovers. She is in two minds on settling Down or Returning to Stardom. The Agency is hounding her but she has being replaced in movies and advertising. She Overhears some boys say her replacement is so much Better, because Risette was so "Fake". And though she is happy for her, she breaks down crying, knowing a huge part of her life is over. In the end, a fan letter Convinces her to return, but she wants to return not as a character, but as herself! She no longer wants to be painted in one way only for it to be washed off and discarded for a different Colour. No She wants to return as Rise, The REAL Rise! and she realizes that as Much as she loves Yu, both are leaving on their separate journeys in March. But she Promises the Next time She's On Screen the Smile on her Face will be real.
And by the time Persona 5 comes around, 4 years later in their timeline, Joker watches tv and sees Rise In a Music Video, Now turned 20, Is Now Performing a song about "Mature Love" and we are told she is wearing a Sexy Costume, Though I would have like a mention of Yu Being the reason behind it! Later on watching TV, we learn Rise had taken temporary time off to visit her Grandmother and help in her shop once more, so she has kept her promise.
Ann Takamaki
On Ren Amamiya's first day of school, he would meet 3 people who would decide how he would wield his newly contracted power of Persona. The Gym teacher, Mr Kamoshida, Ryuji Sakamato (More on him later!) But the first he met was a Japanese American called Ann (which is pronounced "Ahn" simply because we are hearing Japanese conversation as English, not the characters speaking English)
Ann lives in the same Building as Mr Kamoshida, so avails from Carlifts and free classes to go to Cast Calls. About that, Ann works as a model, as her parents, are in the fashion industry too. Of course this started rumours that She and the Former Gold Medallist Volleyball player are having sex, given the Somewhat Seedy nature of Ann's Work hours during the school hours.
Turns out it was true, or at least, Kamoshida Desired it. All it took was a off-handed comment on how the gym teacher see's himself as "King of the Castle" When the Mysterious Navigation App on Ren's phone, turned all of Shujin Academy into how he sees the world. This was his Palace, a world made of one's dark Desires. This was the Castle of Lust: complete with Gym class Dungeons, Students Concubines and a shadow Ann as his Sex Slave Princess.
In the real world, Ann would kindly rescind his advances, not knowing how Disgracefully Kamoshida would react. So he Threatened Ann's Best Friend, Shiho Sazuii, by taking her off the volleyball team. When Shiho responded she would do "anything" to keep her spot, Kamoshida raped Shiho, Causing a chain of events that lead to Ann's Only Friend to attempt Suicide.
When Ryuji and Ren go to, well Blackmail Kamoshida, he instead threatens to expel all those within earshot. Overhearing them speak, Ann follows them, accidentally teleported and captured by Kamoshida's soldiers and confronted by the king, who not only truly acts like a pig. But Boasts about raping Shiho, and the worst thing? He doesn't even remember her name!
This sparked a literal flame in Ann, a Voice told her not to forgive him anymore. And so the flame and the voice shared a form. That of the Persona. A creature made of Ann's own Psyche named Carmen. Killing her Shadow self with a discarded sword, the Phantom Thieves would return to finish their first mission, steal the Desires and change his heart to confess what he did in the real world, absolving the expulsion.
Ann's Social Link is the Fallout of the Events of the Castle Of Lust. Her Guilt in how she Spurred on Kamoshida's Desires. It does leave her with doubts on Modelling, and growing up. After all what if she does it again? She's also visiting Shiho in hospital and helping her rehabilitation, but she feels she's not strong emotionally. So she tries to train into confidence exercises as such. But work is getting in the way, it seems the agency are understaffed, as models seem to not turn up to casting calls, claiming they were told the venue changed last minute.
The Mastermind behind it is a model named Mika, who learns that Ann is so Natural at this Modelling Lark, that she's Shocked Ann only sees it as a hobby, but Mika twists her words to make her seem Inconsiderate. The Shoot's theme is Elegance of Women, something that throws Ann off, even if she wasn't a teenager. Ann Realizes how dedicated Mika is, Even with the Sabotage, She's Trained her Body, Dieted, Studied Fashion and then Ann arrives, lucks herself into jobs. So she tries to Work out like she does.
Soon Shiho Returns to school, Siting Ann's Strength to get better as her inspiration. Later, Ann and Mika have a shoot together after Mika is reprimanded for her Sabotage. But Ann Forgives her, Praising she had her Beat without the need to Sabotage. During the Shoot People Comment on how more Adult Ann acts, and soon she realizes, it's not about being sexy it's About Confidence, and the difference being acting adult and being an adult puts her mind at ease.
Much like Rise, Ann's Social link is a major decision that cannot be solved by rationale. (Ironic since, despite being seen as an airhead, she is very rational and considerate.) Shiho's attempted Suicide caused some Emotional Loss, being the Inverted Meaning. But she would find the Strength subverting the form she takes in the Cognitive world, since everyone thinks she is a whore, her form becomes that catsuit. Ann's ability as a model is so Natural, Sae Nijima (more on her in part 12!) Likens it to a con artist. She even Seduces the Shadow of one of Councilmen Shido's financial backers, as "Princess Ann Windsor".
But there is more to Ann than looks. At the back of it all, there is this laid-back girl who loves deserts and anime. Becoming a Phantom Thief opens doors for her, soon she makes so much friends that they all her services as a translator on their school trip to Hawaii. She also reigns the team in, especially Ryuji, whenever they feel cocky and audacious! She also is hard on Villains who are Idiots or Self Destructive, but that could be Reflective upon herself.
Elena
First Appearing in Street Fighter 3, the 1st of only 2 Street Fighters from Africa, is a Tribal Princess from Kenya, despite being Sheltered all her life, Elena was trained in Capeoria, and trained in Aura healing via her connection to Mother Earth.
One day, Elena's Father, Jafari, sensed Something on the wind, the trees screamed for the Safety of the Earth, a presence in Thailand so evil , it could not be human. Soon a battle with this great evil will commence with other strong souls drawn to it. He wanted his son to compete to investigate, but instead Elena showed interest and nothing will deter her other wise once her mind is set on something.
Despite entering the Tournament, Elena's exposure to the outside world Distracted her, When she went to Japan, ended up staying with Sakura and her Family, ending up being enrolled in high school. Making friends Came easy and even though she she was in no way part of defeating Gill, (Canonically losing to Hugo, and because of a wager with Poison, they became A wrestling tag team!) Elena Decided to continue to see the world, spending new years in Japan, and ending up Paris. Elena had made friends with every fighter she met, even the Murderous Akuma, but it could work against her, last we saw her she befriended the so-called "President of Earth" , G. Who despite like her draws from the earth, doesn't seem to sense that he is made of the same evil energy as Bison, Seth or Gill.
Dressed solely in a bikini, on face Value, Elena does give off a sexual vibe, however seeing her Naive and Childlike enthusiasm mitigates the visual. Her seeing the world for the 1st time after years of Sheltering is the Decisive Action aspect of this card. In the grand scheme of things, Elena contributes nothing of merit, even in a world where the side characters work in some way to Neutralise the other badguys. She may appear in The upcoming Street fighter 6, but unless the Alliance with G had some changes to her Character, then her arc is already done!
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ROUND 2-PERKS
For Full Disclosure All Persona "Lovers" Characters Need level 2 charm, or In Ann's case, Kindness for them to hang with you. In every case the ultimate lovers persona is Ishtar.
For spending time with Yukari, you get the key item The Heart Strap from her Sailor Moon Doll as proof of being able to fuse Ishtar.
In her social links Rise gains a myriad of useful skills in her role as Navigator. She can Assist in All out attacks by Boosting Morale with her cheering, Scan Weaknesses, Reveal Stats, reveal the location of treasure and enemies, intervene with Himiko, to block a critical hit. And while healing wave randomly heals 5% after battle, it's more powerful upgrade, Stamina Song Doubles that amount. She like all the other characters in your party has a double awakening that transforms her Persona. Her gift to you is a Signed Photo, not of a fake idol but of a Genuine Smile. It's a shame the Tofu Shop doesn't sell in game items, something fixed in Strikers.
As a playable Character, Ann comes with all the Standard Moves. Baton Pass Follow Up, Talk, Harisen Recovery, Endure and Second Awakening. Her Unique Abilities Crocodile Tears and Sexy Technique can be used to Acquire Enemy Personas easily, but are too Situational. To make up for these moves, Ann unlocks many places to explore in tutorial and social links, including but not limited to, the Family Restaurant, the Florist, a lottery kiosk, a park for Socializing, the Sky tower and Ferris wheel for dates and that does not include all the other shops you can buy gifts and room Decorations.
Elena had at least heard of Ryu from Sakura, if It was proven that she did Canonically meet him, she would just befriend him. But he is never mentioned or makes any real influence on either story.
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ROUND 3- INFLUENCE ON THE HERO AND HIS WORLD
Again, Fuck the Answer!
In the base game, Yukari is presented as Almost 2 different People, A generic Girl who is there to be fawned over and a whiny complainer when Any Girl talks to Minato. However her Social links Mitigates the bad points of her Personality.
While all the surviving Victims owe the investigation team their lives, It's Rise's Rescue that changes the course and Dynamic of the Group. With a Navigator, the heroes work smarter, not harder. And with Rise enrolling in school, she is responsible for two events, a impromptu concert at the school festival, and a ski trip that revealed a house that had a second TV that lead to the TV World. She helps in investigating the murders, but with such a high profile not on her own.
Ann is the First party character you meet, so her involvement shapes the 1st few chapters. She is usually front and centre of all the tutorials. She did play big parts in uncovering Madarame and Shido's schemes, even if she had to play the bimbo she was thought to be to do so. But she has a Lust for life and a sense of fun that had lead to good times together. Even when fame went to the others heads she remained level headed.
Elena is cut and dry. She likes people who are good and hates people who are bad. Seeing Ryu fight barefoot she is convinced his Hadoken is power from his connection to the earth. If Ryu defeats Elena in Street fighter IV, he commented on how something else is on Her Mind.
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The winners are Ann and Rise.
THE CHARIOT
As Part of A grand Procession, a decorated Carriage Pulls into view to Celebrate the Victorious Roman Soldier within, Resplendent in his Armour and crowned with Laurels. The Chariot is pulled by 2 Sphinxes, Symbolizing the Mysteries of Fate and the Untold Future.
Designated 7 and ruled by Cancer, The Chariot Means Determination, Adversity through Hard Odds, Renewed Optimism, Travel and Motivation. If the Enquirer is Sick, this card is a good sign of Renewed Health. Inverted it means Arrogance, Stagnation and Frustration.
When it's used to represent a single person. It's usually someone who works are had a reason that requires travel or long hours. Or someone Born under Cancer.
Our 4 next contestants are Kazushi Miyamito, a Sports Rival from School, Chie Satomaka, The High Kicker with the Shapely Legs, Ryuji "Skull" Sakamato and Zangief, "The Red Cyclone"
Kazushi
If you feel like not joining the student Council with Mitsuru, your first choice on school club may be a sport.
Which Sport?
Doesn't matter, because you'll always meet the Club Manager Yuko (she'll be in the next essay next month!) And Kazushi Miyamito, the top members of whatever team to join. Who makes it clear to the blue haired Minato for joining mid season, his ass is his everyday after school.
Not in a bully kind of way, but in a mentor/rival way.
First day of training and Minato easily beats Kazushi, having the advantage of training his body to fight demons. (And, of course, not being a Human!) Despite a pain in his knee, he vows on being on Minato's Level. On the second session, Kazushi collapsed, the same knee gives out! Despite the team telling him to take it easy, his pride won't let him! Next year is the national championships, one step close to his goal of competing in the Olympics. But turns out the knee is more problematic than first thought. If he keeps running he may never walk again. It feels like History repeating itself, his nephew has his leg broken in a car accident and now it's happening to him.
Despite giving his all, his spot on the team is on the line. But when the school nurse tells the coach what is really happening, Kazushi is coddled by the team everyone he does down. Feeling guilty about letting the others drop in quality for his sake, decides to get the surgery. Saving his leg but missing the Nationals. But at least he'll be doing Rehab next to his Nephew, who said that when he grows up, he wants to be as tough as his "Uncle Kaz"
Playing Both Sides of the Chariot, Kazushi is Arrogant at first, until the injury gives him the Determination, though it's a uphill battle. The Surgery counts as the Renewed Optimism. A Short Story, but it makes it's point!
Chie Satomaka
On the first day of school, Yu Nurakami had an eventful one. He meet his new best friend by pulling him out of a bin, he was insulted by his own teacher, and saw the same Guy from earlier, kicked so hard by a tiny tomboy girl.
Her name was Chie.
Protective of Yukiko, Tolerant of Yosuke, Chie was kind of a toxic friend to begin with. Boys would ask Yukiko out but Chie would intimidate most of them. She panicked when Yukiko was kidnapped and became the 3rd victim of the Midnight Channel. She accidentally followed the Boys to the June's Supermarket and accidentally followed them into the TV world, after a failed attempt involving rope around Yu's waist.
Finding the castle where Yukiko was being held by her Shadow, Chie expressed her worries only for a mocking voice to call her out.... Her Own!
This "Shadow Chie" claimed that she exploits Yukiko and cannot stand Yukiko getting male Attention. Then Shadow Chie transforms and it's clear Chie's feelings of Yukiko may not just be of Just Friendship!
Shadow Chie was the first real challenge our heroes faced, but they endured despite the odds. Bearing the pain of her real feelings, Chie's Shadow Self was purified into its True Form, Tomoe
FUN FACT: Personas connected to playable characters have lives that are parallel to the Legends and stories that they come from. So Choosing Tomoe Gozen, a female Gozen ("Warlord"), who once fought 10,000 armed Horseback Soldiers barehanded was a good choice to be partnered with the Soul of the Hot blooded Chie.
Chie's Social Link centres around Training with Yu and having a old friend caught up with a gang extorting money from Teens and Kids. When Chie saves her friend, Sasuke, from a mugging, Yu steps in or pulls Chie aside. Either way, Chie Is Pissed at first, But she Realizes she way have the same feelings for Yu, as he does for her.
Now, for those getting into Persona via watching let's plays, you are probably asking the same question.
"But wait, Isn't She Gay?"
If Chie and Yukiko truly were, they would have turned down Yu's Advances. I think like Kanji, they are going through a lot of the same confusing feelings we all did as teenagers. I think that is an answer we can all agree on.
So anyway the Gang Returns and recognize Chie, and the leader remembers Sasuke's conversations with her, so he threatens the life of Yukiko. This spurs Her and Yu. But the fight is over before a single blow is dealt! She Realizes that the skill to fight is not to dominate, but to protect and so she discovers what her goal in life should be....Police work! And in Persona 5 we learn she follows Naito to Tokyo's Police Academy while Joker Is Watching TV one day.
There is more to Chie than kicks and Steak. Like Kanji, there is considerable amount of growth in this character. From minute 1 to the final act the change from Tomboy to Women is amazing. All coming from a character written to be oblivious on her own sense of her in others. Her Lack of Femininity in her own mind is a rich vein of comedy, she doesn't realize she is as beautiful as Rise and Yukiko and gets flustered when anyone even says things like that! On her New Day Temple Date, she reveals that her family tried to tease her on wearing a kimono in public, but she doesn't care, she does everything with a sense of Determination, even deciding to do better at school to insure that she gets into Police training.
She is also the Motivation aspect. As learning Detective Adachi"s only motive to kill was "Why Not?" She swore never to be like him!
Ryuji Sakamato
With his dyed blonde hair and thuggish demeanor, the Once Star track and field athlete's Big mouth Against Kamoshida disbanded the Track team after he attacked his teacher and now the "Vulgar Ape" was now friends with Ann "The Foreign Whore" and Ren Amamiya "The New Student with an assault Charge". What a trio to befall any school!
But just like Ann, he too was A victim.
Turns out, Kamoshida was bitter that his Volleyball teams did worse than a team he had no say over. So in the assault it was Kamoshida who threw the first punch, bringing up Ryuji's Deadbeat Drunkard of a Father. Ryuji was expelled, all sympathy for his broken leg, gone. With the whole city seeing his mother take two jobs to make ends meet, Ryuji became a Pariah at school, All thanks to Kamoshida's Death grip on school's every matter.
Accidentally referring to him as King of the Castle, Ryuji was shocked to see the Sky turn Blood red and the school transformed into a seedy castle with Art of Kamoshida's Deeds on display: A Castle of Lust!
After being Captured by the Guards. Ryuji Snaps and his own Persona Awakens to change Ryuji's Clothes. If the world sees him as a thug, he will look like one while Pillaging hearts as he sets Sail on the Sea Of Souls with His Persona, Captain Kidd. Soon Ryuji would realise his words earlier to Ren would ring true That this school year will be awesome!
Ryuji is the other Tutorial Character he unlocks all the shops in the back alleys near Leblanc Cafe, Including a Gym, where he plans to get fit again to rejoin the Newly Reinstated Track Team after Kamoshida is fired, But Ryuji is out of Practice and fears that the team won't want him back. And he's right.
Working Out at Protein Lovers Gym, He Finds out his former senpai, Kaeda is working there. Ryuji apoligizes for Disbanding the Club, Kaeda instead turns it around and asks Ryuji's forgiveness, feeling bad for turning a blind eye, However he let's it be known that Kamoshida's Lapdog Student. Nakanora is the captain of the team. When the others find out. The team plan on beating him like a snitch. But Nakanora is not the real Problem. Turns out that EVERY Teacher in Shujin academy are Horrible, Horrible People, the new Coach, Yamuchi Plans on disbanding the Volleyball Team and use the publicity of the track team's Return to fund his career, all with Ren being at the same Saki bar listening. turns out Ryuji was in the other booth, recording away. and when he plays the tape to the track team, they are Reluctant to believe him. So he lets them beat him up to let it out of there system.
So all's well that Ends Well, The track Team Fired Yamuchi and Kaeda's is back temporarily as manager. And Ryuji was Asked to rejoin...But he declined, after all he has a new team Now!
Boy, they Love their Sports at Atlus, Don't They?
Again it's the Determination Aspect Of the Chariot. The Motivation to Begin again! You may also say his constant swearing is possibly the Frustration Aspect of the Chariot.
Zangief
Patriotism.
It can be Good or Bad.
It could Narrow the Thinking or be Exploited by More Ambitious Men
But for Some Men, The love of his Country maybe His Reason For Existing!
And So Began the Story Of Zangief, To Prove the USSR Developed the Best Fighter in the World, Zangief trained "Old Country Way" He Danced The Hopi With Cossacks For Hours, He Pulled Tanks, he Took Ice Baths in The Arctic Circle. and he Wrestled Eurasian Black Bears, the source of his Many scars.
One day, he put one of his Furry Sparring Partners in a Piledriver, When a Cyclone Blew in the very moment of the Moves Impact, Caught in the flurry, the wrestler and Bear were Spun in the air and when they descended. The bear was knocked out. Inspired, Zangief would work tirelessly to perfect the Move. now called the Screw Piledriver and it would be his bread and Butter until he developed more powerful version like the Atomic Buster or Final Atomic Buster.
With the World Threatened By Shadaloo, Russia Sent Zangief to represent Them as a fighter and Ambassador, in what he was told to be a legitimate Contest. However Zangief uncovers with the other Side characters the Psycho Drive, a machine for cloning new bodies for Bisons. Its was Zangief piledriving the Sumo Edmond Honda over and over,That Destroyed the Psycho Drive. However to Bison's Body was already regenerated so Charlie in his Fighter Jet, crashed into the Secret Base, saving the world by paying the Ultimate Price. Maybe Strength is Not Restricted to only one country after all.
Years Go By and Street Fighter Returns for a forth game, And Zangief's Motivation has changed, Not by changing who he is, But by accepting how the world had Changed since 1991 around him. No longer a Soviet, Zangief is now all Loving Face, Gentle Giant and Friend to All Children, Rolled up in one Hairy Package! With His protege, Rainbow Mika in Tow (More on her in Part 9, IF WE GET THERE!) The Focus is now on "Muscle Spirit" Inspired by Ryu's And Dhalism's Spiritual Approach to fighting!
Despite what the Crappy Movie, The Crappy Cartoon by Dic and Wreck it Ralph Might tell you, Zangief is not evil, Just Because he's Russian.
He was a good man used by his government, though not exploited. Now in the 21th Century, who is Zangief? As the Youtuber SugerPunch's ABI-turial on the character remarked, there really is nothing after being the Russian Guy. He's iconic enough, being in the game that not only put Street Fighter, but FGC on the map. He has no character goals now. The quest for "Muscle Spirit"? Yeah, it makes no sense for a professional fighter of a sport that was so secretive on it's inner workings for years for two to go on a quest for knowledge. It makes sense for Ryu, he's seeking a power to control the Dark Hadou from taking over him. Dhalsim as a yogi is seeking enlightenment but by improving his belief in pascifism. But Zangief? He's on a quest for strength, but why? In Street Fighters full Story he's given a pawn used to activate the Black sun in Bison's plan. Why? Because stealing it back from weak fighters was his plan all the long. Ouch!
Also there is also the Rumour that Zangief is Gay! Due to a Bio claiming his dislike is "Girls". But this is in fact a cheeky reference to his Sf2 bio claiming projectile moves as his dislike, back then, Zangief had a hard time beating Shota characters. However as time went on, the real-life meta game changed, and faster characters usually female would be and is still is a bad matchup for Gief players. And to be honest if being around Females makes him uncomfortable, then he would never pick someone who looks like
THAT! as his Pupil.
Though on being dedicated to his craft, Zangief gets a point.
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ROUND 2-PERKS
From Kaz, you only gain Sports Tape, as proof you can fuse for Thor.
Chie comes with all the Moves her Contemporaries come with, Recover, Follow up, Endure, protect. She also Introduces Yu, to 2 Shops that come in handy.
Aiya! Chinese Restaurant and the Local Works. The metal works will buy your loot and forge them into new weapons.
But it's in this Chinese Restaurant, this worlds game breaking item. The one. The only. Rainy Day Beef Bowl Challenge.
If you order one of these Buddha Bowls filled with Beef and Rice. Understand you need Courage to do it, Intelligence to comprehend it all and enough Charm and Understanding to eat it without a sense of shame. The Challenge raises all stats in the attributes I just mentioned, but power ups that raise more than one do so in a smaller increment as the other powerups. Still, you can do this more than once, but only when it rains. Given you have a deadline of the next time the mist descends to rescue the victim, having at least one bowl may be the boost you need!
Ryuji unlocks a lot from minute one, at your doorstep there is: A Bathhouse, A batting Cage, An Arcade, A Big Bang Burger, The Gym, A clinic, (more on the owner of said, when we cover death.) An Airsoft shop (more on the Owner of said, when we cover The Hanged Man) and Various secondhand shops for your Lockpicks and Infiltration Tools, In his Social Links he comes with of course, Baton Pass, Follow up, Talk, Protect, Endure and only one unique skill, Instakill allowing you to just slice through weaker enemies without having to battle them for their exp, or items. When you complete his link. He will make you one of his Ryuji Dogs, a Gyoza that is worth 100 Hp! But to do all this you need level 2 Guts, so you better start eating them Giant Burgers.
Zangief... Didn't make a good impression on Ryu or rather his best friend, Ken. After the American called Zangief A "Momma's Boy". Ending in a fight Ken lost. However post retcon Gief is more personable to everyone. Ryu has even went drinking with him after fights.
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ROUND 3 - INFLUENCE ON THE HERO AND HIS WORLD.
Kazushi is only a side character and as such will be 1 of dozens that will call you to hang out!
As a Tenacious Fighter, Chie had Cut a Swarth through Hundreds of Demons. While her Hot blooded temper may not give her the patience of a detective, she at least allowed Yu to train at her level of combat skill.
At first Ryuji is all in for being a phantom thief In secret, but he tries, even if it's funny, to use the that fact to score girls and become famous, eventually the fame does go to their heads And they fall out of favour of the Public in Large, all according to Yaldaboath's plan.
Ryu plays such an influence on Zangief, He develops moves solely to hide his weakness to Fireballs. First the Banishing Flat a slap that dissipates Projectiles, and Iron Muscle, a Double Flex that turns Zangief's skin Red as Molten Iron! It even gives off Heat, he also states to Karin (who we cover next month) he can now vibrate his body's Cells by flexing, Essential Copying Karin's Crimson Lotus and it's access to Chi Energy.
Now, you might think that Formerly Non-Magical human Gaining magic Simply by Flexing is Ridiculous, remember that Guile and Nash can shoot sonic booms from their hands because as pilots, they understand Sound waves better!
Zangief is still Salty about the fireballs still, but Ryu tries to remind him that strength alone Doesn't Win Fights.
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Joining me next month as we reach the fool's golden years when we cover Strength and The Hermit!
