7 Must-Have Personas for Persona 2

Published 4 July 2026

Persona 2 is a pair of role-playing video games published by Atlus that comprise the second installment in the Persona series. Arguably one of the best installments in the Persona series, Persona 2 has some of the best characters in the series. The main characters of Persona 2 are a group of high school students who must save the world from an impending apocalypse. Each of the main characters has their own unique personality and abilities, and they all play an important role in the story.

The main protagonist of Persona 2: Innocent Sin is Tatsuya Suou, a quiet and reserved boy who is a member of the school's track team. Tatsuya is a kind and compassionate person, but he is also strong and determined. He is a natural leader, and he is always willing to fight for what he believes in. The main protagonist of Persona 2: Eternal Punishment is Maya Amano, a bright and cheerful girl who is a member of the school's drama club. Maya is a kind and caring person, but she is also strong and independent. She is a natural performer, and she is always able to make people smile.

Besides the two main protagonists, there are many other memorable characters, including Lisa Silverman, a mysterious and enigmatic girl who claims to be from the future; Eikichi Mishina, a hot-headed and impulsive boy who is a member of the school's basketball team; and Ulala Serizawa, a shy and introverted girl who is a member of the school's library club. Each of these characters has their own unique story and personality, and they all play an important role in the game.

The Escapist: Tatsuya Suou

A Journey of Self-Discovery and Freedom

Tatsuya Suou, the protagonist of Persona 2, is a deeply introspective and solitary individual. Burdened by a tragic past, he retreats into the world of virtual reality, finding solace in the escapism it offers. However, as the boundaries between reality and the digital realm blur, Tatsuya embarks on a journey of self-discovery and liberation.

Growing up in the aftermath of a tragic accident that claimed the lives of his parents, Tatsuya struggled to cope with the emotional trauma. Overwhelmed by grief and isolation, he retreated into the realm of video games and online interactions, finding temporary respite from the harshness of reality. As he spent countless hours immersing himself in these virtual worlds, he developed an unhealthy obsession with escapism.

Tatsuya's solitary nature led him to become somewhat of an outsider among his peers. He possessed a quiet intelligence and a keen observational eye, but his reserved demeanor kept him at a distance from others. It was only when he stumbled upon the strange and mysterious rumors surrounding the Joker Virus that his life took an unexpected turn, setting him on a path of self-discovery and transformative experiences.

The Empath: Lisa Silverman

Lisa Silverman is a kind and caring individual who has a natural ability to understand the emotions of others. She is compassionate, supportive, and always willing to lend a helping hand. Her empathy allows her to connect with people on a deep level, making her a valuable asset to her team.

Lisa's Persona

Lisa's persona evolves from Nekomata, a feline-like demon, to Sarasvati, the goddess of wisdom, learning, and music. Each transformation grants her increased power and abilities, enhancing her natural empathy and enabling her to support her team in various ways.

As a Nekomata, Lisa gains agility and the ability to heal her allies. Her Succubus persona grants her powerful magic abilities, allowing her to inflict status ailments on enemies and buff her teammates. Kurama Tengu enhances her physical attacks and provides her with wind-based skills. Finally, Sarasvati's ultimate form unlocks Lisa's full potential, granting her potent healing and support abilities that make her an indispensable member of the team.

The Rebel: Maya Amano

Maya Amano, the protagonist of Persona 2: Innocent Sin, embodies the spirit of rebellion and individuality. A strong-willed and independent young woman, Maya defies societal norms and fights for what she believes in.

Persona: Artemis

Maya's Persona, Artemis, represents her rebellious nature and her desire to break free from constraints. Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt, wilderness, and childbirth, symbolizes Maya's strength, courage, and determination to forge her own path.

Strengths and Abilities

• Wild Card: Maya possesses the unique ability to summon multiple Personas from various Arcana.
• Physical Prowess: Artemis grants Maya exceptional physical skills and agility, making her an adept close-quarters combatant.
• Skill Expansion: Maya's Persona evolution allows her to learn and master a wide range of skills, including healing, buffing, and damage-dealing abilities.

The Idealist: Jun Kurosu

Persona

Apollo: The Greek god of the sun, music, and prophecy.

Overview

Jun is the leader of the Persona users in Persona 2: Innocent Sin. He is a kind-hearted and idealistic young man who believes in the power of love and friendship. He is also a skilled swordsman and a powerful Persona user.

Personality

Jun is a kind and compassionate young man who always puts others before himself. He is also a bit naïve and idealistic, but his strong sense of justice and his belief in the power of love and friendship make him a powerful force for good.

Role in the Story

Jun is the central character in Persona 2: Innocent Sin. He is the one who brings the Persona users together and leads them in their fight against the demons. He is also the one who ultimately defeats the final boss, Nyarlathotep.

Skills and Abilities

Jun is a skilled swordsman and a powerful Persona user. He is also able to use a variety of healing and support skills.

Table of Personas

Notes

• Jun's Ultimate Persona, Messiah, is one of the most powerful Personas in the game.
• Jun is the only character in the game who can use the skill "Victory Cry", which increases the party's attack power by 50%.
• Jun is a playable character in Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth and Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth.

The Wisecracking Sidekick: Yukino Mayuzumi

Yukino Mayuzumi is the spunky and quick-witted heroine of Persona 2. With her sarcastic humor and sharp tongue, she provides a refreshing contrast to the more serious and introspective members of the party. Like her friends, Yukino has a tragic backstory that fuels her determination to fight against fate and protect her loved ones.

Persona Evolution

Yukino's Persona evolves throughout the game, reflecting her growth and development as a character. She starts with Isis, a powerful persona associated with motherhood and magic. As she gains experience and faces her inner demons, her Persona evolves into Isis Amaterasu, a goddess of the sun and fertility. Finally, she unlocks Vesta, a goddess of the hearth and home, symbolizing her newfound strength and maturity.

Role in the Party

Yukino is a versatile party member who can adapt to different combat roles. She possesses strong ice magic, making her excellent at crowd control. Additionally, she can learn healing spells and support abilities, making her a valuable asset during boss fights. Her ultimate attack, "Judgment," deals massive damage to a single target.

Personality and Relationships

Yukino is a confident and independent woman who doesn't hesitate to speak her mind. She has a close relationship with Tatsuya Suou, the protagonist, and acts as his witty sidekick. However, her sarcasm and sharp tongue can sometimes be a double-edged sword, alienating those who don't understand her humor.

Persona	Lvl
Isis	10
Isis Amaterasu	35
Vesta	60

Despite her tough exterior, Yukino has a compassionate heart and is fiercely loyal to her friends. She is willing to sacrifice her own well-being for those she cares about, making her a true hero in the face of evil.

The Edgy Rival: Baofu

Personality and Background

Baofu is a complex and enigmatic character who initially appears aloof and arrogant. However, as the game progresses, his true nature is revealed to be more nuanced and multifaceted. Driven by a desire for vengeance against his father, Baofu struggles with self-doubt and inner turmoil. Despite his edgy exterior, he possesses a strong sense of loyalty and compassion, particularly towards those he cares about.

Abilities and Persona

Baofu wields a variety of martial arts techniques that emphasize speed and agility. His signature Persona, Zaou-Gongen, grants him enhanced physical prowess, allowing him to execute powerful attacks. Baofu is a formidable fighter, known for his formidable close-quarters combat skills and lightning-fast reflexes.

Character Development

Throughout the game, Baofu's character undergoes significant development. As he learns to confront his past and reconcile with his true self, he gradually softens and becomes more empathetic towards others. His relationship with Maya Amano, the game's protagonist, plays a pivotal role in shaping his emotional growth and redemption.

Fusion and Evolutions

Baofu's Persona, Zaou-Gongen, can be fused with various other Personas to create more powerful forms. These include:

The Mysterious Shadow: Nyarlathotep

Nyarlathotep is a powerful and enigmatic figure in Persona 2. He is the harbinger of chaos, and his influence can be felt throughout the game. Nyarlathotep is a complex character, with a multifaceted personality that shifts depending on the situation. He can be charming and manipulative, or he can be cruel and sadistic.

Appearance

Nyarlathotep typically appears as a tall, slender man with long black hair and piercing red eyes. He is often depicted wearing a black suit and a fedora. Nyarlathotep's appearance is often shrouded in shadow, and his features are constantly shifting. However, his red eyes are a constant, and they are said to be able to see through the fabric of reality.

Personality

Nyarlathotep is a master of deception and manipulation. He is able to twist his words and actions to his advantage, and he is always several steps ahead of his opponents. Nyarlathotep is also fiercely intelligent, and he has a vast knowledge of the occult and the supernatural.

Powers

Nyarlathotep is a powerful being, and he possesses a wide range of abilities. He can control the shadows, and he can summon demons at will. Nyarlathotep is also a master of illusion, and he can create realistic illusions that can deceive even the most experienced observer.

Table: Nyarlathotep's Abilities

Motivations

Nyarlathotep's motivations are a mystery. He appears to be driven by a desire to cause chaos and destruction, but his ultimate goals are unknown. Nyarlathotep is a complex and enigmatic figure, and his motives are likely to remain a mystery even to those who attempt to understand him.

The Overpowered Villain: Philemon

Philemon, the enigmatic overseer of the Persona universe, stands as an enigmatic and formidable adversary in Persona 2. His motivations are shrouded in mystery, and his power is said to be limitless.

Background

Philemon is an immortal being who has existed for countless millennia. He observes and manipulates the events of the human world, seeking to guide the fate of humanity. In Persona 2, he emerges as the mastermind behind the Persona Project, which aims to create a world free from war and conflict.

Abilities

Philemon possesses an array of extraordinary abilities, including:

• Omniscience: He possesses vast knowledge of past, present, and future events.
• Reality Manipulation: He can alter the fabric of reality, creating illusions, teleporting, and even resurrecting the dead.
• Summoning: He can summon powerful Personas, including his own unique creations.
• Time Manipulation: He can manipulate the flow of time, accelerating it or slowing it down as needed.

Motivations

Philemon's true intentions are often difficult to discern. He claims to act in the best interests of humanity, but his methods are often cruel and manipulative. He believes that humanity must face its own demons in order to evolve and achieve true peace.

Impact on the Story

Philemon plays a significant role in the storyline of Persona 2. He provides guidance and support to the protagonists, but he also creates obstacles and challenges to test their resolve. His ultimate goal is to bring about the "Great Change," a transformative event that will reshape the world.

Personas

Philemon wields several powerful Personas, including:

The Tragic Hero: Tatsuya's Father

Tatsuya's father is a mysterious and enigmatic figure who plays a pivotal role in the events of Persona 2: Innocent Sin. A brilliant scientist and researcher, he dedicated his life to studying the Nyarlathotep Project, an ambitious endeavor to decipher the secrets of the human psyche.

The Promise of Nyarlathotep

Driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, Tatsuya's father believed that Nyarlathotep, an ancient deity from Lovecraft's cosmic horror mythos, held the key to unlocking humanity's true potential. He delved deep into occult rituals and experimented on himself, becoming possessed by the malevolent entity that he sought to control.

The Descent into Madness

As his obsession with Nyarlathotep grew, Tatsuya's father's mind shattered. He hallucinated, spoke in tongues, and became increasingly violent. His research notes became a chaotic jumble of cryptic symbols and delusional ramblings, a testament to the psychological torment he endured.

The Lost Child

Tatsuya's mother, unable to bear witness to her husband's deteriorating condition, fled with their young son, leaving Tatsuya to be raised by his grandmother. The father's love for his son never wavered, but he was unable to express it amidst his madness.

The Final Confrontation

In a tragic climax, Tatsuya confronts his father, who has fully succumbed to Nyarlathotep's control. A battle ensues, fueled by both love and desperation. In the end, Tatsuya's father sacrifices his own life to protect his son, a selfless act that redeems his tormented soul.

Legacy of a Haunted Presence

Though Tatsuya's father is gone, his legacy continues to haunt the characters of Persona 2. His research on Nyarlathotep provides crucial insights into the game's themes of identity, destiny, and the consequences of pursuing forbidden knowledge.

The Best Personas in Persona 2

There are many great Personas in Persona 2, but some stand out above the rest. Here are a few of the best:

Raidou Kuzunoha the XIV: Raidou is the protagonist of Persona 2: Innocent Sin and is a powerful Persona user. His Persona is the legendary swordsman Yoshitsune, who is one of the most powerful Personas in the game. Raidou can also use a variety of other Personas, including Takeji Zaiten, Suzuka Gongen, and Amaterasu.

Maya Amano: Maya is the protagonist of Persona 2: Eternal Punishment and is also a powerful Persona user. Her Persona is the Empress, who is one of the most versatile Personas in the game. Maya can also use a variety of other Personas, including Orpheus, Thanatos, and Odin.

Katsuya Suou: Katsuya is a party member in both Persona 2: Innocent Sin and Persona 2: Eternal Punishment. He is a skilled swordsman and Persona user. His Persona is the Emperor, who is one of the most powerful Personas in the game. Katsuya can also use a variety of other Personas, including Siegfried, Masakado, and Susano-o.

People Also Ask

Which is the best Persona in Persona 2?

There is no definitive answer to this question, as the best Persona for you will depend on your playstyle and preferences. However, some of the most popular and powerful Personas in the game include Raidou Kuzunoha the XIV, Maya Amano, and Katsuya Suou.

What is the best way to level up Personas in Persona 2?

There are a few ways to level up Personas in Persona 2. One way is to simply use them in battle. The more you use a Persona, the more experience it will gain. Another way to level up Personas is to fuse them together. When you fuse two Personas, the resulting Persona will inherit the levels of the two Personas that were fused.

How do I unlock the best Personas in Persona 2?

Some of the best Personas in Persona 2 can only be unlocked by completing certain quests or events. For example, Raidou Kuzunoha the XIV can only be unlocked by completing the "Devil Summoner" quest. Maya Amano can only be unlocked by completing the "Eternal Punishment" quest. And Katsuya Suou can only be unlocked by completing the "Innocent Sin" quest.