'Persona 5' Animation Episode 2

Previously on Persona 5...

Spoilers Ahead!!!

So in this episode, it begins where Ren has awakened his persona, Arsene, the pillager of Twilight. Once Arsene gives Ren his known speech and power a short battle begins between Kamoshida's minions and Ren and his newfound persona. Once Ren emerges victorious, Ryuji uses the opportunity to catch Kamoshida off guard by tackling him and then locking him the exact same cell.

Now, back in the real world, both students are late for class and face the real Kamoshida which leads to my favorite Opening Number for the episode. We then cut back to Sae revealing some information about Kamoshida having connections to the recent mental shutdowns and finds it hard to believe that it was his own distorted castle. She wanted to know how Kamoshida became the very first target of the Phantom Thieves

This transitions to Ren's first day of school and how rumors already spread about his probation and arrest. It is to be thought that his teacher, Kawakami, might have spread those rumors. But it turns out that Kamoshida was the one to put the bugs in the school's ear. Ren goes home after his first day and receives a warning after being late that he can only go to school and head straight home. Once nightfall hits and he is asleep, Ren is transferred to the Velvet Room where Igor tells him that his rehabilitation begins and gives Ren the Metaverse Navigator to guide him through the ruin that awaits him.

The next day, some of Kamoshida's true colors show as in gym as he pelts Ren with volleyballs, especially when he catches Ren looking at Ann. Ren gives Kamoshida a deathly glare, Kamoshida picks another student to torment. By the time lunch comes around, Ryuji then explains his hatred towards Kamoshida which unfolds later in this episode. After this, this gives both Ren and Ryuji more courage to back to the castle.

Meanwhile, Ann Takamaki and Shiho Suzuki are both having a conversation about nationals, mainly volleyball. Unfortunately, Shiho has to train under the stress and abuse of Kamoshida when Ann blows him off. This was also you can meet Morgana in a cat form (after the fact he says he's not a cat but we go along with it) who gives information in exchange for his freedom. The trio (Ren, Ryuji, and Morgana) end up running into King pervetron—I mean Kamoshida who then reveals his dark desires and the truth behind why he truly explain why he despises Ryuji so much. It turns out that Kamoshida had set Ryuji up to get the track team disbanded and broke his leg intentionally.

This triggers Ryuji to awaken his persona which tells him to grow a pair and raise his flag of rebellion, which leads to the introduction of Ryuji’s persona, Captain Kidd. Morgana also uses his persona, Zorro to join in the now full attack against Kamoshida’s minions. Once the fight is over, Kamoshida makes it clear that this cognition was HIS castle and he could whoever and whatever he wanted. This lead to me seeing a skimpy dressing Ann clone that spells out what Kamoshida really saw the real Ann for.

Once retreating back to the real world, Ryuji finally learns the real events of Ren’s probation. Ren tried to help a woman from being raped a long story short ended up getting arrested for it. Ryuji then formally introduces himself before the end credits begin.

So that’s basically the entire second episode!! I do have to say that some content was rearranged and even cut out. For example, Morgana was supposed to be introduced once Ren awakened Arsene and not later on. Also instead of Mishima being victimized during the volleyball tournament, Ren was subject to take the fault. However, I did like how they actually gave the reason behind Ryuji’s hatred towards Kamoshida with his Confidant awakening.

I do feel like personally that majority of the episodes like the first two may be rushed, but considering that the material is 24 minutes per episode, I am alright with the current pacing. I am not okay with the battle scenes lack of action. To sum everything up, the pacing was fine in my opinion. They skipped a few things that would need to be put in depth which is understandable.

So guys that is it for this review of the second episode. If you liked this review I will be posting episode 3's review sooner than you know. Also, I am grateful to those who read my articles as well as leaving tips to go towards my sophomore year.

Which character did you like the most from Persona 5? Do you have a favorite Persona Confidant?