Now, I know what y’all’re thinking; Edogawa is Philemon? No way in hell. But take a second, just sit right there, as I tell you the connections between the two and what this means for Persona as a whole. Also, slight spoilers for P2. Spoilers for P3, P4, and P5 ahead.
For starters, Philemon, as a result of the deal with Nyarlathotep, he can not directly interfere with the events at hand. So, he can’t just pop in and win everything for the humans, but he can lead them in the right direction or give them capabilities. While this restriction is only outright stated between him and Nyar, considering his role as only a save point or power granter in P3 and 4, I’d say it’s safe to assume that those restrictions are still in place for conflicts with the other entities.
Now, if he can’t help out directly then he must help out indirectly. This is where his role as a teacher comes into play. In P3 he’s a substitute teacher that teaches magic and the occult. Add in a long-winded presentation style and a weird personality, most people don’t take him seriously. But, considering the world P3 is in, a world of magic, is his teaching that far from the truth? Isn’t he really teaching you about the truth of this world? With a weird persona he takes on, wouldn’t that disguise be the perfect way to spread info without drawing attention?
But, just teaching the occult isn’t enough to mean he’s Philemon, right? True, but he doesn’t just teach about the occult. In the second semester in P3 you can optionally have a lesson on the tarot arcana. If you know anything about P3 then you know how important the arcana is to the story. He describes the importance of the death arcana and the fool’s journey to obtain the world. Both very important aspects to the story of especially P3 but P4 and P5 as well. By teaching that to Makoto, he was preparing him for the arcana’s importance to the enemy he was facing in a roundabout way.
This roundabout warning and teaching isn’t exclusive to P3 either. It also applies to P4. In the summer, you visit Gekkoukan high and you get lessons from Edogawa. These lessons are about the tale of Izanagi and Izanami, which ties directly to the central conflict of P4. What’s interesting is that this differs from his standard teaching. Yes, he does deal with the occult and mysticism, but not really myths, especially Japanese myths like Izanagi and Izanami. It’s almost like he was specifically trying to warn Yu about what’s to come without being caught.
In fact, let’s dive a little deeper into this. Why would a weird, crackpot substitute teacher be teaching a class that is sent there on a field trip? Wouldn’t Toriumi or literally anyone else be a better fit than Edogawa? Why is it that he of all people doing this? Unless he was influencing those in charge with his abilities to let him into that position. If we assume he’s at least a powerful as Nyar then that’s not too far out of the realm of possibility, no?
Other weird stuff about him is the fact he’s the only other teacher aside from Toriumi, in the original P3 and FES, that has a portrait. Now why does he of all people have a portrait? Doesn’t that imply some level of importance that the developers are implying for him? And the design itself is interesting. As we all know, Philemon always wears masks to conceal his identity. Each one changing between the games he shows up in person. The glasses Edogawa wears are oddly concealing especially in a game where there are plenty of glasses-wearing characters that don’t have that consistent concealment. Maybe this is a stretch, but those glasses could be another form of his mask, one that fits his current weird teacher persona.
Still not enough, eh? Still got some criticisms for the theory? Well, that’s understandable, it’s quite the shocking revelation that the beloved Edogawa has been deceiving all of us for years. So, some might have some issues, which I will try to deal with. The first two that jump out at me is: Why wasn’t he as involved for P4 and why isn’t he there for P5?
P4 is a much smaller scale issue with much less margin of error. Nyx was nigh unstoppable and cost the ultimate sacrifice from the wild card to be defeated. Philegawa wanted to stay really close to Makoto to make sure all goes right and that he knows what to do. Whereas Yu only really needed a nudge in the right direction to deal with his threat completely.
Now, one answer I have for the P5 disappearance, aside from Atlus forgetting about Philegawa entirely, is the set of circumstances around the velvet room. I’d say it’s not too much of a stretch that Philegawa had to stay far on the down low to prevent any risk to Igor, Lavenza, and the velvet room itself. The most influence I’d say he had was maybe sending Lavenza’s message to Joker and maybe sending the phantom thieves to the velvet room, but that’s pure speculation, even more than this post. The other is that Philegawa is dealing with some other issue that might be connected to him maybe being Jose’s master. Something that requires Jose’s research of mementos which might be explained in, I assume, P5 Ultimax, which I have no doubt will come out.
All in all, I might have nothing here whatsoever, but considering the connections to the protagonists’ stories, the several odd aspects to him, and Philemon’s seemingly minor presence in the games Edogawa is in makes me believe that Philemon and Edogawa are one in the same.

John Doe. A name used to identify a corpse with an unknown identity. While seemingly insignificant in the context of UnOrdinary, where our protagonist—John Doe—is living and breathing; however, I believe this truly summarizes his character struggle. Even among the fanbase, John is a controversial character. We explore several radically different sides of him, but I believe we can find out who John Doe is.
Gel Hair John
The carefree, naive, and sassy version of John is the one we're introduced to in the initial episodes. It's been a long time since we've seen him appear, but his existence is important to our understanding of his character and even where he is now. A considerable portion of the fanbase wants his return, but Gelled John should never come back. While quite obvious to some, Gelled John is fake.
After his readjustment, John grew to loathe his ability. To prevent any further emotional trauma, he decided to become someone else entirely. From what we've seen, these characteristics of his seem to be stolen from other places. For his personality and hair, he drew from his father. Meanwhile, his choice to become a cripple potentially stems from the book UnOrdinary. This book is heavily referenced as a significant motivation behind the increase of vigilantes. But, when we see John and Seraphina discuss it's contents, he takes away that even the weak can contribute and should be protected. I believe that is where John draws inspiration to become a cripple.
In his confrontation with Sera in episode 173, we see John list off several of 'his' traits. But, from the way he presents it, we can see it's more like him messily putting together a character rather than describing who he is.
Gelled John is also one of the few characters we see consistently swap between two text colors. The use of these colored text boxes goes along with each respective character's aura color, but for John, it points toward something else. The white box is symbolic of John's restraint, while the black box indicates a more impulsive and unrestrained aspect. What's interesting is the choice of using a white box, the polar opposite of the black. This version of John isn't some mere nice and kinder version but intentionally constructed to be the antithesis of his previous self.
Yet another supporting detail is fittingly enough the gel itself. He overly gels his hair just as he took upon an extreme persona. Then he finally lets go of his restraints, he also lets his hair fall.
Joker
The Joker is a card frequently used in replacement for other cards in a poker deck. It also lacks a standardized appearance. This, of course, matches the Joker we all know and possibly love. A masked figure that gradually begins replacing the upper ranks.
He has few spoken lines if any at all. This showcases a rawer form of John as well as his place in the hierarchy. We know that UnO society is based on how strong you are with your level and tier deciding your position. To put it in perspective, if you were given a random list of ten names, you likely wouldn't be able to discern much about them. However, replace those features with their level, and suddenly you learn a key aspect of their identity.
Now consider John, someone who started at the lowest tier of society. Now add in a drastic change in level, essentially designing a new person. That's exactly what Joker represents. Without even a face or dialogue, we see how level can define a person.
Current John
Now, to the key topic of controversy. Non-gelled King of Wellston John, a God-Tier prone to violence and outbursts of anger. Contrary to some views, I don't think this John represents the genuine John; however, it does reveal more of his nature.
John isn't some hero of the hierarchy either. Characters like Arlo interpret it to be about authority and control. John perceives the surface of it, power. In a way, he's more royal than Arlo, Remi, Blyke, or Cecile. He uses his more capable power to assert himself, selfishly doing what he desires without care. But, he's the strongest and the King so technically it's within his power to do so.
Going back to his episode 173 talk, there's something else to discover. Even if Gel Hair John was a fake, but it was still his identity for around a year. Even in private he acted under his ruse. It's been ingrained in his mind. So why did John discard it as if it was nothing?
Current John is also a fake. In an attempt to construct an identity for himself, he scrambles to acquire the most unique traits. And once he does, he takes them to the extreme. Choosing to either abuse his power or not use it at all. Making friends or creating tools. Any semblance of previous identities must be destroyed. His development is tragic because he doesn't grow as a person; all he does is move to another mask.
Aura Manipulation
Something great about Unordinary is how abilities truly fit their user. Aura Manipulation possesses no distinctive identity and is wholly reliant on the existence of other abilities. You could even reword a summary of the ability to describe his character.
Ex.
Aura Manipulation is an ability that allows the user to copy the abilities of others. He can mix, match, and morph these copied abilities to his whims. Furthermore, he can amplify the strength of the copied abilities.
John is a character that creates masks based on traits he observes from others. He blends these traits to try and make a unique existence for himself. Furthermore, he tends to take to the extremes with these traits as if they validate their existence.
Future Developments
After all of that—what's left in store for his growth? Well to fix some of his flaws he'll require several things.
- Be put in place so that his position can be stabilized without being an extreme
- Grow beyond self-loathing so that he won't disregard many of the traits he's built for years
- Discover his true self, the final step in his arc where he can, at last, obtain an identity
Conclusion
John is not an ordinary edgy MC with OP powers. I also don't want this analysis to be misconstrued as me saying, "Jogne has multiple personalities and is broken because of SOCIETY." He's more than that; John struggles to uncover an identity in a world where it's defined for him. There are also several topics and details that I left out as this isn't an entire character analysis.
This is just my analysis of several observations I made. Take it with a grain of salt as it's possible I muddied up some of this as it a little rushed and it's been a long time since I've read the earlier episodes.

When I played Persona 4 Golden earlier this year, I fell in love with some aspects (the characters, the atmosphere, the music), and tolerated others at best. With the advent of Persona 5 Royal, and my cousin letting me borrow his PS4, I found myself swept up in the hype of a game that blew my expectations away and then some. It truly felt like someone at Atlus had been looking over my shoulder while I played the previous game and took detailed notes about what to improve in the sequel. I can honestly say that it’s an upgrade across the board in just about every way that matters to me, and I can wholeheartedly, without any caveats, recommend it to anyone with an interest in this series. If you like anime, if you want to get into JRPGs and don’t know where to start, or maybe you’re like me and you just thought the memes and fanart were cute, you owe it to yourself to give this game a shot.
It’s enough for me to want to go back and retroactively make this my game of the year for 2017, which was a pretty stacked roster in itself. Everything seemed to come together, the right team at the right time with the right idea, to catapult what was a pretty niche franchise into AAA stardom to rub shoulders with the Zeldas and Marios as among the best in its class. Even now, with the release of Royal, it’s easily my GOTY now, due in some part to the anemic list of releases, but that’s another topic altogether. I’ll try to keep this review/essay focused on the game itself rather than just comparing it to 4, but given that it was my primary entry point to the series, I will make frequent references to that game, so SPOILERS for both ensue.
What I found most immediately charming about Inaba was its sense of time and place. The shuttered businesses, the barren main street, the anxious town with the specter of death over it while a group of carefree teens made plans to go to the mall on their clamshell flip phones captured a dichotomy that I hadn’t felt explored in other games. Whether the developers intended to or not, they created a late 00s period piece that resonated with me quite strongly as someone who was roughly the same age as the protagonist in that time. I would imagine sentiment would follow for those younger than I, as 5 is much more proactive and hyperactive in its presentation. The game is a feast for the eyes, proving beyond the shadow of a doubt that a cohesive style and aesthetic will far outlast the shiniest graphics, as it makes the most of its visuals to draw the player in. The UI itself is a masterclass in action, there are entire games with budgets and teams that dwarf Persona 5 that don’t have as much personality as the pause menu in this one, the way the icons jiggle and pop practically begging you to click on them next.
The other pillar holding up its remarkable sense of style is the music, and between 4 and 5 I’m genuinely torn as to which I like better. 5 definitely has the edge when it comes to production value, but the jazzy, upbeat soundtrack is also more content to sit in the background and provide an accompaniment to the city living, in contrast to 4’s loud, gaudy pop earworms, each one an anime opening in the making. While it takes center stage during key moments, most of the time, the soundtrack is this constantly undulating rhythm in the back of the player’s mind, rising and falling with the action, keeping the pulse going like the click clack of wheels upon the train tracks. Undoubtedly, my favorite song is Beneath the Mask, a melancholy tune that sounds like a rainy night and a dying cigarette in an ashtray, the perfect soundtrack to a place of sanctuary after a long day. The nebulous subject of its lyrics leaves it open to many different interpretations: a well-deserved rest after great triumph, or crushing loss and setback; a private moment shared between two lovers, or a reflection on the emptiness of the room itself, alone with one’s thoughts. It’s hard to compare soundtracks in a year with Nier Automata on the roster, but 5 absolutely passes the “would I listen to this outside of the game willingly” test. Just as Heartbreak, Heartbreak became synonymous with me doing laundry and other chores over the summer, I came to associate Beneath the Mask with my commute in the fall, under cover of darkness. I think it’s special when you can tie a game to a certain moment in your life, and this one certainly did it for me. Overall, it was the slower paced, more moody tracks like this and Sunset Bridge that stuck with me, proving that music does not have to be a spectacular front and center banger to play an essential role in the drama, though the game has its fair share of those (Life Will Change, Last Surprise, and Rivers in the Desert being standouts).
The change in setting is not limited to the audiovisual aspects, however, as the game itself feels faster and more anxious, almost oppressively so, as moving to the city from the middle of nowhere would feel. Gone is the lackadaisical, laid back intro of the prior game. Here, you are thrust into the driver’s seat immediately, before the game splashes water in your face and asks you where you were on the night of the 12th between the hours of such and such. I thought the opening hours of the game were a fantastic way of setting the stage, as we’re wowed by the prospect of Ocean’s Eleven but anime and then brought back down to Earth via the interrogation as a framing device for the story. I like it because it splits the story into neat chunks, each Palace its own arc. Coming out of Persona 4, my two biggest questions were A: If adults like Adachi are aware of and can manipulate the Shadow World, why have there been no formal attempts to study it? And B: What if the Investigation Team didn’t stop after uncovering the killer?
I was delighted to discover that not only does 5 address these topics, but the latter defines the conceit of the whole game, placing the Thieves’ idealism for a better world against bigger and bigger targets, a fitting escalation for a big name sequel. The former question is a major subplot in the story, though the answers I came up with in my head were grander than what ended up being presented. I appreciated how this turn of events resulted in the gang being more proactive, i.e. seeking out targets to punish them for their misdeeds, rather than purely reactive like the kids in 4, who had to wait for each kidnapping to happen in turn before acting. Persona 5 is a much harsher world in comparison, one that demands that its protagonist hit the ground running and get going fast. You’ve been sent to juvie on trumped up charges, nobody wants you around, you’re shoved into an old, dusty attic as a ward of the state, and everyone is looking for an excuse to get you expelled or worse. Even walking down the hallway invites comments from onlookers and rubberneckers who aren’t sure yet if they want to look down on or admire you. All this set dressing contributes to a city that feels just alive enough to allow your imagination to color in the margins and give a much better impression of a cramped metropolis with a beating heart than a big open world would.
It’s natural, then, that the protagonist would come to identify with others who fell through the cracks like he did, others who people judged by the masks they wore other than their true character. With Yu it seemed like he immediately formed lifelong bonds with the first three kids he met on the way to class. Ryuji’s and Ann’s friendships feel like they develop more naturally, first as a result of being backed into a corner together with nowhere to go, and gradually getting to know each other as people. It’s as if Atlus took a good look at the broad archetypes they established with Yosuke, Yukiko, Rise, etc and realized them into more fully fledged characters. I loved hanging out with all of the Thieves, getting to know their inner lives and it pained me that I couldn’t max them all in the allotted time. It’s impressive that they managed to build up such a strong portfolio of confidants with their own storylines and character moments without stepping on each other or retreading old ground. I even liked hanging out with Mishima, probably because he’s the one closest in spirit to what fans of this game are actually like, as opposed to Joker’s more aspirational mystique.
For the longest time, I thought that the first Palace was the game’s high point. At no other point in the base game did I feel like the player motivations and the character’s motivations were so intertwined on a base level. Kamoshida is such an excellent starting point because right away, you hate him on multiple different fronts: for antagonizing you (and by extension, the player), for being an abusive monster to your friends and classmates, and because of the corrupt authority he represents and the power structures that enable him, nurturing the seed of rebellion planted within Joker and his friends. It’s not a coincidence that all of the Thieves are latchkey kids with absent/aloof parents. That neglect, intentional or otherwise, fostered a lingering sense of ennui and discontent that lets them get wrapped up in the Thieves’ romantic struggle against societal norms. It’s an adventure, and you want to get carried away in it just as much as they do, that investment feeling all the more bittersweet when it comes crashing down around them. It does a brilliant job of selling the illusion of putting the player in the driver’s seat and letting them dictate the pacing of the plot, all by changing a few of the circumstances around how the Palaces are tackled, and though you are given an abundance of activities to dedicate your time towards, I never felt confused about what I should do, because they were all equally viable methods of advancing the player’s goals.
Since I brought up the Palaces, I should mention perhaps the single biggest improvement over the previous entry, and that is the way this game handles the dungeon crawling aspect of the game. For starters, Palaces/Dungeons are actual discrete spaces now with proper level design (!) that draws upon the chosen theme in a meaningful way to make them all distinct from one another. It’s a huge step up from ten floors of the same randomly generated slog with different wallpaper every single time. Traversal is overhauled, and the quarter-assed stealth mechanics from 4 are realized into the ambush system here that makes entering combat feel like a tactical decision on your part rather than having Yu swing his bat in the vague direction of an enemy. Joker and the Thieves move at a brisk, animated pace, zipping around between hiding spots and looking for an angle of attack rather than blundering through a bunch of copy pasted hallways. Other big, big pluses include: not having to fight every single enemy to squeeze out the xp needed to fight the boss, not having to fight trash mobs at all with Ryuji’s level 7 perk, having more items and perks to mitigate the war of attrition on your SP early on, there being an actual reason to go out of your way to explore in the form of Will Seeds. The list goes on. And if you do want that down home grind, there’s always Mementos, which I actually enjoyed my time in, largely because of the aforementioned reasons. Side quests in 4 always amounted to talk to this random guy who asks for a vendor trash item you probably got rid of when mashing sell all at the ironworks shop. Now they manifest as minibosses in Mementos, which ties into the whole vigilante justice hero of the people angle that the Thieves thrive on. Again, taking something that kinda worked before and improving it by marrying the themes and the gameplay. Also, everyone gets guns, which would be great on its own, but is amplified by the fact that they actually do work.
Not all of the Palaces are bangers, I think the 2nd and 3rd suffer the most from lackluster villains but they do their job as a sort of training arc showing how the Thieves escalate in terms of targets and notoriety as well as expanding their own roster. Futaba’s Palace is a highlight and one of the better story dungeons, and I appreciate how it broadened the scope of the setting by showing that people had indeed attempted to research the Metaverse in an academic fashion, but were struck down by some shadowy force. This is where my brain took over and started imagining much wider implications that the game ultimately didn’t explore, like the government having access to a black ops unit of Persona users who could change hearts and inflict mental shutdowns at will, but I’ll come back to that later. Suffice it to say that Sae’s Palace is another excellent addition with a dope theme, but what follows immediately after doesn’t so much bring the story to a halt as much as it gets t-boned by a mile long train of awkward, clunky exposition.
You ever play an action game, and right in the middle of it, the game stops and shows you a cutscene of your character doing all these badass choreographed moves for minutes on end, that you would never be able to do in the game itself, that’s just this long, laborious display that leaves you thinking “wow, that looks cool, I wish I was playing that instead of just watching”?
This is the narrative equivalent of that.
All along, we’ve stuck by Joker’s side. Very occasionally, the game will shift perspective to a fly on the wall of the villains so they can twirl their mustaches for a few but by and large, the player and protagonist are one in the same from beginning to end. They even go through the trouble of giving him amnesia at the start so that your Joker can retell the story as he remembers it. This is important because it establishes that the player knows what the protagonist knows, and vice versa. This whole segment throws that all out the window and reveals that Joker and the rest of the Thieves colluded in a secret gambit to expose Akechi that the player had no knowledge of and could not contribute to even if they wanted it. It’s like the devs rip the controller out of your hands and tell you to keep all limbs inside the car because you’re on their ride now and you’re going to experience it exactly as we intended even if it completely divorces the player from the shared experience of the protagonist by shoehorning all this shit that supposedly happened offscreen into what is supposed to be the emotional climax of the story. It feels like an overcorrection of the equivalent moment in 4, except in that one you had to choose the exact string of responses the devs wanted lest you be booted to the credits. Here, it’s just flashback after flashback crowbarred into the story, sometimes in succession to such a degree that I began to feel like it was losing the all important emotional investment built up. Narratively, it’s supposed to be a moment of triumph as everyone congratulates Joker on pulling off his masterstroke idea of faking his death flawlessly but in practice it feels like that meme of Michael from the Office shaking hands with his old boss, the player taking credit for something they had no part in, but would have liked to be in on. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it is annoying considering how closely intertwined the journey of player and protagonist had been up to that point
Another nitpick before we move on from here, I really thought that Joker’s constant flashbacks to the inciting event where he punched Shido but was unable to remember him were building to something. I legitimately thought that Shido had masterminded this scheme where he got Joker enrolled into Shujin and purposefully nudged him towards radicalization and forming the Thieves so that he could have a crew of fall guys to take down in his ascent to the top. I expected that Joker’s amnesia was a by-product of this mind tampering, but apparently he’s just an idiot who has this chip on his shoulder when it comes to authority but for some reason is unable to put a name to the face of the man who first put him behind bars. I also thought it was a bit cheesy that Shido had ties to literally every major villain they had faced up to that point. By the end I was half expecting him to reveal that he was the one driving the car that ran over Kawakami’s favorite student back in the day. Some real Reverse Flash “IT WAS ME BARRY” shit going on there, but I digress. Shido’s a good villain, and a fitting end to the escalation that the Thieves had going. I also loved the development that even though Shido had a change of heart, the movement behind him was still going, because the systems of power that allowed him to get where he was and exercise his will ran deeper than any of the Thieves knew, and it would take more than changing one heart to turn things around this time.
What follows is pretty iffy for me. I’m a firm believer that all the supernatural Metaverse stuff should take a backseat to or be a vehicle for the interpersonal drama between the characters we’ve come to know. It’s flavor text and set dressing, important to the story and atmosphere, but not its focus. When you try to put backstory and worldbuilding into the foreground, especially in the drama first storytelling that Persona is going for, you end up with Yaldaboath, a boring ass cup in the basement of Mementos who speaks in riddles and soaks up damage like a sponge. Nothing about this fight feels as climactic as the last because the player had no idea they existed until about 15-20 minutes ago. I liked the reveal with Igor and the conversations with the crew in the Velvet Room, but beyond that a confrontation with a shiny god of Some Abstract Proper Noun just feels really lame without any requisite emotional context. Capping him in the face with a three story Glock was pretty cool though, so props for that. And, it sets the stage for the Royal content, the single best arc in the game.
I’d heard the third semester in this game hyped up before I got into the series, and it deserves every bit of praise. Again, it’s like someone at Atlus predicted my comments on the previous final boss and tailor made an arc full of closure and emotional resonance because the characters coming into conflict with each other are people with complex relationships and not just jumbles of polygons with a health bar and an ominous monologue. I love the It’s a Wonderful Life AU aspect of the dream world, making it genuinely difficult to try and turn people like Ann away from this place where they could forget their awful traumas and just be regular teens. I loved seeing Kasumi go from a pretty bland and boring confidant to literally rediscovering herself and becoming a wholly realized person for it. Akechi’s presence in this arc is my favorite in the game and his snide comments and deliciously over the top ferocity in combat shot him up the charts of best characters now that he was able to comfortably go mask off. It’s fantastic hearing him address the Thieves with previously barely concealed and now open contempt, but he reserves the worst barbs for Maruki, who’s so kind and affable that it almost makes you forget how crazy his plan is. Instead of lecturing you to death or getting too heady, he appeals to the same ideals that Joker did in forming the Thieves, creating an interesting foil with motivations that are arguably more noble than the main characters, but that alone cannot justify what he’s done. It’s a tricky situation to unpack, but I think it’s easily the best written part of the game, and left me feeling whole and satisfied by the end.
As exhaustive as this may seem, there are still things left I haven’t even touched on, like that one honestly fucked up scene where Joker leave Ryuji to be assaulted for no reason, or how much better Akechi is than Adachi even though they fill the same role of cop who's actually a secret incel, or the hundreds of smaller quality of life improvements that make the game less of a chore and more of an addictive rush as you get swept up in this other world. My total playtime clocked in at just under 130 hours, an absolutely massive jump from the 75 or so I’d spent with 4, after foolishly assuming I’d knock the sequel out in about a month or so. When I finished the game, I was exhausted, I was ready for it to be over, and wanted to move onto something else, but I was also wistful. I carried within myself the knowledge that I would never play it for the first time again, and consciously or unconsciously I would spend the next few weeks looking for something to fill the Phantom Thief shaped hole in my chest. I had so thoroughly been engrossed in this world and its characters that I don’t quite feel ready to say goodbye, even if the prospect of NG+ still seems daunting. As in some of the best games, like Nier Automata or Red Dead Redemption 2, this first full playthrough feels so complete to me, that it almost seems wrong to go back and disturb the world as I left it, because I played my part, and it’s at peace now.
I had assumed that I would hate an ending where, after everything, Joker moves away. Why, after so much investment and time spent building friendships that would last a lifetime, would he simply go back to nothing? I wasn’t prepared for how natural it would feel. How everyone expressed their desire to grow as people, first beyond the labels others ascribed to them, and then the label of Thief they applied to themselves, to become men and women who could affect society in their own way, wholly distinct from any god given supernatural power. It felt surprisingly mature for the series to advocate for a break from escapism, and instilled within me a desire to move on as well. I have no idea what Persona 6 will look like, but it’s going to be hard to replicate the leap in quality, as they’ve outdone themselves to create what’s become one of my favorite games.

(2019) The Lighthouse
The story in this film is shrouded in mystery but the clues and tools needed to decipher it do exist and with a rewatch, finding them felt so rewarding. It's the kind of movie that I want to make my friends watch, simply so I have someone to discuss it with. It's one of the best horror films I've ever seen.
Runners-up: Little Monsters, Furie, I Am Mother, Glass, Crawl, Ma, Godzilla: King of Monsters, Us, Color Out of Space, Ready or Not, Midsommar, Zombieland: Double Tap, The Head Hunter
(2018) The House That Jack Built
In my mind, this is Lars Von Trier's masterpiece and Matt Dillon's best performance to date. It's hands down the most fun, engaging, darkly humorous, disturbing, bleak and creative film I've seen this year.
Runners-up: Annihilation, Apostle, The Bad Seed, Summer of 84, Mandy, Upgrade, Calibre, Hereditary, A Quiet Place, Bird Box, Lords of Chaos, Head Count, The Witch in the Window, Dragged Across Concrete, Braid, Climax, Incident in a Ghostland, Hold the Dark, The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then The Bigfoot, The Strangers: Pray at Night, Suspiria, Halloween, Monster Party
(2017) Mother!
Mother! is an incredibly conscientious statement on the nature of humanity, steeped in religious allegory. The last 30 min or so makes up for any weariness over the pacing. It’s one of the most intense, impressive sequences I’ve seen in a horror film in the last decade. The absolute perfect icing on the cake for what is such a masterful dip into surrealism.
Runners-up: Errementari: The Blacksmith and the Devil, The Endless, You Were Never Really Here, The Ritual, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, Creep 2, Brawl in Cell Block 99, It, It Comes at Night, Get Out, Tigers are Not Afraid, Jungle, Cold Skin, The Crecent, Pyewacket, A Ghost Story, The Bar, Ghost Stories
(2016) The Wailing
The photography direction and cinematography are astounding. I could pause the movie at any given moment and marvel at an iconic photograph. This film had me guessing up until the very last moments. It’s exactly what I crave, an unapologetically evil entry into horror cinema.
Runners-up: Better Watch Out, Boys in the Trees, We are the Flesh, ‘Sweet, Sweet Lonely Girl’, Here Alone, The Girl with all the Gifts, Raw, Nocturnal Animals, A Dark Song, The Void, Split, Train to Busan, Arrival, The Eyes of My Mother, Blair Witch, The Good Neighbor, Don’t Breathe, Phantasm: Ravager, Swiss Army Man, Before I Wake, The Shallows, In the Deep, Are We Not Cats, Sam was Here
(2015) The Witch
I really think it focused on expressing the idea of evil being a completely separate entity from god and that the characters in the film can do fuck-all about it. The incredible struggle that every single character is going through in this film is palpable in literally every shot. It’s astounding how well Robert Eggers was able to get this exposition across with such little dialogue.
Runners-up: Tale of Tales, The Gift, The Devil’s Candy, I Am a Hero, The Lure, Evolution, Hell House LLC, Landmine Goes Click, Green Room, The Visit, The Final Girls, Southbound, Baskin, Remember
(2014) Alleluia
It’s a gritty tale of heartbreak, loneliness, jealousy, greed and obsession. It’s just fucking real; the kills feel impulsive and impactful. It’s also shot in this dirty format where both killer’s (the woman’s more so) physical appearances degrade as the film progresses.
Runners-up: It Follows, Zombeavers, Interior, Backcountry, Dig Two Graves, The Taking of Deborah Logan, A Girl Who Walks Home Alone at Night, What We Do in the Shadows, The Voices, The Town that Dreaded Sundown, Wolfcop, Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead, Creep, The Babadook, Tusk, Honeymoon, As Above So Below, Life After Beth, The One I Love
(2013) The Conjuring
One of the most established and refined supernatural horror films ever made. James Wan’s style is immortalized here and would go on to be imitated by dozens of other horror filmmakers.
Runners-up: Insidious: Chapter 2, Pee Mak, The Sacrament, Escape from Tomorrow, Oculus, We Are What We Are, Coherence, Evil Dead, Afflicted, Horns, I Spit on Your Grave 2, V/H/S 2, Bad Milo, Jug Face
(2012) Byzantium
It’s really a tale of romance, even just the way it feels. There’s moving Beethoven piano music flooding a sort of neo-gothic atmosphere which, by the way, intertwined perfectly with the flashbacks throughout the film. It’s inevitable that a vampire movie would be grounded in classic elements of the sub-genre but Byzantium manages to push in its own direction, inspiring a surprising amount of mystery.
Runners-up: The Battery, Antiviral, Cosmopolis, The Collection, Resolution, The Conspiracy, Chained, The Bay, Vamps, V/H/S, Sinister
(2011) Sleep Tight
Luis Tosar puts on a sickeningly realistic performance that boasts up an already incredible script. His character is this unstable complex mess of depression, sadism and sociopathy. He’s the world’s worst nightmare, hiding in plain sight.
Runners-up: Scream 4, Take Shelter, Guilty of Romance, The Innkeepers, The Woman, Detention, The Rite, You’re Next, Kill List, Apollo 18, The Cabin in the Woods, Source Code
(2010) I Saw the Devil
Jee-Woon Kim makes actions feel loud and crisp. Both the villain and our protagonist are powerful in their own right. It’s both intensified but also remarkably realistic. I get that that’s a paradox of sorts but I just mean, it’s just not what audiences are used to seeing. There’s not too much left to the imagination with this one in terms of the violent sequences.
Runners-up: Insidious, Trust, Trollhunter, Dream Home, Helldriver, The Crazies, Tucker and Dale vs Evil, I Spit on Your Grave
(2009) Dogtooth
Yorgos Lanthimos’s filmmaking style is darkly calculated with deadpan cinematography and tip-toeing dialogue thats minimalism only adds to its strangeness. I haven’t been made this uncomfortable by a film since Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom. Dogtooth offers a difficult, albeit alluring glimpse into a world of isolationism, abuse, violence and psychopathy.
Runner ups: The Forbidden Door, [REC] 2, The Collector, The Fourth Kind, Orphan, Drag Me to Hell, the House of the Devil, Antichrist, Zombieland, Jennifer's Body
(2008) Let the Right One In
I absolutely love this film. I think it’s the pinnacle of modern horror and modern vampire film. The way this film deals with both sexuality and immortality is genius. It’s a rotten dichotomy between pedophilia and loneliness that ends up being darker than the actual violence.
Runners-up: Cloverfield, The Strangers, Quarantine, Four Nights with Anna, Pontypool, Vinyan, Surveillance, Eden Lake, Martyrs, Lake Mungo, The Ruins
(2007) 1408
1408 captures the magic of The Twilight Zone and blends it expertly into the most horrific supernatural waterboarding experience.
Runners-up: 28 Weeks Later, The Orphanage, Hansel and Gretel, Funny Games, Resident Evil: Extinction, The Girl Next Door, Trick r’ Treat, Paranormal Activity, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Stuck, The Poughkeepsie Tapes
(2006) Inland Empire
Inland Empire is the most ambitious conceptual interpretation of Hollywood and film making that I have ever or could ever conceive. It challenged my mind for three consecutive hours and reinvented the way I interpret his films.
Runners-up: Fido, Sheitan, Severance, Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning, Hatchet, Slither, Final Destination 3, Bug
(2005) Strange Circus
Strange Circus fills all my horror holes of morbid depravity and in a miraculously graceful fashion. Much like Suicide Club, it presents itself in a gorgeously grainy, bleak fashion that draws special attention to the moments of bold color. It’s also super fucked up, in a great way.
Runners-up: John Carpenter’s Cigarette Burns, Noriko’s Dinner Table, The Call of Cthulhu, A History of Violence, Lady Vengeance, Funky Forest: The First Contact, Haze, The Skeleton Key, The Decent, Doom, Hostel
(2004) Shaun of the Dead
This movie is just wonderful. I find it hilarious on a personal level but also so intelligently funny that it could go down as one of the greatest horror-comedies of all time. Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have an undeniable chemistry and just simply make an entire new breed of film-style. It's dry, whimsical, crass, darkly funny and wholesomely endearing.
Runners-up: The Phantom of the Opera, Shutter, Dumplings, Three Extremes, Calvaire, Saw, Dead Man's Shoes, The Village, The Butterfly Effect
(2003) Oldboy
Everything about this film is exceptional. It looks fantastic, the acting is fantastic and Chan-wook Park wrote an incredible story. I think when you try and sell a revenge movie to someone, it can imply some degree of formulaic filmmaking but Park’s films are anything but. This one had me guessing up until the very last minute.
Runners-up: Dead End, Open Water, Willard, Identity, High Tension, Dark Water, A Tale of Two Sisters, Gozu, House of 1000 Corpses, Jeepers Creepers 2, Scary Movie 3, Final Destination 2, Alexandra's Project
(2002) The Ring
The Ring is a terrifying film that relies on an unstoppable force. It utilizes one of the few shining examples of a successful grey-scale and manages to convey a horrifying sense of bleakness and helplessness. It’s better than the original.
Runners-up: 28 Days Later, Blade 2, May, Dog Soldiers, Resident Evil, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, In My Skin, The Eye, Irreversible
(2001) Pulse
How a horror movie can make ghosts infiltrating our world through the internet not stupid is beyond me but everything here just worked. For 2001, the visual effects for the ghosts are perfect and don’t steal the spotlight away from the emotionally driven horror that makes this project successful. I’ve yet to be more moved by a horror film, this one absolutely broke me.
Runners-up: The Devil’s Backbone, Frailty, Suicide Club, Visitor Q, Ichi the Killer, Trouble Every Day, Dagon, Jeepers Creepers, The Others
(2000) American Psycho
You won’t see a much better performance by Christian Bale; he’s top notch, however, the success is owed to everyone involved. It’s an excellent script, written from excellent source material and expertly directed by Mary Harron. This film is pure genius and it’s well worth noting that even if you’re not viewing the film under a super-critical lens, it’s highly entertaining.
Runners-up: Fail Safe, Ginger Snaps, Final Destination
(1999) The Sixth Sense
I can’t praise this movie enough. It’s dark, depressing and only offers the humblest of reprieve in the end; much like what many of the films characters go through. This is M. Night’s masterpiece.
Runners-up: Arlington Road, The Blair Witch Project, Nang Nak, Idle Hands, Audition, eXistenZ, Sleepy Hallow
(1998) Ringu
This is a benchmark in atmospheric horror and a film that spawned an entire generation of psionic horror films. It’s dark and heartbreaking.
Runners-up: Blade, Bride of Chucky, Phantasm IV: Oblivion, The Faculty, Disturbing Behavior
(1997) Lost Highway
This film is about how powerful the human mind is and how we cope with intense guilt, fear and regret. Specifically, in this instance, the compartmentalization of murder. Although that all seems inherently negative, especially in the context of the movie, it’s really just about confronting your issues; even if that means accepting your punishment.
Runners-up: The Devil’s Advocate, Funny Games, Alien: Resurrection, Cure, Cube, Event Horizon
(1996) Scream
Scream just may be the best meta-horror film ever made. It’s so special to me and was probably the film that sparked my fascination with horror. I watched it the year after it came out, at 8-years old, alone in my dark basement. I shut it off after the opening scene with Drew Barrymore and never saw the rest until years later. However, if I had just stuck with it, it actually evolves into this darkly funny, poignant statement on slasher films.
Runners-up: Ebola Syndrome, Naked Blood: Magyaku, From Dusk Till Dawn, Crash
(1995) The Addiction
This was Abel Ferrara’s extremely personal vampire film that tackled addiction and through the gritty melodramatic landscape of New York, he really sheds his skin. It’s raw and rightfully claims the best film of the year.
Runners-up: The Eternal Evil of Asia, Habit, The Day of the Beast
(1994) In the Mouth of Madness
Simply one of the best Lovecraftian films ever made. The special effects in this movie range from miniature set pieces shot up close to a full size 30-man operated partially animatronic wall of creatures. Some people will say that these 80’s style techniques hurt the production value but those people don’t know shit about shit.
Runners-up: Interview with The Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles, Cemetery Man, Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
(1993) Return of the Living Dead 3
The entire special effects team undoubtedly got the thumbs up from Brian Yuzna on this one. It’s such a fantastic sequel to a series that seemed dedicated to devolve into ridiculousness.
Runners-up: The Eight Immortals Restaurant: The Untold Story, Necronomicon: Book of the Dead, Fire in the Sky
(1992) Man Bites Dog
One of the strangest aspects to some horror movies is their ability to make light of ultra-violent crimes like rape and murder. Man Bites Dog will actually have you laughing out loud until you realize you’re in a kitchen watching three men rape a woman while she pleads for mercy. Whatever way you choose to digest this movie, I can guarantee you’ve never seen anything quite like it before.
Runners-up: Ghostwatch, Army of Darkness
(1991) The Silence of the Lambs
While the film does stand out in blatant, suspenseful, scary moments; it’s the conversations between Clarice and Dr. Lecter that make it so memorable. It just adds this timeless psychological horror element that helps establish it as a classic in my eyes.
Runners-up: Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky, The Addams Family, Sometimes They Come Back, Naked Lunch
(1990) Der Todeskin: The Death King
While often wavering between the blunt, literal message and depressive expressionism, Der Todesking manages to feel all too real. It’s one of the best arthouse-style horror films I’ve seen to date.
Runners up: It, Misery, Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III, Jacob’s Ladder, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, Tales From the Darkside: The Movie
(1989) Santa Sangre
Easily the most impressive aspect of this film is the ventriloquism inspired acting. It starts out as a goofy aspect of the plot, something that doesn’t really necessarily grab you. However, by the end of the film, it’s molded into this beautiful, creepy display of possession.
Runners-up: The ‘Burbs, Ghostbusters 2, The Woman in Black, Bride of the Re-Animator, Society, Intruder, The Cook, The Thief, his Wife & Her Lover
(1988) The Vanishing
The Vanishing is an absolutely raw tale of abduction, almost like a Norman Rockwell imagining of an American’s European vacation turned horror story. It takes this incredibly simplistic but underlying dynamic approach to horror that’s as refreshing as it is captivating.
Runners-up: Child’s Play, Dead Ringers, Men Behind the Sun, Pumpkinhead, Pin, Phantasm II, Brain Damage, The Following, Halloween 4: The Return, Beetlejuice
(1987) Evil Dead 2
Just from a technical perspective, everything is so fucking impressive. It’s all basically hand-done, practical effects and the camera work is just remarkable. The film leans more towards the humor side of the series but it does so both intentionally and gracefully. I adore this movie, it’s on par with the original
Runners-up: Hellraiser, Creepshow 2, Near Dark, A Nightmare on Elm Street: Dream Warriors, The Witches of Eastwick, Anguish, Prince of Darkness, Angel Heart
(1986) In a Glass Cage
It’s an incredible movie about consequence and revenge that’s told in a manor that I think bewildered reviewers for years. It blurs the lines between right and wrong, willing to sacrifice lives in the process of condemning an extraordinary evil. The specific breed of revenge, as portrayed in this film, isn’t noble but rather an inevitable product of abuse. If you think you can stomach it, I can’t recommend this enough.
Runners-up: Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, The Fly, The Hitcher, Blue Velvet, Night of the Creeps, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, From Beyond
(1985) Come and See
Come and See is a raw and sobering look at WW2 from the Soviet perspective. It’s one of the least “Hollywood” war movies I’ve ever seen. Some of the scenes towards the end were truly gut wrenching and will most likely stick with me for quite some time.
Runners-up: Lifeforce, Silver Bullet, Fright Night, A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge, The Return of the Living Dead, Re-Animator, Day of the Dead
(1984) A Nightmare on Elm Street
This felt like a first glimpse into Wes Craven’s mind and the last glimpse into my well-rested sleep. It’s creative, vile and fucking scary.
Runners-up: Poison for the Fairies, Countdown to Looking Glass, Threads, Gremlins
(1983) Videodrome
Videodrome is a fucking trip and it’s an incredible feat of psychological horror while also being a visually horrific movie.
Runners-up: Something Wicked This Way Comes, Angst, The Day After, Special Bulletin, The Boxer’s Omen, Eyes of Fire, Christine, The Dead Zone, Cujo
(1982) The Thing
It’s one of the best sci-fi body-horror films ever made and the fact that no one is steeping up to say otherwise should be a clue.
Runner-up: Creepshow, Poltergeist, Cat People
(1981) The Evil Dead
I’ve wracked my brain trying to think of a good description. This is one of the most incredible horror films ever made. It manipulated both the body and time itself to establish such a pure horror environment.
Runners-up: The Howling, Halloween II, Dark Night of the Scarecrow, Ms. 45, An American Werewolf in London, The House by the Cemetery
(1980) The Shining
Absolute perfection. This is such an enthralling psychological horror film.
Runners-up: Inferno, Hex, Altered States, Cannibal Holocaust
(1979) Alien
A classic and possibly the best creature film ever produced. There hasn’t ever been a better blend of sci-fi and horror.
Runners-up: Salem’s Lot, The Driller Killer, The Brood, Zombie, Apocalypse Now
(1978) Invasion of the Body Snatchers
I love this fucking movie with all my heart, it’s seriously one of the best alien invasion movies I’ve ever seen.
Runners-up: Beauty and the Beast, The Shout, Magic, Halloween
(1977) Suspiria
Its psychedelic, pastel, fun-house atmosphere, coupled with a fantastic score lend a benchmark aesthetic for Italian horror and well, horror in general. Many have tried to emulate it and most have failed.
Runners-up: The Hills Have Eyes
(1976) God Told Me To
Cohen takes all this religious subtlety and blows it all up for the finale into a very Cronenberg-style conclusion. Despite all the veils seemingly being lifted at once, I still found myself unsure of what to think during some of those pivotal scenes. After the credits rolled, I was damn sure I was into it.
Runners-up: The Tenant, Carrie
(1975) Jaws
This movie actually made people scared to go in the water. It’s almost difficult to think of a more impactful film off the top of my head.
Runners-up: Deep Red, Shivers
(1974) The Living Dead at Manchester Morgue
This is a sleeper zombie hit and one of the best looking films from the 70’s.
Runner-up: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
(1973) The Exorcist
William Friedkin takes the time to let the characters accept their reality in a realistic manner. It’s a technique that creates a very human aspect to them and watching the mother and the priest break down actually becomes as horrific as anything else here.
Runners-up: The Legend of Hell House, The Wicker Man, Don't Look Now
(1972) Images
Robert Altman’s Images is an exhibition into how to fully encapsulate an idea within the confines of a visually and sonically refined film. You could throw away the plot entirely and I’d still tell you this is one of the best looking films, period.
Runners-up: Your Vice is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key, Morgiana, What Have You Done to Solange?, Don’t Torture a Duckling, Raw Meat, Tales from the Crypt, The Last House on the Left
(1971) The Devils
It’s tough to tell how accurate of a representation The Devils is of what actually occurred in Loudun, France back then but either way, it seems eye-opening. It’s a very powerful film, I really enjoyed this one.
Runners-up: THX 1138, The Abominable Dr. Phibes, Short Night of Glass Dolls, The Cat o’ Nine Tails, Blade the Ripper, Malpertuis, A Bay of Blood
(1970) Valerie and Her Week of Wonders
I would absolutely consider this a coming-of-age film and they balanced the horror and whimsical elements perfectly. For that reason alone, I don’t believe I’ve seen any other film quite like this. With a tantalizing soundtrack and colorful visuals, I really felt transported into this strange new world.
Runner-up: The House That Screamed
(1969) Horrors of Malformed Men
I’ve never been so confused only to have everything wrap up so emotionally that the vision and artistic direction became so clear. I don’t want to ruin anything so I’ll just leave the teaser as, this film might be among the strangest Japanese horror films I’ve seen to date.
Runners-up: Cremator, One on Top of the Other
(1968) Hour of the Wolf
Hour of the Wolf is a top to bottom, beautifully produced psychological, surrealist nightmare.
Runners-up: Kuroneko, Rosemary’s Baby, Night of the Living Dead
(1967) Viy
This is the first and possibly only soviet horror film. For the resources they had, everything looks amazing. It’s an incredibly fluid experience that takes zero time before jumping straight into the scares.
Runners-up: Wait Until Dark, ’Spider Baby or, The Maddest Story Ever Told’
(1966) Persona
All of the flashing images, cuts and effects are almost unbelievably purposeful. Just 5-minutes of this films would spell pretentiousness but as a whole, it’s a masterpiece.
Runners-up: Seconds, ‘Kill Baby, Kill’, Cul-De-Sac
(1965) Repulsion
Sonically the movie thrives in the negative. When our lead actress is being raped Polanski purposely takes her voice away, really emulating the fear and helplessness in a genuinely scary way. Couple this with a claustrophobic atmosphere and we’re given a seriously trimmed up psychological horror thriller that was way ahead of its time.
Runners-up: Fists in the Pocket, Planet of the Vampires
(1964) Kwaidan
This is an anthology but rather than dissect each segment I’d rather just speak on the film as a whole. All four stories really encapsulate a sort of morbid beauty and tend to compliment one another over the course of the three-hour long movie.
Runners-up: Castle of Blood, Blood and Black Lace, The Tomb of Ligeia, The Masque of the Red Death, The Last Man on Earth
(1963) The Haunting
The Haunting, despite being such an influence in the horror genre in general, seems to be an incredible lesson in use of space. Architecture, ceilings and walls are constantly the focus. Wise creates a ton of claustrophobic tension and before the story even begins to evolve, you get the sense that these individuals are indeed, trapped inside this house.
Runners-up: Black Sabbath, The Birds, The Haunted Palace, Twice-Told Tales
(1962) What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
This film was fantastic. Beyond the poignant statement it makes, it’s just such a solid, performance driven thriller. I’m very surprised I’ve never heard of it before today.
Runner-up: Carnival of Souls
(1961) The Innocents
This is simply one of the most beautifully shot horror films from the early 60’s. Every frame is truly a picture and for that alone, I’d call this a must watch for horror fans.
Runners-up: Mother Joan of the Angels, Pit and the Pendulum
(1960) Psycho
There’s a scene where Norman Bates first shows real nervousness. The actor playing him, Anthony Perkins, puts on probably the most believable performance here that I’ve ever seen. It really gave me chills. If you haven’t seen this before, it just might be the first and greatest execution of a theatrical misdirection.
Runners-up: Peeping Tom, The Brides of Dracula, Village of the Damned, Jigoku, Black Sunday, Eyes Without a Face
(1959) A Bucket of Blood
This is such an awesome Corman film. It’s pure entertainment and just an excellent horror-comedy. Dick Miller is a great lead.
(1958) Horror of Dracula
Both Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee are fantastic in their roles and it’s strange to even be saying this is one of the best Dracula films at this point, after having seen so many.
(1957) Curse of the Demon
Certain aspects of the ending sequences don’t exactly age gracefully but for the most part, Curse of the Demon remains compelling and creepy.
(1956) The Bad Seed
Outstanding performances from both mothers and really just an excellent film all around. It’s probably the earliest film to tackle childhood evil in a realistic sense, without all the usual campiness.
Runner-up: Invasion of the Body Snatchers
(1955) The Night of the Hunter
The film just looks fantastic, I mean seriously, it doesn’t get much better for the era. The depth for a black and white film is incredible, especially in the backdrops. It makes for some really iconic looking scenes and those moments are probably what I’ll hold onto as time passes. The underwater shot of the car was fucking stunning.
(1954) Rear Window
This film just feels like Hitchcock flexing. He knows how to make the perfect theatrical experience in technicolor with all the hottest stars.
Runner-up: Godzilla
(1953) House of Wax
House of Wax, much like other Price films, is meant to be fun. It's definitely dark and horror focused but it's also colorful and accessible. Phyllis Kirk is also a very capable female lead.
(1952) The White Reindeer
I don't think I've ever seen a Finnish horror film before but this was great. It's super mellow but builds into this atmospheric horror-fantasy.
(1951) Strangers on a Train
This is such a fantastic crime thriller and I absolutely loved the character Bruno Antony. It added such a creepy element seeing this seemingly desperate man reveal himself to be something entirely different.
(1950) Sunset Boulevard
It totally brings a smile to my face to say this this is, yet again, another film that had to inspire David Lynch. It's certainly film-noir but the melodrama itself is so creepily in-tune with the struggles of Hollywood actors and actresses.
(1949) The Queen of Spades
Dickinson managed to capture the both literally figuratively cold vibe of imperialistic Russia and I think that's one of the main components that makes it stand out to me. It certainly is an exercise in greed but within the setting you almost adopt an understanding for our main character, however devious he may be.
(1948) Rope
Despite a very straightforward plot, I can’t help but thinking there’s a ton going on in this movie, a lot of which was way ahead of its time. It’s not just about two men attempting to get away with murder but it also introduced this widely controversial notion of lesser lives being expendable to the more powerful sector of society.
(1947) Black Narcissus
This film is absolutely breathtaking. For anyone who's ever considered technicolor to look fake, blown-out and oversaturated, this is a shining example of it done right. It's an entirely created set with gorgeous artwork. This film so elegantly says what I believe religious detractors have a hard time putting into words. There's a huge portion of the movie that's confronting sexual temptation and it's an aspect that's woven into every single frame of this film. I mean that literally.
(1946) Bedlam
This film is hugely influential and may just be the first film to explore the horrors of being accused of insanity. It also happens to be pretty diverse between horror, cruelty, meta-humor and wholesomeness.
(1945) Dead of Night
This is a clear inspiration for The Twilight Zone and just the structure alone felt way ahead of its time. It’s a nightmarish journey adapting many horror traits but really building a foundation around surrealism.
(1944) The Uninvited
The character relationships are comically whimsical and coupled with the upbeat score, I didn’t get really any “scary” vibe from it. It’s an aspect I didn’t hate though, it’s really what this film is about, the characters.
(1943) Shadow of a Doubt
Joseph Cotten’s character really stands out as the focal point of the film. Hitchcock manages to build suspense throughout the film my highlighting his presence in subtle powerful ways. Whether it be through camera framing or the subversive violent tone of his dialogue, you really feel tension whenever the man is on screen.
Runner-up: The Seventh Victim
(1942) Cat People
Simone Simon is a fantastic lead and even with the short runtime, I came to understand her character rather quickly. Tons of anxiety as well as repressed sexuality sort of hone her into this timid and frighted woman who brings her own fears to life.
(1941) Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
As with any Jekyll and Hyde film, it all really hinges on the performance of the two and Spencer Tracy fucking killed this role. The first scene with him as Hyde in the bar was super creepy and also pleasantly rape-y. Is that weird to say?
Runner-up: The Wolf Man
(1940) The Invisible Man Returns
A young Vincent Price plays our perp this time and he’s excellent as always. It’s not paced exactly as intensely as the original but I enjoyed the steady decent into madness.
(1939) Son of Frankenstein
Of course there’s that 1930’s cheesy sci-fi but the film as a whole is very entertaining and the set pieces are incredible.
(1938) They Drive by Night
This is a great fucking movie that totally embodies crime-noir. It reminds me a ton of early Hitchcock and for the 30's, the narrative is spectacularly clean.
(1937) Song at Midnight
It is tedious but really, not overly so. A huge aspect of this film is character and tension building and in that regard, it really works.
(1936) The Invisible Ray
Man I love this movie. You obviously have Boris and Bela back together but it’s just such a legitimately fun sci-fi horror film. The plot is straight out of a 1950’s nuclear propaganda film which was probably the coolest aspect. With that, the effects are also fucking top-notch.
(1935) The Bride of Frankenstein
Boris Karloff is the only Monster in my mind. I would even consider this film to be family friendly as he’s the sweetest version of himself. There’s no really complex character development but The Monster is undoubtedly more self-aware which makes the entire film more engaging.
(1934) The Black Cat
When I thought of things that struck me that were worth mentioning, I actually thought of vacation-horror. Beyond all the elements of lust and innocence, I actually was struck by how much this film probably influenced destination horror films. These films excelled at taking our protagonists out of their comfort zones, before even introducing fucked up shit to the plot. It’s smart, concise and something I feel is even worth revisiting.
(1933) The Invisible Man
I’m absolutely floored by the production of this film. I went in with this preconceived expectation of the invisible man solely being portrayed wearing all the rags and shit. The effects for 1933 are very impressive.
Runner-up: King Kong
(1932) Freaks
This film was oddly charming. It was obviously filmed with the intent to make people uncomfortable. In that sense, I mean…it succeeded. It’s definitely a little fucked up, especially the 3 second shot in the final scene. For the 1930’s, that 3-second shot was definitely an “oh my holy fuck” moment.
Runners-up: The Mummy, Vampyr
(1931) M
I feel like I, myself, never realized how far back people have been recognizing mental illness. I don’t mean in the specific and complex clinical sense, but more so, just in the obvious sense, certain displays that appeal to our natural, compassionate nature. Of course, in this film you do see the antithesis of that at times but really only to highlight the importance of law, reason and justice. Absolutely fantastic film and a staple in the horror genre with really the first truly dynamic killer that comes to mind.
Runners-up: Dracula, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Frankenstein
(1930) L’Age d’Or
It’s very much one of the earliest, full-length, surrealist films and with that comes the usual loose narrative that can be hard to follow. When I say hard to follow, it’s probably because it wasn’t meant to be “followed”. I digested this film as sort of an anthology of poignant criticisms by the filmmakers and Dali.
(1929) Seven Footprints of Satan
This film is fucking insane. It’s a super surrealist spiral through satanic-based situations. It’s really indescribable. The effects and cuts are excellent. I loved the restored version I watched. I don’t even know what to say. I definitely think this inspired or at least should be mentioned as a precursor to films such as Bergman’s Hour of the Wolf.
(1928) The Man Who Laughs
Some people might not know but this film was the direct inspiration for the ultra-famous DC comics villain, The Joker. It’s pretty fucking incredible how much people took to this idea of someone being disfigured in such creatively sadistic manner. I would absolutely, especially with the role of Cesare in The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, consider Conrad Veidt to be a horror icon.
(1927) The Unknown
You know, we’re still in the silent era and it does suffer from some of the text-based storytelling that silent films hinder on. However, it’s still a really fun movie. You’ve got Lon Chaney and he’s not just a modern day novelty in this. His expressionistic performance is actually the main highlight, even more-so than Joan Crawford.
(1926) The Bat
This may be the earliest campy, funhouse-vibe horror film ever made. It offers another level to the usual protagonist/villain structure and what comes with that is a fresh sense of unpredictability.
(1925) The Phantom of the Opera
Not only does Chaney look great but the labyrinth of the Opera house is also visually stunning. I’m hesitant to call this a haunted house movie but the set itself does play a pretty large role in the horror aspects of this film. That’s all that I need to say, this one definitely deserves a watch, even just to appreciate what they were able to accomplish given the technical limitations of that time period.
(1924) Hands of Orlac
Robert Wiene is back after one of his most influential films, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. The story itself is obviously very classic. It also happens to look fantastic. The actual film quality, as it often does in this decade, lends a great aesthetic. Where it falls short is really just in the length. The plot isn’t complex enough to warrant the runtime. The score definitely helps with that, even if it was added semi-recently. Still though, the second half the film can seem to drag. It may have no lived up to my own expectations but nevertheless, I believe it’s important in horror-film history.
(1923) The Hunchback of Notre Dame
I don’t know man, I’m not really digging it. It’s just too fucking long. I mean it’s good and everything, I can give credit for what was achieved given the time it was made but straight honesty, it’s not an easy watch. Why is it on this list? Well, I still believe it to be the best horror-film that came out this year.
(1922) Nosferatu
I’ll plainly say that I was blown away by this film. For 1922 there’s a direction of horror so understood that it’s a mockery of modern day vampire movies.
(1921) Destiny
This is a pretty early film in Fritz Lang’s career and it’s also one that I’ve never heard mentioned, ever. That’s strange to me because it’s a beautiful film with breathtaking visuals. I mean breathtaking not just in the photography but the editing is simply timeless. We always talk about films being ahead of their time but I didn’t even believe some of the cropping and fading effects even existed in the silent film era. Definitely just go watch this one. I’m always upfront with how digestible silent films are and this was actually an easy watch, relatively.
(1920) The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
I’m not exactly sure of the filmmakers direct intentions but even if they made this film as a natural reflection of the current state, it really paints a frightening picture of obedience in Germany. Just as is, it’s a really creepy film both looks wise and just the way it’s paced. For a silent movie, the storyline was actually quite dynamic and it even has a very unexpected twist at the end.
(1919) Eerie Tales
This entire film is incredibly tedious and really only certain parts entertained me. With that being said though, the suicide club segment alone was really unnerving.
(1913) The Student of Prague
This is textbook original execution over original idea, which to me, probably describes 99% of modern film. It has a really warm look to the surviving film and is actually filled with some genuinely creepy moments, despite possibly being unintentional. This is probably the first German indie art film, which makes it an essential watch, even disregarding the leaps made in psychological horror here. I really like this film the more I talk about it. Also, the more I talk about it, the more I feel like it doesn’t deserve to be rated, as it has no real counterpart.
(1912) Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
This one is definitely good for the time period, especially in terms of storytelling. It feels much more like a full, fleshed-out idea when compared to some of its counterparts. I appreciate it for what it is.
(1910) Frankenstein
A ton of people don’t know that this is actually the first interpretation of Mary Shelley’s novel in film. The surviving film is very warm and gritty. I love the effects here and it’s such a big name in horror that I’m not going to try and sell it. I will say though, the effects from the creation scene remind me a ton of Hellraiser.
(1909) The Sealed Room
This is really just such a classic tale of jealousy and infidelity. It’s a dark fantasy that plays out the most extreme aspects of human emotion. More importantly, it’s the earliest silent film I’ve seen that uses text screens for dialogue and exposition. It’s important.
(1907) Satan at Play
(1906) The 400 Tricks of the Devil
(1905) The Black Imp
(1903) The Monster
(1902) Mephistopheles’ School of Magic
(1901) Bluebeard
(1900) Faust and Marguerite
(1899) The Sign of the Cross
(1898) A Trip to the Moon
(1897) The X-Ray Fiend
(1896) The House of the Devil
(1895) The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots

For my essays on The Dark Knight Trilogy and since the anniversaries for The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises, I will now address Batman’s successor John Blake. He was quite popular with fans and viewers upon the film's release, many of whom wanted to see a sequel to the film (leave ‘em wanting more as they always say). His validity has been a subject of debate however including some inflammatory complaints among certain commenters, but he actually works. Given that The Dark Knight Rises, an epic that works as a progressing story with the theme of coda for Bruce Wayne and Gotham, after the first two films is in a more grounded universe (while still maintaining ingenuity contrary to what some have said) it’s entirely plausible that Bruce Wayne would burn out and can’t continue to be Batman physically into his 50's like in the comics, and the fact that some characters have taken over as Batman before is where John Blake comes in (Bruce even went into his mission knowing that he couldn’t be doing it forever). The idea of Batman the symbol is taken to its conclusion and adds to Blake’s purpose, the Nolan brothers didn’t write him in for the hell of it.
Complaints #1 and 1.5: Blake is nothing like Robin! That name reveal!: I’ve talked about ad nauseam that there is no one correct interpretation of Batman, his rogues gallery or any fictional character for that matter. Just because John doesn’t appear to be the boy in tights that we’re used to seeing in countless comics and cartoons doesn’t mean squat. He works perfectly as a tribute to the character and has the same sense of iron will and commitment to justice as his counterparts. He’s a composite of Dick Grayson (an orphan who as an adult becomes a police officer), Jason Todd (an angry street kid) and Tim Drake (a skilled detective who deduces Batman’s true identity). The fact that he was loyal to Bruce Wayne, works alongside him, Gordon and the police to take back Gotham from the evil that gradually infected the city adds to this. His first name being Robin just adds the cherry on top (which caused cheers from audience members who viewed the film back in 2012). Given how hotly anticipated this film was and avoiding speculation to lead to spoilers among other things; making him a new character instead of just plain Dick Grayson or plain John Blake makes complete sense. One YouTube video that explained Robin, made a great point in that it helps to not confine him to specific expectations that fans have for various Robins (like if it was Jason, is he going to die? If he’s Dick will he become Nightwing?). His name reveal at the end of the film was meant for the general audience as I alluded to in my last paragraph, if it was said to be Dick or Terry audience members who aren’t familiar with who Robin’s real name is would be left wondering “Huh? What was the point of that?”. It can be commended that John is an organic way of adapting the Robin character for this universe without alienating non-comic fans (in contrast to the Knightmare sequence in Batman v Superman which much of it exists solely as an easter egg for hardcore fans and sequel bait). Some complained that the name reveal was too overt and inorganic, to which I don’t get. It feels like a natural conversation people would have in real life at the dentist’s office or wherever, it’s sweet how the Wayne Enterprises employee says “I like that name, Robin.” I don’t have any problem with this at all. Given that this is a true ending to the series it makes complete sense that the writers made everything clear while leaving room for people to speculate and piece things together- the same goes for showing Bruce Wayne alive. I never understood this notion that he shouldn’t have been seen, this isn't the ending of The Sopranos.
The video that I referenced- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmHJvPAQoAU
Complaint #2- Everyone else in Gotham was so dumb, Blake was the only one who knew Bruce’s secret?: It’s implied that throughout the trilogy that many people didn’t care who Batman really was as he was a symbol of hope (one example being the scene in Batman Begins where Bruce’s colleagues discussed Batman’s takedown of Falcone), and it’s made clear that Gordon didn’t either which goes to tie in with the running theme of “A hero can be anyone.”. It’s not hard to assume that Gordon couldn’t directly assume it’s Bruce if he didn’t go looking for an answer, the moment where he remembers Bruce as a child was more so him remembering that moment. The only overt time when people cared who he was, was during Harvey Dent’s press conference in TDK. Eight years pass into TDKR and Gothamites aren’t hounding to figure out who Batman is. That doesn’t mean that people couldn’t have suspected Bruce was Batman, a lot of them would've (Side note- Bruce’s last public appearance was after the stock exchange robbery and with Bane’s cause targeting the rich and judicial systems he'd be presumed dead and not connected to Batman's, especially with his funeral being private and since some time passes before his will reading at Wayne Enterprises). All of that aside Blake deducing Bruce’s identity works. It wasn’t JUST from a look on his face as many have said. Like Tim Drake from the comics, he watched his father’s murder and connects with Bruce in how it felt to be trapped in anger and desire for vengeance (a recurring motif with others like Harvey Dent, Ra’s al Ghul, Talia al Ghul and Bane). Blake’s first conversation with Bruce actually debunks the notion that some had that “Nobody thought that Bruce was Batman.”, as orphans made up legends about the two being one- idolizing him as a beacon of hope. In addition to Blake seeing Bruce’s billionaire persona and believing that it was more than just stories this makes complete sense (without the need to make him the blonde boy from Batman Begins, who seems younger than what Blake would’ve been).
Complaint #3- John Blake? A skinny cop with no training becoming the next Batman!: This is one of the most egregious complaints about the film (well most of them are). This rings hollow to me for several reasons. Aside from Blake’s hunch about Bruce actually being Batman coming to fruition, his conviction to justice despite that he’s working under The Dent Act, with its oppressive rules being willfully ignored by The Mayor and other police officials, Blake is an ideal candidate to train and eventually become the successor. Blake was shown to be a smart, resourceful police officer whose efforts of helping Gordon in tracking down Bane are rewarded with him being promoted to detective. He deduced how John Daggett’s construction workers were used to rig the city to be cut off, and was able to successfully sneak around Gotham during the occupation to try and free the police. One pivotal moment comes when Batman rescues him from a gang of thugs, Blake is shown grabbing and knocking down the man who was about to shoot him- HE ALREADY CAN FIGHT. His experiences, helping Batman and the good people of Gotham in saving it and his police training goes to show that he already has a lot on his hands to become the future hero. With the city being in a state of recovery by the end, he has the time and resources to do so- the batcave and gear, Lucius Fox and importantly his will. It’s perfectly reasonable that he’s not going to literally go out as the new protector IMMEDIATELY, lol. I don’t buy into either the notion that he’s going to immediately die, or making a fourth film where he gets killed and make Bruce Wayne arbitrarily return. That’d be a horrible way to follow up what is a worthy ending (remember Hicks and Newt in Alien 3?). One reasonable scenario proposed by some fans is that Blake will train with Bruce, there could very well be coordinates to his future locations in the bag that’s given to Blake. He could also track down Bruce with the tracking device on the pearl necklace that Selina’s wearing. Bruce deliberately left a crumb trail for him to follow, so this completely makes sense. This is completely unlike Batman and Robin, where in a few days Barbra Gordon joined the dynamic duo, yuck. Also, Blake is pretty fit given that he’s a police officer and that Joseph Gordon-Levitt is in real life.
Side point- Blake’s connection with orphans, terrific use of smaller characters: There also must be creedence given to the role of his and that of the orphanage St. Swithin’s. One understated sequence that is crucial is Blake going to his St. Swithin's to tell Father Reily about a dead orphaned teenager who was found washed out of the sewers. His discussion with the orphan Mark after his brother’s death where even after a number of years he’s drawing bat symbols, still seeing him as a hero as a coping method and how the legend has passed down among orphans. The sequence also hints at Bane’s cause that exploited the needy and at-risk orphans of Gotham due to economic issues caused by the mothballing of the fusion reactor, and perfectly sets up Blake’s connection along with the orphanage that pays off by the end of the film. It’s a brilliant story establishment sequence that’s also quiet, allowing for these characters' emotions to sink in, and add in the visual motif of the chalk Batman symbol. Father Reily selflessly helps to shelter his boy’s home during the occupation of Gotham, they’re among a number of citizens who refused to give in to Bane’s faux revolution. Batman’s lighting of the bat symbol enables him and the inspired police to engage in assault against Bane and for John Blake, the orphans and Reily to warn citizens to follow them to try and leave Gotham. Their last hope with Batman prevails, with all of them cheering in victory despite Blake seeing his parental figure apparently die. Several character arcs including the good people of Gotham who apparently stayed home during Bane’s reign of terror, John Blake’s and the limitations of the police imposed by Bane and The Dent Act (preventing people from leaving and blindly following Bane) all come around during this section of the climax. These orphans are given another chance at a future with Bruce’s mansion becoming a new orphanage (Bruce’s wealth used for the good of Gotham in the name of his parents selflessly), which adds to his redemption arc. Orphans are especially an important part of this final chapter; Bruce along with Blake, Bane and Talia. Richard Corliss in his review for Time Magazine pointed out how these characters “express or repress their true nature by playing roles, donning masks.”
The misconception around the copycats and a hero being anyone: One might ask, why did Bruce say Batman or a hero can be anybody when he didn’t approve of the copycats? It was addressed in TDK when Bruce told Alfred “That isn’t exactly what I meant when I said I wanted to inspire people,”. He had to help pull the legal system out of the mob’s hands, and while he was inspiring people he didn’t want them endangering themselves and others (see the copycats scene and later when one was murdered by The Joker). Batman realized though after Harvey’s reckoning (him having a public face and open for attack) and from Gordon telling him of the evil rising from where they tried to bury it, vigilantism is still needed even if organized crime was conquered due to threats like Bane. A crucial moment is when Batman refuses Alfred’s request to give Bane’s USB drive to the police since “they don’t have the tools to analyze it” and out of fear of Bane’s infiltration. This moment is intricate into why Bruce chooses Blake as his successor- there must be a Batman in case things go wrong again in the future. Aside from them working with Selina Kyle and the good surviving cops which plays into Blake’s decision; Bruce teached him the importance of the meaning of Batman, wearing a mask in public to protect those he cares about and how to use one of his gadgets. All of these in addition to how Blake’s arc mirrors that of Bruce’s and realizing the inner hero in himself, contributes very much to why he’s a worthy character of the trilogy and legacy of Batman.

Starting the conversation
Ren/Akira: I understand that I'm the leader and all, but Noir, why am I the only one buying this stuff? you got money, so why not pitch in?
Haru: Probably because you never ask me to. I wouldn't mind if you did though.
Ren/Akira: You know Crow, your black suit is way cooler than that white suit you were wearing.
Akechi: Why thank you, I feel like I can truly express myself when I wear this.
Ren/Akira: Last semester, I was able to get perfect scores on all the exams.
Makoto: I'm very proud of you... but if I find out that you googled the answer to those questions, we're going to have a problem.
Ren/Akira: Look, I know you all mixed feelings about Crow being back on the crew but, try to get along with him until we finish this dungeon.
Futaba: Fine, but if he tries to double cross us again, I'm going to kick his ass twice as hard!
Ren/Akira: My man, Maruki got them snacks.
Sumire: I know right, he's got Oreo's, Goldfish crackers, Chips Ahoy, Pringles, Rice Krispie Treats, the man's got it all and he's quite handsome too.
Ren/Akira: I’m surprised that kid that sits behind in class never gets suspicious of things I do when the teacher isn’t around.
Ann: If he were to snitch on you, you’d probably threaten to change his heart wouldn't you?
Ren/Akira: You know Fox, me flying through air using my grappling hook would make for an excellent art piece.
Yusuke: I know, i’ll get started on it as soon as we're done here.
Ren/Akira: Fighting here can be pretty tiring, i should go straight to bed after this.
Morgana: Good idea.
Ren/Akira: I’ve decided you guys, we're going to defeat Maruki and take back our reality!
Ryuji: My Phantom Thief! that’s wassup!
Ren/Akira: You know Queen you were quite cute when you were stalking me and Skull back at Kichijoji.
Makoto: Y-You remember that?
Ren/Akira: I like to watch horror movies because they make me more gutsy.
Haru: I like horror movies because I get an overwhelming satisfaction of those victims getting tortured and killed.
Ren/Akira: I feel weird being inside you sometimes Mona.
Morgana: Please don’t say it like that.
Ren/Akira: Did you know your Persona can get stronger if you visit me at the jazz club.
Sumire: Really!? And will Lyn Inaizumi be there as well? she has such an amazing voice.
Ren/Akira: Cake is my favorite dessert.
Ann: Mines too! I love all kinds of cake: Carrot cake, cupcakes, funnel cake, cheesecake… i would mention the other cake but Crow might get mad at me.
Ren/Akira: I was able finish an entire book in the span of 30 minutes thanks to this book called ‘speed reader’
Ryuji: That book is really popular at our school huh, maybe i should try picking it up.
Ren/Akira: I have alot of names: Ren, Akira, Joker, This Guy, Leader, Senpai, Pompous Man in the Black Coat, Haremfucker69, Hero, Inmate, Trickster, MC, Protagonist. You guys can call me whatever you like.
Yusuke: I've never met anyone who has that many nicknames. You truly are worthy of the Wild Card.
Ren/Akira: The scenery in Mementos is refreshing but the tentacles creep me out.
Akechi: I know and those things better not touch me while we're traveling here.
Ren/Akira: I’m sorry that I had to shatter everyone’s perfect realities but I needed you all to realise the truth of our situation.
Futaba: It was really nice to see my mom again but I appreciate you snapping me out of the illusion though.
Ending the conversation
Sumire: Prince Crow probably has the fanciest suit out of all of us.
Ren/Akira: Please don’t call him that.
Futaba: Oh, Joker, is it possible that you can capture that Jack Frost for me? I want it as a plushie.
Ren/Akira: You can just get one at the arcade in Akihabara.
Akechi: I should probably maintain a small distance while I'm wearing this Crow mask.
Ren/Akira: Yeah wouldn't want you to...STAB us.
Yusuke: There was this lovely sketchbook I wanted to buy at the underground mail but I unfortunately didn't have the money.
Ren/Akira: You know what, here’s a couple hundred thousand yen, go buy that sketchbook and whatever other art supplies you want.
Ryuji: Queen’s sister is fine as hell!, I'm gonna try and shoot my shot with her the next time I see her.
Ren/Akira:You got a lot of guts to try something like that Skull, I’ll be rooting for you.
Ann: Joker, you look so hot when you use that grappling hook.
Ren/Akira: You would look good if I had you in my arms while I was flying through the air.
Morgana: There’s no way Jose can be cuter than me. He just can’t
Ren/Akira: *sniff* *sniff* I smell jealousy on you Mona.
Haru: Some of these shadows in Mementos are actually pretty cute!
Ren/Akira: I can't wait for you to see Mara.
Makoto: How were Caroline & Justine able to fuse back into Lavenza? did they have to put on special earrings or do some sort of dance in order to do it?
Ren/Akira: No, nothing of that sort, all I did was chop their heads off via a guillotine and that's how they were able to turn back into her.
Akechi: Pancakes… I don’t want to hear that word again for a long, long time.
Ren/Akira: Are saying that because you're embarrassed that your evil plan to kill us all failed? Or are you sick and tired of all the memes?
Futaba: Joker, who were those two loli police officers you were talking to? And why were they calling you “inmate”
Ren/Akira: It’s a long story.
Ryuji: Remember guys, playing stealthy is healthy as one would say.
Ren/Akira: That line was Smoove Skull!
Yusuke: After seeing Mara, I'd doubt Madarame would want to take credit for that monstrosity.
Ren/Akira: Oh, I'm sure he would've Fox. He'd probably take credit for a 5 year old's drawing off a fridge if he could.
Makoto: I love your turtleneck, Joker, you look quite handsome in it.
Ren/Akira: Thank you Queen, I've been waiting all year to wear it.
Morgana: Joker, you're going straight to bed once were done here all right?
Ren/Akira: Not if i call Kawakami and ask for a massage
Haru: Why do you always insist that we finish dungeons in one Joker? It's really exhausting.
Ren/Akira: Because I want to get over and done with so I can hang out with you all.
Ann: I was really happy that Shiho was out of the hospital… *sigh* too bad it was all an illusion...
Ren/Akira: Don’t be upset, Panther, I’m sure she’ll recover from her trauma in the real world someday.
Sumire: Men who cheat absolutely disgust me, wouldn't you agree senpai?
Ren/Akira: (If he’s not dating anyone) I wouldn’t know because i’m not dating anytime.
Ren/Akira: (If he’s only dating Sumire) Well I’m dating you, I would never cheat on you Violet.
Ren/Akira: (If he’s dating more than one person) Um… y-yeah men like that should be ashamed for being so unfaithful… hehe… oh god...

Finally, some info!
I'll divide this into details from the trailer and details from the site (there's a lot of the latter), with a few bits of speculation thrown in (I'll make it clear which details are confirmed and which are just mine though):
The trailer (in roughly the order of appearance):

• It starts with the Goro tries to kill Joker scene, but Joker has a flashback/ vision partway through to a frozen in time street, where he hears a girl's voice through a static television (the new girl, Kasumi's)? This could just be a clever edit for the sake of the trailer, but I think there will be a new ending and this will play into it (more on that later).
  • Edit 5: According to u/Monsieur_Valjean, her dialogue is "私が夢を奪ったんです" (Watashi ga yume wo ubattan desu), which translates to either:
    • (If spoken informally:) I stole/took away my dream.
    • (If spoken informally:) I took away your dream.
    • Edit 7: The trailer has been translated and the translation used is "I took away all their dreams." (*5)
  • The latter could either be benevolent (since she pulled Joker away from his confrontation with Akechi), or something more sinister. (*3)
• Joker's grappling hook from Smash is now in the game (or rather, it made an early appearance in Smash) and has changed the Palaces to suit it. For example there's now a new puzzle involving kicking a giant Kamoshida statue in the mouth to open a door (perhaps the statue and door in the gym?) Okumura's Palace also has a point where you use the hook on a moving platform to reach a new area.
  • Incidentally, this probably means the rope you use to get into Madarame's Palace will be replaced with said grappling hook, or maybe entering his Palace will be changed entirely?
  • Edit 5: Many of you have pointed out that Joker always had the grappling hook, but he only used it in menu transitions. Thank you, all!
  • Edit 19: Assuming this trailer is also for newcomers to P5, showing off the first dungeon in the game makes sense - there's not much to spoil, but why Okumura's Palace - and why just a single scene? Note that the scene shows Joker being carried somewhere by a small platform through space. Is this a sign that the infamous airlock puzzle has been cut, with the team using grappling hooks to traverse those areas instead?
• Edit 12: There's a cutscene with Joker seeing Kasumi outside and the two greeting each other. I didn't think it was worth mentioning before, but this does confirm that the two have some rapport before she's roped into the Phantom Thieves business/ when they're away from the other Thieves. But Morgana's poking out of Joker's bag when he smiles at her and makes no effort to hide himself - does this mean she already knows about him (and thus the Metaverse and Joker's double life)? Or does she simply think Joker smuggles his cat to school? At least she doesn't consider him a threat like everyone else!
  • This could either be because he helped her out (more on this soon) or because she simply doesn't believe/ care about the rumours surrounding him (like Shiho)...but maybe it's because she knows more about his situation (and Shido and/ or his Metaverse dealings) than she lets on?
• There is a new location in the game (more on this later), home to a variety of hangout locations including a darts board and aquarium.
  • Edit 15: Thanks to MysticDistance, we see that the train transition now includes a backdrop of Shibuya through the train's windows! What an awesome little detail to add!
• There's now a counsellor working at the school, though there's more info on him on the site so I'll address him there.
• Edit 13: We see a silhouette on the TV screen from the start of the trailer, and Joker seems to recognise it. While it's of course hard to judge the identity of a silhouette, it does have a slim figure and a rounded head, much like the hair of our new Thief...
  • Edit 17: Here's a better shot at the figure. While Kasumi's uniform gives her the appearance of having broad shoulders, the silhouette doesn't look too much like her. While there's still a chance it is her, here's my speculation from that post:

Those shoulders look too broad to be Kasumi's (and doesn't seem to have long hair or a ponytail), but they have hair so can't be Shido. But those are definitely seams on the edges of the shoulders...it's Takuto, isn't it?
Maybe Kasumi talks first and Takuto hijacks the message and/ or kidnaps or attacks her while she's delivering it? Maybe they're the same person under different personas personalities? Atlus has done weirder stuff!

• Futaba has an AOA now!
  • Edit 11: If you look closely, she's thrown out of the bomb when it goes off, heading towards the right side of the screen (where the Phantom Thieves always pose at the end of their respective AOAs). She can't catch a break!
• Unison Attacks from P4G make a return! Think of these as mini-AOAs featuring pairs of Phantom Thieves. The examples in this trailer are Haru/ Morgana and Ryuji/ Makoto.
• New story events! There appears to be a sports-day event that Makoto is overseeing. Joker also steps in to save Kasumi from a creep - presumably on his way back from the aforementioned event since he's still in his sports clothes.
  • Edit 18: There's a new option in cutscenes like this. While "Skip" is still mapped to Options, Square is now "Auto-Advance" and the Log has been moved to L3. This'll be really useful for those cutscenes that auto-advanced by default despite being unvoiced in the core game, those always bugged me (especially since you couldn't predict when they'd occur so going to the menu between cutscenes was always a waste of time).
• We see Kasumi in the Metaverse, followed by more scenes of the new location, Kichijoji, where we can hang out with the full PT group at once instead of hanging out one at a time (at least in the darts/ pool area). Kasumi isn't here though, which suggests she joins the group last (or that she is simply unavailable at this point of the story).
  • Edit 16: Note that Makoto has just thrown a dart right before we see Joker do the same. Is this part of a cutscene (story or otherwise) or does this mean we'll get to compete here against the other Thieves; maybe even as sub-teams?
• We see Kasumi in action, scoring a Critical Hit to boot! She wields a rapier and...I can't tell if it's a pistol or a sawn-off shotgun, but I can tell that it is fan-cy!
  • Edit 2: Thank you, u/Enzo-Unversed for pointing out that Kasumi isn't using a rapier. I did some further research and it looks like she uses an estoc, which is a narrow blade used for thrusting as she does in the trailer. The example on Wikipedia has a curved hilt while Kasumi's has a straight hilt, but I don't know if that means anything for estoc-kind.
  • Edit 2: u/AvatarWanderful identifies her gun as a lever-action rifle. I initially thought it was a hunting rifle before seeing its length, but that fits the description! And I still think the engraving is really neat!
• We get some scenes of the Thieves in a new crumbling place in the Metaverse, interrupted by a scene of Kasumi dancing in front of a crowd hard enough to work up a sweat (more on this later)*, ending with Joker falling off of whatever he's holding on into what appears to be a floating staircase. This looks an awful lot like the stairs in the background of the Velvet Room in PQ to me and, coupled with the blue hue to everything, makes me think the new Palace will be related to the ol' VR in some way. Maybe we change Igo Yaldabaoth's heart directly?
  • * Edit 18: Could this be how we first see Kasumi? It uses a lot of dynamic camera angles and plays up the mystery of who she is, so perhaps this is her first appearance and we later meet her "for real" after the sports day incident mentioned above. Also, if she's already showing her skills and drawing a crowd, does this mean Kamoshida has his sights set on her this time around? We know how he gets when someone threatens his volleyball team, and he's no stranger to blackmailing female students. He may still be messing with Ann, but why not Kasumi as well? What's an extra year in difference to him?
• Edit 7: The start of the above scene features a shot of Haru inside Morgana. More importantly though, is the bottom right of the image. You may have assumed it was Makoto driving, but her arms don't have stripes like that! Thank you, u/quitethewaysaway, for pointing out that Goro is still with the party at this point in his Loki attire!
  • Edit 20: A small detail, but this may mean we can buy equipment for Goro now, as well as access The Hero with a Bow, the book on Robin Hood we would have gotten from the library when he joined but was removed from the final release. This is in addition to Kasumi's equipment and book of course, unless she's the one to miss out this time. Which would be suspicious now that we know why Goro didn't get a book or weapons! (Also, it'll be interesting to see how their weapons are categorised, since both use swords.)
• Edit 16: As many have noted the trailer bares a striking resemblance to Into The Spider-Verse's intro, with the various logos and box art "glitching" into alternate versions as they appear - could this be another hint that the characters enter into separate "dream" worlds at some point in the game? Maybe even multiple times?

Edit 8: I wrote another post analysing the English fan-translation of the trailer, including some further speculation about Gnostic influences. Please check it out too if you have the time!
The website:
There's a ton of stuff here, as I said before!

• Edit 5: Again from u/Monsieur_Valjean, the text below the shot of Joker at the top of the page ends with "arata na kyoteki," meaning "new powerful/ultimate/grand enemy," which again hints at a new villain and thus new Palace to beat.

From the opening "reel" of screenshots:

• The box art: Goro looks much more sinister here than he did on the base cover, which makes me wonder if his betrayal is more...upfront this time around.
• There's an event with Ren, Kasumi and Goro at a french cafe. This could be part of one or both of their Confidants, which makes me wonder when this happens - after all, Goro's only part of the team for a month and this makes you wonder when Kasumi joins. (*1)
  • Edit 15: Thanks to a translation by MysticDistance, we know that Akechi's line is "Say, Kasumi-san, what's your opinion on things regarding the Phantom Thieves?" Isn't this exactly what he asked her in the teaser trailer?
  • Edit 18: Given what happens later on, this question couldn't work in the later stages of the game due to how the story progresses (and would be utterly impossible due to Goro's situation near the end, whether he survives this time around or not). And because Kasumi's answer was important enough to be the basis of the teaser and seems important to her character, I don't think it's something wed be able to miss. In other words, I believe this to be a fixed event in the story. (It may also confirm that she isn't a founding member of the Thieves, though she may also be lying to throw Akechi off...in which case it'd be interesting if she's telling the truth about her lack of faith in the Thieves while being one herself, especially with her leader and possible love interest right beside her!)
• Kamoshida in boss form now has Mishima as a lackey instead of the masked students he had before.
  • Edit 15: Thanks to the same tweet as above, we know Kamoshida is saying "You're too slow, Mishima! You simpleminded fool!" Which seems to confirm Mishima is his new lackey in this boss and that he'll speak directly to his minions. Also note the "warped" text box: does this change affect all Shadows, Bosses or just in-combat dialogue? And if the latter, will there also be UI changes for when your own allies comment on the battle or when you issue commands?
• Another image confirms that there is a sporting event at Inokashira Park where Joker hands something back to Kasumi. (Possibly something she dropped while being harrassed?)
  • Edit 6: u/FrozenKlondyke suggests this could be her student ID and that this is when she and Joker first meet (properly, at least) since she's introducing herself as a first-year here (you can see the 1 in her speech bubble too).
  • Edit 15: As pointed out in this tweet chain, it's a nice bit of characterisation that Joker is still willing to help out a girl being harassed despite what happened the last time he tried. D'aww...
• There's a cutscene featuring the girls in kimonos, but more on that later (also, it seems there are a LOT of new cutscenes in Royal!) The next image is very suspicious as it features Futaba sitting with someone who looks very like her mother. Even Joker - in a new winter outfit (again, more on that later) - is confused! Maybe Wakaba is only in a coma or something this time around? Could this be tied to Futaba & Sojiro's Confidants a la Chidori in P3? Or a "true" ending?

Section 1: Kasumi Yoshizawa and Takuto Maruki:

• Kasumi is a skilled gymnast. She's been great at it even since junior school, so Shujin has high hopes for her. She also joined at the same time as Joker (she is a first year, after all), which is probably how Kamoshida hasn't gotten his claws on her yet. This explains why her outfit is basically a gymnast's uniform plus a jacket (besides just fanservice) and her dancing to a large crowd in the trailer. The sharp mask and flower on the other side of her sheath are nice touches though~ (*4)
  • The first Kasumi screenshot seems to confirm the ability to have lunches with your friends at school. For those who don't know, this was an intended feature in the base game but removed (though removed late enough that the necessary files are still in the game). You could also have lunch with Kawakami - and anyone else who went to Shujin really, which of course now includes Kasumi (but not Futaba or Yusuke :/)!
  • Edit 1: The site also describes her as being key to the plot, so chances are she is indeed the voice from the start of the trailer and it does indeed tie into a new ending.
  • As u/icecreamsnow pointed out here, her being a gymnast may be why her cosplayer did a ribbon dance at the end of today's concert.
    • Edit 10: On both days, her cosplayer ends with a nervous look on her face before looking around and smiling. She did the exact same thing twice, so could this be a hint towards Kasumi's own personality? Is she shy despite her talent, and will we see this after her dance from the trailer?
  • Edit 3: In addition to being an epic shot of Kasumi in action (her black outfit goes really well with her red hair and eyes!) This shot also shows a new location in the Casino Palace. I'm confident in saying it's the Casino Palace because of the dice and enemy design, but this looks to be some sort of storage room? Almost like the backstage of a performance hall!
    • Edit 14: Also, there being enemies behind her - in Shadow forms at that - leads me to believe this is a cutscene. Note that her pose is different from when she performed a Critical Attack in the trailer; her gun is on her shoulder instead of her firing yet and her feet are in a different position. It's an amazing pose all the same, of course! And it really highlights the frills on her sleeves\~
    • Edit 19: But this begs the question: why is she the focus of a cutscene at this point, and such an action-packed cutscene at that? Could this be how she makes her appearance, already having her Persona and Thief outfit? It'd support the evidence that she's one of the last members to join the team and the suggestions that she has her own motives for joining the Thieves if she can already fight and hold her own in the Metaverse before meeting them. It'd double as a nice parallel to Haru and Akechi, who also join partway through a dungeon and are already capable of fighting respectively. Also, her fighting "guards" in the middle or end of the Casino for her debut would also parallel Joker fighting multiple guards in a cutscene in the prologue/ end of the Casino as his debut. Of course, this in turn means the shot of Kasumi in a blue room would have to come from the end of the game OR as a flashback to whenever she got her Persona and whatever event shaped who she is today.
    • Edit 20: Following from the above paragraph, she does seem awfully confident with her rifle to just sling it over her shoulder single-handed like that. Granted, every Thief is an instant expert with their weapons, but something about this seems especially proficient. Maybe it's just the leathe epicness of the scene and her outfit.
    • Edit 20: Regardless of if this is Kasumi's introduction and whether she's an adversary or if this is just a cool moment for her in a cutscene, let's go back to the reasoning of this being some sort of storage room - why are we here? In the core game we had to "un-cheat" in the Casino's games. Could this be related to one of those? If so, will there be a reworking of the two games we directly interfere with (i.e. the first two), or will we get to fix the second two games this time around - for example, are we currently on our way to/ back from fixing the lights from the Dark Room challenge? And all of this hinges on: are those games still in the Palace? Or have they been removed/ replaced completely, and this room is something completely unrelated to them or tied to (fixing) a new game?
  • Edit 18: I couldn't find this information for myself on the site or magazine, but a lot of people have talked about this so it's highly likely I just missed it. Anyway, this tweet (again from Mystic) elaborates on her bio, adding that she's also a transfer student (this part I still have doubts about) and despite joining the Thieves has her own motives (more on this later on and in my follow up post). The second tweet also states that she "holds Ren in high regard" despite her opinion of the Thieves. Perhaps this is why her Thief outfit is so similar to his; without even seeing Joker her psyche was affected by Ren's ideologies enough that her image of rebellion changed match his? Or is she fond of him because they were already similar despite their ideologies?
• Takuto is a new Confidant and comes in as a counsellor for students after Kamoshida's confession. As the trailer shows, there are voiced scenes for him interacting with Ann without Joker needing to be around, so I assume he works similarly to the confessional in the base game. He has the Consultant Arcana which doesn't exist in the standard or Thoth set, but the number is 1, meaning he's a renamed Magus (like how Hunger from P4G was a renamed Lust). This makes sense, since the Magician (the basis for the Magus Arcana) is meant to be the Fool's guide/ first ally on his journey to the World.
  • Edit 15: For those thinking her may be evil, the Consultant Arcana depicts people thanking/ worshipping the sun. This could be seen as a good sign of his trustworthiness, but also a sign of his intent to control people. Also note how the people above him are falling or look scared. Another hint at his true intentions?

Section 2:

• This says we'll be able to experience the third semester of the year that we couldn't in the base game. The second screenshot supports this by showing Joker (in his winter jacket), celebrating with the PTs (including Kasumi but not Goro) on Jan 1st, despite being arrested the previous week. However, the first shot shows a boy with blue eyes but otherwise similar appearance to him. I guess Morgana got his wish after all! He's not in the group shot though - maybe he takes the fall in Joker's place? Seems harsh to just celebrate without him though... (*2)
  • Edit 3: Persona Central's translation states that the new boy speaks in a familiar way and uses the first person pronoun "wagahai," which I think is what Morgana uses (any help from Japanese speakers will be greatly appreciated)!
  • Edit 4: Thanks to u/Elisianthus, u/shabonsong and u/Kulzak-Draak for the translation! The boy is named Ikemen (meaning "pretty boy") and says:

And now Lady Ann and I will finally... happy cat noises

• Edit 5.5: On the topic of the mysterious boy, note that he wears a black jacket (like Morgana's fur), white trousers (like the pads of his feet) and wears a yellow necklace (like Morgana's scarf). It has to be him! The only question now is whether the change happens as part of the story or as a result of completing his Confidant, and thus if his Confidant is optional now.

In any case, this confirms a "Golden" ending where Joker doesn't need to turn himself in to ensure Shido gets punished. Maybe this involves the "vision" at the start of the trailer and getting Goro to confess on his behalf instead? Or maybe the Yaldabaoth situation is handled differently in such a way that gives Sae the evidence she needs to convict him (assuming the bonus dungeon is in fact the Velvet Room)?
Edit 1: But this also begs the question: what will we do in those three months? Will the Metaverse survive the final boss this time around, or will the last three months be purely for social stats and Confidants? Will at least Mementos survive, so we can complete Confidants, or will they be re-written (by default or after the end of the game) so that Mementos won't be necessary for them?
Section 3:
This details the additions to the overworld and Metaverse.
School Life

• The new location, Kichijoji, "represents Tokyo" and is "a place where people of all ages and genders can enjoy themselves". [Note that there is a new icon on the minimap with an "i" in a yellow circle. Some sort of tourist guide?] Even in the trailer it looked huge! The darts stuff seems to be a collaboration with a real life company, Dart Live (This particular image seems to be taken after Madarame's Palace and features one of many examples of redone character art/ sprites!)
• The aquarium is confirmed to be a date spot (which is why we only see Joker with one other person there as opposed to a larger group at the darts/ pool place). There's also another amusement park here where he's seen with the twins, which also confirms...
• You can hangout with the twins! P3FES and P4G added hangout opportunities with Velvet Room residents, so it seems the pattern will continue here.
• There will now be extra text conversations based on group hangouts, complete with pictures. This also makes me think the subsets of PTs we hang out with will be fixed - the photos are prerendered, after all. Joker has a nice smile though.
  • Edit 18: MysticDistance pointed out that this selfie is taken from the buffet the founding members of the Thieves attend after dealing with Kamoshida. The table and outfits match and everyone's even sitting in the same positions they are in that scene, so I'm strongly inclined to agree!

Phantom Life

• Some enemies will now appear with a purple aura (similar to those that go berserk) and will be stronger than ordinary ones. They appear as soon as the first Palace it seems, which is an interesting way to keep new and old players on their toes.
• Something can happen in the Velvet Room which turns the place red, though no-one seems to notice.
  • Edit 3: Persona Central's translation states that the red light is part of the alarms going off, though what this means is still a mystery.
  • Edit 8: Since Goro seems to be sticking around, the alarm could be him joining as a fellow resident of the Room. Maybe even Kasumi (too), as suggested by some of you!
    • Edit 27: Remember how everyone gets limited access to the Wild Card because the P3 and P4 Heroes are in close proximity in PQ? What if everyone gets the Wild Card here for the same reason, wouldn't that be an amazing late-game boost for everyone, add a ton more complexity and nuance to team-building and give you a way to keep your favourite characters on your team? And what if having Kasumi around (Wild Card or not) means Joker and Goro keep their full potential instead of losing it like in PQ? What if having Kasumi around gives the three of them (or even the whole team) even more benefits, like a new evolution to their base Personas? I keep forgetting to add this one...
    • P.S. It'd also be interesting to spend the new semester in the Velvet Room with the door unlocked too. Maybe we'll be able to explore it and see the dungeons where everyone else gets imprisoned - if not even more? (Speaking of, while Goro may be arrested and feel like he deserves it to boot, will Kasumi? She's a mysterious one after all!)
• New items can appear in dungeons, on plinths that looks like they came straight out of the depths of Mementos.

Spec-Up

• There are new Network functionalities added, though what they are isn't explained. You can warp immediately to the hideout though, I'm looking forward to that! (Even if it isn't available in this particular screenshot...) Edit 18: Is the option unavailable because there's no Palace to infiltrate? If so, what about Mementos? Or is the Metaverse unavailable for story reasons (as it sometimes was in the core game)? But why so early on - is the reason related to the new story? By the way, I think it's safe to assume the Circle and X options will be swapped in the Western release - Japan often uses Circle for "Yes" and X for "No" in menus and worldwide releases almost always swap these around (e.g. in the base Persona 5 as well as in other games like Nier:Automata).
  • Edit 18: This tweet from MysticDistance explains that Co-op Assist and Status Assist represent your Confidant and Social Stats respectively (the Japanese version of the game uses "Cooperation" instead of "Confidant"). Given these are two menus you'll be visiting often throughout the game, especially on your first play through, having them accessible through a quick menu is a wonderful QoL change!
• Shoji Meguro and Lyn have done new work for the game, with the latter also singing new opening, ending and battle songs. Maybe we'll get a battle theme on the level of Rivers in the Desert!
• The game will be PS4 Pro enabled, meaning better graphics on that system. Also, the game is PS4 exclusive. Hopefully P5S will throw a bone to our Switch brethren!

---
Edit 1: Thanks to the screenshot in this thread (thank you, u/ZuskatoIsR3D) we can see Kasumi's stats in relation to everyone else's. Her numbers are lower than the other three, though this could just mean she recently joined the group and needs to catch up, but her SP is less than half her HP. This could mean either:

• She's a melee/ gun-fighter. The latter would be interesting since we don't have one of those in the base roster (save Haru, but she's also the Psy character of the group so chances are you'll specialise her in one or the other field).
• She's P4G!Naoto levels of OP and the low SP count is to mitigate that.
• She's badly optimised OR that this is simply an early build of the game :P

The next batch on information will come on May 9th. However, there's also a talk show tomorrow with Joker's VA that was supposed to give P5R info, which makes me think tomorrow will just have a recap of today's stuff (along with info of an upgrade deal for existing owners, I hope).
Persona 5 Royal releases on Halloween in Japan and 2020 in the West (the English trailer also confirms the Western name drops the "The" in the Japanese title as many suspected, following P4G's example). 'til then, enjoy! I hope you found this useful!
Edit 4: Theories (marked with "(*X)" above):

1. It's possible that the meeting between Kasumi, Ren and Akechi is where we hear the dialogue from last month's trailer ("What do you think of the Phantom Thieves?") After all, them meeting at all means she isn't restricted to only meeting him at the TV station, and this gives her more time to form an opinion on how they work - at least until finding her way into the metaverse and seeing what they do and why.
2. u/TheReaperCreeper had a much better suggestion than me: what if Akechi is the one who turns himself in for Ren's sake? As another user of the Metaverse he can also answer questions about it to get Shido sentenced, while also paying for his own crimes. Better still, he could claim to be the leader of the Thieves to keep the law off everyone else's backs, thus getting to redeem himself while also being punished for the things he did. Thanks, Reaper!
3. I was going to say Kasumi may only be important because she was in the right place at the right time, but this certainly hints at a more supernatural cause if true.
4. u/hypercombofinish suggested Kasumi's Persona could be Dorothée, and since her outfit shares so many similarities to Joker's I think this is highly likely. For those who don't know, Dorothée is the lead character of the novel The Secret Tomb, the only Arsène Lupin book in which Arsène himself doesn't appear. Instead the plot is about Dorothée solving one of his "four fabulous secrets". This could be highly fitting for someone initially disagrees with the Thieves before becoming one herself and would also tie her into Joker's "mythology" the same way Marie and her backstory tied into Izanagi's (and thus Yu) - assuming Kasumi is the Aeon Arcana and not a Fool or Jester or something completely different, of course.
5. The trailer as a whole has a small narrative running about Kasumi trying to dissuade the Thieves from their work, while Morgana tells her they won't be swayed by the danger or not getting results. This provides some early insight into her character, but maybe she eventually goes off the deep end and tries to control everything as a way of keeping everyone safe? Morgana telling her that "granting everyone's dreams is bad" and her saying she "took everyone's dreams" is also quite interesting. Maybe Wakaba and human!Morgana are just illusions? I plan on making a full post about the translated trailer tomorrow, but this is just something to sleep on until then.

---
(Just search for "Edit X" to see what each change entailed. Check the time stamp to see if I added anything you missed or want to correct!)
Edit 1: Just added a few tweaks based on stuff I've seen elsewhere on the sub and stuff I forgot to add the first time.
P.S. ...am I the only one who thinks Kasumi looks better in her school uniform? ^{Anyone? Maybe because I like clothed people and the pose shows her off better?}
Edit 2: Amended the descriptions of Kasumi's weapons.
Edit 3: Added a detail I overlooked the first time and clarifications from Persona Central's article. (Edit made at 16:53 UTC.)
Edit 4: Added translations for the new boy and a theory section, 17:31 UTC.
Edit 5: Added more translations, a correction about Joker's grappling hook and a new theory! 21:47 UTC.
Edit 5.5: Added a quick note I forgot to under the "mysterious boy's" section. 21:54 UTC.
Edit 6: Another edit, another translation! 22:22 UTC.
Edit 7: Added information from the translated trailer and u/quitethewaysaway's observation. 22:50 UTC.
Edit 7.5: Edited theory 5, 22:53 UTC.
25th April
Edit 8: I wrote another post about the translated trailer and added some new speculation there including possible Gnostic influences! Also I added a possible explanation for the alarms ringing in the Velvet Room. 9:40 (am) UTC.
Edit 9: This has nothing to do with Persona 5 Royal, but I wrote a post for P5S too! It's nowhere near as detailed as this one (since we have nowhere near as much info), but I hope you find it worth reading nonetheless! 14:39 UTC.
Edit 10: Added a shower thought inspired by Kasumi's cosplayer. 16:19 UTC.
Edit 11: Added a detail about Futaba's AOA that I noticed on rewatching the trailer. 18:14 UTC.
Edit 12: Finally managed to snag a picture of the above, and also added a scene from the trailer I didn't think worth mentioning before but have since changed my mind on. 21:13 UTC.
27th April
Edit 13: Added a new observations from the trailer. 08:35 UTC (am).
Edit 14: Added more info about a screenshot. 13:05 UTC.
Edit 15: Added some info from Twitter. I wish I knew of MysticDistance's work sooner! 13:54 UTC.
Edit 16: Added some observations from the trailer. 20:15 UTC.
Edit 17: Added a screenshot of the mystery figure on the TV screen. 20:47 UTC.
28th April
Edit 18: Added more details from Twitter, some speculation and a feature about the cutscenes I keep forgetting to add! 10:09 UTC.
Edit 19: Added speculation about when Kasumi joins the Thieves as well as a theory on Okumura's Palace. 14:05 UTC.
Edit 20: Added some speculation and further observations. 16:52 UTC.
UPDATES: This post is now too long to add to, so further updates will be added in the comments (along with text from here to show where the new details fit in.
Edit 21: Can be found here. 22:17 UTC. (Edit 21.5: Added a link to the magazine article and boldened the links to the trailer and site. 22:25 UTC).
29th April
Edit 22: Can be found here and contains some further speculation! 19:13 UTC.
Edit 23: Can be found here and details Kasumi's animations and possible symbolism of her stats/ potential playstyle. 19:36 UTC.
Edit 24: More speculation! 20:03 UTC.
Edit 25! 21:32 UTC.
30th April
Edit 26! 20:12 UTC.
(Edit 26.5: Added the above date and italicised it and the 29th for better clarity. 21:13 UTC.)
Edit 27: Added something I've been forgetting to add ever since adding the speculation of Goro (and Kasumi) joining Joker as "inmates," followed by some shower thoughts! 21:48 UTC.
Edit 28! A big one if I say so myself, about Kasumi's theorised code name, "Swan". Now I really hope we were right! 22:06 UTC.
4th May
Edit 29, 30 and 31: I was able to cover a lot over the past few days, including an analysis of Kasumi's character and name so far and translations for everything on the trailer and website! 16:49 UTC.
Edit 32: A new thought and an old thought. 23:00 UTC.
5th May
Edit 33: A thought regarding the narrative impact of the similarities between Kasumi and Joker's outfits. 10:01 UTC.
Edit 34: Wrote an analysis of the main song, Colors Flying High, and added some suggestions for the origins and implications of Kasumi's powers! 15:14 UTC.
6th May
Edit 35: More theories based on suggestions from the comments! 14:16 UTC.
Edit 36: New theories from the comments and something I keep forgetting to mention. 14:43 UTC.
Edit 37+ listed here!

So, our school has a program for kids who are pretty good at art or at least like art (kids in the program get to lose a few classes and draw using in the schools art room and learn about art and shit), now the thing is... there werent enough kids who actually fit the criteria, sooo they had to let pretty much anyone in, so only 5% of the kids there are actually interested in art, and im one of them (that last part had nothing to do with the story but that gives you a bit of context) So we have group chat of everyone in the program (including the teachers) and every now and then we send our artwork there, and i have drawing makoto yuki (persona 3 protagonist) and if you know anything about persona 3 (or just read the title) you prolly understand the pose he was in... anyways i sent the initial sketch in the group chat for some feedback (and said that its a pre-existing character and its a famous pose of him), and the feedback was positive, but there was just one thing, school councler is one of the teachers in the group chat, she didnt say anything in the group chat itself, but 1 day later she called me during math called me to her room during math class, she said she saw that i wrote that its a pre-existing character and all of that but she just wanted to make sure im okay and understand why i chose this character specifically, so i explained it to her (it being the persona series in general and explaining persona 3) and then went back to class (just for the record, the only reason i chose to draw makoto specifically is because i dont like drawing yu's hair and its annoying to draw jokers mask/glasses i actually like p5 way better than 3) So anyways thats the story of how i got to ditch class for 20 minutes to talk about persona. Have a nice day

Post requests for the padorus you'd like to be made. Remember to search if there's already a padoru of the character you want.
As a side note, people frequently ask for a padoru template, you can use this, this or this (for boys)
There are requests for these characters:

• The girls from Lucky★Star
  
• Keiko Yukimura, Kazuma Kuwabara (Yu Yu Hakusho)
  
• Germany(Hetalia)
  
• Espurr, Charmander, Pichu, Morpeko, Bea(Saito) (Pokémon)
  
• Chrono Shindou (Cardfight Vanguard G)
  
• Nyarlathotep (Cthulhu Mythos)
  
• Drizzt Do’Urden (Forgotten Realms)
  
• Illidan Stormrage, Jaraxxus (Warcraft)
  
• Weird Al Yankovic, Elon Musk, Adam Mickiewicz, Vladimir Putin, Charli xcx (real people)
  
• Aziraphale and Crowley (Good Omens)
  
• Bismarck, Vampire or graf spee, javelin, Ayanami, Kisaragi, St. Louis, Taihou (Azur Lane)
  
• Hifumi Takimoto, Ko Yagami and Umiko Ahagon (New Game)
  
• Hina Amano and Hodaka Morishima(weathering with you)
  
• Anya (Spy X Family)
  
• Ishigami, Iino Miko (Kaguya sama:love is war)
  
• Yuika Koga (Hensuki)
  
• Lisbeth (Sword Art Online)
  
• Azusagawa Kaede (Rascal does not dream of Bunny girl senpai)
  
• Nagito Komaeda, Chiaki Nanami, celestia ludenberg, Shuichi Saihara ( Danganronpa)
  
• Uzaki Hana (Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out)
  
• Jack frost ad Black frost (smt)
  
• Shirabe, Carol Malus Dienheim (Symphogear)
  
• Byleth(female and male), Claude , Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd, Lysithea (Fire emblem three houses)
  
• Tendo Maya (Revue Starlight)
  
• Kato Danzo, Paris, Solomon, Tomoe Gozen (FGO)
  
• Bananya (Bananya)
  
• Hat kid (a hat in time)
  
• Mile/Adele (didn't i say to make my abilities average in the next life)
  
• Yaya (Machine Doll wa Kizutsukanai)
  
• Lala, Elena, Madoka, Hikaru, and Yuni (Star Twinkle PreCure)
  
• Mysterious Heroine X (Fate)
  
• Rin Natsume from (Little Busters!)
  
• Melascula (NnT)
  
• Totsuka Saika (Oregairu)
  
• Mashiro Okeuchi (Layers of White)
  
• Tetsuo or Kaneda (Akira)
  
• Yumeko Jabami (Kakegurui)
  
• Spike Spiegel, Faye Valentine (Cowboy bebop)
  
• Lisa Isaribi and Princess Hibana (Fire Force)
  
• Konoe A. Mercury, Noel Vermillion and Ragna The Bloodege (Blazblue)
  
• Dante and Trish [Devil May Cry]
  
• Kyouko, Kyubey, Madoka Kaname [Madoka Magica]
  
• Cocoa [Gochiusa]
  
• Genos [One Punch Man]
  
• Juliet Persia, Inugami Leon [Kishuku Gakkou no Juliet]
  
• Eren Yeager [Shingeki no Kyojin/Attack on Titan]
  
• Reimi Sugimoto, Diavolo, Old Joseph Joestar(part 3), Pannacotta Fugo, Dire [Jojo's Bizarre Adventure]
  
• Kaori Miyazono [Your lie in April]
  
• Ichigo, Rukia, Orihime Inoue timeskip version [Bleach]
  
• Nagato, Shimakaze, Yukikaze [Kantai Collection]
  
• Iwasawa, Yui [Angel Beats!]
  
• Rebecca “Revy” Lee [Black Lagoon]
  
• Laura Bodewig [Infinite Stratos]
  
• Katsuragi [Senran Kagura]
  
• Rena [Genocide Online ~ Playtime Diary of an Evil Young Girl]
  
• Zelda [The legend of Zelda]
  
• The Mist Pillar, Giyu [Demon slayer]
  
• Eda (Edith Blackwater), Balalaika [Black Lagoon]
  
• Isla [Plastic memories]
  
• Winry Rockbell, Truth, Alphonse [Fullmetal alchemist]
  
• Nemurin [Mahou Shoujo Ikusei Keikaku]
  
• All Might / Toshinori Yagi [Boku No Hero Academia]
  
• Shana [Shakugan no Shana]
  
• Hori Kyouko and Remi Ayasaki [Horimiya]
  
• Kiriha [tsugumomo]
  
• Shirakami Fubuki [HoloLive]
  
• Edgeworth [Ace attorney]
  
• Yarai Miu [Dracu-Riot]
  
• Chrome, Gen Asagiri, Ukyo and Ryusui [Dr Stone]
  
• Chrome Dokuro [Katekyo Hitman Reborn]
  
• Maya Amano and Tatsuya Suou[Persona 2]
  
• Noël (Vanishing Starlight) [Sound Horizon]
  
• Cordelia, Lucina, Robin (male and female) [Fire Emblem: Awakening]
  
• Yuuto Ichika [Super Ledgehop: Double Laser]
  
• Nene Yashiro [Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun]
  
• Claudette Morel [Dead by Daylight]
  
• Mitsue [Hoshiai no sora]
  
• Ellie [The last of us]
  
• Pink skin Captain falcon [F-Zero]
  
• Okabe Rintarou [Steins;Gate]
  
• Karuizawa Kei [Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e]
  
• Latina [Uchi no Ko no Tame naraba, Ore wa Moshikashitara Maou mo Taoseru kamo Shirenai]
  
• Emet-Selch [FF14 Shadowbringers]
  
• Nona [Death Parade]
  
• Will of the abyss [Pandora hearts]
  
• Suwako Moriya [Tohou]
  
• Rika Shiguma [Haganai]
  
• Renge Miyauchi, Hotaru [Non non biyori]
  
• cole macgrath [inFAMOUS]
  
• Alphamon (digimon)
  
• Wing Zero (New Mobile Report: Gundam Wing)
  
• RX- 78- 2 (Mobile Suit Gundam)
  
• Pyke, Irelia, Jinx, Evelynn, Zyra, Vladimir [league of legends]
  
• A horse (yes, a horse-like padoru with the face of a horse)
  
• Yoshino [Date a live]
  
• Shouko Nishimiya [ A silent voice]
  
• Sora [No game no life]
  
• Ene(Takane Enomoto) [Kagerou Project]
  
• Kasumi Yoshizawa, Takuto Maruki, Joker, morgana, chie satonaka, sojiro [Persona 5 Royal]
  
• Lala Deviluke [To Love-ru]
  
• Jester [Critical Role]
  
• Sunflower [Plant vs. Zombies]
  
• Tech priest or skiitari [40k]
  
• Uni [Katekyo Hitman reborn!]
  
• Itachi Uchiha [Naruto]
  
• Kumin Tsuyuri [Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai]
  
• Hideyoshi kinoshita [Baka and test]
  
• Ithea and Chtholly [Sukasuka]
  
• Rize kamishiro [Tokyo Ghoul]
  
• Poppi [xenoblade 2 return of jafar]
  
• King Dedede [Kirby]
  
• Beeg Yoshi
  
• Lily Hoshikawa [Zombieland Saga]
  
• Master chief [halo]
  
• Saya Endou [Dagashi Kashi]
  
• Valt Aoi, Aiga Akaba [Beyblade Burst Cho-Z ]
  
• Amano Megumi [Amano Megumi wa Sukidarake]
  
• Kishinami hakuno master [Fate/extra]
  
• Last Order [A Certain Magical Index/A Certain Scientific Railgun]
  
• Dizzy [Guilty Gear]
  
• Sou Hiyori (Your Turn To Die)
  
• Protagonist/Hibiki Kuze, Anguished One/AlcoAl Saiduq (Shin Megami Tensei Devil Survivor 2)
  
• Mikleo (Tales of Zestiria)
  
• Magilou (Tales of Berseria)
  
• Tohru Adachi (Persona 4)
  
• Muzan Kibutsuji [Kimetsu no yaiba]
  
• Dr. Manhathan [Watchmen]
  
• Prince Mirun [Yurikuma Arashi]
  
• Tom and Jerry [Tom and Jerry]
  
• Chitanda Eru, Oreki Houtaru [Hyouka]
  
• Ryuji (with the mask if possible) [Persona 5]
  
• Constanze Amalie Von [Little Witch Academia]
  
• Sakura Matou from [Fate/Stay Night]
  
• Charlotte Katakuri, Portgas D. Ace, Trafalgar Law, Kaido [One piece]
  
• Tomoyo Sakagami [Clannad]
  
• Kobeni Yonomori [Engaged to the Unidentified]
  
• Malkuth, Yesod, Netzach, Hod, Tiphereth A and B, Chesed, Gebura, Binah, Hokma, A, Angela and Carmen [Lobotomy Corporation]
  
• Irisu from [Rabi Ribi]
  
• Li Wen [WILL: A Wonderful World]
  
• Octolin(player) [Splatoon]
  
• Yoshi [Super Mario]
  
• Liliruca Arde [DanMachi]
  
• Lesley Legend [Mobile Legends]
  
• Euden and Mym [Dragalia Lost]
  
• Pink guy [Filthy Frank]
  
• Guild Girl, Cow Girl [Goblin Slayer]
  
• Witch hunter [Warhammer fantasy battle]
  
• Donovan [Berserk]
  
• Eugeo [SAO Alicization]
  
• Mung [Chowder]
  
• Haqua [The world god only knows]
  
• Inferno cop[Inferno cop]
  
• Kotozume Yukari [KiraKira Precure]
  
• Ike, Soleil, Marth, Nephenee, Oliver, Sophia, L'Arachel, Female Morgan, Fjorm, Lucia, Hana, Olivia, Lucina, Alm, Innes, Annette [Fire emblem]
  
• Azazel Amelie, Valac Clara and Ix Elizabetta [Marimashita Iruma-kun]
  
• CC [Code geass:resurreection]
  
• Yuzu Aihara [Citrus]
  
• Akizuki Kanna [Cafe stella to shinigami no chou]
  
• Ryoko [Tenchi Universe]
  
• Venom [Spiderman]
  
• Donkey kong [Donkey kong]
  
• Yujiro Hanma [Grappler Baki]
  
• Dabi [Boku no Hero Academy]
  
• Ainz Ooal Gown, Maid fighter CZ [Overlord]
  
• Tadano (in all forms), Rumiko Manbagi [Komi-san wa Komyushou Desu]
  
• IZU chan [KAMEN RIDER ZERO ONE]
  
• Chiharu Yuki [Oresuki]
  
• Steve urkel [Family Matters]
  
• Kurapika (Hunter x Hunter]
  
• Magnus the red [Warhammer 40k]
  
• Chrome -chan [Merryweathery comics]
  
• Natsume Takashi, Natsume Reiko [Natsume Yuujinchou]
  
• Grea [Manaria Friends]
  
• Spiritual beast tamer Winda, Tea gardner [Yugioh]
  
• Tendo Satori [Haikyuu]
  
• Sheogorath [Elder scrolls series]
  
• Ana [overwatch]
  
• Noire [Hyperdimension Neptunia]
  
• Lenalee lee [D.gray-man]
  
• Shiemi Moriyama [Blue exorcist]
  

Done

• Senko-san(Sewayaki Kitsune no Senko-san ) link
  
• Raphtalia (The Rise of the Shield Hero) link
  
• Gabriel Tenma White (Gabriel Dropout) link
  
• Tsuruno Yui (Magia Record)link
  
• Kaguya link link 2 , Chika link and Shirogane link (Kaguya-sama:Love is war)
  
• Kotaro (Zombieland Saga) Link
  
• Rory mercury (Gate) Link
  
• Konata (Lucky star) link
  
• Rikka Takarada(SSSS.Gridman) link
  
• Aura and Mare (overlord) Link
  
• Hibiki, Kanade, Tsubasa, Chris, Maria, Kirika, Miku (Symphogear) link
  
• Shinobu(kiss shot) from(Monogatari) link
  
• Ruby Rose, Yang Xiao Long and Blake Belladonna Link Weiss Schnee link [RWBY]
  
• Keanu Reeves link
  
• Moka Akashiya and her inner self (Rosario + vampire) Link
  
• Izumi Konata [Lucky Star] Link
  
• Itsuki Nakano link and Miku Nakano Link [5-toubun no hayanome]
  
• Miniwa Tsumiki (Acchi Koichi) link
  
• Thanos (Marvel) link
  
• Chitoge Kirisaki [Nisekoi] link
  
• Hitomi Uzaki [Killing bites] link
  
• Marnie [Pokemon] link link 2 link 3
  
• Sumireko "Pansy" Sanshokuin [Oresuki] link
  
• Natsu Dragneel [Fairy tail] link
  
• Doppio link King Crimson link [JoJo's bizarre adventure]
  
• Alice [Sword art online] link
  
• A2 [Nier Automata] link
  
• Yunyun [Konosuba] link
  
• Aoba Suzukaze [New game] link
  
• Hisoka [Hunter x Hunter] link
  
• Luviagelitta Edelfelt ( fate/ataraxia or fate/kaleid ) link
  
• Lucy Heartfilia (Fairy Tail) link
  
• Mao Amatsuka (Gj-bu) link
  
• Tamaki Kokatsu [Fire force] link
  
• Zero suit Samus[Metroid] link
  
• N [pokemon] link
  
• Bernadetta [Fire emblem: Three houses] link
  
• Nagisa Furukawa [Clannad] link
  
• Honolulu [Azur lane] link
  
• Ikaros [Sora No Otoshimono] link link 2
  
• Killua [hunter x hunter] link
  
• Kuon [Utawarerumono] link 1 (deleted) link 2
  
• Akiza Inzinski (Yu-Gi-Oh 5Ds) link
  
• Light Yagami [Death note] link
  
• Rika Furude [Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni] link
  
• Link [The legend of Zelda] link
  
• Girl Ranma [Ranma 1/2] link
  
• Hikigaya Hachiman [Oregairu] link
  
• Sagiri Izumi [eromanga sensei] link link 2
  
• Kirino kousaka [oreimo] link
  
• Nagisa Shiota [Assasination Classroom] link
  
• Niko [Oneshot] link
  
• Phosphophyllite Houseki no kuni
  
• Tachibana Marika [Nisekoi] link
  
• D.Va [Overwatch] Link
  
• Ririna Sanada [Koi to uso] link
  
• Kud(kudryavka) [Little busters!] link
  
• Kobayashi link and Quetzalcoatl link [Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid]
  
• Monokuma [Danganronpa] link
  
• Misaki Mei [Another] link
  
• Rin kagamine [Vocaloid] link
  
• Yukiko Amagi [Persona 4] link
  
• Tomoe Koga [Rascal does not dream of Bunny girl senpai] link
  
• Genkai [Yuu☆Yuu☆Hakusho] link
  
• Mikasa Ackerman [Attack on titan] link
  

If you make any padorus from the requests feel free to post it in a separate post instead of replying to this post.