Origin
Creation
Naoto Shirogane (白鐘 直斗, Shirogane Naoto) is a main character from the Shin Megami Tensei series of games and specifically the Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 video game for the Playstation 2. It’s the sixth game of the franchise and was developed as a murder mystery RPG with deep social aspects. It was developed by ATLUS in Japan, directed by Katsuro Hashino, and character design by Shigenori Soejima. It was released in Japan in July 10, 2008, and in the U.S. on December 9, 2008.
The series was later adapted into a manga written and illustrated by Shūji Sogabe, and began serialization in ASCII Media Works’ Dengeki Black Maoh magazine on September 19, 2008. Her manga first appearance was in Persona 4 Volume ? CH. 12 “Void”.
Naoto, along with the rest of the Investigation Team members, appears briefly in Chapter 1 of the manga during the introduction pages for the series.
Character Evolution
Major Story Arcs
Powers & Abilities
Persona
Naoto Shirogane is a character from the Fortune Arcana. Her initial Persona is Sukuna-Hikona, but later evolves into Yamato-Takeru. His abilities lie in light and dark magics, as well as character augmentation.
Initial Persona: Sukuna-Hikona
Ultimate Persona: Yamato-Takeru
Weapons & Equipment
Naoto’s weapon of choice is a revolver.
Stats
Age: 15 (16)
Date of Birth: April 27th, 1995
Zodiac: Taurus
Height: 165 cm (5’5.5″)
Blood Type: B
Other Media
Games
Persona 4 (2008)
In the Persona 4 PS2 game, Naoto is one of the numerous potential love interests. She is voiced in the Japanese version by Romi Paku, the same voice actress from the anime; and the English version is performed by Susan Dalian. Naoto can be dated, and her Social link story follows the main protagonist and her trying to catch the “Phantom Thief”. Completing this Social Link allows Sukuna Hikona to ascend to Yamato Takeru. If the protagonist chooses to have a romantic relationship with Naoto and invites her to his place for Christmas Eve. Naoto will begin dressing as a girl during school.
Persona 4 Arena (2012)
The game Persona 4 Arena is originally titled in Japan as Persona 4 The Ultimate In Mayonaka Arena. This is the only Persona game that wasn’t exclusive to the Sony platforms and was also available for the X-Box 360. It’s the first fighting game that Naoto appears in. The Japanese version is voiced by Romi Paku, but Chie’s English voice was performed by Susan Dalian. It was released in August 8, 2012, The story is set two months after the events of Persona 4.
The Investigation Team begin watching the Midnight Channel once more after Teddie’s sudden disappearance. They discover he’s holing a fighting tournament to find the ultimate Persona user. Naoto uses her Persona, Sukuna-Hikona, in combat and her pistol.
Persona 4 The Golden (2012)
Persona 4 The Golden is an updated remake of the original Persona 4 PS2 game for the Playstation Vita. It was first released in Japan on June 14, 2012. Graphics were updated and new animation was created with more voice work. Romi Paku and Susan Dalian both reprise their roles once more for the game..
Anime
Persona 4: The Animation (2011)
Persona 4: The Animation is an anime adaptation of the Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 video game for the PS 2. It is produced by AIC A.S.T.A. and Aniplex. The anime began airing on October 6, 2011. The series lasted for twenty-five episodes, and the last aired on March 22, 2012. However, a final ‘True Ending” episode was released with the final DVD volume in August 22, 2012.
Naoto’s first anime appearance was in Persona 4 The Animation – Episode 6 “I’ll Beat You, and Beat You Good”, which aired on November 10, 2011. Her character in the Japanese series is voiced by Romi Paku, and the U.S. dub produced by Sentai Filmworks is performed by Susan Dalian.