One of the defining elements of the Persona series is the utilization of the Major Arcana to represent characters within the games' Social Link and Confidant mechanics. Each character with whom the player can form a Social Link or Confidant relationship is linked to one of the 22 Major Arcana from the standard Tarot decks, with the protagonist typically associated with the Fool. These characters typically embody traits associated with their Major Arcana, but the representation of the Hierophant has remained largely unchanged in recent entries, calling for a fresh approach in Persona 6.
In traditional Tarot symbolism, the Hierophant is often depicted as a religious or enlightened figure standing before two followers. This card typically signifies a teacher or mentor who imparts spiritual wisdom or guides life choices from a place of experience and insight. Consequently, the Hierophant in the Persona series has commonly taken the form of an older, authoritative figure in the protagonist's life. However, the repetitive use of these tropes has resulted in similar Hierophant characters across recent Persona games, failing to fully explore the potential depth of this Major Arcana.
Persona 6 Should Feature a New Incarnation of the Hierophant Arcana
Exploring Past Persona Hierophant Characters
While the Hierophant Arcana has been a part of the Persona series since its inception, the characters representing this Arcana in Persona 4's Dojima and Persona 5's Sojiro have shared striking similarities. In Persona 4, Dojima, the uncle and guardian of the protagonist, embodies the archetype of a stern yet fair middle-aged detective, ultimately fostering a positive relationship with his nephew and learning to be a better father to his daughter, Nanako.
In Persona 5, the Hierophant is personified by Sojiro, the proprietor of Cafe Leblanc and the guardian of the protagonist, Joker, during his probation. Sojiro's character arc closely resembles Dojima's in Persona 4, as he serves as a gruff yet compassionate mentor to Joker, their relationship evolving as Joker aids him in becoming a better father to Futaba. While these characters are individually well-crafted and engaging, Persona 6 should depart from the familiar gruff father figure trope for the Hierophant, drawing inspiration from the series' earlier iterations.
Previous representations of the Hierophant have showcased greater diversity in their characterizations. Kei Nanjo, a playable character in both the original Persona and Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, assumes the role of an older brother within the group, offering a more logical perspective on events. Persona 3 also introduced a distinct Hierophant portrayal through Bunkichi and Mitsuko, an elderly couple managing a bookstore the player frequents, assuming a grandparental role for the protagonist. Additionally, in Persona 3, Shinjiro's Persona Arcana is the Hierophant, and in The Answer epilogue for Persona 3 FES, Metis, Aigis' sister, is also associated with this Arcana.
Persona 6 should diverge from the fatherly figures in Persona 4 and Persona 5 for its representation of the Hierophant, opting for a more imaginative portrayal reminiscent of characters like Kei Nanjo, Persona 3's Shinjiro Aragaki, or The Answer's Metis. The game could even introduce a maternal figure to embody the Hierophant, a representation yet to be explored in the series. While retaining the essential tropes linked to the Tarot card, Persona 6 should reimagine their manifestation, offering a fresh perspective on the traditional themes.