Naoto Shirogane: Difference between revisions

|age=15-16{{Exp App|P4|P4G|PQ1|PQ2}}{{Note|Naoto turns 16 on April 27, 2011, which is after ''Persona 4'' starts but before Naoto is met in-game. ''Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth'' and ''Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth'' take place during the events of ''Persona 4'', so Naoto is the same age in those entries.}}<br>17{{Exp App|P4A|P4AU|P4D|manga1=PDN}}{{Note|Naoto would have turned 17 on April 27, 2012, before ''Persona 4 Arena'' which takes place in May 2012. ''Persona 4 Dancing'' takes place later that year, so Naoto would be the same age then. ''Persona x Detective Naoto'' is set approximately one year after the end of ''Persona 4''<ref>{{Cite Book|quote=|translquote=I soon realized my fears were unfounded. I was simply afraid of the new experience. As a result, I was able to become much stronger than my previous solitary self. When I thought of my friends, I was invincible. That was one year ago|chapter=Chapter 1: Chance Meeting|book=Persona x Detective Naoto|author=Natsuki Mamiya|publisher=ATLUS|lang=English|volume=|edition=|page=7|transl=azurillturtle ('''fan translation''')|isbn=979-8409587796}}</ref> and ends on April 12, before Naoto's birthday has passed.}}

Naoto Shirogane is a prodigious freelance detective, working alongside the Yasoinaba Police Department to discover the culprit of the double homicide that occurs in Inaba during April, 2011. Despite only being a first year in high school, Naoto takes the role of the fifth in the Shirogane lineage of detectives very seriously, often acting more mature than one Naoto's age would. This causes Naoto to have difficulty taking the feelings of others into account,<ref>{{Cite Game|quote='''Naoto Shirogane:''' I'm sorry, I seem to have a tin ear for other people's feelings... Yosuke-san told me so before.|title={{Link|Game|P4}}|developer=ATLUS|publisher=ATLUS|platform=|version=|lang=|transl=}}</ref> and Naoto has expressed a distaste for activities deemed childish.<ref>{{Cite Game|quote='''Naoto Shirogane:''' Whether the sender is male or female, I have no intention of responding. I have no time to be dilly-dallying with callow love affairs.|title={{Link|Game|P4}}|developer=ATLUS|publisher=ATLUS|platform=|version=|lang=|transl=}}</ref> Despite this, however, Naoto does occasionally show notes of immaturity, specifically regarding the occult.<ref>{{Cite Game|quote='''Yukiko Amagi:''' Oh, and I heard that Haniwa are occasionally found in the mountains around here. They say this entire area could have been a grave site long ago... / '''Naoto Shirogane:''' F-Folklore has little valid scientific evidence, but is a result of cultural significance and strong story elements...A-Any "ancient burial ground" is likely just the site of a t-temple, so, um... / '''Yosuke Hanamura:''' You're scared too? / '''Naoto Shirogane:''' Yes.|title={{Link|Game|P4G}}|developer=ATLUS|publisher=ATLUS|platform=|version=|lang=|transl=}}</ref> Naoto was designed with the image of a "young detective boy" in mind, which, according to character designer [[Shigenori Soejima]], is the reason behind Naoto's signature blue newsboy hat.<ref>{{Cite Book|quote=Naoto was designed to be a "young detective boy," and to me, that meant he needed a very particular hat.|translquote=|des=|chapter=1|book=Persona 4: Official Design Works|author=ATLUS|publisher=ATLUS|lang=English|volume=|edition=|page=106|transl=|isbn=978-1926778457}}</ref> On days in which school is not in session, such as holidays, Naoto is typically seen wearing formal clothing befitting the season, all of which have blue as the primary color. The standard male [[Yasogami High School]] uniform is worn on days in which Naoto does go to school. Shoes with platform soles and the aforementioned newsboy hat are present in almost all of Naoto's outfits with very few exceptions.

Naoto appears as a playable character alongside the rest of the Investigation Team in {{Link|Game|P4A}} and {{Link|Game|P4AU}}. Unique in many ways, Naoto's game plan changes depending on the situation. Guns, traps, and powerful anti-airs help keep the opponent away when Naoto does not want them to be close, while powerful lunges and normal attacks allow Naoto to play offensively. Additionally, Naoto has a unique mechanic- the Fate gauge. The Fate gauge is placed on the combatant facing Naoto, starts at 13, and can be depleted by performing certain actions. Reducing the Fate gauge to zero will allow Naoto to utilize [[Hamaon]] and [[Mudoon]], supers that instantly kill the opponent. Generally, Naoto is a strong character with tools to deal with many situations, though these strengths are offset by Naoto's dependence on Sukuna-Hikona and meter, as well as the resource management required to use Naoto's various assets proficiently.

=== {{Link|Game|P4}} ===

</br>

Once they reach the deepest level of the bunker, the Investigation Team find Naoto- as well as the [[Shadow Naoto|Detective Prince’s Shadow]]. Unlike prior cases, Naoto appears to be in no state of emotional distress, with the detective’s doppelganger acting as prior victims of the case once had.<ref>{{Cite Game|quote='''Naoto Shirogane:''' Ah, it’s about time you arrived. Dealing with this child has been quite  a pain… / '''Other Naoto:''' No! No, no, don’t go! / '''Naoto Shirogane:''' It’s useless speaking with you. I need to go back now… / '''Other Naoto:''' Why? Why’re you leaving me here!? Why am I always left alone!? It’s so lonely… I don’t wanna be alone!|title={{Link|Game|P4}}|developer=ATLUS|publisher=ATLUS|platform=|version=|lang=|transl=}}</ref> The situation escalates as Naoto confronts the Shadow directly, however, quickly becoming a far more recognizable scene.<ref>{{Cite Game|quote='''Naoto Shirogane:''' You wear the same face as me... It's as if you're implying we're one and the same. But the difference between me and you is... / '''Other Naoto:''' Why delude yourself? I am you.|title={{Link|Game|P4}}|developer=ATLUS|publisher=ATLUS|platform=|version=|lang=|transl=}}</ref> The Shadow goes on about Naoto's insecurities regarding age and the role detectives play in society; only being appreciated so long as their services are needed and

getting cast away as soon as the case is deemed solved.<ref>{{Cite Game|quote='''Other Naoto:''' The fools all say it, don’t they...? “You’re only a child,” “Keep out of our business, kid,” and so forth. No matter how many cases you spend hours cogitating over, no matter how many crimes you solve, you’re a child in their eyes. It’s your brain they’re interested in. The grey matter locked up in that skull. As long as they need it, you’re an ace detective! But once you’re done, it’s back to the playpen with you. You haven’t the means to deal with society’s two-faced nature... You’re just a lonely child. / '''Yosuke Hanamura:''' Naoto... / '''Other Naoto:''' I wanna be a big grown-up... I wanna be a big boy right now... Then they’ll see who I am... I... I want a reason for me to stay... / '''Naoto Shirogane:''' That’s enough. I can find my own reason for living... / '''Other Naoto:''' Hah... I’m telling you that’s impossible. You are but a child. How can you change that essential truth?|title={{Link|Game|P4}}|developer=ATLUS|publisher=ATLUS|platform=|version=|lang=|transl=}}</ref> As Naoto’s calm demeanor begins to crack, the Shadow continues on, revealing to the Investigation Team one final secret- the Detective Prince is actually a woman.<ref>{{Cite Game|quote='''Other Naoto:'''  Now then! Our analysis is complete. Let us begin the body alteration procedure. You have no objections, do you... “Naoto” Shirogane? / '''Naoto Shirogane:''' Stop it! / '''Other Naoto:''' “Naoto”... Such a cool, manly name! But a name doesn’t change the truth. It doesn’t let you cross the barrier between the sexes. How could you become an ideal man when you were never male to begin with...?|title={{Link|Game|P4}}|developer=ATLUS|publisher=ATLUS|platform=|version=|lang=|transl=}}</ref> At this, Naoto finally breaks, denying that the Shadow is her,<ref>{{Cite Game|quote='''Other Naoto: After all... I am you. / '''Naoto Shirogane:''' That's not true!!|title={{Link|Game|P4}}|developer=ATLUS|publisher=ATLUS|platform=|version=|lang=|transl=}}</ref> and the Shadow transforms into [[Shadow Naoto#Gameplay|a massive, flying robot resembling Naoto]], which the Investigation Team fight.

{{Endspoiler|1}}

Naoto is the [[Fortune]] Social Link. Naoto's Social Link can be started on October 22, 2011 at the earliest, though maximum Courage and Knowledge are required. In addition, a card must be retrieved from the Man in Black in the North Shopping District before beginning the Social Link, a task that can be completed as early as October 21, 2011. Completion of the Fortune Social Link permits the fusion of [[Norn]] in the Velvet Room, and will cause Naoto's [[Persona (Concept)|Persona]] to evolve from [[Sukuna-Hikona]] to [[Yamato-Takeru]].  

In Persona 5, the TV in [[Café Leblanc]] will mention Naoto by name on April 29.<ref>{{Cite Game|quote='''Host:''' Hey, there! Next up is our special on [[Goro Akechi|the boy who's set to be the next Detective Prince]]! The original Detective Prince was Naoto Shirogane, but people are excited about this new one!|title={{Link|Game|P5}}|developer=ATLUS|publisher=ATLUS|platform=|version=|lang=|transl=}}</ref> This can be seen by interacting with the TV.

*Naoto is speculated to be half-British.<ref>{{Cite Game|quote='''Woman:''' Did you see him too? The Detective Prince? They say that kid's parents are both half-British! Half you see, half! A half-British detective... So amazing... Eh? Where did I hear this...? Well, it's just a rumor.|title={{Link|Game|P4}}|developer=ATLUS|publisher=ATLUS|platform=|version=|lang=|transl=}}</ref>

*Naoto has solved 24 cases as of September 2011.<ref>{{Cite Game|quote='''Announcer:''' Amazingly, the Detective Prince has solved a whopping 24 cases.|title={{Link|Game|P4}}|developer=ATLUS|publisher=ATLUS|platform=|version=|lang=|transl=}}</ref>

*Naoto is a fan of the computer operating system [[Wikipedia: Linux|Linux]].<ref>{{Cite Book|quote=|translquote=Social groups: fans of Linux|chapter=Chapter 1: Main Characters|book=Persona Club P4|author=ATLUS|publisher=Famitsu (2009)|lang=|volume=|edition=|page=p. 64|transl=Naoto's profile translation by Chikotori|isbn=978-4757746305}}</ref>

*Naoto has several color palettes intended to reference other characters and media in ''[[blazbluewiki: BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle|Blazblue: Cross Tag Battle]]''.