Persona 3: the Weird Masquerade: Ai no Seiyaku/Hekikuu no Kanata e

Persona 3: the Weird Masquerade is a stage play based on Persona 3 and the sequel to Persona 3: the Weird Masquerade -Souen no Kesshou-.【#P3WM】続編! 2017/4/14～23 シアターGロッソ 蒼井翔太、阿澄佳奈 富田麻帆、大河元気、田野アサミ、藤原祐規、田上真里奈、坂口湧久/鈴木知憲、西山丈也、松本祐一、はねゆり、ZAQ、植田圭輔 次回情報解禁は27日http://clie.asia/clie_sf/ @Lol_inc_www (August 25, 2016) Unlike other stages, this is two separate but simultaneous plays; Persona 3: the Weird Masquerade: Chapter 4: Ai no Seiyaku and Persona 3: the Weird Masquerade: Final Chapter: Hekikuu no Kanata e .
== Release ==
* Japan: April 14-23, 2017 (Performance)
===Chapter 4: Pledge of Indigo===
* Japan: July 26, 2017 (DVD Released/Limited Edition)
===Final Chapter: Beyond the Blue Sky===
* Japan: August 23, 2017 (DVD Released/Limited Edition)
== Profile ==
The stageplay was announced at the Summer Festival 2016 event. It took place at Tokyo Theater G-Rosso.
Like the previous installment, both the male and female protagonists appear, but feature in separate performances.
== Plot ==
===Chapter 4: Ai no Seiyaku===
==== Male Route ====
The beginning of the plot recaps the major events of April to November. 
In the present time in late November, everyone from SEES having their normal life as usual. Ryoji appears and wants to hang out with Junpei to flirt with girls, but he rejects his offer since he already like someone. He leaves to visit Chidori at the hospital. He attempts to ask out his friends to hang out, but they already have plans: Yukari has to go to a part-time job, Mitsuru has things to do at Kirijo Group, Fuuka is spending time with her best friend Natsuki, and Akihiko walking Koromaru with Ken accompany him. Feeling bummed, he tries to use his puppy dog face to guilt trip Sakuya to hang out with him since he has no one else to hang out. He says he wants to eat with Sakuya at Wild-duck Burger. It works as he felt kinda guilty for him which makes Aigis strongly against getting to hear him. Feeling happy that Sakuya accepts his offer. He informs Sakuya about when he eats a hamburger, it can increase his courage. Ryoji takes Sakuya out a while Aigis follow them. 
At the hospital, where Junpei visits Chidori with a bouquet of sunflowers. He notices the sunflowers by her bed has wilted until he witnesses Chidori using her powers to make the flowers healthy. He asks her out on Christmas date together, Chidori accepts his offer since she has nothing else to do. As Junpei screamed for joy, Chidori’s nurse barred in and told him he’s being too loud and he needs to leave since visiting hours are over. Annoyed by her, Junpei asks a few things which was not telling Mitsuru he was here since he didn’t know the clock in the hospital was off, and give the sunflowers to Chidori. Before he leaves, Junpei confessed his love to Chidori. After he left, Chidori looks at the revived sunflowers, smiling a while calling Junpei an idiot. 
Meanwhile, Fuuka spends time with Natsuki on the roof of Gekkoukan High after they finish their homework at the library. When Natsuki checks the time on her cellphone since her wristwatch doesn't work and realizes what time it is. She apologizes to Fuuka that she has to leave, but Fuuka doesn't time mind since it was fun studying with her. Natsuki gave her cookies she made for Fuuka. Impressed, Fuuka curiously asks Natsuki if she is a good cook, Natsuki explains she has been helping out at home when she was little. She asks Natsuki if she can teach her to make cookies next time, and she agrees to teach her. When Natsuki asks Fuuka why they have to study again, it is "for our future", and what their future would be like in ten or twenty years since she is unable to picture it. She reassured her that it would be a normal future. Natsuki asks her what she wants to do since they can figure it out together. Fuuka says she has to consider what her parents want. Natsuki asks her again what she really should do what she wants, not what her parents want her to be. She can always ask her for advice. Fuuka happily thanked her. The two leave the school and continue to hang out.
After Sakuya and Aigis spend time with Ryoji , they encounter a victim with Apathy Syndrome. Ryoji wanted to help stranger to him to the hospital until a relative and friends of the victim to bring him home. Sakuya asks Ryoji why he wants to help them, he replies he felt for them and wants to do the best he can to help them. 
==== Female Route ====
The beginning of the plot recaps the major events of April to November.
In the present time in late November, everyone from SEES having their normal life as usual. Ryoji appears and wants to hang out with Junpei to flirt with girls, but he rejects his offer since he already likes someone. He leaves to visit Chidori at the hospital. He attempts to ask his friends to hang out, but they already have plans: Yukari has to go to the archery club, Mitsuru has things to do at Kirijo Group, Fuuka is spending time with her best friend Natsuki, and Akihiko walking Koromaru with Ken accompany him. Feeling bummed, he tries to use his puppy dog face to guilt trip Kotone to hang out with him since he has no one else to hang out. He says he wants to try coffee at Chagall Café. It works as she feels kind of guilty for him which makes Aigis strongly against getting to hear him. Feeling happy that Kotone accepts his offer. He informs Kotone that when she drinks a coffee, it can increase her charm. Ryoji takes Kotone out for a while Aigis follows them.
At the hospital, where Junpei visits Chidori with a bouquet of sunflowers. He notices the sunflowers by her bed have wilted until he witnesses Chidori using her powers to make the flowers healthy. He asks her out on a Christmas date together, Chidori accepts his offer since she has nothing else to do. As Junpei screamed for joy, Chidori’s nurse barred in and told him he was being too loud and he needed to leave since visiting hours were over. Annoyed by her, Junpei asked a few things which was not telling Mitsuru he was here since he didn’t know the clock in the hospital was off, and gave the sunflowers to Chidori. Before he leaves, Junpei confesses his love to Chidori. After he leaves, Chidori looks at the revived sunflowers, smiling while calling Junpei an idiot. 
Meanwhile, Fuuka spends time with Natsuki on the roof of Gekkoukan High after they finish their homework at the library. When Natsuki checks the time on her cellphone since her wristwatch doesn't work and realizes what time it is. She apologizes to Fuuka that she has to leave, but Fuuka doesn't time mind since it was fun studying with her. Natsuki gave her cookies she made for Fuuka. Impressed, Fuuka curiously asks Natsuki if she is a good cook, Natsuki explains she has been helping out at home when she was little. She asks Natsuki if she can teach her to make cookies next time, and she agrees to teach her. When Natsuki asks Fuuka why they have to study again, it is "for our future", and what their future would be like in ten or twenty years since she is unable to picture it. She reassured her that it would be a normal future. Natsuki asks her what she wants to do since they can figure it out together. Fuuka says she has to consider what her parents want. Natsuki asks her again what she really should do what she wants, not what her parents want her to be. She can always ask her for advice. Fuuka happily thanked her. The two leave the school and continue to hang out.
===Final Chapter: Hekikuu no Kanata e===
==== Male Route ====
Before the plot started, Sakuya sang the first half of “Kimi no Kioku” before he left. The members of SEES heard his voice, for some reason they don’t remember Sakuya. 
The story recaps from late November to half of December. 
==== Female Route ====
Before the plot started, Kotone sang the first half of “Kimi no Kioku” before he left. The members of SEES heard her voice, for some reason they don’t remember Kotone. 
The story recaps from late November to half of December. 
==Music==
===Ai no Seiyaku===
* “Fantasy Painting ~Sunflower~” sung by Genki Okawa (Junpei Iori) and Haneyuri (Chidori Yoshino)
* “Gentle Blindfold” sung by Marina Tanoue (Fuuka Yamagishi) and Risako Torigoe (Natsuki Moriyama)
* “The Weird Masquerade” sung by by Shouta Aoi (Sakuya Shiomi)
* “Phoenix Ranger Featherman R” sung by Genki Okawa (Feather Hawk) and Maho Tomita (Feather Swan).
* “Fantasy Painting ~Sun~” sung by Genki Okawa (Junpei Iori) and Haneyuri (Chidori Yoshino)
* “The Moment of Decision” sung by SEES (Male version).
* “The Weird Masquerade” sung by Kana Asumi (Kotone Shiomi).
* “The Moment of Decision” sung by SEES (Female version).
===Hekikuu no Kanata e===
* “Strega's Theme ~Salvation~” sung by Takeya Nishiyama (Takaya) and Yuichi Matsumoto (Jin)
* "Kokoro. Sagashite" sung by ZAQ (Aigis)
* "Communication!" sung by (Sakuya Shiomi)
* “Seasons of Memory” sung by Shouta Aoi (Sakuya Shiomi) and the members of SEES 
* "Kimi no Kioku" sung by ZAQ (Aigis) and the members of SEES.
* “P3WM medley” sung by SEES and Strega (Male Version).
* “Soul Phrase” sung by the entire cast (Male version). 
* “Seasons of Memory” sung by Kana Asami (Kotone Shiomi) and the members of SEES 
* “P3WM medley” sung by SEES and Strega (Female Version).
* “Soul Phrase” sung by the entire cast (Female version). 
== Cast ==
The performers for this fourth play are returning actors from the previous plays:
*Male protagonist (汐見朔也, Shiomi Sakuya): 
*Female protagonist (汐見琴音, Shiomi Kotone): 
*Yukari Takeba: 
*Junpei Iori: 
*Mitsuru Kirijo: 
*Akihiko Sanada: 
*Fuuka Yamagishi: 
*Ken Amada: / (Double-cast)
*Aigis: 
*Takaya Sakaki: 
*Jin Shirato: 
*Chidori Yoshino: 
*Pharos/Ryoji Mochizuki: 
*Natsuki Moriyama: 
*Shinjiro Aragaki: (Special Performance, only in the female route of Final Chapter: Hekikuu no Kanata e)
==Adaptation Differences==
*In both adaptations, none of the main cast wears their winter clothes. The female characters do not wear kimonos on New Years, instead wearing their school uniforms. 
===Ai no Seiyaku===
There are differences between the game and stage play:
* In the beginning of both stage plays is a recap of major events from previous stage plays, except Natsuki appears in the recap of the June operation even though she wasn't present in the first stageplay, -Ao no Kakusei-.
* Despite the beginning of the story mostly recap some major events from the previous stage plays except the only Shadow Arcana appears are Arcana Magician, Empress, Emperor, and Hanged Man. 
*An original scene shown in Jin’s flashback were several years ago where Jin and Chidori were saved by Takaya when they were children. Which is never shown in the game. 
**Due to not having any children’ actors to play Strega’s child selves, the actors voice them and their past selves were shown in shadow silhouette instead.
*Fuuka’s Persona, Lucia evolved into Juno in late November instead of October. 
**S.E.E.S (except Aigis) gave Junpei Chidori’s sketchbook on Christmas Eve instead of November 28 shortly after Chidori’s death. 
====Male Route====
*After Ryoji informs S.E.E.S about the Fall, Junpei attack Sakuya in rage and pushes him on the stairs until Akihiko stops him.
*During Christmas Eve, everyone pitch in to cheer up Junpei by present him not only by Chidori’s sketchbook, but a Christmas tree with sunflower ornaments based on Chidori’s drawing for him.
====Female Route====
* Similar to Sakuya’s route after Chidori’s death except the following day, Junpei places sunflowers on her lifeless body as tribute. Unknown to Junpei, those flowers revived Chidori.
*After Ryoji informs S.E.E.S. about the Fall, Junpei attacks Kotone in rage and he almost pushes her down like in the male route except Akihiko stops Junpei immediately. 
*The female route plays it differently than the male route. During Christmas Eve, Kotone gives Junpei Chidori’s sketchbook, but he hesitate to look at Chidori’s drawing so he ask Kotone to look at it instead of Yukari.
**Chidori’s sketches was drawing of Junpei with sunflowers background.
===Hekikuu no Kanata e===
*In both adaptations, none of the main cast wears their winter clothes in December, instead wearing their school uniforms. 
* On the January 31st plays it similar to the movie version except with some minor changes:
**Each members fight each floors a while the remaining one (Sakuya/Kotone) heads on top of Tartarus. Except Yukari and Aigis fights with the other Shadows, Akihiko and Ken fights Jin like in the manga, Mitsuru and Junpei fights Takaya, and Fuuka accompany Sakuya/Kotone with them. In the movie, Fuuka choose to stay behind to help Yukari and Mitsuru against the Shadows. 
***The rest of the them manages to catch up with Sakuya/Kotone and Fuuka before they reach the top of Tartarus. 
**Jin does not kill himself after he was defeated. Instead, he uses his last of his strength to reunited with Takaya before their life expires and from their injuries from SEES.
**During the final battle against Nyx Avatar, it implies Orpheus Telos is Sakuya/Kotone’s Ultimate Persona since Messiah doesn’t not appear at all. 
*In both routes, neither protagonists choose to be with someone in their last moments besides Aigis in March.
====Male Route====
*Due to Chidori’s death is permanent in the male route, Junpei and Chidori meets in the dream like state. 
*In both the game, manga and movie, the male protagonist’s Ultimate Persona was Messiah, but in the stage play, Sakuya’s Ultimate is Orpheus Telos. 
====Female Route====
* Mitsuru does not inform Kotone about Chidori’s revival. Instead, she informs Junpei about this through call. 
* Chidori’s doctor does not appear when Chidori regains consciousness. So both Yukari, Fuuka and Ken inform Junpei about Chidori’s current situations that she lost her memories of him and the Dark Hour. 
* Shinjiro appears in Kotone's dreams.
** An extended scene where the entirety of SEES, sans Koromaru, hear Shinjiro's voice before the final battle against Nyx.
* SEES (except Aigis and Kotone) briefly reunited with now awakened Shinjiro before they continue to look for Aigis and Kotone. 
** Ken warmly embraced Shinjiro before he decides to help him out due to Shinjiro just woke up from his coma.
==Gallery==
== Trivia ==
* This is the first stage play to have two separate parts rather than one.
* During the recap for the fourth stage play, due to Ikutsuki’s actor is completely absent, an archive of him from the previous stage play is shown instead.
* Elizabeth and Theodore don't appear in the final stageplay. Instead, they appear in a flashback of the previous stage play. Their voices can be heard either in the Velvet Room or through their cellphones.
* Since Shinjiro's actor wasn't present in either version (except the final chapter), he was played by one of the ensemble cast in -Ai no Seiyaku-.
* Both of the actors who play Ken switch to their original respective routes like the second stageplay, -Gunjou no Meikyuu-.
* Yukari working part-time as Feather Swan in Phoenix Ranger Featherman R's outdoor show is a nod to Persona 4 Arena Ultimax. 
== External Links ==
* Official Site
==References ==
Category:Persona 3: the Weird Masquerade
Category:Live Action