Takaya Sakaki

Takaya Sakaki is a character from Persona 3. He is the leader of Strega and secondary antagonist in the story.
==Appearances==
*Persona 3 / FES / Portable / Reload: Antagonist
**Persona 3 Manga: Antagonist
**Persona 3 The Movie: Antagonist
**Persona 3: the Weird Masquerade -Gunjou no Meikyuu- / -Souen no Kesshou-/Chapter 4: Ai no Seiyaku/Final Chapter: Hekikuu no Kanata e: Antagonist
**Persona 3: Shadow Cry
*Tartarus Theater
==Design==
Takaya has long gray or platinum blond wavy hair and yellow eyes. It is unknown why he has yellow eyes, but yellow eyes are often depicted to be the mark of a Persona user or Shadow Self.
He wears a wire like headband, faded and torn light blue jeans with a red, ragged scarf tucked in the back pocket, a studded white belt and brown boots. He has full tattoo sleeves on both arms and a small tattoo on his lower back. He is never seen wearing a shirt, jacket, vest or anything of the sorts. He also looks rather emaciated, commented on in-universe; one NPC thinks he lives on nothing but air, and Junpei calls him a "freaking ghost." His age, like the other Strega members, is never revealed, but he appears older than both Jin and Chidori and SEES, perhaps in his early twenties.
Takaya was designed around the concept of "charisma," according to Shigenori Soejima, particularly in reference to cult leaders who he considers to be "obviously suspicious," yet with their high charisma able to garner support and adoration from others as easily as wealth and power. His first design began as a "cool and handsome" clean-shaven male with combed back hair, but his final design is achieved as Soejima attempted to make him more antagonistic. The revolver Takaya uses is a model of .Atlus (2006, 2014). Persona 3: Official Design Works. Kadokawa Enterbrain - UDON Entertainment. pg. 50.
==Personality==
Having been forced to face utterly horrible experimentation from a young age without first having found meaning in life, Takaya would grow to become a nihilistic and insane man, with the only qualm to his suffering being that the end is "salvation." He's also "learned" that there's no such thing as hope for the future, and the person can only be sated by living in the present. Takaya would romanticise his bloodlust; not only would he have no remorse for his actions, he would see no abnormality in it to begin with, viewing it as part of his daily life.
He is especially obsessed with the factor of "destiny" and the severe effects its had on his way of life, even commenting that he and SEES are destined to be in opposition. Even if completely determined in his ways, Takaya is self-aware of his state of affairs, knowing that one cannot face death without first finding meaning in life; although only implied in Persona 3, it is explicitly pointed out in Persona 3 Portable that he cannot find any as he's stuck living in solitude. Meanwhile, he's still oblivious to the optimistic, determined and unified vigor of SEES, claiming them to be "odd." Takaya isn't afraid of death itself, and even then he refrains from telling the group further about his experiences.
In Takaya's first appearance, where he was on a "mission" with his fellow members, he is shown to be cold and indifferent, mocking and pointing at his victim with his gun. When asked by his victim why he is doing this, Takaya says that it is not the victim's concern and even justifies his action by saying that "people hear what they wish to hear and believe what they want to believe."
During his first encounter with SEES, he tells the team that the world is crawling with sin and that there will always be disasters, caused by Shadows or human folly, further reinforcing his negative world view. This, along with his other comments during the story, shows that he is also misanthropic. His later multiple attempted murders (Shinjiro in the female protagonist's route if his Social Link is maxed, Ken, Junpei, etc.) shows that he has little or no appreciation for the life of others with the exception of Jin and Chidori, although in the end his care towards them are limited, and he has no regard to his own life as well as shown during Nyx's descent. This is illustrated when he convinces Jin to stop SEES from advancing while knowing that he is not capable of doing so, while also aware that the Shadows from the lower floors of Tartarus can attack Jin as well.
Takaya despises the idea of sacrificing one self for a greater good, believing it as a meaningless ordeal compared to the mass death brought forth by Nyx. This is most evident during his private skits with the protagonist in Reload and his response to Chidori's sacrifice for Junpei, viewing it as a meaningless death as in his point of view, Junpei will die anyway whether he killed him right there or if Nyx annihilated everyone, and there is no point for Chidori to save him.
When confronted by SEES for the final time, Takaya shows a great deal of himself. He simply answers to the questions of the team without any intimidation and in a very melancholic manner, asking them what they hope to achieve, since Nyx is unbeatable. During this conversation, he claims that the future is but an illusion and a soul can be satisfied if it only lives for the moment. He claims that any meaning in life was lost long ago and that humanity actually prays for Nyx's "salvation."
Takaya's actions and philosophy seems to stem from his believes that he has nothing to live for, alongside his horrible upbringing as a child. The fact that he is dying seems to have some impact to his mental state, but his comments in the game and his envy towards SEES for their hope and will to live imply that he is a bitter and weak-willed man who desires nothing short of a quick end to his suffering, while desiring to bring his delusional "salvation" to others as well.
==Profile==
===Persona 3===
Takaya is the confident and charismatic young leader of Strega who was once experimented on by the Kirijo Group. He functions as the protagonist's foil, leading the rival group of Persona users and setting himself up as a false messiah. In battle, he uses the persona Hypnos and uses a five-shot revolver as a melee weapon. Unlike most other persona users in the game, he does not use an Evoker to manifest his Persona, instead summoning it "manually" by clutching his head and falling to his knees.
For most of the game, Takaya and his fellow gang tries to prevent SEES from killing the twelve Arcana Shadows, supposedly because it would end his Revenge Request website business and make him lose his powers. In actuality, it's implied that he just wants The Fall to come and bring him and his fellow team members a quick, easy death.
thumb|250px|Takaya kills Shinjiro in front of Ken.
Takaya is seen in-game spying on some of the party's first Full Moon Operations, but it is not until Arcana Chariot and Justice are fought that he tries to assassinate the party Navigator (actually Fuuka Yamagishi), only to come across an indecisive Ken Amada about to kill Shinjiro Aragaki. Takaya tries to kill both, claiming that he is delivering salvation as Shinjiro doesn't have much time to live and Ken wanted to commit suicide after killing Shinjiro, and he is merely hastening the process. Shinjiro charges at him and takes a non-lethal bullet, causing him to fall on the floor. He then reveals his true intention of get rid of the party Navigator in an attempt to stop them from locating other Arcana Shadows, but Ken tricks him that he is the party navigator in an attempt to use him to commit suicide, only for Shinjiro to go in front of Ken and take the lethal shot. Takaya fled as the rest of SEES converged immediately after as he fails to recognize Fuuka as the Navigator and make an attempt on her life, and Shinjiro dies shortly after.
thumb|left|250px|Takaya and Jin boss fight.
Following this, he and Jin had their first direct battle with SEES during the operation on November 3rd. Takaya primarily uses a random Dyne-tier skill to try and fish for weaknesses, occasionally using Megido instead for modest damage. The two leapt off the Moonlight Bridge, refusing to surrender, following their defeats.
A couple weeks later, they revealed themselves alive when Chidori led SEES to Tartarus; displeased with Chidori being emotionally attached to his enemy, Takaya shot Junpei, who only survived once Chidori sacrificed her life to save him. Takaya and Jin fled the scene.
Near the end of the game, he creates a cult centered around the coming of Nyx as a salvation, with himself as the high priest and Jin spreading rumors around the network. Around the middle of January, Junpei Iori will invite the protagonist out to Hagakure, saying that it's Akihiko's treat due to a little bet they had at Yakushima. When they arrive, Aigis will pull out a newspaper with the flap opened to the section on the new cult, which also contains a picture of the cult's high priest, who is quickly identified as Strega leader Takaya Sakaki.
In the interview, Takaya claims that the world is in a state of turmoil, and that there is little chance for hope. He then claims that a magnificent being is the only salvation for humanity, which is identified as Nyx. Takaya then states that he has received a blessing from Nyx and has learned of her divine power. He further manipulates the public by stating that there are also "those who have been blessed by Nyx" that use this "blessing" for their own selfish goals. The group deduces that Takaya is attempting to make the public hate SEES by stating that they are, in fact, the ones responsible for everything.
thumb|right|250px|Takaya boss fight.
On the 262nd floor of Tartarus, Takaya confronts SEES. He tells them his life was stolen from him and was given a power he never asked for, and talks about how humanity wishes for Nyx's salvation, not just him alone. In Persona 3, Takaya and SEES are at a standstill, as unlike him and Strega, they believe in themselves and have hope for the future, grounding their stance to fight death; the unshakable conflict annoys Takaya. In Persona 3 Portable, however, Mitsuru explicitly explains that they're only capable of believing in themselves because they're working together, and calls out Takaya's limits due to choosing solitude over bonds which shaped his delusions of grandeur, which shakes Takaya but ignores their argument with denial.
His final defeat occurs when he tries to forcibly stop SEES from climbing Tartarus and facing Nyx. During this fight, Takaya's moveset is effectively the same as it was before, only now he has Megidola and Megidolaon in addition to the skills he already had. After his defeat, Takaya asks for SEES to kill him, but Mitsuru claims there's no honor in taking the life of someone who can't even move, and tells him he will live to see if what he wishes for comes true or not. He closes his eyes, and SEES moves on.
Afterwards he crawls to the top of the tower to witness the final battle. Lying on the floor, Takaya comments that death is imminent and trying to avoid it is futile. Before he passes out or dies, he says he would have wished to see the end with his own eyes, and wishes Jin could have witnessed it with him. He is never heard of again after the protagonist sealed Nyx away.
===Persona 3 Reload===
Scenes where Takaya will interact with the protagonist privately are included. 
Takaya's moveset in the final hostile encounter with him on the 263th floor of Tartaru is revamped. He will also have lines that directly address the protagonist during this fight.
==Stats==
<tabber>
Nov 3rd =
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Jan 31st =
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Jan 31st (Portable) =
</tabber>
==Battle Quotes==
Full quotes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYyuaKDXcnA
===Persona 3 / FES / Portable===
* Mere luck.
* This is destiny.
* Out of my way.
* Sleep well.
* Disappear.
* Death is unavoidable.
* It is time. Show yourself.
* Behold my power.
* Not good enough.
* Death is... but a blessing.
* It appears that even I am fallible.
* I will not lose.
* Death is silence's fools.
* Salvation draws near!
* Now you shall be judged!
* It appears you have more than just luck on your side. So be it!
* I never imagined that your power would rival ours. Astonishing. Perhaps I misjudged your strength.
* Ugh... So this is the power of those whose Persona awakened naturally.
* Ugh... This can't be.
* You needn't hurry. The moment we await is predestined. It's only a matter of time. Even as I speak, I can feel it. The end... of everything!
* I pity those who cannot see it for what it truly is... a blessing.
* We are mere mortals. We cannot change our fate. You would be foolish to deny it.
* Hahaha... It seems we are destined to be in opposition.
* Ah... how can you summon such power. Even in the face of death.
* Death is but a blessing.
* Hypnos!
===Persona 3 Reload===
* What a hapless night, is it not...? Well then, shall we begin? (When fighting with the protagonist on 8/14)
* Hmm... So that's your strategy. (If the protagonist uses Guard)
* I'm impressed... It's tougher than it looks.
* That was quite the spectacle. But... it's time to end this.
* As a reward for your efforts, let me show you my power. Come! Persona!
* The finale was surprising unsatisfying, wasn't it...? (After defeating the Shadow of Abyss)
* Persona.
* Now then... It is time for your judgement.
* Out of my way.
* It appears you have more than just luck on your side... So be it.
* Death to all fools.
* Fighting others with the same power... And what difficult opponents they are... Look at how you squander your potential... It's beyond comprehension.
* You needn't hurry. The moment we await is predestined. It makes no difference whether it comes sooner or later. (Second Battle opening)
* I don't like the look in your eyes... What is it that you see before you now?
** A promise. That's truly ridiculous. How absurd... I can't bear to watch you all! (If the protagonist chooses "A promise with my friends.")
** Hope. That's truly ridiculous. How absurd... I can't bear to watch you all! (If the protagonist chooses "Hope for tomorrow.")
** An admirable spirit. That's right... That's how it should be! (If the protagonist chooses "Only the opponent in front of me.")
* Why...? Fate is supposed to have chosen me... This again... Is my resolve still not strong enough...? If so... I'll throw away my trivial pride! With my entire being! <protagonist name>! I will bring you to your knees! (If HP is low)
* Hahahaha! Salvation has come! Hypnos! (Using Theurgy)
* This can't be! (Upon defeat)
==Gallery==
;Persona 3
Takaya close up.png|Takaya close up
P3TakayaPortrait.png|Takaya's in-game portrait
Persona 3 takaya.png|Concept art of Takaya
stregamembers1.png|Takaya's expressions
persona 3 Takaya anime.png|Concept artwork of Takaya (cinematics)
P3Takaya.JPG|Takaya as he appears in game
TakayaShootsShinji.gif|Takaya shooting Shinjiro in front of Ken
TakayaSummon.gif|Takaya summoning his Persona
TakayaFloor.png|Takaya on the floor in the finale
;Persona 3 Reload
Takaya Sakaki (Cut-In).png|Takaya's Cut-in (Reload version)
P3RE Official Illustration of SEES and Strega.jpg|Takaya with Strega by Azusa Shimada
;Persona 3 (manga)
P3 manga Takaya's burnt body after being burn alive by Trismegistus.png|Takaya being healed by Yukari after being almost burned alive by Trismegistus
Strega as children seen in P3 manga.jpg|Takaya when he was a child.
;Persona 3 The Movie
P3M concept art of Takaya.jpg|Concept art from Persona 3 The Movie
Strega in Movie.png|Strega
Takaya in Movie.png|Takaya in Persona 3 The Movie #2: Midsummer Knight's Dream
P3M_-_Takaya_summoning.jpg|Takaya summoning his Persona
;Persona 3: the Weird Masquerade
GnM Takaya.jpg|Takaya as he appears in Persona 3: the Masquerade
;Other
takaya costume.jpg|Akihiko and Caesar as Takaya and Hypnos in Persona 4 Arena
PSC official line stickers 39.png|
==In Other Languages==
Language	Title
English 	Takaya Sakaki
Japanese	榊貴 隆也 (Sakaki Takaya)
Korean 	사카키 타카야 (Sakaki Takaya)
==Etymology==
Takaya means "respectful one" while Sakaki means "sacred tree." Therefore, his name means "Respectful Sacred Tree."
* The name Takaya means "noble, prosperous" (隆) (taka) and "to be, also" (也) (ya). 
* Takuya's surname Sakaki means "sacred Shinto tree" (榊) (saka) and "valuable" (貴) (ki).
==Trivia==
* Takaya's appearance may be intended to resemble popular depictions of . His headband may be a reference to the , and when defeated in battle, he spreads his arms very wide apart, probably a reference to his crucifixion.Persona 3 - Full Moon 10 Boss: Takaya. Youtube.com (Sep 25, 2007) Because of the apocalyptic themes of Persona 3 and the fact that Takaya begins a religious cult, it is possible that Takaya may symbolize the as a false messiah.
* If the protagonist asks him why he's not wearing any tops during the non-hostile Koromaru walk encounter in Reload, he will brush it off with a joke, implying that it was a stylistic choice of his own.
* Despite being set up as a villainous counterpart of the protagonist, interactions between the two in the original version are virtually non-existent and his actions are largely targeted towards his teammates. The Movie does have a scene where he tries to interrupt him from reaching the Nyx Avatar, but he only sees him as yet another obstacle, and does not harbor the same degree of animosity he does with Akihiko Sanada. This changes however in Reload where he might engage in non-hostile conversations with the protagonist, and if his HP is low enough in the final confrontation against him, he will have a line that directly addresses the protagonist by name. He also never interacts with Ryoji Mochizuki despite Ryoji is actually the God he worships.
* His style in summoning his Persona is clutching his head in pain instead of using an Evoker. This trait is shared by Tohru Adachi from Persona 4.
** In Persona 3 Reload, Takaya explains that he has the resolve to summon his Persona without the need of an Evoker.
* In Persona 3 The Movie, it is revealed his experiment number was Subject no. 01A056.
* Takaya shares the same English voice actor, Derek Stephen Prince, with Naoki Konishi, Takeharu Kirijo and the Moel Gas Station Attendant (anime only).
* In Reload, Takaya cannot be killed during the encounter at the 263th floor before all of his dialogues are triggered. If the party attempts to do so, all attacks (including ones such as Armageddon) that would deal damage past the threshold are automatically blocked.
* In Persona 3 and Persona 3 FES, Takaya is supposed to have a second phase when he reaches half his health during his second battle, but it never happens as a result of multiple coding errors. This was fixed in Persona 3 Portable.
==References==
Category:Persona 3 Characters
Category:Persona 3 Enemies
Category:Persona 3 FES Characters
Category:Persona 3 Portable Characters
Category:Persona 3 The Movie Characters
Category:Enemies
Category:Persona users