Souji Maki

Souji Maki is a non-playable character in Persona: Story. He is a shady drug dealer who hangs out behind Akira's school.

## Personality

Souji portrays himself as tough and fully commited to his job, but he hides that he hates acting like a bully. In truth, he is an empathetic individual who is dedicated to saving his son at any cost.

## Profile

Souji Maki is the father of ??? Maki, a student of Avalon High. Years ago, a criminal syndicate tricked him into getting addicted on drugs. Souji was unaware of this at first, but found out of the addiction after his son was sent to hospital after almost overdosing. Confronting the men who ruined his son's life, he instead found himself presented with an ultimatum: work as a distributor of their "product" and they would share the profits so his son could get help. Grief-striken and worried of the consequences that could come from refusing their deal, he begrudedly agreed. Over time, the idea of keeping his employers happy caused him to adopt a more sinister personality. He also has a criminal record thanks to beating up his customers.

**Social Link**

After the Grimoire Court is formed, Hooter recommends that Akira needs to search for someway to get medical items so they can recover from injuries. While searching, Akira finds Souji and begrudgingly becomes a "customer" of his. This Social Link advances when you meet with Souji behind the school and grants you Guts for each Rank Up. As the Social Link advances, Souji's employers begin to supply him with far more dangerous materials. This causes him to relize how dangerous he really is and has no choice but to explain his situation and beg Akira to help him. During the next Rank, the protagonist catches Souji's supply being restocked and his refusal to sell or even carry anything deadly. This causes the syndicate to become angry at him and confront him and Akira with the intent to silence them. Luckily, Souji is able to take down the criminals and calls the cops. In the final rank, he explains that his son has recently recovered enough that he will start attending Avalon High again next summer. He thanks you for helping him and says that he trusts you enough to continue to sell medicine since he suspects that your tenacious spending means that his medicine are extremely important. Completing the Devil Arcana unlocks the ability to fuse the Grimhild, the ultimate Death Persona.

## Symbolism

**Devil Arcana**

*The Devil Arcana represents people who are trapped in the material world and live in fear, caged by an overwhelming amount of luxury. The positive aspects of this Arcana include breaking from addictions and freedom. The negative aspects of this Arcana include bondage, enslavement, fear, feeling trapped, materialism, and violence.*

Souji is forced to rely on income in order to keep his son alive and despite his above-average wealth, he is not happy with the costs of that wealth. He lives in fear of what the syndicate will do if he disobeys them and therefore makes no retaliation against them.

## Etymology

Souji is a name that means different things based on the kanji used. In this case, the kanji mean "all-directing".

Maki in this case has two different meanings. Its kanji means "true hope". It is also homophobic of the Japanese word for the Christian Devil.