Shinjiro Aragaki

*For the original character of the **Persona 3** video game, see Shinjiro Aragaki*

***Shinjiro Aragaki*** 荒垣 真次郎 (aragaki shinjiro) was a third-year student at Gekkoukan High School, He was the closest friend of Akihiko Sanada. Though he didn't attend school that often, he always hanged out in the slums. He was one of the founding members of SEES along with Mitsuru and Akihiko and left SEES prior to the story though he rejoins after Ken Amada joins.

## Biography

Shinjiro was raised in an orphanage and was close friends with Miki and Akihiko Sanada. Later, tragedy struck when a horrible fire broke out at the orphanage where they were staying, killing Miki. They vowed to become stronger after the incident in order to defend others. As a result, the latter decides to join SEES, where they eventually run into Mitsuru Kirijo, the only other member at the time. Shinjiro's personality changed as a result of one unfortunate event. The three SEES members were pursuing a Shadow in a neighborhood near Port Island during the Dark Hour. Shinjiro unintentionally killed a bystander after briefly losing control of his identity. It was revealed to be Ken Amada's mother.

Shinjiro left SEES shortly after the accident, unable to shake the guilt of what he had done, and has since lived on the streets. Shinjiro discovered a method of controlling his Persona by taking special pills that suppress a Persona's power if the user loses control of it. It turns out the pills have poisonous side effects that cause people to die sooner than normal. Akihiko has also tried to persuade Shinji to rejoin SEES, but he has always declined. Only after Ken Amada joins SEES does he decide to re-join.

## Personality

Shinjiro was a trustworthy and serious character whose cold exterior concealed his weaker, gentler self. His difficult past weighs on him, causing him to constantly push others away with a "tough guy" act. Since accidentally killing Ken's mother, he has given up being a member of SEES in order to live a normal life, despite the fact that there are only so many Persona-users and SEES needs all the help they can get, something even Yukari, who has no love for SEES or the Dark Hour, recognizes. As he points out to Akihiko, both of them are held back by the guilt of their pasts; they just deal with it in very different ways.

Shinjiro's personality is revealed in different versions of Persona 3, and he is difficult to understand (unlike most other male characters) when playing the male protagonist's route. The dorm recordings in FES and Portable depict an event involving Shinjiro's "other side." He is revealed to enjoy spoiling dogs, particularly Koromaru; in the same scene, he is revealed to be an avid cook who enjoys learning from cooking shows.

In Persona 3 Portable, the player can see the most of Shinjiro thanks to the female protagonist's Moon Social Link. He gradually reveals himself to be a kind and caring individual who is always concerned about the other members of SEES. He enjoys being able to assist his friends (though he may not admit he enjoys their company), and he doesn't want them to make the same mistakes he has made in the past. He appears to have a close relationship with Akihiko, having known him since childhood and always worrying about him, even after leaving SEES. Shinjiro admires the female protagonist and regards her as a strong leader, despite his efforts to keep her at arm's length. He also provides protection.

## Death

Ken Amada planned his revenge for what he did to his mother two years ago as soon as Shinjiro rejoined SEES. While the rest of SEES fought off two shadows during a full moon, Ken confronts Shinjiro in the exact location where Ken's mother was killed. Shinjiro tells him to go for it, but warns him that if he succeeds, he will end up like him. Takaya of Strega appears just as Ken is about to act, encouraging him to kill Shinjiro but telling him he will die anyway due to the side effects of the pills. Takaya, on the other hand, intends to kill both of them on the spot, but Shinjiro takes the bullet for himself, saving Amada, while Takaya flees.

The rest of the SEES members arrived too late, leaving Ken stunned and shocked by what had just occurred, and Shinjiro bleeding from his gunshot wounds. He advises Ken not to squander his life because he is still young and has his entire life ahead of him. Shinjiro also advises Akihiko to take care of himself before dying in front of his friends, saying, "*This is how it should be*." Shinjiro's resolve gives Akihiko and Ken the will to fight until the end after a few days of grieving and deep thought.

Gekkoukan High School has a brief memorial for his untimely passing. Akihiko goes there and expresses deep regret for not being able to protect Shinjiro; as a result, he gains the desire to use his strength to protect others, evolving his Persona, Caesar. SEES members later discover that the drugs Shinjiro was taking were gradually killing him.

Following Shinjiro's death, the player can return to his room in the SEES dorm to reclaim the equipment he was given.

### Saving Shinjiro

Shinjiro is one of the characters the female protagonist can fall in love with and potentially save his life by finding his pocket watch, which will block Takaya's bullet and put him in a coma instead. During the game's final days, a student in her classroom informs the protagonist of his hospital discharge, claiming that the pocket watch absorbed one of the bullets.

During the final confrontation with Nyx, the protagonist hears Shinjiro's voice from beyond the grave, along with the voices of the living SEES members, cheering him on, saying "*Alright, let's do this*."

## Persona

Castor is the twin-brother of Pollux (Polydeuces). Together they symbolize brotherhood and the bond that unites two people even after death.

### Skills

***Regeneration 2:*** Regenerate 4% HP constantly

***Evil Smile:*** Instill fear in one foe.

***Power Charge:*** Double physical damage.

***High Counter:*** Has a 50% chance to counter physical attacks.

***Fatal End:*** Deal medium slash damage to one foe.

***Blades of Fury:*** Deal medium slash damage to all foes.

***Heat Wave:*** Deal medium strike damage to all foes.

***Deathbound:*** Deal heavy strike damage to all foes.

***God's Hand:*** Deals severe strike damage one foe.

***Akasha Arts:*** Deals heavy strike damage to all foes 1x to 2x.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.giantbomb.com/shinjiro-aragaki/3005-3962/
2. ↑ https://megamitensei.fandom.com/wiki/Shinjiro\_Aragaki?so=search
3. ↑ "Castor and Pollux ." U\*X\*L Encyclopedia of World Mythology. . *Encyclopedia.com.* 23 Feb. 2023 <https://www.encyclopedia.com>.

https://www.encyclopedia.com/literature-and-arts/classical-literature-mythology-and-folklore/folklore-and-mythology/castor-and-pollux#:~:text=Castor%20and%20Pollux%20are%20symbols,while%20the%20other%20is%20not.