Makoto Yuki // Quiet

[Overview= The protagonist of Persona 3, canonically known as Makoto Yuki (having been used in other media and later confirmed as the default name in the 2023 re-release of Persona 3 Portable),[1][2][3] is a transfer student enrolling in Gekkoukan High School in Iwatodai City. He is an orphan whose parents died on the Moonlight Bridge in their car during a fatal incident a decade prior to the game].

[Appearance= Makoto Yuki has dark blue hair, unkempt at the front with bangs covering his right eye, blue eyes and a light build, being average height. He is often shown with his hands in his pockets (except when holding weapons), even while running, and leaning slightly back. He frequently listens to his earphones. Shigenori Soejima designed Makoto first and formed designs for other characters around him. He maintains an air of neutrality, keeping with the tradition of the Megami Tensei franchise of the protagonist being typical yet a hero, while still giving off an air of coolness. Earlier designs had him looking mature and collected, based on the trope of "cliche cool guy." At school and in Tartarus, he wears the school uniform of Gekkoukan High, accented with a loose black bow tie, a neck-strap mp3 player (Sony's NW-S20x series) and clip-on earphones (Audio-Technica model ATH-EM700 SV). On weekends off, he is shown wearing a light gray double-breasted jacket, dark pants and a khaki turtleneck sweater, along with his earphones. On days off during the summer, he is shown wearing a navy blue and white T-shirt along with skinny blue work pants. He is never seen without his earphones except when on trips in situations where they would be inappropriate, such as being at the beach or hot springs].

[Personality= In Persona 3, he is a silent protagonist, aside from technically speaking in battle in certain instances. While being a silent protagonist, he is very stoic, reserved and calm, gathered by the fact that he's faced death and his own mortality; he remains unmoved when walking under a green sky and being surrounded by blood pools and coffins everywhere at the beginning of Persona 3 or even when guns are pointed at him (such as by Aigis herself). He appears very introverted, distant and aloof since he only observes the conversations of his party members and only speaks when someone is directed at him for his opinion on the matter. At one point, Yukari Takeba raises her voice at him in frustration, calling him "Mr. Perfect" and saying nothing ever fazes him. She then apologizes for her behavior; he comforts her and she says that he "really is one-of-a-kind." His teacher, Isako Toriumi, comments that he is "kinda quiet, but real mature and intense looking (and hawt)" and that he uses proper grammar and punctuation online. Junpei Iori comments that all he does is wander around and talk to people, referencing what is commonly done during gameplay. The protagonist has been praised for his natural talent, as his involvement and leadership have helped the group where it counts; during the Arcana Priestess mission, upon the emergency of having to stop a moving train, his instincts would help him navigate the controls with ease. This would be remarked on by other members of the group, even making Junpei Iori jealous of him. This is also a byproduct of his perception of life, more specifically from the result of having kept Death itself sealed within him for a majority of his life. Junpei himself would later see the protagonist eye to eye and understand his abilities, saying that he "harnessed [Death's] power and made it his own." That helps him support his Social Links when resolving their problems, primarily by having them face their mortality (whether it is their actual or metaphorical death) thanks to his help. The protagonist does so by being supportive of them, as the correct dialogue choices usually involve him agreeing with them directly. Hobby and interest-wise, he may enjoy black comedy, evidenced by the "morgue" joke as one of the possible dialog options. He is also open to playing video games such as MMORPGs, and on free days, the protagonist can choose to "spend the entire day online" with the Hermit Social Link. Depending on available choices, he may join a running, swimming or kendo club, implying that he at least tolerates these physical activities, keeping up and never complaining in their associated Social Links. If he joins the music club, he is seen playing the violin. By the end of the game, as noted by Ryoji Mochizuki, the protagonist has found the answer to "life's greatest question," though the meaning of this statement is left ambiguous. As per the themes of Persona 3 and Aigis' own speech in the final scene, the answer is that simply having someone to protect is what gives one's life purpose. This is represented by the protagonist's resolve against Nyx, choosing to sacrifice himself by sealing it, all thanks to the many bonds he's forged with his friends. In Persona 3 FES: The Answer, it's revealed the protagonist sacrificed his soul to become the Great Seal. Metis speculates the protagonist is content with his fate, and that he wished for the SEES to move on from him and live fulfilling lives. Nobody in the SEES objects with Metis' interpretation, and the Great Seal's statue does depict a smile despite his situation].