Morgana

• Description -

Morgana is a key playable character in the acclaimed RPG, Persona 5. Shrouded in mystery and linked to the enigmatic realm of Mementos, Morgana's true identity remains elusive, even to himself. Driven by an overpowering need to uncover his past and restore his lost memories, he embarks on a perilous journey that intertwines with the protagonist's own quest.

As the Phantom Thieves band together to challenge the corrupt hearts of society, Morgana emerges as the group's steadfast second-in-command and indispensable guide. His keen intellect and quick wit make him an invaluable asset during their daring infiltrations into the twisted Palaces of their targets' psyches. Within these surreal domains, he is affectionately known by his code name, Mona.

But Morgana's importance extends far beyond his tactical prowess. With his quirky personality and unwavering loyalty, he becomes the heart and soul of the Phantom Thieves, his presence a constant reminder of the bonds that unite them. It is no surprise, then, that he plays a pivotal role in the group's ultimate confrontation within the Depths of Mementos, the culmination of their collective struggles and triumphs.

Throughout their adventures, Morgana's journey mirrors that of the protagonist, as both grapple with the weight of their pasts and the uncharted paths that lie ahead. His evolution from a mysterious enigma to a cherished friend and ally is a testament to the power of camaraderie and the unbreakable ties that bind the Phantom Thieves together.

• Apearence -

Morgana's Design in Persona 5:

In the vibrant and surreal world of the Metaverse, Morgana's appearance is a striking departure from the ordinary. This enigmatic being takes the form of an anthropomorphic, bipedal creature, resembling a feline adorned in a sleek tuxedo. His fur is a rich, glossy black, save for his limbs and tail, which are a pristine white, giving him a distinctive "black cat" appearance, despite the bi-colored pattern.

Morgana's physique is reminiscent of a beloved mascot character, with his body being the same height as his oversized, spherical head. His body shape is rounded and pear-like, though interpretations vary, sometimes appearing more rectangular. Stubby legs support his frame, and due to his diminutive stature, the curvature of his limbs is exaggerated, with smaller hands and feet.

A mask, fastened at the back, conceals much of Morgana's face, leaving only his pointed ears and expressive eyes visible. His eyes are elliptical, with white sclerae, vivid blue irises, and dilated black pupils set at a slight downward angle. A lemon-colored scarf adorns his neck, made from an unknown material, and a utility belt cinches his waist, complete with two golden buttons and attached bags. Tufts of fur adorn his inner ears, shoulders, and chest, while his paw pads are a soft pink.

When in the real world, Morgana reverts to the form of a normal house cat. His fur is smooth and silky, and his head is unmasked. His muzzle is white, contrasting with the rest of his black fur. His nose is black, and whiskers frame his face and eyes. His blue irises cover his entire eyes, giving them a distinctive upward slant. A yellow collar replaces his scarf, and he loses his utility belt.

One of Morgana's most striking abilities is his transformation into a van in the Metaverse. Despite being referred to as a "car," the design is inspired by the Citroën H Van. The paint job is predominantly black, with three yellow stripes on the hood, the middle one being thickest. These stripes converge asymmetrically toward the left windshield. A golden emblem on the grille depicts Morgana's bipedal head, with his eyes represented by the headlights and his ears and tail adorning the vehicle.

Throughout Persona 5, Morgana's anthropomorphic form is shown in his dialogue portrait, regardless of his actual form or whether he's in the real world or Metaverse. However, after the Metaverse's erasure, he is perceived as a regular house cat. His portrait changes to reflect this, but when new Mementos incidents arise, his portrait shifts back to his anthropomorphic form, reverting once the issue is resolved.

In Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight, Morgana appears in his anthropomorphic form for the Ball Stage. His outfit features a white T-shirt with a gold "M" logo and "BAD★CAT" text, a large red scarf, black sneakers with gold accents, and a golden crown emblazoned with "KING."

In Persona 5 Royal, Morgana briefly takes on a human form. He has sleek dark blue hair with side-swept bangs, blue eyes, and a stylish outfit consisting of a gray jacket over a beige scoop-neck shirt, yellow necklace, white jeans, and black sneakers. He stands at roughly the same height as the protagonist.

Morgana's design in Persona 5 is a marvel of creativity and visual storytelling. From his enigmatic Metaverse form to his everyday house cat appearance and impressive transformations, each aspect of his design adds depth and intrigue to his character. As a central figure in the Phantom Thieves, Morgana's look perfectly blends the surreal with the familiar, making him an unforgettable character in the vibrant world of Persona 5.

• Personality -

Morgana is a complex and multifaceted character, with a unique blend of feline and human traits. He serves as the guide and mentor to the Phantom Thieves, providing crucial assistance in their missions. However, beneath his confident exterior lies a deep-seated insecurity about his identity as a cat.

Morgana's arrogant and conceited personality often strains his relationships with the other Phantom Thieves, particularly Ryuji and the protagonist. He frequently makes fun of them and treats them in a demeaning manner, acting bossy and like a know-it-all. This selfish and two-faced behavior stems from his refusal to admit his reliance on others, even though he genuinely cares for the protagonist and understands his situation.

Despite his claims of being human, Morgana exhibits clear feline behaviors such as meowing and self-grooming. His denial of his cat heritage is a result of his amnesia and the lack of a clear reason to either be human or feline. This identity crisis leads to outbursts when he's called a cat, as he fears having no purpose if he's not human.

However, Morgana does possess redeeming qualities. He has a chivalrous heart and treats women politely and eloquently. He keeps things fair, never goes back on his word, and shows genuine concern for his friends. Morgana is also highly intelligent, knowledgeable, and skilled in various areas such as psychology, crafting tools, and understanding the Metaverse.

As the story progresses, Morgana gradually grows out of his denial and embraces his feline nature, especially when working together with the Phantom Thieves. He learns to accept himself and finds purpose in his loyalty to the group. Morgana also develops a romantic interest in Ann Takamaki, whom he calls "Lady Ann," and tries to impress her with gentlemanly gestures, although he also makes amorous remarks.

Overall, Morgana is a flawed but likable character who adds depth and complexity to the Phantom Thieves' dynamic. His journey of self-discovery and acceptance is an integral part of the story, as he learns to embrace his true self and find purpose in his relationships with the other characters.

• Persona 5 Royal -

Morgana is portrayed as more dependable, providing tools like a grappling hook in Kamoshida's Palace. New events show him spending time with the protagonist, Ryuji, and Yusuke at a summer festival. Additional scenes showcase Morgana's caretaking of the protagonist, such as preparing an umbrella for him in the rain. The protagonist's appreciation for Morgana is emphasized. Morgana and the protagonist accidentally intrude an unknown palace with Kasumi while investigating a construction site. They decide to keep her awakening of Persona Cendrillon a secret to avoid burdening the team. If Maruki's Confidant is maxed, Akechi survives and turns himself in, allowing Morgana to return to Leblanc on Christmas Day. In the altered reality created by Maruki, Morgana temporarily appears as a handsome human man resembling a TV celebrity he admires. He retains some of his old cat habits. Morgana is the first to realize the truth and helps the team infiltrate Maruki's Palace to protect the protagonist and Akechi from a berserk Yoshizawa. Afterwards, he expresses shame about choosing to live in ignorant bliss but vows to become more independent. When the protagonist is released from juvenile hall, Morgana returns as a cat, no longer wishing to become human. The star Jose gave the protagonist enabled Morgana's final helicopter transformation. So, Persona 5 Royal expands on Morgana's role, showcasing his deeper bond with the protagonist, temporary human transformation in the altered reality, and final acceptance of his cat form.

General Characteristics:

Morgana is the initial partner of the Persona 5 protagonist. He has unique abilities compared to other Phantom Thieves, including summoning his Persona without removing his mask and entering the Metaverse on his own. Morgana has ties to the Velvet Room, referenced through his insistence on being called "Master" and hallucinating Igor. He is considered an "attendant" by Yaldabaoth after his Velvet Room connections are revealed. Biology & Abilities:

Morgana's cat biology allows him to consume human food without adverse effects, unlike regular cats. He can write, lockpick, and drive in his cat form despite having paws. Morgana's car form follows cat-related design elements, with features like glowing eyes, a "meowtary" engine, and a warm interior. In-Game Properties:

Morgana is the first Navigator who can fight and navigate simultaneously. He becomes the first character whose dialogues are affected by ailments inflicted in battle. In Persona 5 Royal, interacting with Morgana's car form on the touchpad produces purring or meowing sounds. Localization Differences:

In Japanese, Morgana is referred to as a "bakeneko" (supernatural cat), which explains why characters misinterpret him as a fantastical creature. His speech uses unique quirks like referring to people in Katakana, using the archaic "wagahai" for "I," and the casual "omae" for "you." He uses the "-Dono" honorific for certain women, indicating respect. Morgana's speech alternates between "人間" (normal human) and "ニンゲン" (katakana human). Design & References:

Morgana's design incorporates Velvet Room attendant elements, with reversed eye and scarf colors. Concept art reveals a black nose underneath his mask, similar to his cat design. His car form pays homage to the Catbus from My Neighbor Totoro and Kamen Rider Ichigo's transformation poses. In-game animations reference Doraemon and Pikachu, with sound effects and dialogue nodding to popular culture references.