The gang's back together again, this time in an action-packed JRPG called Persona 5 Strikers, featuring different storylines, characters, and memorable quotes galore. Ann Takamaki - also known as Panther while in Phantom Thief form - is one of the original four characters from the first Persona 5 game.
She's a fashionista with a big heart and personality, which is best expressed through not only her comedic dialogue but also her powerful quotes that stick with players long after the game has concluded. Ann continues to stay true to her character through the newest Persona 5: Strikers installment.
9 "I Only Flunked One Final!"
After surprising Joker at Leblanc with a welcome back party, The Phantom Thieves retreat upstairs to catch up and discuss their potential summer plans. Ryuji makes a passing comment about failing three of his finals. Ann cheers, declaring herself as the "winner," since she "only flunked one final."
Makoto, being the straight-A student that she is, laughs at both of them, saying that Ryuji and Ann are "the same as always." It's nice to know that, even though time has passed, Ann and the gang are still the same characters the players knew and loved before.
8 "I'll Show You How Much Damage These Boots Can Really Do"
While exploring the Shibuya Jail's underground waterway, The Phantom Thieves have to get creative in order to travel to their next destination. Joker and the team start crawling through a small, tight vent - much to Ryuji's disapproval.
Ryuji complains about the cramped quarters and how he keeps "runnin' into Panther's boots." Ann is quick to reply: If Ryuji dares to run "into anything else back there" she'll show him "how much damage these boots can really do." Ryuji panics and begs her not to "for real." The interactions between Ryuji and Ann continue to provide comedic relief for the Phantom Thieves, even during intense, vent-crawling moments.
7 "I Want Her To At Least Remember How It Feels Being A Ray Of Light For Somebody"
Alice Hiragi - the famous fashionista - leads the Phantom Thieves into their first Jail of the game. Alice has mysteriously gained the power of immense and obsessive popularity from her fans seemingly overnight, causing her entire brand to become a beacon of worship. Because of Alice and Ann's similar passions, this mission hits Ann close to home.
She's eager to send Alice a Calling Card and steal back all the Desires Alice has stolen through her reign of chaos. During The Phantom Thieves' time in Alice's Jail, they learn that Alice wasn't always cruel - she used to want to be a beacon of light for others. Ann wants to save Alice from the distortion that led her astray, leading to Ann's powerful statement to the rest of her team: "I want her to at least remember how it feels being a ray of light for somebody."
6 "Once You're Back To Your Real Self, Let's Be Friends"
After the Phantom Thieves successfully take down Alice's shadow - Mad Rabbit Alice - Alice admits to why she became a distorted version of herself: she wanted revenge on the people who bullied her in the past. Ann isn't afraid to call her out, calling her an "idiot" for stooping to the bullies' level. But Ann isn't finished.
She crouches down next to Alice and tells her that it's still possible for Alice to change her ways and be that beacon of light she originally wanted to be. Ann knows how hard it is to work your way up after hitting rock bottom, especially alone, so she tells Alice that once she's back to her real self, she wants to become friends, a testament to Ann's warmhearted character.
5 "All Right, He's Going Down"
Ann has quite the arsenal of comedic moments, especially at the beginning of Persona 5 Strikers. In Sendai, where the second jail is located, The Phantom Thieves encounter mid-boss, Betero, one of Sendai's Jail Lock Keepers.
This Lock Keeper has the appearance of an older man (and a creepy old man, at that). Betero comes up to Panther and comments on her "curvy" appearance. Ann pauses for only a second before she snaps back with, "All right, he's going down." The timing and delivery of Ann's line make it all the more humorous to watch play out.
4 "It's Time I Return The Favor And Start Helping Others Instead Of Always Depending On Them"
If a player chooses for Joker to go on a Ferris wheel date with Ann in Sapporo, they'll be able to enjoy a night in the city together (with Morgana close by, of course). Ann will mention to Joker how the Phantom Thieves continue to motivate her in all her endeavors, which leads to her discussing how it's time she returns the favor and starts "helping others instead of always depending on them."
The player, then, gets to make a dialogue choice for Joker, both being positive replies: the player can either choose to tell Ann "You helped Alice" or "You help us all the time."
3 "I Wished For All Of Our Dreams To Come True"
Before the Phantom Thieves head off to confront the final boss of the game, the player has the opportunity to have a last heart-to-heart with each Phantom Thief. When Joker talks to Ann, she gifts Joker a colorful, homemade friendship bracelet.
Ann explains that, traditionally, if a friend makes a wish upon their bracelet before tying it around their wrist, the wish will come true once the bracelet falls off. Ann tells Joker that her personal wish is for all of the Phantom Thieves' "dreams to come true." It's a vague wish, but, once again, it's a moment that illustrates Ann's respect for her friends.
2 "I Don't Care How Much Doubt I Have, I Want My Freedom!"
In the final jail, the Phantom Thieves must venture through an area called The Path Of Yearning, which looks a lot like a mall with storefronts and food service stations. It's not long before the team runs into two powerful mini-bosses, Kali and Dominion, who try to give the Phantom Thieves a final chance to give up and submit to the false god, EMMA.
The pair of villains explain that EMMA is someone who can take a person's doubt away in exchange for their free will, and Ann is quick to counter that; Ann explains that freedom is more important than battling doubt.
1 "I Know There Are Amazing Things On The Other Side Of Pain And Grief"
This quote from Ann is in the same vein as the quote above - only this time, Ann is facing off with the main antagonist, EMMA (who transforms into Demiurge). Demiurge has stolen many desires, claiming that she can take the anxiety and overall worldly pressures away from people by simply taking control of their livelihoods.
Ann doesn't disagree with Demiurge - she knows that a side-effect of living is experiencing pain, but she goes on to tell Demiurge that she knows "there are amazing things on the other side of that pain and grief." Ann's goal: to find those amazing things for herself without becoming a mindless husk of a human.
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June 17, 2021 at 12:00AM
