Persona 5 Strikers were released in the West last month, bringing back the base game cast for another adventure. This time, the team traverses Japan on their vacation, heading into the Metaverse to stop a new phenomenon. Hearts are changing all over the country, and they’ll have to catch the culprit to clear their names. Joker, Ann, and the rest of the team reconvene for a follow-up to Persona 5 worthy of the series name.
With a new story to explore, players get to spend time with the Phantom Thieves, learning more about them in this new journey. With six months separating Persona 5 and Strikers, plenty has happened to the cast in the interim. All that fans have missed can be explored in this new release. There are even a few new developments that happen as the game progresses. Those interested in Ann Takamaki will be happy to hear that there are several new developments to her character in Persona 5 Strikers.
8 Ann’s Still Modeling
In Persona 5, Ann is just starting as a model. At first, she did it as a hobby, but by the end of the game, she’s determined to make it her career. Six months after Persona 5’s conclusion, Ann’s following through on her goal. She’s taking multiple modeling gigs and scheduling meetups with famous figures in the industry to learn from them.
While she may just be starting as a model, Ann will undoubtedly make a name for herself if she keeps the same energy level in the future.
7 Alice Hiiragi Is Ann’s Inspiration
One model that Ann looks to for inspiration is Alice Hiiragi, the game’s first antagonist. Alice rose to fame with the success of her own clothing line and album. She’s one of the most popular people in all of Shibuya when the game begins.
Because of Alice’s modeling prowess, Ann schedules a meet-up with her before the game begins. She’s excited to learn from one of the best in the business. While Ann didn’t know it at the time, her meeting would give the team the needed information to confront the twisted Monarch.
6 She Takes Alice’s Corruption Personally
Ann looks up to Alice in Strikers. While she admires her work and success, Ann holds her in such high regard because of the message she put out at the beginning of her career. Alice told others that she wanted to be a ray of hope for those struggling, going through something difficult. As someone who had been tortured in her own right, Ann drew inspiration from Alice’s message.
When it’s revealed the Alice has lost sight of her initial goal, Ann does everything she can to knock some sense into the deranged celebrity. Ann knows that Alice’s message was genuine and wants to help. Because Ann was determined to help Alice, the team realizes the Jails’ Monarchs aren’t inherently evil like the Palace Rulers were.
5 She Barely Passes Her Finals
While her modeling career may be thriving at the start of Persona 5 Strikers, Ann’s just barely skating by in her classes. She and Ryuji still struggle to get passing marks in their exams, much to Makoto’s dismay.
Ann fairs better than Ryuji does overall, but her only strong subject is English. Ann has just one semester left before she graduates with her second year of high school behind her. Hopefully, she can pull through once more and return to her modeling career.
4 Ann’s Excited To Take A Break From Studying
With exams behind her, Ann’s looking forward to leaving Shujin Academy behind for summer vacation. Where Makoto and Haru seem to be enjoying their studies, Ann dreads them. Even talking about class when on break stresses her out.
Thankfully, the team has little time to discuss school with Japan in disarray. Maybe by the time class rolls around again, Ann will be able to mention a textbook without shuddering.
3 Her Persona Reverts To Carmen
Those who completed Ann’s Social Link in Persona 5 know that her Persona evolves once she maxes her relationship with Joker. In Persona 5 Strikers, she won’t have the evolved persona, though. For the duration of the game, players can call Carmen instead of Hecate. It may not be Ann’s ultimate persona, but it still boasts substantial attack power, focusing on magic attacks.
Those looking for a magic user that can heal and strike opponents, often thanks to her sizable SP gauge, won’t go wrong if they choose Ann. Just make sure she’s not fighting any enemies that can use Ice attacks, as these are still her weakness.
2 She’s Still Addicted To Sweets
Just like Morgana finds sushi irresistible, Ann can’t keep her hands off sweets. She’ll always find an excuse to get her hands on a tasty treat. When the group pokes fun at her for inhaling desserts, she gives a silly excuse as to why it’s not a big deal.
There’s even a side mission where Joker and Morgana travel around town to secure Ann a rare parfait. If there’s anyone with a sweet tooth on the team, it’s Ann Takamaki.
1 She and Ryuji Have Several Sentimental Moments
Fans of Persona 5 enjoy speculating which members of the team they think will end up together. Those rooting for Ryuji and Ann will be happy with the way Strikers portrays the duo. There are multiple instances where Ann’s left speechless by something Ryuji says. It could be because he’s finally showing more maturity, but the shippers think it’s more than that.
When the Phantom Thieves are up against almost insurmountable odds, Ryuji is the first to guard Ann against the line of fire. Adorable moments like this are, at the least, heartfelt moments shared between teammates, but there could be more to them than friendly intention. Only time will tell if these two will end up together, but it’s fun to speculate nonetheless.
