Persona 5 has continued to enthrall fans years after its initial release. Following the release of Persona 5 Royal, players can now experience the direct sequel to Persona 5 with Persona 5 Strikers. Several months in between Persona 5/Royal and Strikers' plot, it's unsurprising that there are some new facts of the team that fans can explore.
Joker and his friends have matured and evolved in the few months they spent apart. Thankfully, the game does an excellent job of bringing players up to speed on the team's events as a whole, even months later. In combination with the new information revealed in the sequel, there are plenty of facts on the Phantom Thieves to explore. Here are the new things that we learned about the Phantom Thieves of Hearts in Persona 5 Strikers.
They Disbanded For Several Months Following Persona 5
After the events of Persona 5, the Phantom Thieves had taken down all the Palaces infesting Japan. With every Palace, including Mementos, destroyed, the team's powers dissipate. With no villains or goals left to pursue, the Phantom Thieves agree that it's time to hang up their masks and resume normal lives.
Joker's trip home signals the end of the freshman run as a team, and for a time, they are inactive. Eventually, they do return to confront a new threat, donning their masks once again.
They Still Use Their Phantom Thieves Group Chat
Even when they split up, the group does their best to stay in contact. One way they stay close is by using their Phantom Thieves group chat for messaging each other regularly. Players can see this when the game starts, as Joker is shuffling through a few texts from his companions.
While they can't always talk, the team does their best to catch up when they're free. With summer on the horizon for the Phantom Thieves, they're eager to take a break from their busy lives to reconvene and meet in person for the first time in months.
Their Personas Are Weakened
After Jails start appearing across Japan, it's apparent that the team's work in the Metaverse is unfinished. They'll need to wield their Personas once again to take down Monarchs, those who rule over this new Metaverse facility.
The team may still be able to call their Personas, but they've lost most of the strength they accumulated on their first trip through the Metaverse. They'll need to train hard to require their former strength and save Japan from catastrophe.
The Phantom Thieves Despise The Police
After all the trouble the police put Joker and his fellow Phantom Thieves through, it's unsurprising that they resent law enforcement. With several arrests under his belt, Joker's been the scapegoat for multiple schemes and ploys thanks to the police force's higher-ups. The team's faith in adults is waning at best, and they're willing to break the law to do the right thing, knowing that they can't count on the grown-ups running investigations.
When the team meets Zenkichi Hasegawa, they express the same disdain towards the bulk of investigators. Haru outright tells Zenkichi that they hate his organization outright. Eventually, the team comes to accept this PubSec investigator, but their initial outlook on police shows just how bad they've been let down in the past.
The Team Planned A Trip Together
One of the reasons Joker and the Phantom Thieves continue using their group chat is to help set up their summer vacation plans. The team plans to spend the entire summer together, exploring the country on a road trip that hits several exciting Japanese locales.
Trips to the beach, firework displays, and all-you-can-eat buffets are on the menu for this summer getaway. Each member adds a little flavor to the adventure by suggesting activities at each stop, and it gives the journey a more personal feel, one that this hard-working group deserves.
Haru and Makoto Are The Only Members With Licenses
It's hard to believe that only two Phantom Thieves have their licenses: Haru and Makoto. The team's oldest members are also the team's only legal drivers.
Pair this with the fact that Haru is inexperienced and reckless behind the wheel, and you'll understand why only Makoto chauffeurs the team from place to place. The one time Haru does drive, everyone else ends up sick or unconscious.
Futaba Can't Fight On Her Own
After most of the team gets captured in one of the Jails, Futaba is the only member to escape. She rushes back to the real world to request the aid of Zenkichi, as her persona is designed for support.
She guides Zenkichi through the Jail to her friends marvelously, but players learn that she cannot fight independently.
The Metaverse Is Accessible Via EMMA
Without the Meta-Nav, the team has to find a new way to enter the Metaverse. Luckily, EMMA allows the team to head into the Metaverse and functions a lot like their previous infiltration app. The team will have to keep defeating Monarchs to unravel the mystery of this AI app.
The Team Welcomed New Members
Over the course of Persona 5 Strikers, two new members join the Phantom Thieves. These fresh faces are Zenkichi Hasegawa-known as Wolf in the Metaverse and Sophia (known as Sophie in the cognitive world).
Each of these new members offers a strength that the team was lacking beforehand. Sophie's attacks are imbued with Holy Energy, whereas Wolf is a master of Almighty energy attacks. With their toughest fight ahead of them, they'll need every ally at their disposal.
They're Still Kids At Heart
The hardship and tragedy that the team has been through would be enough to break plenty of people. The team's strong hearts have held up instead, allowing them to take this pain in stride. They may be serious on missions, but their vacation highlights their ability to enjoy the moment. Goofy moments are common on their adventures, and these rebels haven't forgotten how to enjoy themselves.