Why Alisa Reinford reminds me so much of …(from Persona 3)

[u/MM305]

…Yukari Takeba

[Disclaimer: This is just a fun comparing and contrasting of two characters who I really love from my two all time favorite video game series. If you have not played Persona 3 and/or played the Cold Steel series, then pay no mind to this post]

Lets start with the obvious: Two female characters who fights with a bow and arrow, who lost their fathers at a young age and have serious mommy issues, and are arguably the main love interest in games where you can choose your love interest. (Yes, you can argue Aigis is a 1B main love interest as well in Persona 3, but Yukari was there first).

That last bit though is an interesting topic, because I have heard complaints on "why not make Alisa or Yukari the main canon love interest instead of giving us the options when these main story cutscenes supports them more than the other girls?" For me, it never bothered me that Persona 3 and Cold Steel set up the romance stuff like this since they are not the first to have that obstacle (Sakura in Sakura wars, Nozomi in Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy, Ellie in Zero/Azure, Rise in Persona 4). It's about establishing that these main ladies have a special interest and/or are close with the male protagonist no matter what romantic direction you go with, plus giving folks the possibility to go against the usual grain if they are not to your fitting.

That last sentence is the crux of this comparison though, because Alisa and Yukari (despite being presented as the main love interest), are arguably the most prickly female options of the romantic bunch. So much so that it makes these characters divisive because of their "bitchy" attitude and antics. Though for my take, I think Yukari has more lows as a person than Alisa with slapping/hitting more folks than just the protagonist and treating Junpei way worst than Alisa has treated Rean in CS1.

All that said, I can understand why there maybe some folks who will have a problem with these two being the main love interest in these games. Because some of the drama in both Persona 3 and Cold Steel (1 specifically) are centered around Yukari and Alisa. And with these games having a HUGE load of romantic options, I can see why folks would prefer the alluring cool looking females like Mitsuru/Laura/Sara, or the innocent pure ladies like Towa/Fuuka/Chihiro. Because no matter who you choose, these are all ladies who do not create or start as much drama like Yukari and Alisa does, and if your too turned off by the negative attitude/antics to even considered them your top romance options, then that's totally understandable.

I can go on, but I think you can all understand why I see so much similarities with these two in terms of character traits and options of them as main romance interest. For folks who has played both games/series, what is your take on my analysis? Accurate enough? Missing anything?

[u/WittyTable4731]

Funny enough

Elaine reminds me of mitsuru

[u/Aware-Question4651 → u/WittyTable4731]

Yeah, though Mitsuru obviously had the better father which was honestly a pleasant surprise

[u/Aware-Question4651]

I think your analysis was spot on and personally speaking, while I think Emma would be a much better main love interest for Rean (for obvious reasons) I think Alisa is also a great choice

Yukari however... Honestly, she makes Alisa look tame by comparison (I also think Alisa is the most prickly of Rean's potential lovers but she's not as bad as most people think)

[u/mhall1104 → u/Aware-Question4651]

For me while I like Rean/Emma (she’s my 2nd choice behind Alisa), the issue I have with them is that past Cold Steel/Reverie their relationship doesn’t make a lot of sense besides being good friends.

[u/Aware-Question4651 → u/mhall1104]

How so?

[u/mhall1104 → u/Aware-Question4651]

The Awakener/Witch destiny thing is the whole foundation of their relationship. Now that the Divine Knights are totally gone they have what exactly?

They both seem to be on completely different life paths. She wants to wander the world, and he is more or less content with staying put and being a teacher. While that doesn’t totally exclude her from a potential romance, it seems clear she’s content with a future that doesn’t involve being with him.