WithPersona 4 Golden finally being ported to all major modern platforms, many gamers are discovering or revisiting one of the best JRPG stories ever told. In addition to a well-constructed murder mystery with plenty of twists and surprises,Persona 4 has a powerful message about the importance of self-acceptance. Each of the protagonist's friends must confront parts of themselves that they would rather hide, which manifest within the TV World as their Shadows. Rejecting one's Shadow causes it to go berserk and attack; accepting it allows the individual to wield a powerful Persona and the abilities that bestows.

It's no surprise that the story and its characters have resonated so strongly with players, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community who have struggled with issues of self-acceptance and identity. However, the game has long been controversial for the way it handled two characters who are implied or perceived to be queer: Kanji Tastumi, who the game implies to be gay or bisexual, and Naoto Shirogane, who many fans view as either a transgender man or nonbinary. Though their storylines fall short ofactual queer representation, the controversy and fan debate over Kanji and Naoto overshadows the fairly progressive messagePersona 4 has regarding gender.

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Kanji's Story Is More About Defining Masculinity Than Sexual Orientation

Kanji's sexual orientation has been a point of controversy for as long asPersona 4 has been around. The game strongly indicates that he may be gay (or bisexual), and Kanji's Shadow -- designed as an incredibly campy gay stereotype -- outright says he prefers men. While Kanji initially rejects his Shadow, he eventually relents, saying "I've known all this time I had something like you." Later, while thanking the party for saving him from the TV World, he mentions questioning if he was "the type who never gets interested in girls" and being unable to accept that.

Much of Kanji's dungeon and boss battlehaven't aged particularly well, especially in a world where there's an increasing number of queer characters in gaming and more stories being told by queer creators. His Shadow intentionally plays into stereotypes and homophobic tropes by making unwanted advances toward male party members and indicating his sexuality stems from hating girls. On top of that, there are instances where other characters make homophobic comments toward him, most egregiously when Yosuke asks if he'll be "safe" staying in a tent with Kanji.

Such parts of the game relating to Kanji are clearly unacceptable, but it's not a reason to discountPersona 4 altogether. For one, Kanji's storyline was pretty groundbreaking whenPersona 4 originally released in 2008, especially from a Japanese developer. Manycritics at the time noted the flaws in his portrayal and wished to see him definitively confirmed as gay, but were nonetheless thrilled to have a character like Kanji exist. In-universe, it makes perfect sense for Kanji to be unsure of his sexuality; he is only 15 and lives in a time and place where there wouldn't be many healthy examples of queer people he could turn to. The extreme and disturbing parts of his Shadow could have arisen because these are the only representations of gay people Kanji has seen.

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Regardless of whether Kanji is gay, straight, or bisexual, his storyline has a clear message about gender roles and expectations that fits withPersona 4's general theme of acceptance. Kanji's tough exterior and reputation as a delinquent are revealed to be a front he created to avoid the bullying the experiences when he was younger regarding his interests. The son of a family that owns a textiles shop, Kanji is skilled in sewing and handicrafts like knitting and crocheting. He also has a love of all things cute and soft from plushies to animals. However, this meant he didn't fit in with boys or girls his age, both of whom thought it was weird he liked "girly" things. When he got older, Kanji decided to bleach his hair and act tough, preferring to be rejected for acting like someone than to be rejected as his true self.

Even after accepting his Shadow, Kanji continues to question what it really means to be a man. The Emperor Social Link --a tarot card associated with masculinity, authority, and paternal figures -- seems him becoming increasingly comfortable sharing his true interests and hobbies with others after overcoming the shock of being praised for his homemade stuffed animals rather than mocked. Eventually, Kanji confides in the protagonist that his insecurity stems from one of the last things his father said to him before he died: "If you're a man, you have to become strong."

Kanji interpreted this to mean he "wasn't a real man" in his father's eyes and developed his tough facade to prove to himself and society that he was strong. Ultimately, he comes to realize that strength comes from being honest and true to yourself, and having hobbies that most people consider feminine doesn't make him any less of a man. In his Rank 10 event, he tells the protagonist "That 'other me' is me," referring to his Shadow, leaving it unclear whether he's referring to his sexual orientation or just the fear of rejection his other self represents.Maxing out his Social Link inPersona 4 Golden and unlocking Kanji's Ultimate Persona Takeji Zaiten even unlocks an exclusive skill called "The Man's Way."

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Naoto Invokes Some Problematic Tropes to Explore Sexism

Introduced as a high school detective dubbed the "Detective Prince," a confrontation with Naoto Shirogane's Shadow in the TV World reveals that she is actually female. Naoto harbors insecurities over her age and gender due her work with law enforcement, and while her age will eventually be a non-issue, she will still struggle due to sexism within police departments. Knowing this, Naoto adopts a male disguise.

Naoto's introduction has led some fans to interpret the character as a trans man or nonbinary. There's an understandable desire for such characters,who remain sorely underrepresented in gaming and other forms of media. However, Naoto never actually indicates that she identifies as anything other than a woman. When Yukiko asks if Naoto doesn't like being a girl, she responds that her sex "doesn't fit [her] ideal image of a detective" (an image developed from reading lots of detective novels as a child) and points out that her chosen field is "male-oriented." Later, when facing her Shadow, Naoto says "What I should yearn for... No, what I must strive for isn't to become a man. It's to accept myself for who I really am."

Similar to Kanji, Naoto's Social Link sees her dealing with the insecurities exposed by her Shadow. Though she does express frustration at not being born male, this again comes from her understanding that it would have been far easier to achieve her goals as a cisgender male. By the end, Naoto has reaffirmed her interest in her investigative work and decides to strive to "become a formidable woman detective," perhaps proving those who doubt her wrong and serving as the role model she never had. With all that in mind, Naoto's storyline has more in common with those of Mulan orAmerican Revolutionary War hero Deborah Sampson, women who defied the sexism and restrictions of their eras to serve in the military, than it does with that of someone questioning or exploring their gender identity.

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Naoto's storyline was likely never intended to be a trans narrative. Intentional or otherwise, though, it does invoke some problematic tropes that often surround such stories. For Naoto, being a man -- or being seen as one -- is the key to succeeding in her profession, not part of her true self. This idea that people may change their gender simply to benefits from the different expectations of the opposite sex is often used to justify denying trans people with basic rights, such as the ability to use the bathroom they feel most comfortable in or trans girls being allowed to play sports.

There's also the theming of Naoto's dungeons, the Secret Laboratory, and her Shadow's continued mentions of a "body alteration procedure." While this fits with the extreme and exaggerated nature ofPersona 4's dungeons, it places the focus on gender confirmation surgery in a way that's often used in a dehumanizing manner. Not every trans person wants or is able to medically transition, and focusing on this aspect of trans life is invasive and belittling. All this, plus the fact that Naoto ultimately embraces her female identity, makes it hard to interpret the character as trans.

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Persona 4 Supports Characters That Defy Gender Norms

Kanji and Naoto's storylines both come with major caveats that keep them from being good examples of LGBTQ+ representation. However, within these characters' storylines are refreshing messages about defying gender norms and expectations in pursuit of authenticity. Kanji learns that being a man and being strong are about being comfortable with who he is, not adhering to societal rules that deem violent fights masculine and cute crocheted plushies feminine. As for Naoto, she learns that what she seeks isn't just success by whatever means necessary, but to be respected and taken seriously as she is. By becoming comfortable with herself, Naoto is able to pursue her dreams knowing she is skilled enough to accomplish great things in spite of the sexism she will face.

WhilePersona 4 has its shortcomings, it does an excellent job of showcasing characters who don't conform to what society expects of them based on their sex or gender. The game shows Kanji and Naoto being supported as they pursue their true selves, reminding players that it's okay to be who they are. Though these arcs fall short of actual and explicit queer representation, letting the controversy surrounding Kanji and Naoto overshadow the positive message that is there does a disservice toPersona 4 and its fans.