IfPersona 6follows the series' trend and has its own animal mascot, then Koromaru would probably be the best one to take inspiration from. Of course, outside of the series' usual trappings, it can be hard to predict much aboutPersona 6until Atlus makes a public announcement. Including another animal companion after three in a row feels like a possibility that is well worth considering though. In that sense, it’s also worth looking into where that inspiration could come from. Looking at history, it seems that Koromaru would be the best choice as a role model.
Building thedynamic ofPersona 6’s partyis going to require several different factors. Gameplay viability is an obvious example, since the party needs to have access to a variety of skills, stats, and elements in order to provide plenty of strategic options to employ. At the same time, a diverse collection of designs and personalities is also important. If every character either lacked personality or felt the same, it would hurt the game significantly. That’s why making sure that every party member stands out in their own way is paramount.Persona 6’s developers will need to keep all of these important party details in mind.
Koromaru’s Charm in Persona 3 Outmatched That of Teddie or Morgana
In the case thatPersona 6has another animal mascot, there are three potential sources of inspiration: Koromaru fromPersona 3, Teddie fromPersona 4, and Morgana fromPersona 5. Koromaru is more or less a regular dog that can use a Persona and was adopted by S.E.E.S. Teddie is a creature from the TV world wherePersona 4’s murders took place. Finally, Morgana is somewhat similar to Teddie, being a being tied toPersona 5’s own dungeon, Mementos. All three play different roles in their respective games, with their own places in the dynamics of their own parties.
Persona 5: The Phantom X’s owl mascot only improves the odds thatPersona 6will continue the trend of animal allies.
Morgana and Teddie Were Not Well-Received By All Players
One key factor makes Koromaru the best blueprint for anon-human party member inPersona 6to follow. While Teddie and Morgana have speaking roles, unlike Koromaru, those roles ironically contribute to their downfall. Teddie’s childish antics and bear puns inPersona 4can get annoying, while Morgana can be an outright jerk, especially to Ryuji. In contrast, Koromaru is just a good dog who wants to help. He’s not particularly complicated, and has the least characterization of any member of S.E.E.S. Despite that, Koromaru is a likable presence to have around, and sometimes that’s enough, especially when it comes to an animal companion.
Persona May Be More Suited For an Animal Like Koromaru
Koromaru’s more mundane nature has another boon aside from his likabilty. A common thread betweenTeddie and Morgana asPersonacharactersis their somewhat convoluted backstories. Granted, they both have significant ties to the plot of their respective games. However, in a series where character arcs involving realistic or relatable issues are a major draw, they can feel a little out of place. Koromaru, being simply an animal with a Persona, provides a much more grounded presence that is welcome among the cast. Another Persona-using animal like Koromaru could provide some down-to-earth stories through a Social Link of its own inPersona 6.
Persona 6is likely to have an animal companion, and it’s clear which past character should be its inspiration. Thelikely animal mascot ofPersona 6will need to not only learn from past mistakes, but remember what worked previously. Teddie and Morgana both took an approach that ended with both characters having a divisive reception. With Koromaru managing to avoid that status, it may be worth re-examining what made him work so well inPersona 3.Persona 6would probably do well with a Koromaru of its own.
