Mental Health and Persona 5 Royal

Kasumi Yoshizawa’s story is a case study on how to carefully and respectfully navigate mental health issues in popular culture

Many people believe fiction has the power to influence real life. This idea is tied to mental health — a topic that has gained much more attention in recent times given the ongoing struggles due to COVID-19. According to Checkpoint.org, an overwhelming majority of gamers believe video games can help mental health. Games like Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing, and even Destiny all help people maintain healthy minds through virtual escapes. Persona is no stranger to helping those in need — the characters of these lengthy JRPGs are written to reflect real-world issues.

Part of why video games, or media in general, can help people feel understood is based on the relatability of the characters. To achieve a relatable character, an accurate portrayal of real-life problems needs to be reflected in the fiction in question. When the developers of games hold up this congenial mirror, it makes us feel understood and even less alone.

Persona 5 Royal added an abundance of new content to the original game when it was released in the west earlier this year. One of the major additions was a new Phantom Thief: Kasumi Yoshizawa.