With floods of new information coming in, Persona 5: The Phantom X has been gaining steam as one of the most hyped games coming out in 2023. Although the wealth of information comes from sparse playtests and data mining, players have been able to identify the general gameplay of Persona 5: The Phantom X.
However, with the recent revelation of a fan favorite not returning to the game, players are now speculating which characters would be making their appearances in the game. After all, Persona 5 put a heavy emphasis on storyline and character interactions, making familiar faces to be one of the priorities to be identified by the most die-hard fans of the series.
10 Ryuji Sakamoto
The lovable fan favorite and one of Joker's first confidants has been making waves as one of the most characters to be anticipated in the game. Through his characterization, Ryuji has been always the one to have Joker's back from the very beginning of the game. Taking on the world together, Ryuji became Joker's first comrade in the game alongside the game's mascot Morgana.
As one of Persona 5' s playable cast, Ryuji can be one of the characters expected to appear in Persona 5: Phantom X.
9 Iwai Munehisa
The local airsoft shop owner has been one of the familiar faces to be seen frequently by players of Persona 5. While another installment in the series made shopkeepers seem to be obsolete by the end-game, Iwai simply shines brighter with his huge amount of arsenal available for the player to buy from.
Furthermore, players would be able to customize weapons further by visiting his shop with powerful enhancement, provided that his confidant was done earnestly to earn the best options available.
8 Makoto Nijima
The strict yet lovable student council president can be expected as one of the familiar faces to return in Persona 5: Phantom X. Her tenacity and cleverness made her one of the most sought-after familiar faces in the upcoming game. The Emperor confidant is also quite renowned among players as one of the most picked choices as the romance option for Joker.
In addition, her initial persona, Johanna, was also quite popular due to her appearance as a motorcycle. Also, she became an early option for the player to inflict Nuclear-based element damage to the Shadows with her strong magic attributes when coupled with appropriate equipments as well.
7 Chihaya Mifune
Chihaya Mifune would be one of the familiar faces that could be expected to make her return in Persona 5: Phantom X. As a fortune-teller, Chihaya can predict fortunes and help players in many ways, including increasing familiarities with other characters to advance their confidant level, or triggering a fusion alarm to create the most powerful persona with a specialized set of skills and maxed attribute.
The Fortune confidant's presence in the game would mean a convenient option for the players to increase their quality of life while playing the game, be it by increasing confidant levels or increasing enemies' drop rate of money.
6 Ann Takamaki
Ann has been a fan favorite ever since her appearance as one of Joker's early confidants throughout the game. Her personality shines as one of the most caring members of the party, with her confidant showing her strong camaraderie and sympathy towards her childhood friend, Shiho.
Her in-game statistic in Persona 5 also made her a mainstay towards the party even through the final phase of the game, as she could be well-equipped to be the most hard-hitting fire damage dealer with both her passive and active skills.
5 Tae Takemi
Yongen-Jaya's resident shady doctor is certainly one of the presences to be expected in Persona 5: Phantom X. As the provider of healing items, both for HP and SP, Tae Takemi could certainly reprise her role as the protagonist's provider for medicines during Shadow hunting, provided that her presence is not replaced by someone else.
Although it remains a mystery whether she would certainly return as only the shopkeeper or also as a fully-fledged Death confidant like in Persona 5, players could expect her appearance in the game in either a minor, cameo role or as one of the returning familiar faces.
4 Haru Okumura
The heir to Okumura's estate has been another fan-favorite despite her entry into the party in the late stages of the game. Her stark contrast of elegance and brutality became something that the fans crave to be included in the upcoming Persona 5: Phantom X as well.
Her capability in battle back in Persona 5 Royal is also quite valued and became one of her drawing points as a character. Haru is the only source of Psio damage and the only Persona user capable of using the grenade launcher for massive area damage.
3 Rise Kujikawa
The Investigation Team's famous idol is one of the character expected to be making her appearance as one of the familiar faces in Persona 5: Phantom X. The earliest indication would be her poster still existing in the game as the entrance for the game's own Velvet Room.
However, there were expectations as well that Rise would make her appearance as one of the playable party members in the game, although it is not clear whether would also be involved in the story as well.
2 Yusuke Kitagawa
Persona 5's own tortured artist is one of the most anticipated characters to make an appearance in the newest Persona 5: Phantom X. His uniqueness as a character is surely a welcome familiar sight to the series' veteran, and also a refreshing sight for the newcomers that might be entering the series via the newest entry.
Aside from his eccentricities and heart-tugging storyline, Yusuke is also expected to be capable of contributing massively in battles against the Shadows with his mixture of physical and Ice-based skills focus.
1 Ren Amamiya (Joker)
Based on several reveals and also Joker's inclusion in many of the promos of the game, it's safe to expect that the leader of the Phantom Thieves would be making his appearance in the game. Joker is also teased in the game's trailer near the end of the video, further lending credibility to his role in the game’s story.
Even though his role within the story is still ambiguous, Joker's presence in the game should lend legitimacy to the status of Persona 5: Phantom X as closely tied to the Persona 5 series.
Persona 5: The Phantom X is currently in development for Mobile devices.