Waifu Wednesday: Rise Kujikawa (Persona 4)
When you think of the Persona series, you probably think of three things; excellent turn-based JRPGs, summoning giant penis monsters, and, of course, a plethora of waifus to choose from. Among the best waifus in the series is Rise Kujikawa, who became one of the most popular characters in Persona 4 as soon as she showed up in the opening cutscene.
Why has this idol-turned-student-turned-Persona user stolen her way into our hearts? Here is everything you need to know about Rise Kujikawa and what makes her stand out among the Persona fandom.
Who is Rise Kujikawa?
Players first see Rise in her role as a nationally famous idol, Risette, but it isn’t until the midpoint of the game that she gets a proper introduction. It turns out that being an idol is just as difficult in the Persona world as it is in ours, and the pressure has been getting to her. She’s decided to take a break from the chaotic world of entertainment and head back to the sleepy town of Inaba for a much-deserved break.
It doesn’t take long before Rise Kujikawa becomes the latest victim of the TV Killer and has to be rescued from a world built on her own insecurities. While everyone in the game has to confront the fact that they hide many of their true feelings from the world, it is even more explicit for Rise. She has to question if the public persona of Risette is slowly becoming the “real” her and if that is something that she wants.
Why we love her
The duality of Rise vs Risette is really the point where the main themes of the game come sharply into focus, and it proves to be an enduring part of her character. Even among her friends, who have proven that they accept her as herself, she often can’t help herself but slip into the guise of Risette. Whether it is to flirt shamelessly with the protagonist or step into the role of idol during the school culture festival, Rise Kujikawa is always just a moment away from using her charm and charisma to get what she wants.
That might sound like a flaw to her character, making her a bad friend for manipulating the people around her at times, but I would argue that the entire Persona 4 plot is about owning the things about us that we’re most afraid of. Rise is terrified that she will lose herself in the public face of Risette, so she weaponizes it and uses it to not just get what she wants, but also to protect others.
Why you’ll love her
When Rise left her life as an idol, her manager fought for a while to get her back in the agency. She was a proven talent, after all, but when it became clear that Rise was having second thoughts about ever taking up the mantle of Risette again, he quickly moved on to someone new. This didn’t sit well with Rise, not because she was afraid of being replaced but because she didn’t want to see someone else be exploited the way that she was.
For as much as she seems like a shallow and superficial person, Rise Kujikawa’s first instinct is always to protect people. The persona of Risette, which she learned to wield in the pursuit of justice while in Inaba, would become the shield she uses to protect others from having their dreams of fame and fortune turned against them. That is her way of embracing the mask that people have forced her to wear, and it makes her one of the most interesting Persona characters ever.
Persona 4 is what helped cement the series as a legit hit both in Japan and in the West. If you haven’t picked it up yet, you can get the excellent Persona 4 Golden release on PC, Switch, PlayStation, or Xbox.
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