Why Do They Shoot Themselves In Persona 3 Reload?

If you’re diving into the Persona series for the first time, you’ll see that the characters shoot themselves in the head during cutscene animations and in-game in Persona 3 Portable/Reload. But why do they do that? While the act of “shooting themselves” might appear disturbing at first glance, it’s important to understand its symbolic significance within the game’s narrative and themes. Here’s the background you need to know.

Why do they Shoot Themselves in Persona 3 Reload?

Characters shoot themselves in the head with ‘magical guns’ in P3R to summon Personas into the battle. These Personas will use their powers for you, against the formidable enemies and bosses you face.

It’s crucial to note that the characters are not actually harming themselves every time. The act of “shooting” is a symbolic representation of their resolve and willingness to confront their inner darkness, which manifests as their Persona. It depicts the acceptance of death and mortality and this theme of overcoming personal challenges is central to the narrative of Persona 3.

Source: Fandom

The Evokers, the gun-shaped objects used by SEES members for summoning Personas, are like catalysts or triggers for accessing the characters’ inner power. These are manufactured by the Kirijo Group. When SEES shoots with it, it’s like a metaphorical representation of the characters pushing themselves to their limits and facing their inner demons.

It shows that the characters are willing to sacrifice their sense of self to access their Persona’s power. They are breaking free from the limitations of their ordinary selves and tapping into their hidden potential. This also serves as a constant reminder of the high stakes of the story.

Source: ATLUS

Source: ATLUS

Now that you know why the characters shoot themselves in Persona 3 Reload, here’s a quick breakdown of what Personas are. In P3R, Personas are the manifestations of a character’s inner self and psyche. Personas are not just powerful tools in combat but also serve as representations of the characters’ internal struggles and growth throughout the story.

They are powerful allies in combat, offering unique abilities and skills to help you face your foes. Utilizing these effectively is crucial for strategic combat.

You can acquire new Personas through Shuffle Time, a random card-based minigame you encounter after defeating enemies. You can also fuse existing Personas to create new ones with potentially stronger abilities and different characteristics. Building strong social links with certain characters in the game can unlock special Personas associated with those characters.

And there you have it! That’s the background of the characters and why they shoot themselves with an Evoker to summon Personas. For more useful hints like how to unblock the floor 22 in Tartarus, check out our P3R guides.