Chie Satonaka
Persona character
Chie as seen in Persona 4
First gamePersona 4 (2008)
Designed byShigenori Soejima
Portrayed by
Voiced by

Chie Satonaka (Japanese: 里中 千枝, Hepburn: Satonaka Chie) is a fictional character from the 2008 video game Persona 4. There, she appears as a high school student who starts investigating a dimension labeled as the TV World alongside her friends. The kidnapping of her best friend Yukiko Amagi leads Chie to join the Investigation Team in working in a murder case where the victims are sent to the TV World to be killed by creatures known as Shadows.

Besides printed and animated adaptations of the Persona 4 game, Chie has also appeared in the fighting games Persona 4 Arena and Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, the dungeon crawler Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth, and the rhythm game Persona 4: Dancing All Night. Critical reception to the character has been positive due to her fighting-related and feminine traits. However, critics were differing when commenting on the English voice acting from Chie featured in the games.

Character creation

In the designing of the character, various sketches were made with some of them being reminiscent to previous Persona characters.[2] Artist Shigenori Soejima said the concept of Chie was that of a "cute girl who could actually exist in real life". As a result, Soejima paid close attention to how realistic her design could be. The most challenging parts about creating the character was giving a balance between. The shape of her head was also challenging as it could not be too round or too long. As a result, Soejima claimed that he had repeatedly remake the character. According to Soejima, Chie's personality highly defines her character such as how she adores cheap, retro things and other accessories. As a result, Chie comes across as the turning point that defines the overall flavor of Persona 4. Since Inaba is a rural town, Chie's design originally incorporated elements fitting for such setting such as having a jersey jacket which she often uses for jogging. However, since such jersey did not look well in the game, it was revised and instead her design carried something "utterly lame" which served as a major foundation for the rest of the characters. Her most common color is yellow which made her fit with the game's logo.[3] When it comes to the concept of her design, Chie came across as teenager who pay average attention to her fashion while her hair color was made to be believable in real life.[4]

Her two Personae, Tomoe and Suzuka Gogoen were based on Japanese mythology. Although these two are major figures in myths, they were chosen for Chie as they are one of the strongest women. Chie's personal tastes were incorporated into the two Persoane, resulting in a "macho" feeling whereas Tomoe is based on Bruce Lee's design from a movie Chie favorites. They also wear helmets due to the rule that every Personae should wear protective items. This was inspired also by Soejima's fascination with motorcycles helmets. Once Tomoe evolves into Gogoen, her helmet changes from a standard street bike helmet to an off-road bike helmet in order to emphasize thoroughness.[3] Gogoen's weaponry was designed with the idea it can be separated into two different weapons that the Persona could wield at the same time.[5] Meanwhile, Shadow Chie was designed to represent her dark side when it came to her relationship with Yukiko as it emphasizes her jealousy of her popularity leading to the Shadow having two beings, with one being Chie's superiority stepping over Yukiko's body.[6]

Chie is voiced by Yui Horie in Japanese. In English, she is voiced by Tracey Rooney for Persona 4,[7] and Erin Fitzgerald provides her English voice for all other appearances.[8] Minami Tsukui portrays her in the stage play adaptation of Persona 4.[9] Mariya Ise was originally cast as Chie in the stage play adaptation of Persona 4 Arena, but she was replaced by Makoto Koichi following health problems and her pregnancy.[10] A limited edition of Persona 4 Arena featured the buttons Chie wore in Persona 4 as a bonus.[11]

Appearances

Chie first appears in the 2008 video game Persona 4, where she and her friends Yu Narukami and Yosuke Hanamura discover a world within televisions containing Shadows, monsters from repressed parts of people's psyches. Chie is an upbeat girl with an obsession with kung fu, even using those techniques in battle.[12] Chie serves as the player's Social Link to The Chariot;[13] this is symbolized in the animated series by Yu's usage of the Persona Ara Mitama (アラミタマ).[14] Although initially reluctant, she goes into the TV world when her best friend Yukiko Amagi is thrown in, putting her in danger.[15] There, Chie encounters her Shadow who represents her jealousy of Yukiko's feminine side and talents, as well as her wish and need to maintain control over Yukiko.[16] With Yu and Yosuke's help, Chie confronts her other self and joins the Investigation Team.[17] Following the encounter with her Shadow, Chie receives the Persona Tomoe Gozen (トモエ, Tomoe), a muscular female figure wearing a yellow outfit and armed with a naginata, that she uses in combat while she performs kicks.[18] Throughout Yu's interactions with Chie (which can also be intimate), she discovers that she genuinely wanted to protect Yukiko without any underlying selfish motivations. After this, Tomoe evolves into Suzuka Gongen (スズカゴンゲン), whose yellow jumpsuit turns black and is decked in silver samurai armor. The desire to protect people eventually inspires her to seek a career as a police officer.[19] In the re-release Persona 4: Golden, Chie's Persona can evolve to a third level to become Haraedo-no-Okami (ハラエドノオオカミ, Haraedo-no-Ōkami), which has golden armor and a long flowing cape.[20]

A promotional browser game for Persona 4 allowed players to "sneak a peek" at Chie in a hot spring.[21][22] She is playable in Persona 4 Arena alongside Tomoe Gozen;[23] In Persona 4 Arena, Chie joins Yu, Yosuke and Yukiko to investigate the TV world after seeing the Midnight Channel. When she enters, she is forced to fight her friends as well as a man, Akihiko Sanada.[24][25] She also appears in Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth,[26] Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth,[27] and in Persona 4: Dancing All Night.[28] On October 20, 2017, it was confirmed by Arc System Works that Chie would appear in the upcoming fighting game BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle.[29] It was further confirmed on January 13, 2018 that Chie would be in the base game.[30] Additionally, Chie is featured in the anime television series adaptation of Persona 4.[31]

Reception

Chie Satonaka has been identified by Kat Bailey from US Gamer and Leigh Alexander from Polygon as their favorite character.[32][33] Alexander cited Chie's final Social Link sequence where she "realises that dedicating yourself to personal growth is cowardice, and that it's all meaningless unless you turn around and start fighting — start /using/ this strength you've amassed."[33] Robert Boyd, creator of Breath of Death VII and Cthulhu Saves the World, ranked Chie as the second best "JRPG warrior heroine." He justified the ranking by saying that she "kicks things to death" and called her a "great foil to the main character’s best friend, Yosuke."[34] Chie was named GamesRadar's favourite Persona 4 character.[35] Kotaku's Mike Fahey called Chie as his favourite Persona 4 character and discussed "swoon[ing] over" her.[36] Kotaku's Kirk Hamilton felt that Persona 4 featured more depth to its characters than its predecessor Persona 3. The writer cited Chie's "fear for her friend Yukiko and desire to be seen as feminine" as an example of this.[37] He also compared her to Velma Dinkley from Scooby-Doo, Where Are You![37]

Critical reception to both of Chie's English voice actresses have been mixed. While reviewing Persona 4, IGN's Jeff Haynes felt that Tracey Rooney's delivery as Chie sounded at times like a 30-year-old woman instead of a teenager.[38] Reviewing the same game, RPGamer's Michael Cunningham felt that Rooney felt "a little stiff" during battle lines, but was fine elsewhere.[39] While Kotaku's Kirk Hamilton was initially reluctant about Erin Fitzgerald while reviewing Persona 4 Golden, he eventually grew to like her.[37] VG247's Johnny Cullen expressed excitement at the prospect of Chie's playability in Persona 4 Arena.[40] In reviewing Persona 4 Golden, Destructoid's Dale North revealed he was not a fan of Fitzgerald's voice, due in part to the fact that he preferred Yui Horie, Chie's Japanese voice actress.[41] RPGamer's senior reviews editor Adriaan den Oueden's initial impressions of Fitzgerald in his review of the same game were positive.[42] She was also listed as the 10th best Persona character by Kimberley Wallace from Game Informer who commented "Chie remains one of the most likable characters to date".[43] IGN also listed her as the eighth best Persona character, praising her upbeat personality and her interests.[44]

In an analysis of Persona characters, Ricardo Jorge de Lucena and Ana Raquel Romeu from Universidade de Fortaleza compared Chie to Ryuji Sakamoto from Persona 5 and Aigis from Persona 3 due to how they stand out in terms of strengths in their own respective games and how it is noticeable when the three become playable characters.[45] Ghuilerme Pedrosa from Universidade Federal Do Ceara noted that Persona 4 often challenged sexual identity and gender norms, with Chie being a subject too when going to Yukiko's Castle from the TV World and being seen as one of Yukiko's princes; In the process, it iexplored the theme of how Yukiko and Chie are friends who face conflicts related to femininity, awakening of male interest and female independence. However, the game does not explore a possible romantic relationship between these two characters. The writer praised the dynamic between the two characters as Chie is outgoing girl, fan of martial arts and sports, who feels frustrated at not getting people's attention for her beauty whereas Yukiko is a shy and reserved girl recognized for her beauty.[46] Writer Patrick Hayes stated that her Shadow "represents her desire to maintain dominance over Yukiko in their relationship as well as her jealousy of Yukiko's feminine qualities and skills."[47]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Chie Satonaka Voice - Megami Tensei franchise". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on 2 September 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
  2. ↑ Persona 4 Visual Data. Atlus. 2008. p. 17.
  3. 1 2 Atlus (September 2012). Persona 4: Official Design Works. Udon Entertainment. p. 4. ISBN 9781926778457.
  4. ↑ Atlus (September 2012). Persona 4: Official Design Works. Udon Entertainment. p. 52. ISBN 9781926778457.
  5. ↑ Atlus (September 2012). Persona 4: Official Design Works. Udon Entertainment. p. 52. ISBN 9781926778457.
  6. ↑ Atlus (September 2012). Persona 4: Official Design Works. Udon Entertainment. p. 157. ISBN 9781926778457.
  7. ↑ "Sentai Filmworks Licenses Persona 4: The Animation". Anime News Network. 2011-09-27. Archived from the original on 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2011-09-29.
  8. ↑ "Erin Fitzgerald's History of Work". Erinfitzvo. Archived from the original on August 13, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Persona 4 Stage Play's Cast Photographed in Costume". Anime News Network. December 23, 2011. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  10. ↑ Loo, Egan (2015-04-04). "Voice Actress Mariya Ise's Marriage, Pregnancy Revealed". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  11. ↑ Ivan, Tom (2013-04-20). "Persona 4 Arena limited edition confirmed with unboxing trailer". CVG Onlline. Archived from the original on 2014-05-02. Retrieved 2014-03-30.
  12. ↑ Atlus (2008-12-09). Persona 4 (PlayStation 2). Atlus. Chie: Stop right there! What did you do to my DVD!?
  13. ↑ Jun Kumagai (October 27, 2011). "Somewhere not here". Persona 4: The Animation. Event occurs at 0:15. MBS. Margaret: I am sure that you will soon be able to wield yet another power that has awoken. The Chariot Arcana... How will this power come to shape your future, I wonder?
  14. ↑ "ペルソナ４アニメーション 公式サイト | ペルソナ". Archived from the original on 2012-02-07. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
  15. ↑ Atlus (2008-12-09). Persona 4 (PlayStation 2). Atlus. Chie: So I went to her house and, it turns out Yukiko really did disappear...! / Yosuke: I guess we have no choice but to go now. [But that aside,] the cops are saying some weird stuff. They think Yukiko's hiding to "lay low". Apparently, Yukiko-san's mom collapsed because that announcer lady [Ms. Yamano] bitched her out. They think that gives her a motive, and the fact that she died right after makes her even more suspicious… / Chie: [outraged] What!? They think Yukiko did it!? What the hell is wrong with them!? / Yosuke: Dude, don't snap at me! Yukiko's the victim here, dammit, not the suspect… […] With the police totally on the wrong track, we gotta handle it ourselves. / Chie: I'm going, too! And that's final! I'm going to save Yukiko no matter what!
  16. ↑ Atlus (2008-12-09). Persona 4 (PlayStation 2). Atlus. Shadow Chie: That's right! I'm the one who can't do anything alone! I can't win as a girl, let alone as a person... I'm pathetic. But Yukiko... she depends on me. That's why she's my friend. I'll never loosen my grip on her... she's too important to me!
  17. ↑ Atlus (2008-12-09). Persona 4 (PlayStation 2). Atlus. Yosuke: This guy and me are gonna catch the culprit ourselves! The police are out of their league in this case, but we've got Personas. / Chie: I'm helping out too! I can't believe someone would throw people into a place like that. I'm gonna sock whoever's doing this!/ Yukiko: Let me help too. I want to know why this is happening... especially if someone hates me so much they want to kill me.
  18. ↑ Atlus (2008-12-09). Persona 4 (PlayStation 2). Atlus. Narration: Chie has faced her other self... She has obtained the power to overcome life's hardships, the Persona Tomoe!
  19. ↑ Atlus (2008-12-09). Persona 4 (PlayStation 2). Atlus. Chie: I told you I wanted to become strong so I could protect what matters most to me, right? Well, I want to protect this town. [...] So, I thought maybe I'd become a cop, and have Dojima-san put me through the wringer!
  20. ↑ "Persona 4: The Golden Screenshots Show New Personas & Winter Styles". Siliconera. January 11, 2012. Archived from the original on January 13, 2012. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
  21. ↑ "The promotional peeping tom Persona 4 flash game". Siliconera. 2008-07-29. Retrieved 2023-09-08.
  22. ↑ Snow, Jean (2008-07-30). "Play The Perverted Persona 4 Flash Game". Wired. Archived from the original on 2014-05-02. Retrieved 2014-04-30.
  23. ↑ Gantayat, Anoop. "Persona 4 Fighter". Andriasang. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  24. ↑ "More Details About Persona 4: Arena's Story Mode". Siliconera. May 8, 2012. Archived from the original on May 11, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
  25. ↑ "『ペルソナ4 ジ・アルティメット イン マヨナカアリーナ』主人公たちの"その後"が楽しめる"ストーリーモード"を紹介！". Famitsu. May 8, 2012. Archived from the original on May 12, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
  26. ↑ "Persona Q character trailers: Akihiko and Chie". Gematsu. 17 January 2014. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  27. ↑ Romano, Sal (2018-09-03). "Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth Chie Satonaka trailer". Gematsu. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  28. ↑ "Persona 4: Dancing All Night Chie English character trailer, screenshots". Gematsu. 30 July 2015. Archived from the original on November 2, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  29. ↑ "BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle – Chie, Noel Vermilion, Waldstein reveal trailer". Youtube. NinEverything. 20 October 2017. Archived from the original on 16 January 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  30. ↑ Aetas. "BLAZBLUE CROSS TAG BATTLE". www.4gamer.net. Archived from the original on 11 December 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  31. ↑ Nelkin, Sarah (June 20, 2014). "Persona 4 the Golden Animation Anime's 1st TV Spot Narrated by Chie, Yukiko". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  32. ↑ "USgamer Community Question: Who's Your Favorite RPG Character?". US Gamer. 2015-02-16. Archived from the original on May 24, 2015. Retrieved 2014-04-30.
  33. 1 2 Alexander, Leigh (2013-04-03). "HIGH SCHOOL MEMORIES: A SERIES OF PERSONA 4 LETTERS". Polygon. Archived from the original on 2014-05-02. Retrieved 2014-04-30.
  34. ↑ Boyd, Robert (2012-01-05). "The Top 20 Best JRPG Warrior Heroines!". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on 2014-05-02. Retrieved 2014-04-30.
  35. ↑ Nagata, Tyler (2012-06-23). "Game music of the day: Why Persona 4's battle music was the best". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on 2015-11-04. Retrieved 2014-04-30.
  36. ↑ Fahey, Mike (2012-06-27). "Memorize the Fighting Moves of Your Favorite Persona Characters". Kotaku. Archived from the original on 2014-05-02. Retrieved 2014-04-30.
  37. 1 2 3 Hamilton, Kirk; Schreier, Jason (2012-11-21). "Persona 4 Golden: The Kotaku Review". Kotaku. Archived from the original on 2014-04-19. Retrieved 2014-04-30.
  38. ↑ Haynes, Jeff (2008-12-09). "Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 2014-04-23. Retrieved 2014-04-30.
  39. ↑ Cunningham, Michael. "Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 – Staff Review". RPGamer. Archived from the original on 2014-05-02. Retrieved 2014-04-30.
  40. ↑ Cullen, Johnny (2011-12-06). "Persona 4: The Ultimate footage shows off Chie awesomeness". VG247. Archived from the original on 2014-05-02. Retrieved 2014-04-30.
  41. ↑ North, Dale (2012-11-05). "A slice of fried gold". Destructoid. Archived from the original on 2014-05-02. Retrieved 2014-04-30.
  42. ↑ Ouedan, Adrian den (2012-08-08). "Persona 4 Golden". RPGamer. Archived from the original on 2014-05-02. Retrieved 2014-04-30.
  43. ↑ "Top Ten Best Persona characters". Game Informer. October 1, 2015. Archived from the original on October 8, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  44. ↑ "Top Ten Persona characters". IGN. July 22, 2015. Archived from the original on August 11, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  45. ↑ Romeu, Ana Raquel; de Lucena, Ricardo Jorge (2019). "A influência do tarô na construção de personagens na franquia Persona" (PDF). Portal Inter. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  46. ↑ de Araújo, Guilherme (2021). "EU SOU TU, TU ÉS EU: PERSONA 4 E O GÊNERO EM JOGO" (PDF). Universidade Federal Do Ceara. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  47. ↑ Hayes, Patrick (2010-09-24). "Game Narrative Review – Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4". Game Career Guide. Archived from the original on 2014-04-24. Retrieved 2014-04-30.
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