Tohru Adachi
| Character | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Tohru Adachi 足立 透 Adachi Tōru |
| Occupation: | Detective |
| Relationships: | Yu Narukami; (dependant on choices in game) adversary, friend, partner in crime Ryotaro Dojima; boss and friend Nanako Dojima; daughter of Ryotaro Dojima, views him as an uncle figure |
| Fandom: | Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 |
| Other: | |
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Tohru Adachi is a primary character and antagonist in the 2008 JRPG Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 and its subsequent spin-offs, Persona 4 Arena, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, and Persona 4 Dancing All Night.
In Persona 4 and Persona 4 Golden he serves as the game's main antagonist, while redeeming himself as an ally in Persona 4: Arena Ultimax. In the official anime adaptation, he serves mostly the same role but is given a backstory.
Within the canon of the manga series, he has many additional traits that are not mentioned in game or elsewhere among the franchise; however, the canonicity of the manga is uncertain, with no directs statements from TPTB confirming or denying whether the events or characterizations are canon.
Canon
As the main villain of Persona 4, Adachi is characterized as a loner with a hatred of those he deems more special or talented which manifests itself in a murderous rage and disdain for life. Adachi displays boredom with his life, and enjoys manipulating others for his enjoyment. During the events of Persona 4, he is directly and indirectly responsible for several different murders, which lead to his imprisonment at the end of the game’s events.
Adachi uses the facade of a hapless, goofy detective to deter any suspicion towards him as a murderer. This facade is the opposite of his true personality seen after he is revealed as the main villain and in the subsequent spinoffs.
The main Adachi is characterized as a loner with a hatred of those he believes are more talented or better than him that manifests itself in murderous rage.
Fandom
Adachi is a very popular character in fandom, and is often the subject of jokes and memes as well as serious discussion about his character.
On November 24, 2020, ThoughtBubble uploaded a video essay on YouTube called "The Psychology of Tohru Adachi"[1] analyzing the behavior of Adachi and comparing it with the diagnostic criteria of Antisocial Personality Disorder. This has sparked discussion among some fans of the game. Some fans agree with some or all of the points the video lays out, other disagree that his behaviour fits the diagnosis or point out that this analysis leaves out aspects of his character arc such as the supernatural intervention.
This article or section needs expansion. |
Shipping
The most popular ship involving Adachi is Yu x Adachi, most likely due to the popularity of enemyslash ships and Adachi’s role in the story as the foil to the protagonist.
Dojima x Adachi and Adachi x Yosuke are also prominent.
A large amount of controversy exists among Adachi ships since they often feature abusive behavior and adult/minor relationships (in the case of Yu x Adachi and Yosuke x Adachi).
Notable Fanworks
| Examples Wanted: Editors are encouraged to add more examples or a wider variety of examples. |
Comic
- Adachi makes a notable appearance in Hiimdaisy's Persona 4 parody comic. A short clip in the comic dub (note: link under construction) became very, very popular amongst fans.[2]
Fanart
Fanfiction
Links
Adachi Tohru works on AO3