Welcome back to Waifu Wednesday, Niche Gamer’s column where we talk about characters, their appeal, and a little on their history.
Today’s waifu is Naoto Shirogane from Persona 4!
Naoto is a hard-boiled detective whose dedication and tenacity are great assets to the player character’s allies throughout Persona 4.
Naoto is a boyish character who the in-game characters assume is male through a portion of the playthrough. However after encountering her Shadow, they learn she’s actually a woman and is dealing with feelings of inadequacy after internalizing the condescension from her would-be peers in the male-dominated law enforcement profession.
Striving to fit her mistaken ideal of a detective, Naoto goes through great lengths to appear masculine including binding her chest to hide her curves and platform shoes to appear taller.
Ultimately Naoto gains the confidence to be herself instead of the person she feels she needs to be and in later appearances she happily shows off her own style.
Naoto was suggested as this week’s waifu by our reader @Jarnegi6233!
