Scarlet Nexus from Bandai Namco has been compared to the Persona series for some obvious reasons. The big one is because both main characters, Yuito and Kasane, can go on character quests. They operate much like the Social Links in Persona 5 Royal although there are no dialogue choices.
Completing them will make the party stronger by granting Yuito and or Kasane new bond skills. Getting to know each member of the team is also a treat in and of itself. Some characters are better than others though from their actual skills in battle to their individual companion stories. There will be some SPOILERS from here on out.
8 Shiden
Shiden is a hard character to like. He has a big grudge against Yuito that is barely resolved by the end of Scarlet Nexus. Even when he gets along better with Kasane, he can still be insufferable. So even though his electricity can enhance both characters’ weapons, using him in battle is not ideal thanks to his personality.
7 Kagero
Kagero is one of the most, if not the most, charismatic characters in Scarlet Nexus. He always has a fun smile on even in the darkest of times. It’s how he copes with the tragedies he has faced in his life.
Fake happy is often a tool used by folks in real life to help them cope which makes Kagero one of the most understandable heroes in the game. His invisibility powers in battle aren’t the greatest though as the assassination techniques can be clumsy to execute.
6 Tsugumi
Tsugumi is one of those stereotypical quiet girls one can find in a lot of RPGs like this and in many anime shows. Thankfully why she is so quiet is well explained and the evolution she goes through in Scarlet Nexus helps her break out of her shell. Her dedication to plants is one of her most charming qualities.
In battle, having a teammate with a gun is very handy when one needs some precision aiming at an enemy’s weak point. Her clairvoyant powers aren’t that cool to use though other than finding enemies which is handy but not flashy.
5 Luka
At first, it seems weird that a small child would wield a giant weighted hammer. It makes more sense when one finds out Luka was experimented on thus stunting his growth. He can wield the hammer because he works out in the hopes of filling out this stunted growth.
Luka then being obsessed with honing his body is a nice twist on more typical bodybuilder-type characters in RPGs and anime like Gemma from Scarlet Nexus. His warping ability is both great for closing the gap on enemies in battle along with giving Yuito and Kasane ways to warp through grates. Getting this ability can make the game feel like a Metroidvania at times.
4 Gemma
Gemma’s motivations and character evolution points in Scarlet Nexus are a bit confusing and stiff. Why he betrays Yuito and Seto is swept under the rug like it was nothing. Not even his companion episodes add more to what his characters looks and feels like at the start of the game.
He’s not a bad character but he lacks the charisma of other characters. What he lacks in lovability he makes up for in his strength in battle. Not only that but his shield is overpowered. It doesn’t just reduce damage for Yuito or Kasane in battle. It negates damage completely.
3 Kyoka
Kyoka isn’t given much time in Yuito’s campaign to grow and she isn’t shown much more in Kasane’s. Like Gemma, she has a fine arc but also has some confusing plot points in the main campaign. Her abilities in battle are essential to becoming the strongest one can be in a fight though.
Her ability once leveled up duplicates the main character so that one slash from Yuito, for example, will become two. Not only that but every object thrown with psychokinesis will be doubled as well. If this is combined by using Yuito and Kasane powers at once, it will create a devastating avalanche of destruction.
2 Arashi
Arashi fills out the dry wit and lazy girl category found in many anime. Characters like these also have powerful sadistic sides and Arashi fits that bill as well. She loves to mess with Yuito especially — messing with his cranial abilities like he’s some lab rat. She wields a chainsaw which is pretty scary in any reality. She’s also very lazy when it comes right down to it. Overall she’s written well and is a standout Scarlet Nexus.
Plus she has a strong companion ability. Her speedy powers don’t let players zip around the environment. Instead using them in battle slows down time which makes a lot of sense as seen in many other speed-infused characters like The Flash.
1 Hanabi
Hanabi is rightfully not given much time in Kasane’s campaign in Scarlet Nexus. When viewed through Yuito’s though, she is a star. She fills out that longtime childhood friend in anime that is clearly in love with the main character but can’t say anything.
Her having doubts about her powers helping people and also being scared of flames due to some training accidents also grounds her as a hero. On the subject of her powers, the flame ability can make all the difference in battle. When added to oil thrown on enemies, it can get even stronger. She’s cute, powerful, and has cares and needs that anyone could understand in the game.