The protagonist of Persona 5, canonically named Ren Amamiya (which appeared in several spin-off media before becoming his default name in the 2022 re-release of Persona 5 Royal), is a second-year transfer student at Shujin Academy, being placed there to continue his academics due to his ongoing probation resulting from being falsely framed for assault At the beginning of the game, he has sacrificed himself for the sake of protecting another person, having lost all power or influence in the world as a consequence. However, beneath his quiet demeanor is a strong-willed Wild Card leading the Phantom Thieves and capable of exploiting the Metaverse to affect reality. To his teammates, his code name is Joker, and to the residents of the Velvet Room he is known as the Trickster. The protagonist is the leader of the rebellious Phantom Thieves of Hearts, a group which aims to change society by touching the hearts of people and performing illegal heists.