The episode uses moody lighting during Metaverse sequences and sharp contrasts in the real world. Medjed’s ominous digital takeover is portrayed with glitch effects and static, which feels appropriately cyberpunk.
Futaba officially joins the team as the navigator, and the episode ends with the group deciding to target Medjed’s “distorted heart” — which leads them to a surprising location related to a familiar face from the game’s early plot. Persona 5 the Animation Episode 17
To understand the weight of Episode 17, one must recall the stakes leading into it. The Phantom Thieves have infiltrated the bank-themed Palace of Kaneshiro, a mafia boss who has been blackmailing students and exploiting the vulnerable. Unlike previous targets, Kaneshiro is a grotesque figure—a gluttonous, fly-faced demon who views people as little more than ATM machines. The episode uses moody lighting during Metaverse sequences
Reviews for Episode 17 were generally positive, with critics noting it as a high point for the show's second half. To understand the weight of Episode 17, one
The portrayal of Futaba's internal struggle was praised for being more effective and emotionally layered than its game counterpart. The Anime News Network Review highlighted the "satisfying resolution" of her trauma.
The anime does a good job here showing Futaba adjusting to life outside her room and offering tactical support from the back of Morgana’s bus. Her awkward but sincere interactions with Ren are a highlight.