Perhaps it’s because I grew up during a time before higher-end fan merchandise and companies like Loungefly capitalizing on fandom, but I sometimes end up surprised when I’m using something tied to a series and it’s genuinely good and useful. The official Atlus Persona 3 Portable Theodore and Persona 5 Morgana beanies both fall into that sort of category, as each one is well made and definitely references the games well, but they’re also great go-to hats.
Both of the hats are one-size fits most items, and they’re both made of acrylic. The Morgana one has a little more “to” it, due to the embroidered facial features and multiple colors stitched together. However, both are basically durable, warm beanies designed to throw on before you leave the house. The colors are right, the designs are accurate, and they’re everything you’d expect from Atlus merchandise.
What I like most about these two options is how they cater to different sorts of needs. The Persona 3 Portable Theodore beanie is a more subtle way to show affinity for the series. People unfamiliar with the series and character might think it is just a blue hat with a patch. Even people who know the series might not recognize the patch, since the emblem on the character’s hat in his in-game portrait is so small.
Meanwhile, the Morgana Persona 5 beanie has more personality to it. It’s immediately recognizable as the mascot from the game. Given the popularity of that particular installment, people who haven’t even played but consider gaming a hobby will know it’s from some title, even if they can’t pick out the exact one. It’s definitely a way of making a statement while staying warm or accessorizing.
Speaking of warmth, the recent weather in Illinois during this month meant I got quite a bit of practical use out of both hats while running errands or shoveling snow from the driveways of some family members. The only “downside” to the two hats is that the Morgana beanie is much warmer than the Theodore one. This means if you’re picking one out to get or wear for practical purposes, you have to go with the more obvious reference. However, I will say that the Morgana one held up very well in extreme conditions (there were single digit temperatures that felt like below-zero ones here), and it also maintained its same level of quality after a washing. All of the pictures here on the “models” were taken after it’d gone through the wash twice.
Generally speaking, both the Persona 3 Portable Theodore and Persona 5 Morgana beanies are pretty good hats. They might be more expensive than you may pay for such things, but the nods to the series will probably more than make it worth it for some people. I would say the Theodore one is better as a general-use item. The Morgana one is great for a fun, silly look, but it is so insulated and warm that I’d recommend using it during actual winter months.
The Persona 3 Portable Theodore and Persona 5 Morgana beanies are available at Shop Atlus for $29.99 and $27.99, respectively. Persona 3 Portable is available on the PS4, PS5, PSP, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC. Persona 5 is on the PS3 and PS4, while its Royal version is on the PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC.
