He joins with the protagonist, Joker, after they both founded themselves entering another world and eventually gain powers to fight against corrupt people and abusers, including Kamoshida.

Since his role in Persona 5, he has received generally mixed reception, regarded as one of the less popular characters in the game, although some fans found it surprising that he ranked so low.

Ryuji Sakamoto was created for Persona 5 by designer Shigenori Soejima, going by the Phantom Thief nickname Skull to avoid giving away his identity.

Soejima also felt him the most difficult to draw, stating that he created and provided Ryuji's design to the animation company in a rush, and when the concept art based on Hanako Oribe came back, he didn't recognize him.

He was discovered by Atlus after he performed a role in Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse as the character Hallelujah.

Ryuji was the second-to-last party member on a poll of favorite Persona 5 Royal characters, which left Rock Paper Shotgun writer Kaan Serin shocked, who said that his placement resulted in strong reactions from fans.

Club writer Clayton Purdom felt that his archetype did not make sense, and that it caused his plot arc to be confused.

She discussed how this archetype is "loud and annoying," but Ryuji's personality elevates beyond that, citing his rough background and calling him a "sweet kid" who cares about his friends and justice.

[12] In her first playthrough of Persona 5, Kotaku writer Amanda Yeo expected to hate Ryuji due to the negative fan response, thinking that he had done something significant to earn the ire.

Yeo noted that there were multiple traits that would make people dislike him, including his interactions with women and Morgana, but also called him "straightforward, honest, loyal and willing to speak up against injustice."

[15] Writer Martin Ivančić discussed how Ryuji's linguistic profile served as the representative of "casual/informal vernacular," describing it as "youthful, loud, and energetic, filled with slang and expletives."

He suggested that his use of slang and expletives serve to emphasize both his emotional and rebellious nature, contrasting Japanese society, which is more polite and respectful.