Originally a spin-off of Megami Tensei, Persona has managed to find its place in the international industry and in the hearts of fans of Japanese role playing games, especially since the fifth numbered entry.
Released in 1996, Revelations: Persona kicked off one of the most successful JRPG franchises, both with specialised critics and players.
However, it wasn’t until Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3, the entry that introduced social simulation elements, that the saga began to really take off. An added plus that has become its hallmark.
The balance between the traditional group of teenagers and the physical manifestations of their psyches, known as ‘Personas’, and the high-school simulator has become one of the series’ main draws.
Between battles against dark forces, Atlus found an unexpected draw in living the life of a normal high-school student, in pure anonymous superhero style. A well-known trope in Japan.
But not only the relationships between characters, activities like visiting public places and attending class bring the Persona saga to life. The turn-based battle system, reminiscent of other franchises like Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy, is also noteworthy.
The system has been polished to the extreme in Persona 5, the latest main entry launched in 2017, which was when the saga really took off. A key moment that finally gained Persona wide recognition internationally.
Winner of the 2017 The Game Award for Best RPG and considered a masterpiece, the fifth entry was the biggest success of the whole Megami Tensei franchise.
It earned this fame with its outstanding visual style, catchy music and polished battle system, but also with the best possible recreation of contemporary Tokyo and an ambitious plot.
After the success of Persona 5, Atlus launched an extended version with the tag The Royal and two spin-offs: Dancing Star Night, a musical video game, and Strikers, with musou-style action that continues the line of the original.
As Atlus has confirmed it is developing Persona 6, and no more additions to the fifth entry are expected, the Japanese developer is focusing on the much-deserved celebration of the 25th anniversary of its successful franchise.
An official website for the anniversary launched in June, with glimpses of seven new projects that will be announced between late 2021 and the first half of 2022.
So far, we only have confirmation that Morgana, one of the most beloved characters, will be the ambassador for the 25th anniversary and that there will be a commemorative illustration for the fifth anniversary of Persona 5.
Related to the anniversary, Atlus has also announced the release of the “Persona” anime series and a symphonic orchestra concert, which will be held at the Tokyo Opera City on 21 November 2021.
For more details, we’ll have to wait until December 2021. The only thing that’s certain for now is that this is the golden age of the Persona saga, and an unbeatable time to enjoy Japanese role-playing games
