Back in 2016/2017, while the franchise had seen steadily rising popularity, the fifth entry kicked off the huge popularity that Persona has garnered since then. Most recently in 2020, games like Persona 5 Royal and Persona 5 Scramble‘s Japanese release have solidified Atlus’ JRPG spin-off as its own identity. Definitively separating from Shin Megami Tensei, the Persona series has a very bright future ahead, especially with the upcoming 25th anniversary celebration. Looking ahead, there’s plenty already to look forward to for Persona, with a surprisingly impressive spin-off releasing soon, alongside an even more promising event potentially coming this September.
Whether it’s Persona 5 Strikers releasing in the west this February, an actual anniversary event this September, or something in between, 2021 could potentially be a big year. Last year alone brought plenty of welcome surprises for Persona fans, which means this year could go even bigger. Of course, fans are eager to know about “new numbered entries” in the Persona series, which P-Studio is allegedly working on according to series director Kazuhisa Wada. That doesn’t necessarily mean that a Persona 6 is coming, or even exists currently, but that doesn’t rule it out either. Fans should be excited about Persona‘s future, of course, but don’t set expectations way too high.
Obviously, a known quantity coming very soon for the series is Persona 5 Strikers, the Musou-flavored action variant of the original Persona 5. Acting as a sequel to the base game, though the same can’t be said for Royal, Persona 5 Strikers takes the well-loved Phantom Thieves on a summer vacation road trip alongside a new Metaverse. Eschewing the usual turn-based combat for ARPG-style battles, Persona 5 Strikers does well to mix strategic depth with high-paced action that doesn’t compromise either. Fans of Persona 5 and Musou-style Dynasty Warriors games in general will find there’s a lot to love in Persona 5 Strikers.
Based on Game Rant’s preview of Persona 5 Strikers, the highly anticipated and long-awaited sequel/spin-off to Persona 5 is starting off the anniversary year right. Even if it’s not a traditional Persona experience, the game extends the love given to the Phantom Thieves, who’ve helped skyrocket the Persona series’ popularity. The game also acts as a perfect send-off to these beloved characters in the wake of whatever’s next for the franchise, whenever that time may come. Not to mention this is just February of Persona‘s anniversary year, meaning Strikers is just kicking things off. While nothing is announced, of course, there could plenty more surprises in store for 2021.
The actual anniversary event itself would theoretically take place on September 20, marking 25 years since the original Shin Megami Tensei: Persona first released in Japan. Granted the worldwide popularity of Persona truly began with Persona 3, but the first Persona game and Persona 2 duology did set the foundation for more. That being said, there will certainly be a celebration stream of announcements planned for September of this year, coming at a time where anything could be announced. One thing the Persona series particularly loves to celebrate is the music, which means another Persona musical performance will likely come this fall.
However, Atlus could go even crazier and pull a similar surprise that the company did last summer. In 2020, seemingly out of nowhere, Persona 4 Golden was shadow-dropped on PC via Steam. One day shy of the eight year anniversary of Persona 4 Golden‘s release date (also a few days after the 12 year anniversary of Persona 4), Atlus made a huge step in bringing Persona 4 Golden to PC after spending years exclusive to the PlayStation Vita. Obviously, that got players thinking and asking for more classic Persona ports to PC. Just to point out, Persona 3‘s 15th anniversary is indeed on July 13, 2021, so something similar could be in the works this summer.
And lastly, the biggest possible (but unlikely) surprise this September would be a first tease for Persona 6, or whatever the next Persona entry is called. Other than the false rumors that Persona 6 existed back at New Game Plus Expo in June, there’s no concrete proof that the next game exists or is actively being worked on. The only hint comes from Persona series director Kazuhisa Wada, who’s stated that P-Studio has a “mid-to-long term plan” for the Persona series that hypothetically included new entries. As for what that entails, it’s really up to interpretation. It’s not a confirmation, nor a de-confirmation, that Persona 6 could exist and may be in development.
Tempered expectations are the best way to look forward to September. If a new game is revealed at all, it wouldn’t be more than a teaser or short trailer. Theoretically, assuming Persona 6‘s development began in 2017 after Persona 5, full-scale development likely wouldn’t have begun until recently. Both Persona 5 Scramble and Persona 5 Royal released in 2020, so full-on development only could’ve begun in 2019/2020. Either way, there’s certainly going to be plenty of pomp and circumstance during the anniversary celebration of Persona this year. A possible Persona 3 port/re-release, maybe even a tease of Persona 6, would be more than enough after 25 years.
Persona celebrates its 25th anniversary on September 20, 2021.
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