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Persona 3 spawns a third feature film in Spring 2015
Following this Summer's successful Japanese debut of Persona 3 The Movie #2: Midsummer Knight's Dream, the second feature film spin-off of Atlus' beloved roleplaying game Persona 3, the publisher has announced that a third film will reach Japanese theaters next Spring. Entitled Persona 3 The Movie #3: Falling Down, the film centers on the stars of Persona 3 - the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad, or SEES - as they attempt to finish the seemingly endless battle against the Shadows that threaten humanity. Plot details are scant, but Atlus has revealed that Persona 3 The Movie #3: Falling Down will heavily feature Ryoji Mochizuki, the waifish scarf aficionado seen above who fans will recall from Persona 3. We don't want to spoil the character's significance to that game, but suffice to say his appearance in the film suggests that very bad things are about to happen. Unfortunately for Western fans of the Persona franchise, there's no word on when or if Persona 3 The Movie #3: Falling Down might appear outside of its native Japan. [Image: Atlus]
Persona 3: The Movie 2 gets a release date in Japan, trailer
The second Persona 3 movie is coming to Japanese theaters on June 7, Atlus announced over the weekend. It's subtitled "A Midsummer Knight's Dream," and it follows on from the first installment which hit the big screens of Japan last year. The films are adaptations of Atlus PS2 game Persona 3, in which a band of high-schoolers investigate the phenomenon of the Dark Hour, the time in each day when everyone else in the world is transformed into coffins, and evil shadows feed off people's minds. The second film is due just two days after 3DS dungeon crawler Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth hits Japanese retail shelves on June 5. There remains no news on localizations of the films, but Atlus just confirmed the West is getting the recently-announced bevy of new Persona games. That includes Persona Q as well as Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, Persona 4: Dancing All Night, and the small matter of one Persona 5. [Image: Atlus]
Second chapter of Persona 3: The Movie slated for summer 2014
Yes, more Persona news: The second Persona 3 movie is coming to Japanese theaters in "early summer 2014," as revealed by the end of the newly released first movie. Both Cinema Today (via Siliconera) and Anime News Network report the date appeared in the credits for Persona 3: The Movie #1: Spring of Birth, after the animated adaptation of the PS2 game debuted in Japanese cinemas over the weekend. We're not sure we've got enough mind-space left for more Persona news after the weekend's flurry of reveals. Atlus unveiled no less than four new Persona games, including the Etrian Odyssey-like Persona Q for 3DS, rhythm game Persona 4: Dancing All Night for Vita, arcade fighter Persona 4 Arena: The Ultimate - Ultra Suplex Hold for PS3, and finally Persona 5 for PS3. The last of those, the biggie, is due in Japan in winter 2014.
Persona 3: The Movie's dark hour approaches in Japan
Persona 3 The Movie will appear on midnight channels - or cinemas, to be specific - all across Japan starting November 23. The animated adaptation of the Atlus PS2 RPG is labelled #1: Spring of Birth, and as such is expected to be the first in a series of films, although there's been no confirmation of that. A new trailer shows the game's male protagonist - no sign of P3 Portable's leading lady - alongside the familiar SEES faces of Mitsuru, Fuka, Junpei, and Yukari among others. Tickets go on sale in Japan on August 10, while on this side of the ocean there's no news regarding possible localization. Fans shouldn't lose all hope, though, given the western arrival of anime series Persona 4: The Animation last year, a localization we feel set an appreciably high standard.
Persona 3 Portable coming to North America on July 6
Atlus is bringing an English-language version of Persona 3 Portable to the US. The PSP version of Persona 3 isn't a direct port of the original PS2 RPG. Instead, it streamlines the experience for handheld play and adds a new playable female character, with her own "Social Links, special events, and unique romantic opportunities." In addition, P3P adds a few cameos from Persona 4, and introduces five difficulty settings, ranging from "beginner" to "maniac." The battle system has also drastically changed, with players able to directly control teammates. The UMD version will be available at retail on July 6th, with a PSN version expected soon after. Check out the box art after the break.%Gallery-83530%
Persona 3 Portable features Persona 4 cameo
The upcoming PSP version of Persona 3 features a nice easter egg for fans of the franchise. According to Siliconera, Inaba, the town featured in Persona 4 will be a playable locale in the upcoming port. You must play as the female lead in order to visit the Amagiya Inn -- two years before the events of P4. There, you'll be able to meet a younger version of Yukiko. Certainly, it's not the biggest news surrounding the game, but it gives us an excuse to post this video. P3P hits Japan next month.
Japanese gamers want Persona 4, Phoenix Wright anime series (and so do we)
Japanese gaming pub Dengenki recently polled its readers on what series they'd like to see translated into anime form. The Top 10 list looks nearly exactly the same as our own wishlist: 1. Persona 4 2. Phoenix Wright 3. Okami 4. Kingdom Hearts 5. Idol Master 6. Metal Gear Solid 7. Yakuza 8. BlazBlue 9. Persona 3 10. Atelier Rorona Atlus' PS2 RPG Persona 4 tops the list, managing to beat out some big names like Kingdom Hearts and Metal Gear Solid. Perhaps the success of Persona: Trinity Soul reminded readers that the franchise works in serialized TV format? While we'd certainly like to see another Persona anime, an adaptation of Phoenix Wright seems like a no-brainer. Capcom, are you reading this? [Via Andriasang]
Persona 3 coming to PSP with new female character
Atlus just isn't quite done with remaking Persona 3. A new issue of Famitsu has hit Japanese newsstands and one of the most notable entries is an advertisement for Persona 3: Portable. While details are slim, the ad prominently shows a new female character standing aside the nameless main character of Persona 3 and Persona 3: FES. The ad proclaims the game will be available on November 1st, which, honestly, seems rather sudden. (No Q1 slump for Japan?) If it follows the model of the PSP port of the original Persona, we're bound to see a ton of extras remixed into the game. [Via PS3Nation]
Best of the Rest: Scott's Picks of 2007
Odin Sphere (PS2) Vanillaware's side-scrolling action RPG caught me completely off guard when it came out, but I fell instantly in love with the game's style. Practically everything about Odin Sphere is unique: the circular levels; the gigantic, beautifully-drawn sprites; the bizarre food-crafting mechanics. Toss in a healthy amount of Norse mythology, and you've got one damn fine, under-appreciated game. Here's hoping Vanillaware's upcoming Wii title is up to snuff.
Persona 3 delayed until Aug. 14
Atlus has sent word that Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 has missed its July 24 release date and has been rescheduled until Aug. 14. The problems were apparently caused by an error while manufacturing the art books for the demonic high school RPG/semi dating sim. We know what you're thinking. "Screw the art book," you say, "I want to join up with the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad now!" Atlus has already thought of you, little one, and they promise the delay is for your own good, saying "the package we have spent the last few months designing, one intended to honor the series and reward fans for an eight year wait, would be irreparably compromised if we were to revise or abandon the deluxe package." Though we'll miss whiling away the hours hunting demons, we're glad for any company willing to put quality first.
