Back in 2016/2017, while the franchise had seen steadily rising popularity, the fifth entry kicked off the huge popularity thatPersonahas garnered since then. Most recently in 2020, games likePersona 5 RoyalandPersona 5 Scramble’s Japanese release have solidified Atlus' JRPG spin-off as its own identity. Definitively separating fromShin Megami Tensei, thePersonaseries has a very bright future ahead, especially with the upcoming 25th anniversary celebration. Looking ahead, there’s plenty already to look forward to forPersona, with a surprisingly impressive spin-off releasing soon, alongside an even more promising event potentially coming this September.
Whether it’sPersona 5 Strikersreleasing 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 forPersonafans, which means this year could go even bigger. Of course, fans are eager to know about “new numbered entries” in thePersonaseries, which P-Studio is allegedly working on according to series director Kazuhisa Wada. That doesn’t necessarily mean that aPersona 6is coming, or even exists currently, but that doesn’t rule it out either. Fans should be excited aboutPersona’s future, of course, but don’t set expectations way too high.
2021 Kicks Off Big with Persona 5 Strikers' Western Release
Obviously, a known quantity coming very soon for the series isPersona 5 Strikers, the Musou-flavored action variant of the originalPersona 5. Acting as a sequel to the base game, though the same can’t be said forRoyal,Persona 5 Strikerstakes 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 Strikersdoes well to mix strategic depth with high-paced actionthat doesn’t compromise either. Fans ofPersona 5and Musou-styleDynasty Warriorsgames in general will find there’s a lot to love inPersona 5 Strikers.
Based onGame Rant’s preview ofPersona 5 Strikers, the highly anticipated and long-awaited sequel/spin-off toPersona 5is starting off the anniversary year right. Even if it’s not a traditionalPersonaexperience, the game extends the love given to the Phantom Thieves, who’ve helped skyrocket thePersonaseries' 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 ofPersona’s anniversary year, meaningStrikersis just kicking things off. While nothing is announced, of course, there could plenty more surprises in store for 2021.
Persona’s Big 25th Anniversary, As Well As Persona 3’s 15th Anniversary
The actual anniversary event itself would theoretically take place on September 20, marking 25 years since the originalShin Megami Tensei: Personafirst released in Japan. Granted the worldwide popularity ofPersonatruly began withPersona 3, butthe firstPersonagame andPersona 2duologydid 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 thePersonaseries particularly loves to celebrate is the music, which means anotherPersonamusical 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 Goldenwas shadow-dropped on PC via Steam. One day shy of the eight year anniversary ofPersona 4 Golden’s release date (also a few days after the 12 year anniversary ofPersona 4),Atlus made a huge step in bringingPersona 4 Goldento PC after spending years exclusive to the PlayStation Vita. Obviously, that got players thinking and asking for more classicPersonaports to PC. Just to point out,Persona 3’s 15th anniversary is indeed on June 30, 2025, so something similar could be in the works this summer.
Perhaps a Tease For the Future of Persona
And lastly, the biggest possible (but unlikely) surprise this September would be a first tease forPersona 6, or whatever the nextPersonaentry is called. Other than thefalse rumors thatPersona 6existed back at New Game Plus Expoin June, there’s no concrete proof that the next game exists or is actively being worked on. The only hint comes fromPersonaseries director Kazuhisa Wada, who’s stated that P-Studio has a “mid-to-long term plan” for thePersonaseries 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, thatPersona 6could 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, assumingPersona 6’s development began in 2017 afterPersona 5, full-scale development likely wouldn’t have begun until recently. BothPersona 5 ScrambleandPersona 5 Royalreleased 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 circumstanceduring the anniversary celebration ofPersonathis year. A possiblePersona 3port/re-release, maybe even a tease ofPersona 6, would be more than enough after 25 years.
MORE:What to Expect from Atlus in 2021
