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Netflix Wants To Make A Persona Show

Earlier this month, Atlus finally confirmed they’re working on a sixth entry in the Persona series. The last mainline game, Persona 5, was released in 2016 – ten years ago. Only GTA can boast a longer wait time! But maybe Netflix can fill the gap…with a Persona TV series. Variety says they’re considering it.

Netflix has had an active interest in video game adaptions for a long time. What started with Castlevania spread into Arcane, Cyberpunk 2077, Tomb Raider, Devil May Cry and Splinter Cell. What this proposed Persona show would do different is…it wouldn’t be animated. We’d be watching real high-schoolers explore relationships by day and do battle with their Personas at night. And…y’know, fair. We can see that working.

Especially with the talent they have lined up. Production company Story Kitchen (those Sonic movies) is developing the series now, with Shawn Levy (all things Stranger Things) as producer. Christopher Monfette will be the executive producer, showrunner and lead writer, and his resume includes Star Trek: Picard, Syfy’s 12 Monkeys, and the still unreleased VisionQuest for Disney+.

What Netflix and Atlus have is not yet a closed deal. But assuming it goes through, we could be seeing the Persona gang in the flesh soon enough….whichever gang they choose. They have five games to pick from (more like four, as no one cares about the first). Though we know nothing else about the project, we can say one thing for certain….whenever Persona 6 comes out, it’ll be AFTER this show.

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DarkProject

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82 messages 0 likes

The idea of a Persona show on Netflix is intriguing, especially given the rich narrative and character depth that the games offer. Persona 5's storytelling had such a unique blend of daily life and supernatural elements, which could translate well into a series format. I can already picture some of the iconic scenes, like the Phantom Thieves' heists, being adapted with a stylish flair.

However, I wonder how they would handle the game's themes of friendship and personal growth. The game does a remarkable job of making the player invest emotionally in each character, and that kind of depth can be tricky to capture in a show. Has there been any other adaptation of a game that you thought managed to keep that balance?

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Bonnie

New Member

890 messages 1 like

Never expected Netflix to go after Persona with a live-action series, but it actually sounds possible if they take their time. The school life and the social parts could work really well in a TV format. The biggest challenge is making the Personas and battles look good without feeling fake. Good casting is probably even more important than the visual effects. If they get that right, I would definitely give it a chance.

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EclipseAssassin

Member

293 messages 17 likes

Live action makes me a little nervous because Persona has a style that is hard to copy. The menus, music, and overall look are a huge part of why the games stand out. Animation naturally fits that better. Still, having people involved with Stranger Things and the Sonic movies gives me a little confidence. Waiting until there's an actual deal before getting excited seems like the better approach.

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Prompto

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37 messages 0 likes

Not completely sold on this idea yet. Netflix has made some good game adaptations, but they've also had projects that didn't really connect with me. Persona fans have high expectations because the games have such a unique identity. Copying the story isn't enough. The atmosphere, soundtrack, and character chemistry all matter just as much. That's a difficult balance to get right.

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Jayce

Oh the Misery

47 messages 1 like

Really curious which game they would choose if this actually happens. Persona 5 is the obvious answer because it's the biggest hit, but part of me wants them to surprise everyone with Persona 3 or Persona 4 instead. Starting with an older story could make the series feel fresh for people who already know Persona 5 inside out.

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Tear Here

Well-Known Member

820 messages 35 likes

Would rather see them spend more money on practical locations and strong actors than blow everything on CGI fights. Most of Persona isn't constant action anyway. A lot of the appeal comes from normal conversations, school events, and getting to know each character. That's something live action can actually do well if the writing is strong.

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ReelTalkRay

New Member

2 messages 0 likes

Pretty interested, but keeping expectations reasonable. Every time a live-action game adaptation gets announced, people either call it amazing or terrible before filming even starts. Better to wait until there's a trailer and some casting announcements. If Netflix understands what makes Persona special instead of turning it into a generic teen drama with monsters, this could end up being much better than expected.

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TCL

New Member

503 messages 29 likes

Honestly, a live-action Persona show sounds more interesting than I expected. The social side of the games could work really well if they spend enough time building the characters instead of rushing to the action. The supernatural parts are important, but the friendships and personal struggles are what made me stay with the series. Good casting will matter more than expensive visual effects. If the actors feel believable as students, the rest becomes much easier to accept. Hope they don't try to make everything too serious because Persona always has a nice balance between everyday life and strange events.

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