Atlus' classic Persona 5 is one of the most popular RPGs of recent years, and for good reason. Set in a world inside the Shin Megami universe, Persona 5 features loveable characters, stunning graphics, and a funky and varied soundtrack. There is so much to love and the game is only the beginning.
Along with the RPG itself and the other accompanying titles, there are different pieces of media, such as Persona 5: The Animation. While those who aren't seasoned fans may find proceedings a little difficult to follow, the anime provides a wonderful lextra experience for the Persona faithful. It even improves on certain aspects of the game. Warning: there are plot spoilers ahead.
All Phantom Thieves Join Fights
Perhaps the biggest improvement that Persona 5: The Animation makes upon the original game is that it shows all of the Phantom Thieves fighting together at once. In Persona 5 and Persona 5: Royal, the party size is limited to four characters. That's three plus Joker (who must always be chosen), which means the player must lose out on some really great fighters each time.
RPGs are usually based upon a party system for combat, so prioritizing certain characters and optimizing the team is a major part. Despite this, it is refreshing to see all of the Thieves fighting side by side against a boss character in the anime.
Naming The Protagonist And Giving Him More Input
In Persona 5, the protagonist is canonically named Akira Kurusu, and known as Joker in the Metaverse. In the animation, however, writers decided to rename the character, choosing Ren Amamiya instead. This was a significant change for such an established and popular personality. It must be said that the name does not feature much in the game, or the anime for that matter: after choosing a name at the beginning of the game, it barely features aside from other characters' dialogue and does not affect the story.
More importantly, though, as well as being renamed Ren, this hero also gained a voice: instead of just quips in battle, he takes part in conversations and can frequently be heard speaking.
Joker And Akechi's Relationship Gets More Screentime
While exploring the story of Persona 5, Joker and Akechi's relationship is a little lacking. Thankfully, players have the anime to fill in some of the spaces. It isn't set during the Persona 5: Royal events (which have more of an impact on the characters), instead expanding upon the vanilla storyline. Akechi's first instance has an automatic confidant rank-up system, happening during the story. The anime lets us see the protagonist and Akechi getting to know each other and hanging out, playing chess, and drinking coffee in Leblanc - despite being so-called mortal enemies.
Persona 5: The Animation also shows off Akechi's detective skills to a far greater extent than the game does, especially towards the end when the events at Sae Niijima's palace are being unravelled.
A Better Explanation Of Persona Fusion
Persona 5 is known for its long introduction, offering quite the information dump about the Metaverse. Certain explanations are long-winded and cab get a bit lost in all the world-building. The process of fusing Personas to gain more powerful accomplices, for instance. The game has the protagonist waking up in the Velvet Room in the middle of his sleep, with Igor filling him in on the ins and outs of fusing Personas.
In the anime, however, when Joker is knocked out during a fight in Kamoshida's lustful palace, he wakes up in the Velvet Room. At this point, he fuses a stronger Persona, able to win the battle and beat Kamoshida's shadow to boot. This makes a lot more sense than a dream sequence.
The Two Vital Endings Are Explored
The beauty of Persona 5: The Animation is that it gives us a glimpse into both of the pivotal endings of Persona 5. The game has several different endings, including one good and one bad. The animation neatly showcases both by 'ending' on the bad outcome, featuring Joker being shot by Goro Akechi in the interrogation room after detective Sae Niijima leaves.
The series then took a break and returned with two OVAs (original video animations) to wrap up loose ends and provide a look at the following events without committing to a whole second series. With the release of Persona 5: Royal, there is plenty of material that could allow the anime to continue.
Expansion Of The Game's Plot
Persona 5: The Animation not only provides players a concise recap of the game's story but also adds a new view into the gang's downtime outside of the Metaverse palaces. For instance, early in the season, viewers see the trio shopping for medicine and supplies in a convenience store before re-entering Kamoshida's palace. In the game, all shopping is done by the player, so it's nice to see all of the members preparing for the fight ahead. There is a moment in the sixth episode showing the ever-entertaining Morgana and Ryuji playing a shogi app (with an animated Hifumi in it!), passing the time while waiting for Ann. This adds depth to their often strained relationship and gives insight into what the usually unseen Thieves get up to.
Another addition was the Skytree visit. In Persona 5: Royal, there was supposed to be a scene showing the Thieves hanging out using tickets they got from Sojiro. This was cut for unknown reasons. In the game, this is a loose end, but is wrapped up well in this small addition to the anime. Persona 5: The Animation may occupy a strange place in the complex wider world of Persona 5, but it is still very much worth a watch. Filling plot holes and adding more depth to already beloved characters, the show will be a sure hit with any long-term Persona fan.