Persona (series)

***Persona***, formerly titled ***Shin Megami Tensei Persona***, is a spin-off series in the *Shin Megami Tensei* family of games which began with the release of *Megami Ibunroku Persona* in 1996. There are currently six main titles in the *Persona* series, ***Revelations Persona*** (*Shin Megami Tensei: Persona*), ***Persona 2: Innocent Sin**, **Persona 2: Eternal Punishment***, ***Persona 3** (Persona 3 FES, Persona 3 Portable, Persona 3 Reload), **Persona 4** (Persona 4 Golden) and **Persona 5** (Persona 5 Royal.)*

## Summary

All the games take place in the same universe and share certain common elements. The term "persona" is Latin for "mask." They exist in the same world as *Shin Megami Tensei If...* which is an alternate telling of the first *SMT* game.

The series is inspired by Jungian psychology, from which it takes its name, and slightly resembles *JoJo's Bizarre Adventure*, as the Persona characters and Persona Users are reminiscent of Stands and Stand Users.

## Series Overview

### ***Persona*** (1996)

* Revelations: Persona (1996)
* Shin Megami Tensei: Persona (2006)

Set in 1996, *Revelations: Persona* centers around the protagonist and his classmates at St. Hermelin High School in Mikage-cho (Lunarvale in *Revelations: Persona*). Hidehiko Uesugi talks all of his friends into playing a game called "Persona", which is played much like the ritual game "Bloody Mary". While playing, the students lose consciousness and meet Philemon, who gives them the ability to summon reflections of their personalities, which are known as Personas.

* **Main Protagonist:** Naoya Toudou
* **MC's Persona:** Seimon Kongou
* **Ultimate Persona:** Amen Ra
* **Main Antagonists:** Takahisa Kandori (SEBEC), Snow Queen (Snow Queen Quest)
* **MV's Persona:** Nyarlathotep (SEBEC), Nyx (Snow Queeen Quest)
* **Final Bosses:** Pandora (SEBEC), Queen Asura (Snow Queen Quest)
* **Villainous Faction:** SEBEC
* **School:** St. Hermelin High School
* **Alternate world:** Ideal Mikage-Cho
* **Theme:** Dreams
* **Release Date:** 1996
* **System:** Play Station

Set in 1996, *Shin Megami Tensei: Persona* centers around the protagonist and his classmates at St. Hermelin High School in Mikage-cho (Lunarvale in *Revelations: Persona*). Hidehiko Uesugi talks all of his friends into playing a game called "Persona", which is played much like the ritual game "Bloody Mary". While playing, the students lose consciousness and meet Philemon, who gives them the ability to summon reflections of their personalities, which are known as Personas.

* **Main Protagonist:** Naoya Toudou
* **MC's Persona:** Seimon Kongou
* **Ultimate Persona:** Amen Ra
* **Main Antagonists:** Takahisa Kandori (SEBEC), Snow Queen (Snow Queen Quest)
* **MV's Persona:** Nyarlathotep (SEBEC), Nyx (Snow Queeen Quest)
* **Final Bosses:** Pandora (SEBEC), Queen Asura (Snow Queen Quest)
* **Villainous Faction:** SEBEC (SEBEC), Nyx's minions (Snow Queen Quest)
* **School:** St. Hermelin High School
* **Alternate world:** Ideal Mikage-Cho
* **Theme:** Dreams
* **Release Date:** 2006
* **System:** Play Station Portable

### ***Persona 2: Innocent Sin*** (1999)

* PS1 (1999)
* PSP (2011)

*Persona 2: Innocent Sin* begins three years after the events of the first *Persona*, in 1999. The location is Sumaru City, a large fictional metropolitan area set in modern day Japan. Sumaru City becomes cursed after events during the beginning of the game that cause any rumor that spreads enough to become true.

* **Main Protagonist:** Tatsuya Suou
* **MC's Persona:** Vulcanus
* **Ultimate Persona:** Apollo
* **Main Antagonist:** Joker
* **MV's Persona:** Nyarlathotep
* **Final Boss:** Great Father
* **Villainous Faction:** The Masked Circle
* **School:** Seven Sisters High School
* **Alternate world:** Collective Unconsciousness
* **Theme:** Rumors
* **Release Date:** 1999
* **System:** Play Station

*Persona 2: Innocent Sin* begins three years after the events of the first *Persona*, in 1999. The location is Sumaru City, a large fictional metropolitan area set in modern day Japan. Sumaru City becomes cursed after events during the beginning of the game that cause any rumor that spreads enough to become true.

* **Main Protagonist:** Tatsuya Suou
* **MC's Persona:** Vulcanus
* **Ultimate Persona:** Apollo
* **Main Antagonist:** Joker
* **MV's Persona:** Nyarlathotep
* **Final Boss:** Great Father
* **Villainous Faction:** The Masked Circle
* **School:** Seven Sisters High School
* **Alternate world:** Collective Unconsciousness
* **Theme:** Rumors
* **Release Date:** 2011
* **System:** Play Station Portable

### ***Persona 2: Eternal Punishment*** (2000)

* PS1 (2000)
* PSP (2012)

*Eternal Punishment* focuses on protagonist Maya Amano. *Eternal Punishment* takes place on "the other side" from *Innocent Sin*. Rumors are spread about how if you call your cell phone, the JOKER will come and kill whoever you ask it to. Maya Amano is sent to write a story about the JOKER, when she meets him in person. Philemon grants Maya and her friends the ability to summon Personas, an ability that they use to hunt JOKER.

* **Main Protagonist:** Maya Amano
* **MC's Persona:** Maia
* **Ultimate Persona:** Artemis
* **Main Antagonist:** Tatsuzou Sudou
* **Final Boss:** Crawling Chaos: Nyarlathotep
* **Villainous Faction:** New World Order
* **School:** Seven Sisters High School
* **Alternate world:** Collective Unconsciousness
* **Theme:** Rumors
* **Release Date:** 2000
* **System:** Play Station

*Eternal Punishment* focuses on protagonist Maya Amano. *Eternal Punishment* takes place on "the other side" from *Innocent Sin*. Rumors are spread about how if you call your cell phone, the JOKER will come and kill whoever you ask it to. Maya Amano is sent to write a story about the JOKER, when she meets him in person. Philemon grants Maya and her friends the ability to summon Personas, an ability that they use to hunt JOKER.

* **Main Protagonist:** Maya Amano
* **MC's Persona:** Maia
* **Ultimate Persona:** Artemis
* **Main Antagonist:** Tatsuzou Sudou
* **Final Boss:** Crawling Chaos: Nyarlathotep
* **Villainous Faction:** New World Order
* **School:** Seven Sisters High School
* **Alternate world:** Collective Unconsciousness
* **Theme:** Rumors
* **Release Date:** 2012
* **System:** Play Station Portable

### *Persona 3* (2006)

* Persona 3 (2006)
* Persona 3 FES (2007)
* Persona 3 Portable (2009)
* Persona 3 Reload (2024)

Persona 3 follows a group of high school students trying to cope with, understand and accept death in a world surrounded by it, as well as find their own reasons for living. They form a group called SEES in order to investigate the Dark Hour, a mysterious time period between one day and the next that few people are aware of. During the Dark Hour, SEES explores Tartarus, a large tower containing Shadows, creatures that feed on the minds of humans. To fight the Shadows, each member of SEES is able to summon a Persona, a manifestation of their inner self.

* **Main Protagonist:** Minato Arisato
* **MC's Persona:** Orpheous
* **Ultimate Persona:** Messiah
* **Main Antagonist:** Takaya Sakaki
* **MV's Persona:** Hypnos
* **Final Boss:** Nyx Avatar
* **Villainous Faction:** Strega
* **School:** Gekkoukan High School
* **Alternate world:** Dark Hour
* **Theme:** Death
* **Release Date:** 2006
* **System:** Play Station 2

Persona 3 follows a group of high school students trying to cope with, understand and accept death in a world surrounded by it, as well as find their own reasons for living. They form a group called SEES in order to investigate the Dark Hour, a mysterious time period between one day and the next that few people are aware of. During the Dark Hour, SEES explores Tartarus, a large tower containing Shadows, creatures that feed on the minds of humans. To fight the Shadows, each member of SEES is able to summon a Persona, a manifestation of their inner self.

* **Main Protagonist:** Minato Arisato
* **MC's Persona:** Orpheous
* **Ultimate Persona:** Messiah
* **Main Antagonist:** Takaya Sakaki
* **MV's Persona:** Hypnos
* **Final Boss:** Nyx Avatar
* **Villainous Faction:** Strega
* **School:** Gekkoukan High School
* **Alternate world:** Dark Hour
* **Theme:** Death
* **Release Date:** 2007
* **System:** Play Station 2

Persona 3 follows a group of high school students trying to cope with, understand and accept death in a world surrounded by it, as well as find their own reasons for living. They form a group called SEES in order to investigate the Dark Hour, a mysterious time period between one day and the next that few people are aware of. During the Dark Hour, SEES explores Tartarus, a large tower containing Shadows, creatures that feed on the minds of humans. To fight the Shadows, each member of SEES is able to summon a Persona, a manifestation of their inner self.

* **Main Protagonist:** Minato Arisato
* **MC's Persona:** Orpheous
* **Ultimate Persona:** Messiah
* **Main Antagonist:** Takaya Sakaki
* **MV's Persona:** Hypnos
* **Final Boss:** Nyx Avatar
* **Villainous Faction:** Strega
* **School:** Gekkoukan High School
* **Alternate world:** Dark Hour
* **Theme:** Death
* **Release Date:** 2009
* **System:** Play Station Portable

Persona 3 follows a group of high school students trying to cope with, understand and accept death in a world surrounded by it, as well as find their own reasons for living. They form a group called SEES in order to investigate the Dark Hour, a mysterious time period between one day and the next that few people are aware of. During the Dark Hour, SEES explores Tartarus, a large tower containing Shadows, creatures that feed on the minds of humans. To fight the Shadows, each member of SEES is able to summon a Persona, a manifestation of their inner self.

* **Main Protagonist:** Minato Arisato
* **MC's Persona:** Orpheous
* **Ultimate Persona:** Messiah
* **Main Antagonist:** Takaya Sakaki
* **MV's Persona:** Hypnos
* **Final Boss:** Nyx Avatar
* **Villainous Faction:** Strega
* **School:** Gekkoukan High School
* **Alternate world:** Dark Hour
* **Theme:** Death
* **Release Date:** 2024
* **System:** Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Windows. PlayStation

### *Persona 4* (2008)

* Persona 4 (2008)
* Persona 4 Golden (2012)

*Persona 4* follows a group of high school students dealing with a mysterious TV channel dedicated to distorting and exaggerating the truth of who they are and their identities. A string of bizarre murders related to the TV channel begins shaking their once peaceful town. They explore the mysterious world inside the TV and perform rescue missions in order to save its victims from death. Only by looking past what is on the screen, finding and evaluating the truth among a myriad of lies can they hope to find the serial killer and save their town.

* **Main Protagonist:** Yu Narukami
* **MC's Persona:** Izanagi
* **Ultimate Persona:** Izanagi-no-Okami
* **Main Antagonist:** Tohru Adachi
* **MV's Persona:** Magatsu-Izanagi
* **Final Boss:** Izanami-no-Okami
* **Villainous Faction:** TV World Shadows
* **School:** Yasogami High School
* **Alternate world:** Midnight Channel
* **Theme:** Pursuing your true self
* **Sequels:** *Persona 4 Arena*, *Persona 4 Arena Ultimax*
* **Release Date:** 2008
* **System:** Play Station 2

*Persona 4* follows a group of high school students dealing with a mysterious TV channel dedicated to distorting and exaggerating the truth of who they are and their identities. A string of bizarre murders related to the TV channel begins shaking their once peaceful town. They explore the mysterious world inside the TV and perform rescue missions in order to save its victims from death. Only by looking past what is on the screen, finding and evaluating the truth among a myriad of lies can they hope to find the serial killer and save their town.

* **Main Protagonist:** Yu Narukami
* **MC's Persona:** Izanagi
* **Ultimate Persona:** Izanagi-no-Okami
* **Main Antagonist:** Tohru Adachi
* **MV's Persona:** Magatsu-Izanagi
* **Final Boss:** Izanami-no-Okami
* **Villainous Faction:** TV World Shadows
* **School:** Yasogami High School
* **Alternate world:** Midnight Channel
* **Theme:** Pursuing your true self
* **Sequels:** *Persona 4 Arena*, *Persona 4 Arena Ultimax*
* **Release Date:** 2012
* **System:** Play Station Vita

### *Persona 5* (2016)

* Persona 5 (2016)
* Persona 5 Royal (2019)

*Persona 5* is a fantasy based on reality which follows a group of troubled high school students: the protagonist and a collection of compatriots he meets along the way. These disturbed and troubled teenagers gradually realize that they are living in a toxic and dangerous world resembling a prison full of slavery, oppression and injustice, ruled by corrupted and twisted adults. They can't live with the system and can't live without it, and simply existing means they are at risk of being doomed and condemned to a life of slavery.

* **Main Protagonist:** Ren Amamiya
* **MC's Persona:** Arsene
* **Ultimate Persona:** Satanael
* **Main Antagonist:** Goro Akechi
* **MV's Persona:** Loki
* **Final Boss:** Yaldaboath
* **Villainous Faction:** Seven Deadly Sins
* **School:** Shujin High School
* **Alternate world:** Metaverse
* **Theme:** Breaking free
* **Sequels:** *Persona 5 Strikers*
* **Release Date:** 2016
* **System:** Play Station 3

*Persona 5* is a fantasy based on reality which follows a group of troubled high school students: the protagonist and a collection of compatriots he meets along the way. These disturbed and troubled teenagers gradually realize that they are living in a toxic and dangerous world resembling a prison full of slavery, oppression and injustice, ruled by corrupted and twisted adults. They can't live with the system and can't live without it, and simply existing means they are at risk of being doomed and condemned to a life of slavery.

* **Main Protagonist:** Ren Amamiya
* **MC's Persona:** Arsene
* **Ultimate Persona:** Raoul
* **Main Antagonist:** Takuto Maruki
* **MV's Persona:** Azathoth
* **Final Boss:** Adam Kadmon
* **Villainous Faction:** Seven Deadly Sins
* **School:** Shujin High School
* **Alternate world:** Metaverse
* **Theme:** Breaking free
* **Sequels:** *Persona 5 Strikers*
* **Release Date:** 2019
* **System:** Play Station 4