The Phantom Thief Strikes Again - Steals Persona 5 from 2015
There's no easy way to say it, so we'll be blunt. Persona 5 will not release in 2015. The next numbered entry of the Persona franchise will now release in Japan and the Americas in 2016.
The strengths of the Persona series are compelling characters, a moving, relatable story, and a borderline obsession with minutiae - elements which can't be rushed or taken lightly. So while Atlus realizes the frustration and disappointment that this must cause for the JRPG-loving public, please know that we are delaying the game in order to make sure the next iteration of the Persona series lives up to the expectations of fans.
Persona 5 will be released in 2016 exclusively on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 systems.
Persona 5 will launch for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 in Japan for 8,800 yen on September 15, Atlus announced. Pre-orders will open on May 6 at 10:00 JST.
A 13,800 yen “20th Anniversary Edition” will include the following:
A copy of Persona 5
Persona 5 art book – B5 size hard-cover Shigenori Soejima-illustrated special binding
Persona 20th Anniversary All-Time Best Album (five discs)
Disc 1: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona, etc.
Disc 2: Persona 2: Innocent Sin / Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
Disc 3: Persona 3 (FES), etc.
Disc 4: Persona 4 (The Golden), etc.
Disc 5: Persona 5
Special Collaboration DLC Set #1: “Orpheus Picaro” and “Izanagi Picaro” Personas and special skill set
Special Collaboration DLC Set #2: Persona 3 “Gekkoukan High School Uniform” costumes and Persona 3 battle BGM single set
Special Collaboration DLC Set #3: Persona 4 “Yasogami High School Uniform” costumes and Persona 4 battle BGM single set
Shigenori Soejima-illustrated Special Custom Theme
Special Persona 5 Art treasure box
Atlus also confirmed that Persona 5‘s next appearance will be at E3 2016, which runs from June 14 to 16 in Los Angeles.
Outside of the game, Atlus announced that the previously teased Persona 5 anime special, officially titled Persona 5 the Animation: The Day Breakers, will air in September. The 30-minute animation will be produced by A-1 Pictures.
Additionally, Atlus announced that it will host the Persona series’ first orchestra concert on August 13, and a Persona 20th Anniversary Festival at Arts Chiyoda in December.
Watch a new trailer and video interview featuring director Katsura Hasino (and more gameplay footage) below. Visit the newly relaunched official website http://persona5.jp/