Today marks the 9-year anniversary of one of this generation’s most iconic JRPGs, Persona 5. It is a gift that keeps on giving, even if we’re not exactly asking for it anymore. Atlus continuing to milk the franchise is tolerated by some of its fanbase, but that’s a given since Persona 5 is one of SEGA’s top IPs, selling over 10 million copies in its lifetime.
But we’re not here to talk about sales numbers or how Atlus keeps pushing its beloved franchise. We’re here to talk about how, despite Persona 5’s massive breadth of content and ongoing support, its cast of characters doesn’t quite compare to what we had in Persona 3 and Persona 4.
Before we get into it, it’s worth noting that while Persona 5’s main cast isn’t as strong as the earlier titles, the game still tells a compelling story about youth, rebellion, and the courage to stand against injustice. The issue is that the narrative leans more heavily on its themes than on its characters. Their personal struggles stem from the same root, and while their characterization is consistent, it isn’t as cleverly integrated into the main story. Even their Confidant quests feel more like glimpses of their personalities rather than full arcs.
What I wanted was a game that captured the same level of friendship we saw in Persona 3 and Persona 4. Persona 3’s cast bonded through shared trauma, grief, and loss, while Persona 4’s cast grew stronger through genuine friendship. By contrast, Persona 5 often felt like watching members of a Student Committee plan a major event. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it felt tame in comparison.
Take Persona 3, for example. It doesn’t start off with anything grand; you’re stuck in a fancy dorm with a group of High Schoolers and tasked to eliminate Shadows. But its main cast slowly opens up, with heartbreaking personal stories woven directly into the central themes of death and mortality. From Akihiko and Shinji’s brotherly bond to Mitsuru’s strained relationship with her father, the character work feels deeply personal and seamlessly tied to the narrative.
Even the relationship between the protagonist and Aigis feels like something you could imagine existing in real life. Persona 5’s cast, on the other hand, is united by shared struggles that mirror real-world problems, clearly crafted to resonate with the audience at large. The difference is that Persona 5’s characters could be anyone. Their struggles are interchangeable, while Persona 3’s cast is so specific to the story that the game wouldn’t work without them.
As for Persona 4, it plays out like a group of true friends on a summer vacation who suddenly find themselves caught up in a murder mystery. Over the game’s 70-hour journey, you can watch their growth unfold in natural ways. The bond between Yukiko and Chie, for instance, reflects the small-town closeness of Inaba, where everyone has known each other for years. Kanji’s personal struggle with his vulnerability is also something that’s cleverly written, resulting in numerous discourse all over the internet for a decade. In contrast, Persona 5’s Tokyo setting is so vast that it’s difficult to build the same focused narrative around its characters. I understand Atlus’ intent, but the cast didn’t resonate with me the way Persona 4’s Scooby-Doo gang did.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the characters from all the modern Persona games. But Persona 3 and Persona 4’s casts feel so intimate and genuine that they come across like people I could meet in my daily life. That’s why fans tend to hold onto their stories so strongly. Persona 5, meanwhile, is more about hype moments and aura, serving as a mirror for society’s bigger problems. Persona 3 and Persona 4 were about a small group of friends against the world, and I love that kind of story.
Here’s hoping Persona 6 captures that same sense of genuine bond that made Persona 3 and Persona 4 so unforgettable.
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