GamesJRPGPersona"Persona is a story about growing up": Atlus lead reveals why the JRPG series always centers around a young male protagonist, but doesn’t rule out adults or women in the futureWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesJRPGPersona"Persona is a story about growing up": Atlus lead reveals why the JRPG series always centers around a young male protagonist, but doesn’t rule out adults or women in the futureWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Atlus)
ThePersonaseries, as iconic as it is, has always featured a protagonist with two undeniable qualities in each of its entries - but creative producer and chief director of Atlus' renowned Persona team Kazuhisa Wada has a good reason why the main characters are always young and male.
“Another big factor is that student life is something that most people have experienced, so it’s easy to empathize with,” continues Wada. “As for gender, this has to do with mental age. It seems that when it comes to the same high school students, women tend to have a higher mental age than men.” That’s why the Persona team chose to opt for boys over girls, but it’s not exactly a hard or permanent rule for the developers.
“Therefore, we chose a male student as the protagonist, on the grounds that a man would be best if we were to depict growth,” explains Wada. “However, we don’t necessarily think that adults or women are unacceptable.” Could that mean a future Persona title with a female lead, or possibly an older main character?Metaphor: ReFantazioat least serves as proof that Atlus as a whole doesn’talwaysgo for high schoolers as protagonists.
Persona 3 Portable was unique, too, allowing players to choose between a male and female protagonist. WhilePersona 3 Reloadlaterexcluded this option, the more recent revamped JRPG still saw the release of Episode Aigis - agame-sized DLCcentered around a female member of the S.E.E.S. As a longtime fan of the Persona series, I hope we see more such content down the line - perhaps even in Persona 6.
While you wait for more Persona, check out some of thebest JRPGsavailable right now.
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
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2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
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4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
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5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
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2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2
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3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3
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4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
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Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”