Despite reshaping the face of the Persona franchise time and again, Katsura Hashino, the series’ frequent director, has taken a step back since the last major release, Persona 5 Royal. After helming Persona 3, Persona 4, Persona 5, and Catherine, Hashino pivoted to establish Studio Zero at Atlus, which recently launched the critically praised Metaphor: Refantazio. However, this shift means he isn’t as directly involved in the Persona series as he once was. “Right now, my juniors – those who came after me – have taken the reins and are crafting new titles for P-Studio,” Hashino confessed to Game Informer. “I’ve been on the sidelines, watching and observing their progress. In that sense, I haven’t had much input in the Persona series since P5.”
There’s a buzz around the Persona studio, with “several projects in development” on the horizon. Atlus is keen on celebrating the JRPG series’ 30th anniversary next year, aiming to give fans “even more to enjoy.” This could be the perfect opportunity to announce Persona 6.
Persona 4 Revival is reportedly “shaping up nicely.” But it’s not merely about adding content; the development team emphasizes the need to “create an experience that feels fresh and different.”
Interestingly, Atlus considered a port of Persona 3 Reload for both the original Nintendo Switch and the anticipated Switch 2. Ultimately, they decided on the latter, as the team felt they couldn’t manage both without risking “significant delays.”
Nonetheless, P-Studio and Studio Zero share a workspace, which keeps Hashino somewhat connected to the Persona series. “In our Atlus office, we have the studios for Shin Megami Tensei, Persona, and us making Metaphor all on the same floor; there are no walls separating us,” Hashino explained. “Even if it’s only indirectly, watching what the other studios do is stimulating. We’re not completely isolated creatively. Of course, we can’t share what’s coming next just yet, but we do have that level of interaction.”
On the immediate horizon for Atlus is the remake of Persona 4: Revival. While official news on Persona 6 remains sparse, the 30th anniversary of the series is just around the corner.