8Bit/Digi

Looking Back at the Legacy of Persona 5

It was a Saturday afternoon in the main hall of Anime Expo 2025, and I was in a room at the FyRyu Games booth. While attendees were checking out the figurines for sale or hoping to win a prize at the crane machine, I was in a cramped room hidden away from the public. I was there for a special demo session for Varlet, with developer Hideaki Ito present to answer any questions I had. During our conversation, I noted how much the game feels like Persona, from its setting to its social elements and world, only to have him remark that most Japanese-developed role-playing games have been heavily influenced by the Persona series.

This was also not the first time I’ve demoed a JRPG with the hallmarks of a Persona game, or had a developer tell me how the franchise has influenced their work. Specifically, the influence Persona 5 has had on role-playing games in the last ten years, as of September 15th.

To say Persona 5 has had an influence on JRPGs for a generation would be a gross understatement. Speak to any Japanese developer working on an RPG, and there’s a good chance they’ll tell you their game has been influenced by Persona 5. Not just the school setting or the combat mechanics, but the social links, the day/night cycle, and the need to balance your time. It doesn’t have to be all of this either, as developers have drawn inspiration from different aspects to create their own experience. Its influence isn’t limited to games, either, as the series’ popularity has stayed strong after all these years. With the game’s tenth anniversary upon us, it’s time to look back at the legacy of Persona 5.

Your Rehabilitation will Soon Begin

The story of Persona 5 begins with the success of Persona 3 back in 2006. The Shin Megami Tensei series had been going strong for some time, and Persona was just one of several spin-off titles that emerged. Even though it was the third entry in the spin-off series, the foundation of what would define the franchise began with Persona 3. The combat mechanics, social links, day/night cycle, and high school setting all emerged here, along with its art style and killer soundtrack composed by Shoji Meguro and rapper Lotus Juice. Atlus would go on to improve upon its success with Persona 4 in 2008, which refined the gameplay and enhanced the lively atmosphere of its world. It, too, would feature all the hallmarks that would define the series, along with another memorable soundtrack by Lotus Juice.

Following the success of Persona 4, Katsura Hashino began working on the story for the next game with a focus on themes of self-discovery. This changed when Japan was hit by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. While the disaster was catastrophic in terms of destruction, the real hit came to Japanese trust in its government and the social and cultural norms that had defined its post-war society. While people went out of their way to help each other, the government was notoriously slow and bogged down by bureaucracy. At the same time, the government left much of the responsibility of responding to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster to the Tokyo Electric Power Company. This dereliction of duty turned a situation into a crisis, resulting in one of the worst nuclear disasters since Chernobyl, a disaster that could have been prevented. The immediate impact was that the government had been disgraced, resulting in Prime Minister Naoto Kan resigning in August. Globally, trust in nuclear energy plummeted, prompting German Chancellor Angela Merkel to accelerate the timetable for dismantling the country’s last nuclear power plants.

This hit to the collective psyche remains strong, as it fundamentally changed how Japanese society functions. While trust in society grew, trust in government institutions and centralized control sharply declined. This was best exemplified in the 2016 film Shin Godzilla. Hideaki Anno presented a critical look at the government’s bureaucratic system and its response, along with its top-down approach to dealing with a crisis, all in response to the emergence of a new Godzilla that was more an amoral force of nature than a malevolent monster. Hashino aimed to take a similar approach by refocusing the next Persona game around people taking a stand against those in power and authority, not in an attempt to overthrow them through violence or revolution, but to take on their inner desires and reform them as a person. Thus, give a man his mask and he will show you his true self.

Give a Man his Mask

Told through a series of flashbacks, the story follows the protagonist, who has been charged with an assault he was framed for. Expelled from school and placed on probation, he is sent to live under the care of Sojiro Sakura, a family friend and the owner of Café Leblanc in Yongen-Jaya. On his first night, he is pulled into the Velvet Room by Igor, who warns that rehabilitation is his only path forward, and he gains access to an app that opens the Metaverse. On the first day of school, he and Ryuji Sakamoto, a classmate branded a delinquent, stumble into the Palace of Suguru Kamoshida, the volleyball coach. There, they uncover the truth about how Kamoshida treats his students and meet Morgana, who becomes their guide through the Metaverse. After teaming up with Ann Takamaki, they set out to change Kamoshida’s heart by stealing his treasure, the source of his distorted desires. After their success, they come together to become the Phantom Thieves of Hearts. Using their Personas and understanding of the Metaverse, they set out to change the hearts of other wicked people in power. Along the way, new members join the crew, such as Yusuke Kitagawa, Makoto Niijima, Futaba Sakura, and Haru Okumura. With their popularity growing, they attract the attention of sinister forces within the halls of power.

From a narrative perspective, Persona 5 strikes the ideal balance between telling a compelling story and being fun. Right away, you have to admire how radically different the story is from other Persona titles and Shin Megami Tensei games. You’re not trying to undo, survive, or prevent the apocalypse or some other world-altering catastrophe. Instead, it’s one more grounded in reality, while still making use of its supernatural elements. Wanting to focus on elements based in reality, it captures that feeling elegantly in two ways. First is through its characters, who are all relatable in some way, we all know someone similar to our heroes (or someone put into their situation), and the same goes for the villains. Even if you can’t relate, you can appreciate them as characters. Second is the social environment and power structure of the society itself. I bring this up because it’s also one that’s all too familiar, be it at school or in the community. As with most Shin Megami Tensei games, you don’t need to have played previous titles to understand what’s going on, which was perfect, because this would be how a new generation of gamers was introduced to the series.

The gameplay wasn’t like other JRPGs at the time, blending heavy dialogue and narrative choices with gameplay familiar to anyone who’s played Shin Megami Tensei. Players form a pact with a Persona, using its power in combat, and can fuse two together to create something stronger. Combat runs on a standard turn-based system, with exploiting enemy weaknesses unlocking devastating all-out attacks. The world splits between reality, where players build their character and prepare for what’s ahead, and the Metaverse, a realm shaped by humanity’s twisted desires. Progress means infiltrating a target’s Palace to steal their “treasure,” while Mementos offers a sprawling dungeon for side quests and grinding.

Its brilliant use of color and music can’t be overstated. Together, they set exactly the mood each moment calls for, whether that’s dread, tranquility, or determination, and the game never misses that beat. Its visual identity is instantly recognizable: sharp red-and-black UI, stylish transitions, and a Metaverse aesthetic that feels genuinely alien compared to the real world it’s paired against. Continuing the tradition of having a soundtrack that slaps, under the watch of Shoji Meguro, Lyn Inaizumi brings the world to life beat for beat with a soundtrack that shifts fluidly between jazz, upbeat exploration themes, and tense, driving battle tracks. It’s rare for a game’s presentation to feel this cohesive, but Persona 5 pulls it off effortlessly, start to finish.

Give Me Your Power

Persona 5 first launched for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 on September 15th, 2016, in Japan, followed by a global launch on April 4th, 2017. The game was highly praised, holding a Metacritic score of 93/100 from 106 media outlets at the time, with 99% giving it a positive score. It would go on to earn the prestigious title of “Game of the Year” from a number of publications or along with “Best RPG of the Year”.  At the Game Awards 2017, it was nominated for the show’s “Game of the Year”, “Best Art Direction”, “Best Score/Music”, and “Best Role Playing Game” only winning the latter. Its success was followed by an anime adaptation, a stage adaptation, and Persona 5 Royal, an updated version of the game with additional content, which first launched on the PS4 before coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, PS5, and Nintendo Switch in a single release in 2022. Next came Persona 5 Strikers, a hack-and-slash sequel, Persona 5 Tactica, a tactical follow-up, and Persona 5: The Phantom X, a free to play spin-off.

Its launch was not only well received by fans of the series, it also became the first Persona game for a new generation. Overnight, its cast became sought after at anime conventions across the country, with their roles in Persona 5 highlighted front and center. That demand hasn’t faded in the years since, as voice performers such as Xander Mobus, Max Mittelman, Erika Harlacher, Cassandra Lee Morris, and Cherami Leigh are still often billed at anime cons by their roles in the franchise. Persona 5 cosplayers are still a common sight, with friend groups coming together as the Phantom Thieves. Major anime conventions like FanimeCon still host Persona and Shin Megami Tensei cosplay gatherings, with recent years drawing a fresh wave of Persona 3 cosplay following Persona 3 Reload‘s 2024 release. During Anime Expo 2025, the Persona 5: The Phantom X panel was packed as fans gathered to learn more about the game, capped off by a short performance from Lyn Inaizumi. Later that day, fans got to experience a full concert at the Persona Music Experience, marking her first live performance in North America.

Finally, one of the lasting impacts of the series has been how it rejuvenated the overall Persona franchise. Right away, interest in the classic Persona games jumped, along with their value. I remember in 2018 picking up a copy of Persona 4 (CIB condition) at the FanimeCon swap meet for $20 USD, only for it to now be valued between $60 and $80 USD. Meanwhile, Revelations: Persona and Persona 2: Eternal Punishment have gone from obscurity to being highly sought after by collectors and fans. In 2023, Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden were remastered for modern consoles and PC, giving fans the chance to play the classics. This was followed by Persona 3 Reload, a remake of the third game that utilizes the lessons learned from Persona 5. Now fans will get the chance to revisit Inaba next year with Persona 4 Revival, while waiting for Persona 6.

Your True Form

Going back to what I said earlier, Persona 5‘s lasting impact on the games industry has been how it redefined the RPG genre for years to come. Varlet was not the only title influenced by the game. Metaphor: ReFantazio, from the same Atlus team, carried Persona 5‘s social link structure and stylish UI into a full fantasy setting. The most notable title to be influenced by Persona 5 has been Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, one of the best games of 2025 and a surprise hit. From its combat to its musical score and gameplay, it makes no secret who inspired it. And if you have any doubts, Sandfall Interactive CEO Guillaume Broche has confirmed that the influence of Persona 5 played a key role in crafting the game. Outside of RPGs, Masahiro Sakurai has noted how the game influenced the UI of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Jae Hyun Yoo of Studio Sai has shared how the game’s character-driven story influenced Eternights. Creative director Jake Solomon has been open about how the Abbey system in Marvel’s Midnight Suns was influenced by Persona 5.

Outside of its gameplay mechanics, its story and themes are still relevant, as they hold up ten years later. While the disaster of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake may have greatly impacted Japan, fans across the world have been able to relate to the people of Japan and their frustration toward those in government and power. Here in the United States, its themes are just as relevant, with frustration toward those in power and their inaction or lack of accountability. During the 2020 pandemic, the response was deeply disorganized: some states, mostly red states, did next to nothing, while others, like California, did the bare minimum, telling people to stay indoors and expecting unemployment checks and stimulus payments to do the rest of the work. While governments across the world held leaders who abused their power accountable, the Biden administration could not be bothered to hold the politicians who incited the January 6 U.S. Capitol attack accountable.

Here in the Bay Area, we’ve had a housing crisis for the last 15 years, and it’s getting worse each year as elected officials have failed to act or better streamline development, while NIMBYs are fighting tooth and nail against any new housing project or policy. Meanwhile, there have been a number of controversies with elected officials and bureaucrats in the Bay Area caught plundering public resources, from Mohammed Nuru’s sprawling San Francisco Public Works corruption scandal to Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s federal bribery indictment, and from Valley Water’s CEO walking away with a $1.2 million payout after a misconduct investigation to the California Academy of Sciences facing a funding freeze over alleged financial mismanagement.

I don’t want to get too political, but you can see how the themes of Persona 5 remain timeless and resonate with a gamer outside of Japan.

10 Years of Stealing Hearts

Persona 5 did not create the modern series we know and love today; it just perfected an already established foundation while incorporating one of the best soundtracks, a cast of memorable characters, and a theme that is timeless while resonating with everyone. The result is one of the best modern games, one that has influenced a generation of developers across the globe, across different genres and cultures.

Have you played Persona 5 and what were your thoughts on it? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

8Bit/Digi is a news outlet that provides insight for the Bay Area Gamer.