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Persona

Persona is a Japanese role-playing video game series developed and published primarily by Atlus.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Persona is a Japanese role-playing video game series developed and published primarily by Atlus. It began in 1996 with Revelations: Persona and is a spin-off of the Megami Tensei franchise, with themes centered on supernatural beings called Personas that represent characters’ psyches and are used in combat.

Overview

Persona is a role-playing game series created by Atlus and connected to the broader Megami Tensei franchise. It is known for combining dungeon-crawling and turn-based combat with social simulation and character-focused storytelling.

Gameplay and themes

A defining feature of the series is the use of Personas, supernatural manifestations of a character’s psyche that can be summoned in battle. The games typically center on groups of characters confronting supernatural threats.

Release history

The series began with Revelations: Persona in 1996 and has since included multiple mainline entries and spin-offs. Recent releases include Persona 3 Reload and Persona 5: The Phantom X.

Beyond video games, Persona has been adapted into anime, manga, books, and other media. These adaptations reflect the series’ commercial and cultural reach beyond gaming.

Key facts

  • Persona originated as a spin-off of the Megami Tensei franchise.
  • The first game in the series was Revelations: Persona, released in 1996 for the PlayStation.
  • The series features combat and storytelling built around Personas, manifestations of a character’s psyche and subconscious.
  • Persona games have been released on multiple platforms, including PlayStation systems, Windows, Nintendo, Xbox, and mobile devices.
  • The series has expanded into related media, including anime, manga, books, and other adaptations.
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Canadian context

Persona has a Canadian audience through its availability on major North American gaming platforms and its release history in Western markets.

Frequently asked questions

What is Persona?
Persona is a Japanese role-playing video game series developed by Atlus and associated with the Megami Tensei franchise.
When did Persona begin?
The series began in 1996 with Revelations: Persona on the PlayStation.
Is Persona part of Megami Tensei?
Yes. Persona is a spin-off series of Megami Tensei.
What are Personas in the series?
In the series, Personas are manifestations of a character’s psyche and subconscious, used in combat.
What is the latest main Persona game?
The most recent main entry identified in the results is Persona 3 Reload.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persona_(series)
    Supports: Series origin, first release, parent series, gameplay concept, platform list, and latest release details.
  2. Wikipedia — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persona_(Computerspielreihe)
    Supports: Persona as a Japanese series by Atlus and a spin-off of Megami Tensei.
  3. Wikipedia — https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persona_(%D1%81%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%8F_%D0%B8%D0%B3%D1%80)
    Supports: Series ownership by Sega, media franchise expansion, and Atlus development.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revelations:_Persona
    Supports: First game title, release year, and role as the series’ first western-released RPG entry.