I have been a huge fan of Persona 3 when I played it on my playstation 2. The dating sim and adventure RPG is an exotic mix, and I always like the Greek mythology themed summons in the series. Hence, it is logical that I am extremely excited about the anime adaptation of the game, which is time lined at a period 10 years after the events of Persona 3.
Did the show whet my appetite for more Persona summoning and great fights?
I am not too sure after watching it.
Episode summary
Jun and Shin Kazato left their aunt’s house to Ryo Kazato, their only family as they do not want to impose on their aunt’s romantic relationship. Shin seemed to have dreams of a transformation, where he finds himself getting attacked. As they arrived at their home town, Ryo did not pick them up and Jun noted that Ryo is a very busy police superintendent. Shin also thought about how they have not met for ten years already. Ryo is investigating a case of “Reverse”, a certain symptom of lifelessness that is related to the events ten years ago. Ryo is traveling in his car to reach a crime scene when his cell rang. Another person has died from their “list” Ryo ordered for the remaining victims that show certain characteristics (A powers) to be protected.
As he visited the corpse, it looked like the body was almost dug inside out. The coroner said that it was such a sad thing that all three victims are high school students. Jun and Shin visited their old house, but the key has changed with a high tech security lock. They also reminisced about how Ryo tried to save Yuki, Shin’s twin sister from a tree. However, Yuki injured herself very badly in that accident. Jun said that he cannot remember Ryo playing with them, but Shin said Ryo cared a lot. Late at night, Ryo was given a call from his officer who screamed and was cut off. As he reached the crime scene, he knew that someone from their “list” is attacked as he rushed over to the house of the possible victim. Jun and Shin also went for dinner and talked about the monster Shin saw in his dreams.
The victim is attacked by a man who called out a persona (summon). As the persona of the female emerged, it looked like the woman’s life is sucked out of her. Ryo arrived in time as he shot some lasers. It is then we realize that Ryo is also a persona user as he managed to repel the man before he siphoned all the energies of the woman. Ryo also managed to injure him as the man ran off. Ryo decided to bring the girl to the hospital when his assistants arrived to the scene. Jun and Shin, while walking back to the residence, saw a tarot reader who talked about “Shin’s awakening”. It is Igor, the maintainer of the dark side.
When he realized what was said, Ryo woke the two up, as Ryo immediately scolded them for not checking a frog statue where the key is there, and the combination being their birthday dates. Shin is wondering why Ryo is so cold to them considering how they have not met for ten years. It is clear that Ryo does care about his siblings despite his cold demeanor. Shin, while he unpacked, saw a statue of Igor. Shin decided to go out to a convenience store, but saw the man who Ryo fought earlier. He looked in pain and his persona seemed to be out of control. Just then, Shin released his own persona (his awakening with the sword coming out of his body) and destroyed the other man’s persona easily.
Thoughts
This is a show that I have huge expectations due to my love of Persona 3, but Persona ~trinity soul~ somewhat disappoints me. One thing that is very cool for me is the use of the “Evoker” in persona 3 to release the summon, in which the character shoots themselves on the head with a revolver. I guess it is probably something that is unhealthy to be shown on national television, due to the feel that it is a suicidal attack. However, I really wanted it to show just that since it is just so cool. People who have played the game should know what I am talking about.
The way of summoning seems to be built on the form of the earlier Personas. For those who have not played the game, Personas are spirits that are Greek themed, and follows a certain tarot order in terms of having Persona themed with Justice, Moon, Magician, Star, Hermit, Priestess and the likes. With that brief introduction, Persona trinity soul really starts out as a pretty generic shounen series, and this seems to plague game-to-anime adaptations.
One thing that disappointed me of sorts is the graphics. Some of the battle scenes are not as impressive as I expected them to be. A1 pictures, who has done Ookiku Furikabette, does not have the financial strength compared to strong animation companies such as Kyoto Animation, Madhouse, JC Staff to have good battles. I am somewhat perplexed with some graphical glitches with the character designs at times. Some of the character’s facial features are under drawn at times, and I feel a bit awkward when I see such drawings.
Why you should watch it
Despite my extremely negative comments about the show, I really think that the show has some potential. The story on Reverse is interesting, and I am very sure that they will explain the notion of Personas and their symbolization. As it is simply creating a theme within the Persona world, people who have not played any of the Persona games should be able to follow the series just fine. I do want to see the second episode at least to see how this show plays out. The story about Yuki and Jun seems to be rather interesting, since Jun still keeps the little skirt that Yuki wore as a child.
For those who are fans of the Persona games, this is probably one to track. People who are interested in the supernatural and shounen genre should also apply for this. Anyone else should stay away.
11 Comments
Uh oh, first views from an actual game player? I was actually quite interested in the first episode, especially after hearing less than favorable reviews from others. I’m definitely not a hardcore fan though, and I haven’t even touched the games.
Well then, from the POV of a non-game player, I find the anime intriguing enough for me to continue watching. That’s more than I can say for… a lot of last season’s offers.
But then, I’m interested in both supernatural and shounen genres, so I’ve got two out of three.
The thing I enjoyed most is probably the intriguing interaction between characters. And so far, Shin has retained my interest by being both tolerately bishie and intriguing.
As a person who’s played the game I actually do like the anime as far as I can tell, I can normally tell from the first episode if I’m going to watch the series or not and this has moved onto my ‘must watch’ list.
I was at first upset about the lack of the guns however a comment from my room mate made it all seem very clear. If this show is at all to be watched by kids, you can’t have the characters shooting themselves in the head with guns. It’s a lawsuit waiting to happen, as the game has a warning about graphic material {I was forced to show my ID when buying it} it’s not has much a problem however for something that anyone can flip to a channel and watch it’s not the best idea.
Thank you for your review of the anime! It helped bring together a few things I was confused about when watching the raw. ^_^
@Totali: Hahaha, yep. I am actually a big fan of Persona 3 after I am advised by sentinel to play it. Then, I decided to catch this. I guess some of the things can be appreciated a bit more by people who played the second series of Persona. It’s pretty average shounen stuff if you are not a fan of the game.
@Briar: Hah! Ya, you are the type who likes such series as long as there is a bit of supernatural elements. So, it is perhaps a worthy series to hold for a while. I don’t think that the graphics will be upped by any drastic amount from the fare A1 pictures has created. Oh well.
@Cloud: That is the exact problem I presume that it is not shown, even though it is so late into the night. Wow, you actually need to show your ID when you buy it? Now, that is very surprising.
No problem for the help but I really like the touch when the BGM of persona 3 played in the cafe. I found myself laughing and smiling over the insertion. Guess they never change even after 10 years.
@Impz: “For those who have not played the game, Personas are spirits that are Greek themed” Not exactly true. Sure, some of the personas are greek based but the rest of the lot are based in several mythological sources, ranging from Roman, Nordic, Arabian, Japanese, Celtic and even from works of H.P.Lovecraft. We musn’t forget that Persona is a spin off of Megaten and Shin Megami Tensei. These series of games have compiled a huge deal of material about supernatural creatures that the data is requested by other companies and writers to help with their projects
The thing about the tarot cards is that each persona is related to a Tarot Arcana, who represents the traits of that persona and the user.
@Cloud: The issue of the Evokers can also be related with the whole deal of shooting in the head, but the most probable case is that Persona Trinity is based on the style of Persona 2 videogame ( which didn’t used Evokers). We need to see what made the characters A Latents before making more comments about the issue.
I doubt the lack of Evokers is due to them being afraid of lawsuits. I would hazard to guess it was more based on the fact that they come off as too Magical Girl-esque. Not being limited by such an item adds more flexibility to the story, I think, and hey, we won’t have to sit through any “Oh no, there is the bad guy doing something bad, but I don’t have my Evoker! WHAT SHOULD I DO???” internal monologues.
And hey, the animation is downright godly compared to how awful the anime scenes in Persona 3 were!
@Cho: HAHAHAHA! That is perhaps the most hilarious comment I have seen about this for quite a while. Ya, but it’s also due to the fact that the male characters will look really weird in a mahou shoujo dance appearance.
I grinned when I heard Changing Seasons played at the restaurant.
So far it’s looking promising, I hope this turns out great.
Also Akihiko’s in the first episode. He talks to Ryo on the phone.
@Lupus: Wa???? That was Akihito? Nice one, Luppie.
Watched it, material was alright, I’ll give it a couple more episodes before I decide. It was a bit slow to be honest, I’d like to see more action or explanation.
I notice you stated that you dislike the lack of the use of an Evoker during the anime summoning of the Persona. While I found it a unique twist in the game, I also happened to make notice of the fact that somewhere along the line I read a piece of information (in game) that states it -is- theoretically possible to summon a Persona without aid of an Evoker. Now, I forget exactly where in game I found this, probably in one of the generic help-file type things or some piece of information you get on Persona’s in general.
Alas, while I agree with the coolness of the thing, I also agree that in this day where “Big Brother” has a constant need to blame something for the violence of the world, showing people shooting themselves in the head to summon a powerful mythical creature and wreak havoc on their enemies..is probably not the best idea, lol.