Megami Ibunroku: Persona

Mar 25, 2018

minniuo

Recommended

Preliminary (19/45 chp)

This is my first time writing a review (and I’m a pretty simple person, so I don’t usually have very deep/intelligent thoughts on the things I watch and read) so I’m sorry in advance if anything is worded weirdly or if I don’t give enough info.

To start with, I always feel really bad when I think about how Persona 1 and 2 don’t get as much attention as P3-5 do. I understand why that is. Persona 3 was the first Persona game Atlus made that gained popularity in the US. That, and the battle system in P1 is so, so difficult compared to all the ...

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Mar 20, 2023

flufferpupper

Recommended

Persona is deservedly one of the most popular JRPG series of all time, but people often overlook its humble beginnings as a first-person dungeon crawler for the PS1. Megami Ibunroku Persona is an interesting video game with a brilliant atmosphere, but the gameplay has aged somewhat poorly and it is bound to be a frustrating experience for anyone except the most hardcore of JRPG fans. Fortunately, we have this stellar manga adaptation which will undoubtedly please both non-gamers unfamilar with Persona's story and fans of the game alike.

This manga takes a few creative liberties that differ from the game. Certain characters are given more screen ... time and the story of the optional Snow Queen Quest is condensed into the main plot. Most notable of the differences however, is the decision to give the protagonist, Naoya Toudou, his own character and backstory. In the game, Naoya is completely silent and no information is given about his personality and past. This is fine in the game, since he is intended to be a self-insert for the player, but his strong characterization in the manga makes it a unique experience compared to the game. Sometimes Naoya's plot with Kazuya feels "tacked-on" and weirdly unrelated to the main story, but it is still enjoyable on its own. Naoya is overall made to be a charming and cool protagonist who is fun to follow.

Let's talk more about the other characters. Persona has a large cast, but it is good at making its characters feel distinct and memorable, and the manga tries hard to give each character at least a little development. Persona as a series has always been character driven, and the Persona manga is no exception. Even if I forget the somewhat complicated plot of this manga, I will never forget characters like Maki, Nanjo, Brown, Mark, Reiji, and Yukino.

The story here, as I said, is complicated and fast-paced, and it can be difficult to follow at times. I played the game beforehand, so I didn't have too much trouble, but I could easily imagine a new reader feeling lost in the sea of characters, magic system, and plot points. That said, the characters carry the experience and bring an emotional depth to it that makes it all worthwhile.

In terms of art, I feel like this manga isn't talked about enough. I LOVE the art in this manga. It has so much style, and breathes life into the characters that just wasn't there in the game. Things like Brown making a goofy pose, or Maki brightly smiling, feel very in character and are beautifully drawn.

In summary, this manga suffers a little in pacing, but makes up for it with great art and fantastic characters. As a fan of the game, I thought this manga was a worthwhile and fantastic experience, but I think even someone who knows nothing about Persona would enjoy it. I highly recommend it.

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May 22, 2022

Nyo_Desu

Recommended

Well, well, weeellll...I'm back again! Bet you didn't expect me to be doing a Manga review now, did you? Well, anyways. Since I've only seen one review of this Manga and it's from someone who hadn't even finished reading it (at least from what they have marked down on their profile, no offense to them at all), I thought I'd give the best possible review without giving away too much. So...I'll try to keep this one spoiler-free cause you people DESERVE to read this manga. On to the review!:

The Story/Narrative [10/10]

So...this is probably immediately where you're going to tell that I really enjoyed the writing ...

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Jun 4, 2024

Yupl

Recommended

From the controversy of the actual Persona 1 game, it can be very difficult to find a reason to even give this manga a chance due to the lack of recommendation from the fanbase, but I will say that this is the ideal way to experience Persona 1 for the first time. Although you will miss out on the soundtrack (highly recommend listening to the PS1 ost while reading) and gameplay aspect, the game does not do this manga justice and this read alone is the sole reason Persona 1 is my 2nd favorite game in the entire Persona series, behind Persona ... 4. Without it, I would likely agree with the mutual stance that Persona 1 is kind of mid, or at least outdated. But why is this even worth reading in the first place?

Persona 1 is a story that splits into 2 separate sides, which luckily both get adapted in this manga. Although neither is technically more "canon" than the other, it starts with the Sebec route which is debatably the more faithful representation of what Persona 1 really is. They are relatively different as well, but both have their different strengths and appeals. So let's start with the Sebec route just for chronological sake.

The Sebec route is a sort of dimension hopping journey where the main plot thread is stopping the main antagonist Kandori, from abusing the power of the deva system on the world. The deva system is a reality altering machine which causes disarray on the main setting of the game, Mikage-cho. When the main cast plays the "Persona" game, they end up all awakening to their power after sharing the same dream involving someone named Philemon. This leads them to visiting their hospitalized friend Maki, who's been lonely due to rarely seeing friends and family for the past year she's been there. While visiting her, the story begins to shift from a relatively peaceful start, to a sort of trippy world hopping journey as they try to figure out what's really going on.

While the story of Persona 1 is very enjoyable and intriguing, I would say that it's themes and characters are what really makes it stand out. Like what was mentioned prior, Persona is a series which embodies psychological themes. Just like the person who coined the term "Persona", the games are built from the foundation of Carl Jung's psychology on the self. Without spoiling the reason why, this side of the story is oddly enough more of a character study on Maki herself more than anything else. There is also arguably symbolic representation of the Id and Superego as well when looking at character such as Aki and Mai.

What makes these underlying themes noteworthy is that is what one would imagine a series named Persona, should focus on
at it's core. Persona 1's manga is rich in character exploration and focusing on different aspects of the self, as a lot of it's events are linked to internal aspects like desire and the subconscious mind. What's different between modern Persona and older Persona is that it's more vague with it's meaning and leaves it up for interpretation more than the modern Persona usually does, as they tend to explain things instead. (Which is not a jab at all, I love when things spell their themes out and I enjoy both vague and clear explanations almost equally) This adds to the fever-dream like feel of Persona 1, and really gives it it's own identity as well as increases it's immersiveness. It is an insightful experience, backed behind a solid, mysterious story which feels sort of surreal at the same time as it becomes difficult to differentiate what is an altered versus true reality.

While on the topic of characters, the Snow Queen route is an almost entirely character focused plot as it consists of the school getting frozen after the power of a cursed school mask freezes over the entire thing. The cast is required to go through different dungeons and collect fragments of a broken mirror in order to stop the Snow Queen herself. The bosses of these dungeons are actually different students from the school, and we get to explore their mind and lives in order to see what made them the way they are now. While Sebec is all over the place in a sense, this is a nice change of pace since it is primarily in one location and just explores different sides of one big story. Personally, I prefer the Sebec route but I still quite love the Snow Queen and would recommend reading it.

The cast of Persona 1 is very lovable and well developed, way more so than they were in the game as well. Getting to see them express more personality and emotion here and not just have the same singular sprite like in the game, adds a lot in how someone would perceive them. My favorite are the protagonist Naoya, as well as Maki, since they share a lot of history together and are essentially the two main characters of the story, which naturally get them the most time in the spotlight. They have a beautiful history together which goes back to their childhood, and their interaction and development which each other shines as one of my favorite stories in all of Persona as a series. Making Naoya go from a silent protag to a very likable and cool person filled with lots of style and personality was such a bonus that I didn't get to witness on my first Persona 1 experience, which was the PSP game. Although I love and won't talk about them all, some other stand outs where Eriko, Nanjou, and especially Philemon. I love the chemistry and personality between the main cast, and they help lighten up the mood in what could've been a rather depressing experience.

I would enjoy going into deeper analysis on why I praise this manga so highly, but this is meant to be a spoiler free review which only scratches the surface on what this manga covers. I understand it is not everyone's thing, and I do think this manga gives me rose colored glasses towards the Persona 1 game, since they are pretty different. If you are someone who experienced the Persona 1 game and got let down or bored, I really do hope this review gives you another perspective on what the game could have been. If a Persona 1 remake ever happens, I truly do hope they base it off this manga since this is one of the best experiences I had while exploring every entry in this series. If you are someone who is on the fence about giving Persona 1 a chance, I do hope you consider this manga after going through this review. Although I had a pretty boastful and high regard for it, it has its flaws just like anything else, but in the end I feel nothing but appreciation for it and it's potential for even greater heights is hard for me to overlook.

This is an iconic experience which sadly gets buried in time and negative stigma, but it is something worthwhile. It is pretty short when compared to the absurdly long 80 to 120 hour experiences that the Persona 3,4 and 5 games bring, so it isn't much of a commitment either. There is a lot more to be mentioned about this manga, but it is probably best to go in as blind as possible. This isn't like the most revolutionary or life changing read ever, but it sticks with you and is unique enough to leave me always wishing it was longer or just gets a completely new adaptation. I guess a 10/10 rating could be a bit of a stretch, but for what it did in it's short duration, this is a great origin of the series which left me wanting to read the other manga of the Persona games out of the belief that there is extra content I may be missing which can elevate my already super high love for the series.

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Aug 21, 2024

JayremyTM

Recommended

This is the closest I'll ever get to a Persona 1 remake because everything about this adaptation is absolutely faithful and shows the utmost respect to the original game.

Persona 1, to this day, is the best introduction to any game series in history.

Why is it the best introduction?
Because the concept of Persona is inherently complicated, involving the idea of an inner soul and how emotions manifest as Personas, along with the concept of parallel worlds. These elements make the story complex and sometimes difficult to follow but this series excels at translating these concepts into understandable terms, making it much easier to ... relate to. The clear explanations, combined with the strong character development and engaging plot, help convey the meaning and origins of Personas, making the series more accessible to the audience. Not only does it have a simple yet fun story that places a strong emphasis on the journey the series offers, but it also served as the pioneer for the subsequent games in the series. Persona 1 deserves more respect for its legacy.

Why is this adaptation so faithful?
Compared to the game, it breathes new life into the visuals, context, and environment of the series, making it even more enjoyable to read. Before reading this, I was already a fan of the game and quite familiar with the plot. Art is amazing—it's a hidden gem among the many mangas I’ve read. It's some of the best art I’ve seen, even though this is just an adaptation and not an original work. Some scenes from the game are depicted with a colder, more intense aura, which elevates the series tenfold beyond what it already was. When reading manga, you might miss out on some of the underrated bangers of the OST, so as someone has already suggested, it’s highly recommended to listen to them while reading because it adds to the experience. Character design is generally good, which was one of the things that initially drew me to the game. Some of the designs are particularly fitting for the atmosphere, theme, and tone of a mid-90s school setting. They cleverly incorporate the common trope in the Persona series where characters have a slight emo look, even though this one leans a bit more into vibrant colors. Some fights could have been more drawn out, particularly the one with Kandori, but in the game, it wasn't given much focus despite its significance. So, I didn’t mind when I was reading the manga and it wrapped up swiftly within a single chapter, because it was still well handled by Nanjo throughout the fight. I believe the manga never intended to stretch the battles unless there was ever an anime adaptation. I'm sure most of these scenes would have been executed more impressively in various ways, but that's probably never going to come to fruition. The pacing of this manga feels like it would make for a faithful anime adaptation too, if they ever decided to make one—unfortunately, they never did. A total of 44 chapters make up this underrated masterpiece, reminding me of how good the pacing in FMAB was at times. The paneling is great—some of the best I've ever seen—and it makes the series even more faithful when combined with the exceptional art they’ve brought to the Persona series.

Character development is sweet and simple in each part, but this adaptation makes each of them look so much better. Both Kandori and Pandora are portrayed excellently as the main villains in the series, each bringing a strong sense of menace.

Naoya, on the other hand, is a fantastic protagonist who isn’t overshadowed by a cold demeanor. Unlike other Persona protagonists who tend to be very calm and reserved, Naoya comes across as the most human and relatable, similar to Tatsuya from Innocent Sin. He might also be the toughest Persona protagonist ever because, no matter how many times he’s beaten down and nearly killed, he never dies—he always manages to survive and overcome his challenges. While other Persona protagonists either succumb easily, barely survive, or just get lucky enough to avoid much damage, he consistently pulls through. His morals and the way he upholds them make him a truly outstanding Persona protagonist, and possibly my personal favorite. You could also mention the final part of the manga, where the focus shifts primarily to Kazuya and Naoya. It's remarkable how Naoya evolves from someone who was easily beaten down and held back to someone determined not to give up any further. He rises to the challenge, bringing justice not only to his brother but also to himself in order to defeat Aki and Pandora. We could discuss how he sacrificed himself to save Elly and how much he genuinely cares about his friends and the people around him. His priorities, his motivations—everything about him as a protagonist showcases an exceptional character within the Persona series. He’s one of the major reasons why I believe Persona 1 is massively underrated, and I consider it one of the best Persona games ever made.

Some people might dislike Maki because they find certain parts of her character corny or boring, but I honestly don't understand where those fans are coming from. It's baffling to me that anyone would rate her as a B-tier character without a clear reason to justify it. Maki is a crucial character and arguably the key to the entire plot. Without her and the various personalities that emerge from her imagination, there would be no story. I can't see why anyone would rate her lower when, in my view, she deserves an S or A. Besides being essential to the plot, she also has a great Persona and is well-written, particularly in how her relationships with other friends at school, like Kasai, are explored, as well as how she interacts with the other characteristics created from the real Maki. If we’re talking about the real Maki, she might come across as an average character, but if we’re talking about the Maki from the other world, she’s one of the best female characters in the Persona series, right alongside Aki and Mai, who are also figments of her imagination, separating black-and-white ideas quite effectively.

Kirishima is easily the best girl in the friend group, aside from Maki. She remains calm even in the face of danger and has a sharp mind to match. Her personality reflects someone who reads a lot of novels, which adds depth to her character. What truly makes her the best girl is that she could easily have been Naoya’s love interest if Maki didn’t exist, because she excels in all the right areas. She’s smart, brave, and kind—qualities that give her a heart that female characters rarely possess towards the rest of the cast. Inaba is a lot of fun—he’s basically the Junpei of Persona 1, but with more aggression and often getting trolled by Nanjo. His character is meant to be somewhat pathetic, thinking Maki might like him, but also realizing he’s not that great despite receiving some admiration from the group because of his cool demeanor. Personally, he's one of my favorites because his character is fun to read. I don't really care much for Uesugi—probably one of my least favorite main characters in the group. It’s not that I dislike his look or humor, I just don’t find anything particularly interesting about him besides his design, and that pretty much says it all. The audience might enjoy him for his jokester personality, which easily earns him fans. Nanjo was a character I didn’t like at first, but his development and the dynamic between him and Kandori made me appreciate him more. He’s another really smart character who fits the classic anime trope of "the nerdy guy in the group that someone will be annoyed with or who has hybrid superpowers due to their strong intelligence". I like him because he’s a solid good guy character. His personality might be annoying—he’s the kind of nerd that people might not enjoy reading about—but his tactical mind is something I really dig. Kido, on the other hand, has a design I absolutely love, and he gives off a manwhore vibe, but that’s also why I’m not too fond of him. It’s not that I hate him, it’s just that he’s pretty weak in most aspects, even though I like his motives and characteristics, which are his saving grace for me. As for Yukino, I don’t really care about her. I actually prefer Ayase over her.

Villians. Pandora isn’t exactly vile, but she appears monstrously scary, perfectly fitting her design as the final boss for both the manga series and the game. Kandori, on the other hand, is cold, vile, and utterly ruthless, driven by his goal to conquer the world through his organization, SEBEC. His lack of remorse and unwavering ambition solidify his role as the villain, making him one of my personal favorite Persona antagonists. Another thing that I really like about the villain is that they aren’t just malicious or self-loathing; rather, they have a legitimate goal, which makes them a compelling villain. Kandori isn’t just brainwashing the entire world to fulfill his goal and achieve his philosophy of humanity’s understanding; he also articulates and explores human nature in a way that makes him difficult to dismiss.While Kandori could be perceived as a villain, it's hard not to resonate with his view on humanity. He contends that people strive to fulfill their desires, only to find themselves in isolation and emptiness, which rings true. Humans often achieve their goals, only to later feel unfulfilled, and this dissatisfaction, coupled with his brainwashing, convinces them that living in a dream state is preferable. The more they dream, the more they can sustain their desires indefinitely. The way Nanjo orchestrates Kandori's downfall is depicted more compellingly than what I encountered in the game itself. Kandori saw himself as the master of human fate and nature, yet in reality, everything is merely a part of the natural order. It's Kandori who is truly tormented because he can't find another way to exist, leading him to view human lives as insignificant. What makes him a compelling villain is the delusion and self-inflicted suffering that define his character. The writing excels at portraying his spiral into madness and self-deception regarding humanity, only for him to be ultimately undone by his own closet's skeletons. People also need to appreciate Philemon more because, without him educating these kids about Personas and the strange events happening around them, Persona wouldn't exist as it does today. He’s the butterfly cameo that appears in almost every game, literally embodying the 'butterfly effect'—no pun intended. His introduction to the game is simple, yet it's incredibly impactful in the grand scheme of the series' history. Not to overlook Kazuya, the evil twin of Naoya, the series' main protagonist, who was supported by solid writing and a compelling backstory. I wasn’t particularly invested in him since his primary goal was to kill the real Naoya—essentially, his own brother—but he still remained an intriguing character with notable traits. As I mentioned with character development, compared to the Persona 3 movie, which rushed through the story, this adaptation works better as a series. It gives each character more time to connect with the audience, just like how the game intended for us to take our time to bond with each character and see how they fit into the story arcs. Every Persona adaptation outside of the games could be improved if they didn't rush the character development. Persona 1 shows that even without dragging things out, the character development can still be well-written and compelling.

If you really enjoy the Persona franchise and are a fan of the more popular titles like 3, 4, and 5, you shouldn't overlook the first one. Speaking as a Persona fan myself, I love those games too, but Persona 1 deserves recognition for what it accomplished with the limited resources and creativity available at the time. The fact that this series was able to execute its ideas so well, even in the manga adaptation, shows just how massively underrated Persona 1 is within the entire Megami Tensei series.

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