Persona 3 Reload, a remake of the traditional 2006 RPG, is because of launch on February 2. Between 2013 and 2016, AIC ASTA and A-1 Footage launched 4 animated movies on Persona 3. The query is: are they price watching earlier than Reload‘s launch?

For a lot of, myself included, seeing your favourite franchises tailored into a brand new kind is thrilling. So once I heard there have been 4 full-length animated movies based mostly on Persona 3, I knew I needed to watch them. It’s too good to be true! Properly, in a means, it type of is.

Spoiler alert for Persona 3 and the movies.

What are the Persona 3 motion pictures?

Let’s give a little bit of context right here. The Persona 3 movies, underneath the banner Persona 3: The Film, have been largely made by A-1 Footage (with AIC ASTA doing #1). A-1 additionally tackled the animated scenes in Persona 4, so that they’ve labored with Atlus prior to now.

The movies got here out over 4 years, beginning in 2013 and ending in 2016. They launched theatrically in Japan, and whereas they by no means made it to the West when it comes to dubbing, you should purchase them subtitled off Amazon Prime for round $5 every.

In honor of Persona 3: Reload‘s launch, I made a decision to observe all 4 movies and acquire my findings right here for you all to see. I’ll discuss how the movies adapt the supply materials and make it higher, or in some circumstances worse.

For Higher

As somebody who performed Persona 3 Moveable, which had no animated cutscenes, the films made up for that. Seeing the occasions of Persona 3 performed justice by means of the good animation by AIC ASTA and A-1 Footage is satisfying. The fashion is according to the unique recreation and outmatched the animated cutscenes in-game, for my part. The combat scenes are additionally given a one-up, feeling simply as snappy and rewarding.

The movies additionally give Makoto Yuki, the once-silent protagonist, a full voice and contours. This helps pace issues up story-wise and offers him extra of a character and arc. His character growth all through the 4 movies is fairly good and goes deep into the themes of life and demise. Moreover, Yuki’s humanization in Persona 3: The Film #3. Falling Down with Ryoji creates some nice moments of friendship the sport by no means had, if I bear in mind accurately.

From the beginning, you possibly can inform the movies have been made by Persona 3 followers. All through the 4 movies, you’ll see cameos from Social Hyperlinks like Akinari and Chihiro, in addition to Makoto utilizing fan-favorite Personas like Jack Frost and Thoth.

The S.E.E.S members even have their moments within the highlight and translate properly onto the display screen. Junpei continues to be that cute goofball, and Akihiko punches something and all the things close to him. We even get an “I’ve been ready for this”, which is a should for any Persona 3 title.

For Worse

The story of Persona 3 is an extended one. I imply, the sport takes a minimum of 88 hours to beat, and that’s simply sticking to the narrative. Whereas the bottom story stays, small character moments and occasions are shaved to their naked bones or minimize solely. Even nonetheless, it hurts characters that didn’t get a lot time within the unique, like Shinji and Jin.

Whereas what it provides is sweet, it doesn’t elevate issues as a lot as they might’ve. For instance, the idea of Personas turning on their customers is glanced over, being resolved the identical means for each characters.

One other factor that felt off was the unchanged ending. I do know some folks didn’t just like the pacing of the ending and the occasions that transpire. And, whereas I used to be confused and stunned, it felt proper. Persona 3: The Film #4: Winter of Rebirth didn’t change that, and it’s a missed alternative.

On that observe, the pacing was fast and went too quick. This downside got here up rather a lot, as occasions occur and finish inside minutes and get pushed to the facet. The sport had this challenge, and to see that tailored doesn’t go well with the movies properly.

I do wish to level out that every movie has a distinct director. Whereas the visions for them didn’t change a lot from every model, it looks like there wasn’t quite a lot of wiggle room to discover. For instance, Persona 3: The Film #1. Spring of Delivery lined the start as much as Fuuka’s entrance, whereas Persona 3: The Film #2. Midsummer Knight’s Dream gave us the remainder of the S.E.E.S squad and villains.

Every movie was an hour and a half, give or take. I’m not sure if the plan was at all times 4 movies, however deep down, I really feel like including a bit extra time to every would assist clean the pacing and make them distinctive.

Consensus

The Persona 3 movies are strong showings of the sport’s narrative. They keep true to the supply materials and add small but welcoming modifications. That mentioned, condensing the story and translating its pacing issues to the display screen harm the movies, particularly the final two. As a fan of Persona 3 and its characters, it’s nice to see them as full of life as they have been within the recreation.

So, it begs the query: must you watch Persona 3: The Film and its sequels earlier than Persona 3 Reload? Personally, I’d avoid them if Reload is your first. The sport appears to be like to right a few of the unique’s errors and the story flows significantly better with gameplay. When you’re a returning Persona 3 participant, the movies would assist refresh your reminiscence of the story and characters. Plus, it provides some enjoyable moments that followers will get pleasure from.

Total, they act as mementos of the unique. Whether or not they’ll age properly come Persona 3 Reload‘s launch stays to be seen.