Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4, originally released in Japan as simply Persona 4 (ペルソナ4 Perusona Fō?), is a role-playing video game developed and published by Atlus for Sony's PlayStation 2, and chronologically the fifth installment in the Shin Megami Tensei: Persona series. Persona 4 was released in Japan in July 2008, North America in December 2008, and Europe in March 2009. It features a weather forecast system with events happening on foggy days to replace the moon phase system implemented in the previous games.Instead of the city locales of previous games in the series, Persona 4 takes place in a fictional Japanese countryside and is indirectly related to both Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 (in terms of gameplay and production) and Persona 2 (in terms of Shadow Selves and confronting them to awaken Persona potentials). The player-named main protagonist is a high-school student who moved into the countryside from the city for a year. During his year-long stay, he becomes involved in investigating mysterious murders while harnessing the power of summoning Persona.
The release of the game in Japan was also accompanied with retail merchandise revolving around the game's theme such as character costumes and accessories. The North American package of the game was released with a CD with selected music from the game, and, unlike Persona 3, the European package also contained a soundtrack CD. The music was composed by Shōji Meguro, with vocals by Shihoko Hirata who sang the theme song "Pursuing My True Self". The game was positively received by critics, and it continues to be promoted by Atlus through releases in other media such as adaptation in manga and anime, followed by an enhanced remake and a fighting game spinoff.
The Anime
Persona 4: The Animation is an anime series based on the Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 video game which started airing in Japan on MBS in October 7, 2011 and simulcast by Anime Network in North America. The adaptation has been licensed in North America by Sentai Filmworks for Blu-ray and DVD release in 2012.
Produced by AIC A.S.T.A. and directed by Seiji Kishi who also helmed other anime series including Angel Beats!, Kamisama Dolls and Ragnarok The Animation, Persona 4: The Animation revolves around the protagonist, named Yū Narukami, a second year high school student from Tokyo who moved to Inaba to live for a year with his uncle and cousin. After acquiring a mysterious power called "Persona", he embarks on a journey with his new friends to uncover the truth behind a bizarre series of murders involving the distorted "TV world", as well as a phenomenon called "The Midnight Channel". The anime series features the same main voice cast from the original game.