This year marks 25 years since the release of the first entry in thePersonaseries, withShin Megami Tensei: Personafirst releasing in Japan back on July 09, 2025. Lots of things have changed since then, withPersona’s popularity pushing the JRPG spin-off beyond its origins in the other big JRPG series that Atlus develops. However, most fans are abundantly aware of the fact thatPersonawouldn’t exist withoutShin Megami Tensei, Atlus' formative JRPG franchise that has stuck around since 1987. Now, in 2021, both franchises are distinctly all their own, which can be a blessing and a curse specifically forShin Megami Tensei, which has far more niche appeal thanPersona.
Ironically enough, whilePersonais celebrating its anniversary this year, Atlus' other JRPG franchise is getting a new entry first. It’s been at least four years since the last entry in theShin Megami Tenseifranchise, and arguably even longer if you don’t count an enhanced re-release. The last numbered mainline entry in theSMTseries wasShin Megami Tensei 4, releasing back in 2013 on the Nintendo 3DS. This year,Shin Megami Tensei 5is planned to release this fall, though obviously Atlus wants to drum hype forPersona’s anniversary as well. Even if there’s no newPersonagame/spin-off planned for this year, Atlus may be accidentally stealingSMT5’s spotlight.
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Persona’s Anniversary is a Huge Event for Atlus
Now, in all fairness,both thePersonaandShin Megami Tenseifranchisesare massively popular JRPGs in their own right. Each series has its own dedicated fanbase, even though there’s certainly some degree of crossover between both, especially now.Persona’s burgeoning popularity withPersona 5, along withShin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne’s recent remaster making the originally PS2 game more accessible, it’s certainly become a lot easier for fans of each series to bleed into each other’s fanbases. However, things have certainly changed since the origins of both franchises, flipping expectations as a wider worldwide fanbase resonated more withPersona.
Even ifShin Megami Tenseitechnically was conceived “first,” strictly in comparison,Personahas become the far more popular sister franchise toSMT.Personamay have originated as aShin Megami Tenseispin-off series because it largely followed the same JRPG design, but that’s not really true anymore. Arguablystarting with the formativePersona 3, the western popularity ofPersonabegan to climb incrementally as the franchise became a more mainstream JRPG. Uniquely blending the usual dungeon-crawling trappings of the genre alongside a light social simulator, many have come to lovePersona’s evolution from aSMT-esque spin-off to something unique.
Unfortunate Timing for Shin Megami Tensei 5
Unfortunately, withShin Megami Tensei 5coming out later this year, releasing next toPersona’s 25th anniversary is certainly not going to help the nextSMTgame.Similar toShin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne’srelease back in 2003,Shin Megami Tensei 5is serving as a sort-of resurgence for the franchise after a long abscence between mainline games. Granted, theSMTfranchise is not in any particularly desparate situation to stay relevant, but it is still an unfortunate circumstance of timing. Sega and Atlus' marketing can only carryShin Megami Tensei 5so far, especially if it’s a Nintendo Switch exclusive JRPG.
Obviously Atlus is going to want to garner as much excitement fromexisting and potential fans forShin Megami Tensei 5. However, withPersona’s anniversary planning seven announcements between now and fall 2022, Atlus simultaneously drumming up hype for its other flagship JRPG series could cause at least some degree of hype canniabalism. Especially with the first major anniversary announcement coming as early as September, andSMT5planned to release in November, the two franchises are certainly going to be competing for Atlus fans' attention, depending on what that September announcement could be.
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Fanbase Crossover Could Determine Shin Megami Tensei 5’s Success
That September announcement could be as simple as a new merchandise launch, or another tour of thePersonalive band, but it’s unlikely that the first anniversary announcement would be that simple. The more likely outcome would be the next bigPersona 5spin-off, whatever form that may take. Whether it’sthe often rumoredPersona 5fighting game, or potentially something more ambitious or different,Persona 5’s popularity still has the potential for more spin-off love. Plus, in any reality, a potentialPersona 6release likely isn’t coming for another few years at the very least.
Then again, Atlus may simply understand that the crossover between both franchises is either going to be very beneficial or irrelevant forShin Megami Tensei 5. Again, considering both franchises are developed by Atlus, they’re bothrelativelysimilar to one another. The degree of fanbase crossover could be significant enough that blended marketing could help forthe sucess of bothPersonaandShin Megami Tensei. Either that, or the degree of fan crossover is so negligible that drumming up hype for both franchises simultaneously won’t have a tangible impact on the success of either. Regardless, there is still the chance thatPersona’s anniversary is drawing attention away fromShin Megami Tensei 5to some extent.
Shin Megami Tensei 5releases on August 09, 2025, on Nintendo Switch.
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