Persona Video Game Franchise Adapted into Netflix TV Series

Netflix is developing a live-action TV series based on Atlus’ Persona role-playing game franchise, according to a new report. Production company Story Kitchen, which produces the Sonic the Hedgehog film franchise for Sega, is developing the series alongside 21 Laps. 21 Laps is the production company founded by Shawn Levy, who worked on Deadpool & Wolverine, Free Guy, and Stranger Things.

Variety first reported the story and stated that Christopher Monfette is attached to write the adaptation while serving as executive producer and showrunner. Monfette previously worked as a writer and producer on Star Trek: Picard, Syfy’s 12 Monkeys, and Fox’s 9-1-1. He is also a writer and producer on Marvel Television’s upcoming VisionQuest for Disney Plus.

The Persona adaptation reflects Netflix’s ongoing investment in video game adaptations. Netflix previously turned Riot Games’ League of Legends into the animated series Arcane and released animated shows based on Castlevania, Cyberpunk 2077, Devil May Cry, and Tomb Raider. Live-action video game adaptations on the platform have faced more mixed results, yielding the one-and-done Resident Evil series while a BioShock movie remains in development.

Persona is making the jump to TV after 30 years

Atlus launched the Persona franchise in 1996 with Persona for the original PlayStation. Functioning as a spinoff of the Shin Megami Tensei series, Persona has generated four mainline sequels along with numerous spinoffs and rereleases. Persona 5 debuted as the most recent mainline entry in 2016. Atlus announced Persona 6 in early June, though the game lacks a release date.

The core concept of Persona fits television adaptation well. The games typically follow a group of Japanese high school students who balance daily life with supernatural adventures, using the power to summon Personas to battle evil.

Atlus plans to release a remaster of 2008’s Persona 4 titled Persona 4: Revival. That game arrives on Feb. 18, 2027, for PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.

Source: Polygon