Persona Producer Explains Why Most Protagonists are Male Students

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Summary

  • Persona series’ male protagonists reflect theme of growing up in coming-of-age stories – high school years symbolize transition to adult life.
  • Producer Kazuhisa Wada explains male protagonists in Persona games reflect perception of female students’ higher mental age and maturity.
  • Fans suggest next Persona game could feature older protagonist as series evolves with player base; potential for college-aged characters.

As a long-time fan of the Persona series, I have always been intrigued by the choice of male protagonists in these games, especially given my own journey through adolescence and young adulthood that mirrors their high school coming-of-age stories. However, it wasn’t until recently that I finally got some insight into this decision from series producer Kazuhisa Wada.

For quite some time, the Persona series has been a popular choice among gamers. Some fans have often pondered why the main characters in most games are male students. Recently, the producer has provided an explanation for this pattern. This pattern was also followed in the latest addition to the series, Persona 5, which caused a sensation when it was initially launched.

The beloved RPG series, Persona, originated as a spinoff from the Megami Tensei games and has typically featured a male protagonist, with only a few exceptions: Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, Persona 3 Portable, and Persona 3’s epilogue. It’s worth noting that in Persona 3 Portable, the female protagonist is considered non-canonical to the series. Therefore, the only non-male and non-student protagonists appear in Persona 2: Eternal Punishment and Persona 3’s epilogue.

Currently, Kazuhisa Wada, who is behind the creation of the “Persona” series, has shared insights on why the games often follow this pattern. During the CEDEC + KYUSHU 2024 conference, he mentioned that the “Persona” games are designed to narrate stories about growing up and maturing. Given that high school years mark a significant period of people’s lives when they experience adult responsibilities for the first time, it is logical to have the majority of “Persona” protagonists and party members as high school students.

What About the Gender of the Persona Protagonists?

According to Wada, the choice of gender for the main characters is largely influenced by the perceived differences in mental maturity between girls and boys. He observes that high school girls often exhibit a higher level of maturity compared to boys. As a result, males have more room to develop and change, making them a suitable pick for the protagonist in this specific context. However, Wada also mentions that it’s not impossible for the game characters to be female or non-students.

Currently, it is uncertain if “Persona 6” will break the traditional pattern of the series. Many fans have expressed a desire for a mature “Persona” protagonist, possibly reflecting the maturity of the fanbase that has been following the series since its inception. According to Wada’s thoughts, there is still potential for adults to undergo growth and development throughout their lives. A protagonist who is older, such as a college or post-college student, could provide an intriguing perspective.

Despite being eight years since its debut, there’s been no major announcement about a sixth main installment in the Persona series. However, Atlus has kept fans engaged with additional content such as Persona 5 Royal, an extended story for the original game, Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight, Persona 5 Strikers, tactical spin-off Persona 5 Tactica, and even a mobile game based on Persona 5.

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2024-12-14 05:07