The appeal and evaluation of PERSONA trinity soul [Compilation]: In-depth review

The appeal and evaluation of "PERSONA trinity soul [Compilation]"

"PERSONA trinity soul [Compilation]" is a TV special that was broadcast in 2008, and is a completely original animation based on the PS2 game "Persona 3". This compilation condenses the essence of the series and includes interviews with the staff. Below, we will explain the appeal and evaluation of this work in detail.

■Overview of the work

"PERSONA trinity soul [Compilation]" will be broadcast on TOKYO MX and BS11, and will consist of 30-minute episodes. It is directed by Matsumoto Jun and produced by A-1 Pictures, with Aniplex, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Weave, and Movic on the production committee. The original story is "Persona 3," with the main character original story by Soejima Shigenori and character design and general animation director by Ishii Yuriko.

■ Story

The story takes place in Ayanagi City, a futuristic emerging city facing the Sea of ​​Japan, which has recovered from the disaster caused by the "multiple apathy attacks" that occurred 10 years ago. High school student Shin Kanzato and his younger brother Jun reunite for the first time in 10 years with their eldest son Ryo, the young police chief of Ayanagi City.

At that time, strange incidents were occurring one after another in Ayanagi City. Ryo pursues the organization behind the series of incidents, including a crew member who suddenly disappeared from a submarine, apathy that has shocked the public for the first time in 10 years, and the case of inverted bodies in which students are killed in gruesome forms. Shin becomes embroiled in the incidents and awakens his grotesque "Persona." This is the story of how the gears of destiny for the brothers begin to turn.

■ Characters

The protagonist, Shingo Shin, is a second-year student at Nagi no Mori Academy. He is 17 years old and not particularly fearless, but he is also not particularly courageous. He has average senses and thoughts. After losing his parents, he was raised by his aunt in Tokyo, but for some reason he returned to his hometown of Ayanagi City. He is the brave second son who adores his cold older brother and cherishes his somewhat cynical younger brother.

Ryo Kamigo is the eldest son of the Kamigo family and the chief of Ayanagi Police Station. A gloomy 28-year-old who rarely smiles, he is independently investigating a series of bizarre crimes. He tries to distance himself from his younger brothers, who have reunited after a 10-year hiatus, and clashes with Shin, but he seems to have some special feelings for Jun.

Kamisato Jun is the youngest child of the Kamisato family and a second-year student at Nagi no Mori Academy. He is 14 years old and doesn't like to have contact with others. He seems to be attached to Shin, but he is not an obedient and submissive younger brother; rather, he is more mature and eloquent than Shin. The mischievous, girlish expression he occasionally shows gives him a mysterious presence that cannot be expressed with the word androgynous alone.

Other than that, many other unique characters will appear, such as Makoto's classmates Megumi Kayano, Takuro Sakakiba, and Kanan Morimoto, as well as Tomoma Murasakikura, the leader of a secret group calling themselves Marebito.

■Worldview and setting

"PERSONA trinity soul" is a story about people with the ability to materialize a persona, an alternate self that lies deep within their hearts. The appearance and abilities of a persona vary depending on what the person who manifests it has within them. It is said that many boys and girls once had hidden aptitude, but the number of potential people is now decreasing significantly.

Ayanagi City is a coastal city facing Toyama Bay that was devastated 10 years ago by a sudden accident and disaster caused by simultaneous multiple apathy, but has since been rebuilt as a futuristic city. Apathy is a mental illness of unknown cause in which all will and emotion become extremely weak, people lose their sense of self, and become like living corpses.

Another important element is the magic game "Shadow Removal," which is secretly popular among young people in Ayanagi City and junior and senior high school students attending Nagi no Mori Gakuen. Shadow removal is said to have a relaxing effect by releasing and easing negative emotions such as anxiety and fear, as well as stress, but if done excessively, it can lead to an addiction.

Furthermore, the story revolves around the "Reverse Incidents," a series of bizarre crimes occurring in Ayanagi City. The term "Reverse Incidents" was coined because the victims are found in gruesome states, as if their bodies had been turned inside out.

■ Production and staff

"PERSONA trinity soul [Compilation]" was produced by A-1 Pictures. It is directed by Matsumoto Jun, assistant director Hanyu Naoyasu, series composition by Muto Yasuyuki, persona design by Genma Nobuhiko, mecha design by Tsuneki Shinobu, art direction by Suzuki Michie, color design by Nakajima Kazuko, director of photography Ishihara Koji, CGI director Furukawa Takayuki, editor Nishiyama Shigeru, music by Iwasaki Taku, and sound direction by Hata Shoji.

The producers are Kazunori Adachi, Katsunori Naruke, Hideyuki Kachi, and Kozue Kanba, the animation producer is Yutaka Omatsu, and the production producer is Tomonori Ochikoshi. These staff members worked together to recreate the world of Persona 3, the original concept, as an animation.

■Cast

The voice actors for the main characters are an all-star cast, including Okamoto Nobuhiko as Kamisato Makoto, Koyasu Takehito as Kamisato Ryo, Sawashiro Miyuki as Kamisato Jun, Asumi Kana as Kayano Megumi, Tasaka Hideki as Sakakiba Takuro, Nakahara Mai as Morimoto Kananari, Namikawa Daisuke as Murasakikura Tomoma, Tobita Nobuo as Kimoto Yuji, Takagi Genki as Seno Sotaro, Sako Mayumi as Tachibana Saki, Kobayashi Sanae as Nikaido Eiko, Egawa Hisashi as Ito Kunio, Kawahara Yoshihisa as Narasaki Tomohiro, and Yasumoto Hiroki as Udowata Taiichi.

■ Evaluation and appeal

"PERSONA trinity soul [Compilation]" is a work that develops a new story while inheriting the worldview of the original "Persona 3". In particular, it depicts the bond between brothers, family reunions, and the battles between people with special abilities called personas, deeply moving viewers.

In addition, by setting the story in the futuristic emerging city of Ayanagi, the series incorporates many elements that symbolize the problems of modern society and the darkness in the hearts of young people. Themes that are linked to real life, such as apathy, shadow removal, and the Reverse incident, are depicted, and the series is full of elements that will make viewers think.

The individuality of the characters is also one of the charms of the series, and the relationship between the Shingo brothers and the backgrounds of each character are carefully drawn. The drama of each character, such as Shin's growth, Ryo's conflict, and Jun's mysterious presence, adds excitement to the story.

Furthermore, A-1 Pictures' beautiful animation and Taku Iwasaki's music add to the atmosphere of the work, especially the Persona battle scenes and the landscapes of Ayanagi City, making it a visual treat.

■ Related works and recommendations

"PERSONA trinity soul [Compilation]" is part of the "PERSONA trinity soul" series, and is also related to other works in the Persona series, such as "PERSONA3 THE MOVIE", "Persona4 the ANIMATION", "Persona4 the ANIMATION Unaired Episodes", "PERSONA4 the Animation -The Factor of Hope-", "Persona4 the Golden ANIMATION", and "PERSONA5 the Animation". You can also enjoy the world of Persona in these works, so if you're interested, be sure to check them out.

"PERSONA trinity soul [Compilation]" is recommended not only for fans of the Persona series, but also for those who like anime and games. In particular, it depicts the bond between brothers, family reunions, and the battles between people with special abilities called personas, so it is a perfect work for those looking for a moving story. In addition, it incorporates many settings that symbolize the problems of modern society and the darkness in the hearts of young people, so it is also recommended for those who want to enjoy deep themes.

Overall, "PERSONA trinity soul [Compilation]" is a work that condenses the charm of the Persona series, and is a wonderful animation that provides viewers with deep emotions and thought-provoking elements. Please give it a watch.