[Unknown Soldier]

Persona 4: The Animation
Type: TV Animation
Premiere Date: October 6, 2011 (see below for streaming information)
Director: Seiji Kishi
Art Director: Shigenori Soejima
Character Design: Kazuaki Morita
Music: Shouji Meguro
Production Studio: AIC A.S.T.A.
Episodes: 25



How to Watch:

Persona 4: The Animation will be streaming for free on The Anime Network starting Thursday, October 6th at 3 PM Eastern. It will also be made available on Hulu the following day. It will have Japanese voice acting and English subtitles. Sentai Filmworks has picked the show up for North American distribution and DVD/Blu-ray discs will be released in 2012. The possibility of English dubbing being done for the shiny round disc releases is currently unknown.



Story:

Persona 4 takes place in a rural town named Inaba where mysterious murders occur whenever there is fog after heavy rain. The town has a television channel that airs only at midnight called Mayonaka TV, during which it is said that one can see their "other half" while staring at the screen. After hearing about a recent unsolved murder, several students at Yasogami High School realize that they saw the murder victim while watching Mayonaka TV.

Yu Narukami discovers that during midnight when the channel is on, his body can phase into his television set, using the set as a gateway to another world infested with Shadows. Mayonaka TV and the town murders seem so connected that it's possible that the victims may in fact be victims of Mayonaka TV itself. The students decide to solve the mysterious murders by exploring the hidden world of Mayonaka TV.



Characters:



Yu Narukami: The main character, and your Silent Protagonist from the game. He is named Souji Seta in the manga. He arrives in Inaba to stay with his uncle Ryotaro Dojima for a year while his parents are abroad. He attends Yasogami High School and is in the same class with Chie, Yukiko, and Yousuke. His Persona is Izanagi of the Fool Arcana.
Trivia: The name given to Yu Narukami for the anime is a pun. Like all the Silent Protagonists of the Megami Tensei franchise, you assign his name when you start a new game of Persona 4. His Persona's name is a reference to Izanagi and Izanami of the Japanese creation myth.

Yousuke Hanamura: Yu's friend works at the local Junes department store, where his father is the manager. He rides a bike to school and is never seen without his headphones. His persona is Jiraiya of the Magician Arcana.
Trivia: Yousuke's headphones are modeled after Audio-Technica headphones, similar to the Silent Protagonist's headphones in Persona 3.

Yukiko Amagi: Chie's best friend and the daughter of the owners of the local hot spring inn. She will inherit the inn when her parents retire. Her Persona is Konohana-Sakuya of the Priestess Arcana.
Trivia: Yukiko's character design, specifically her long hair and hair band, was used as the basis for Yuri's design in Angel Beats! by character designer Jun Maeda. Yuri's hair was shortened and her ribbon added after the fact, making her resemble Haruhi Suzumiya, but the hair band remains a part of that character's design. Coincidentally, Seiji Kishi was also the director of Angel Beats!.

Chie Satonaka: An energetic girl who is obsessed with kung-fu movies. She has been best friends with Yukiko since they were both very young. Her personality is somewhat similar to that of Lisa Silverman from Persona 2. Her Persona is Tomoe of the Chariot Arcana.
Trivia: Chie's Persona Tomoe is yellow because it is meant to resemble the famous yellow track suit worn by Bruce Lee.

Kanji Tatsumi: The local delinquent, he has a reputation for getting in fights and is one year below Yu. He hides a softer side behind a tough image. His Persona is Take-Mikazuchi of the Emperor Arcana.
Trivia: Kanji's mother owns a textile shop. Because of this, he has known how to sew and knit since he was a small child.

Naoto Shirogane: Nicknamed "The Detective Prince" by the media for his prowess at solving difficult criminal cases at a young age, he comes to Inaba to help the local police investigate the mysterious murders which have been occurring. He is one year below Yu. His Persona is Sukuna Hikona of the Fortune Arcana.
Trivia: Naoto's design resembles that of Raidou Kuzunoha, from the PS2 Devil Summoner games.

Rise Kujikawa: An idol on hiatus from her career. She moves back to Inaba to live with her grandmother while on break from performing. She is one year below Yu. Her Persona is Himiko of the Lovers Arcana.
Trivia: Rise's name resembles that of her voice actor, Rie Kugimiya. Rise is not the first fictional idol that Rie Kugimiya has voiced, as she is also the voice of Iori Minase from THE IDOLM@STER.

Kuma: Called "Teddie" in the English version of the game. Yu and his friends meet this mysterious stuffed bear-like being on the other side of the TV. His Persona is Kintoki Douji of the Star Arcana.
Trivia: The original Japanese voice work for Kuma frequently has him ending his sentences with "-kuma!" The English localization replaces this with puns which use the word 'bear'.

Ryotaro Dojima: Yu's uncle, and Nanako's father. A senior detective with the local police department. He agrees to take Yu in for a year while Yu's parents are out of the country.
Nanako Dojima: Yu's younger cousin. She likes shopping at the Junes department store and frequently buys food there and does the laundry as Ryotaro is absent from home for long stretches due to his police work.
Igor: The mysterious gentleman who inhabits the Velvet Room. He provides advice and guidance for Yu throughout his journey.
Margaret: Igor's partner in the Velvet Room.
Tohru Adachi: Ryotaro's junior detective partner.

Social Link Characters:
These are all characters Yu may befriend during his journey.
Kou Ichijo & Daisuke Nagase
Ai Ebihara
Naoki Konishi
Yumi Ozawa & Ayane Matsunaga
Hisano Kuroda
Shu Nakajima
Eri Minami
Sayoko Uehara
Funky Fox



Previews:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ts_RJSDmNo (PV9)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_18978&v=v3v-QP6MCAA (PV11/Features the OP "sky's the limit")
http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotat...&v=jOhkqf5qulE (PV14/Final PV)



Game:
The official GAF thread for the Persona 4 game can be found here.

Credits:
Modified game story description taken from Amazon.com.

Useful Links:
Wikipedia
MegaTen Wiki
MyAnimeList Entry
Official Site (Japanese)

[Momo]

Not expecting much, but quietly anticipating :D

[TheKaeptain]

This is going to be good and crow will be served.

[EmmanuelMunoz]

What, you couldn't embed the text into the images? For shame!

I am semi-excited for this one.

[Mortrialus]

Someone PM me when a full version of "Sky's the Limit" is released.

[Kandrick]

Hope it will be good, can't wait!

[Dresden]

gimme Rise Chie

[cosmicblizzard]

Should be good.

[duckroll]

What happens when someone spoils the show by talking about the game?

[Crewnh]

I wonder how they'll do the subs for Teddie. Will they leave in the kuma or find an adequate bear pun that fits the line like in the game.

[dani_dc]

I wasn't particularly excited about it.
Then I heard Meguro was working on the music for it, so I'll be watching it if nothing else for the soundtrack. Here's hoping it's good.

[TheKaeptain]

What happens when someone spoils the show by talking about the game?

Can we only have game talk if a person ask a question about it? Answer should be in spoilers.

[duckroll]

Can we only have game talk if a person ask a question about it? Answer should be in spoilers.

Why have game talk at all? :D

[Instro]

What happens when someone spoils the show by talking about the game?

Much like your avatar, they get a bit faded out.

[Darklord]

Who's Yu Narukami? The main character is called Charlie Tunoku.

[Meadows]

Finally, an anime I might actually watch! Looooovvvveeee Persona 4 (endurance run 4lyf)

[EmmanuelMunoz]

What happens when someone spoils the show by talking about the game?

Spoilers should be enforced.

Game can stay out of here

[Unknown Soldier]

What happens when someone spoils the show by talking about the game?

I put a link to the game thread in my OP, people who want to spoil the game should go there.

[TheKaeptain]

Why have game talk at all? :D

Yeah that sounds good.

[MarkMan]

I'm VERY much looking forward to this.

[Kurtofan]

Oh man this looks awesome.
Does this have a chance of getting localized?

See Unknown? You didn't make it clear enough.

Oops, I was so excited, I only watched the previews before posting.
Sorry.

[duckroll]

Oh man this looks awesome. Does this have a chance of getting localized?

See Unknown? You didn't make it clear enough.

[KibblesBits]

Oh man this looks awesome. Does this have a chance of getting localized?

Someone will want to make money off of this. The question is, can they pull it all together?
i.e. Voice actors, localization, rights management, etc.

[BlazingDarkness]

Will watch!
If for the soundtrack alone

[Kurtofan]

Someone will want to make money off of this. The question is, can they pull it all together? i.e. Voice actors, localization, rights management, etc.

They should take the voice actors from the game or no deal!

[duckroll]

Oh I'm sorry, I was so excited, I only watched the previews before posting. Sorry.

What are you apologizing for? Unknown is the one who is to blame for it not being immediately obvious that this series has already been picked up for release outside of Japan. It will be simulcast with English subtitles along with the Japanese release on The Anime Network and Hulu, and the DVD/Blu-ray release is die in North America in 2012.

[Unknown Soldier]

See Unknown? You didn't make it clear enough.

This must clearly be the case! Er...what's not clear enough?

What are you apologizing for? Unknown is the one who is to blame for it not being immediately obvious that this series has already been picked up for release outside of Japan. It will be simulcast with English subtitles along with the Japanese release on The Anime Network and Hulu, and the DVD/Blu-ray release is die in North America in 2012.

Ummmm, I mentioned near the top that it's streaming on The Anime Network and provided a link. Sentai Filmworks already picked up the license so it will be on disc in 2012, if you can wait that long. Hah.

[Frost_Ace]

first anime I'm gonna watch in ages. Dis gon b gud.

[KibblesBits]

What are you apologizing for? Unknown is the one who is to blame for it not being immediately obvious that this series has already been picked up for release outside of Japan. It will be simulcast with English subtitles along with the Japanese release on The Anime Network and Hulu, and the DVD/Blu-ray release is die in North America in 2012.

:O

[Dedication Through Light]

Well this looked to be one of the more intriguing anime of the fall. Im a fan of the composer so I can watch it for that. Hopefully the story is presented in an easy to follow way and remains compelling. I probably am one of the few in the crowd of those who didnt ever play the game but will watch this.

[Kurtofan]

What are you apologizing for? Unknown is the one who is to blame for it not being immediately obvious that this series has already been picked up for release outside of Japan. It will be simulcast with English subtitles along with the Japanese release on The Anime Network and Hulu, and the DVD/Blu-ray release is die in North America in 2012.

I skimmed over the OP, and I thought I missed something.
Turns out I didn't.

[Professor Beef]

I remember the previous thread about the anime mentioned that it would be available on Hulu as well. Is this still the case?

Also, have there been any updates concerning the potential US voice cast?

[Unknown Soldier]

All right, fine, let me make it more obvious than it already is. For the ones who have already complained, look at the Premiere Date entry near the top and see if I told you guys what you needed to know or not already.

[jersoc]

What are you apologizing for? Unknown is the one who is to blame for it not being immediately obvious that this series has already been picked up for release outside of Japan. It will be simulcast with English subtitles along with the Japanese release on The Anime Network and Hulu, and the DVD/Blu-ray release is die in North America in 2012.

freakin awesome.

[Ezalc]

Are you guys going to do the "teams" thing? Either way I'm in Team Brosuke.

[TheSeks]

What happens when someone spoils the show by talking about the game?

Let's test that theory:

Duckroll is the ban-ner?

It will be simulcast with English subtitles along with the Japanese release on The Anime Network and Hulu,

Amazing. Is P3:Trinity Soul (yes, I know it sucks, yes, I haven't watched it) on Hulu with English subs as well?

[Thoraxes]

This is the week!

[duckroll]

Ummmm, I mentioned near the top that it's streaming on The Anime Network and provided a link. Sentai Filmworks already picked up the license so it will be on disc in 2012, if you can wait that long. Hah.

The rest of GAF does not read Anime threads regularly. For a major series which has a license announcement and streaming details in English, there should be a section in the OP making it specifically clear, with details and information. It would be more helpful and informative than all the custom images and wikipedia character description lifting that it currently has. A good OT is not one which looks like a fan site, a good OT is one which has detailed information which helps people make informed decisions.

[crimzonflame]

How many episodes will this be?

[Hellsing321]

Who's Yu Narukami? The main character is called Charlie Tunoku.

Some fan made character.

[duckroll]

How many episodes will this be?

Should be about 24-26 episodes.

[Unknown Soldier]

The rest of GAF does not read Anime threads regularly. For a major series which has a license announcement and streaming details in English, there should be a section in the OP making it specifically clear, with details and information. It would be more helpful and informative than all the custom images and wikipedia character description lifting that it currently has. A good OT is not one which looks like a fan site, a good OT is one which has detailed information which helps people make informed decisions.

The hell? I wrote the character description portions myself. The story description was lifted, because I'm not good at writing a story summary of something I've already played through without spoiling it terribly.

[Professor Beef]

Should be about 24-26 episodes.

That'll give me time to beat the game, then!

[Darklord]

Some fan made character.

It's from Giantbomb. After 100 hours of watching it, he is Charlie Tunoku.

[duckroll]

The hell? I wrote the character description portions myself. The story description was lifted, because I'm not good at writing a story summary of something I've already played through without spoiling it terribly.

I'm just saying, it needs to have a "WHERE CAN I WATCH/BUY THIS" section, which clearly explains that it is being broadcast in -ENGLISH- legally, and will be available for sale later on. Come on!

[Hellsing321]

It's from Giantbomb. After 100 hours of watching it, he is Charlie Tunoku.

No I mean Yu whatever is fan made. Of couse Charlie is canon.

[TheSeks]

That'll give me time to beat the game, then!

Better get started. It's a 60+ hour game.

No I mean Yu whatever is fan made.

Yu comes from Arc System Work's Persona 3-4 fighting game for him.

But he'll always be Seta Souji to me.

This is why Atlus needs to have official names for their protagonists even if they're silent

[Unknown Soldier]

I'm just saying, it needs to have a "WHERE CAN I WATCH/BUY THIS" section, which clearly explains that it is being broadcast in -ENGLISH- legally, and will be available for sale later on. Come on!

Aw, give me a break. Anyways, there's a How to Watch section near the top now, directly under the show's basic information.

It's from Giantbomb. After 100 hours of watching it, he is Charlie Tunoku.

People seriously watched that entire Endurance Run? I would rather play the game for 100 hours instead of watching some other guys playing it.

[duckroll]

Aw, give me a break. Anyways, there's a How to Watch section near the top now, directly under the show's basic information.

I am a mean and terrible person because I have to be, not because I want to!

[Slayven]

Hopefully better then the P3 show, I checked out on that shit midway through the first ep.