Summary
Everyone knows that Atlus likes to get as stylish as possible when designing their games, with everything from the character designs to the UI lookingcolorful, vibrant, and incredibly eye-catching, but it’s arguably theirmovie introsthat showcase this the most. EveryPersonagame has its own unique opening cinematic which will often drop hints about the game’s plot, while also introducing the characters before the player jumps into the experience for themselves.
These aren’t just mash-ups of a fewin-game cinematicsthough, these are made entirely for the purpose of being a big and bombastic way to kick off the game, and they’re usually filled with small secrets and symbolism that relate to the game itself. WithPersona 3 Reloadon the horizon, it only seems right to take a look back at some of the very bestPersonaintros that have stuck out to fans for their visual spectacle, subtle foreshadowing, and music. It should be noted that this list will also take thePersonaspin-off intros in consideration, alongside the mainline ones.
WhilePersona 2 Innocent Sinsimply featured a small intro cinematic which wasn’t too interesting or engaging in its visuals, Atlus decided to go all-out withEternal Punishment,creating a moody and suspenseful intro that perfectly suitsthe game’s darker tone. While the cinematic starts by focusing on Maya as she stands alone in an abandoned park, it quickly switches to the school where a giant gloomy cloud can be seen floating above.
From there, it quickly snaps between a few of the story’s most important events, including subtle references to Joker, and even a clear look at Sudou, one of the game’s main antagonists who’s shown wearing an unnerving smile while the building around him burns to the ground. While it’s definitely on the shorter side,Eternal Punishment’sintro still does an amazing job at creating a bleak and creepy tone which carries over into the main game.
Persona 3was the game where Atlus really started adding a lot more style and visual flare to their intros, and it definitely shows with this flashy cinematic which makes quite the impression the first time it plays. While the intro does a good job at not spoiling too much of the story other than just showing a few key characters, it also throws in several key hints as to the game’s main themes, especially the concept of living life to the fullest.
This is primarily shown through the constant quick flashes of “Memento Mori” which is used in artistry to symbolizethe inevitability of death. The now classic song “Burn My Dread” that plays in the background also fits in with this symbolism, and it’s become somewhat of an iconic track among the fanbase because of how it manages to sound both emotional but also incredibly upbeat at the same time.
Rather than trying to fit in subtle hints of symbolism or references to character backstories, Atlus instead prioritized animation and style when creating theDancing in Starlightintro, and it results ina dazzling visual spectaclethat demands the player’s attention right from the get-go. Each member of the Phantom Thieves is dressed in their own casual but endlessly stylish outfits, which gives the intro an extremely laid back and casual tone that just feels so energetic and fun.
Atlus also threw a few incredibly unique dancing scenes in the intro too, such as the shot of the gang showing off their moves on a moving train, or Joker dancing his way around oncoming traffic in the coolest way imaginable. “GROOVY,” while not quite as catchy as some of the songs onPersona 5’soriginal OST, is still a fun and infectious tune that perfectly fits the energy of the characters on-screen.
Atlus decided to play around with a few interesting visual styles throughout the opening ofPersona 4,which helps make it an extremely memorable cinematic that is packed full of small and subtle details to look out for with each subsequent viewing. When showcasingthe main party members, it first portrays each of them in silhouette form, which lends an aura of mystery, before then taking the view of a camcorder that shows them all going about their daily lives. It’s a clever way of showcasing just how different all these characters are, and adds a lot of intrigue to how exactly they all eventually ended up becoming close friends throughout the story.
There’s also a few very brief scenes showingthe tarot cardswhich, on the surface, can seem pretty uninteresting on their own, but anyone who has played the game will know that they are actually pretty relevant to the game’s mechanics and systems. There’s also a very quick scene of a dead body hanging on a telephone line which does hint towards some of the darker elements of the game’s plot, providing players with just enough information to make them interested in what this story is all about.
Considering just how many people adore thePersona 3intro, there was skepticism whether Atlus could really top it for the remake, but they absolutely nailed the feeling and tone of the game while also serving up some downright incredible visuals in the process. The intro is absolutely full of foreshadowing, but Atlus manages to still make it unclear as to what is being shown through clever use of the camera angles. For example, while Junpei can first be shown waving at the protagonist with a smile, the screen quickly turns black where he’s then shown with a saddened frown and a"broken home"behind him. It’s these sorts of scenes that do a great job at calling back to longtime fans of the game, while also letting newcomers know that these are some pretty complex characters that they’re going to be learning more about during their experience.
The art style is also insanely eye-catching, often switching between a smooth 3D animation when characters are moving around and razor sharp 2D scenes that look like something right out of a big-budget anime show. Symbolism is also plentiful, but it’s a lot less obvious than it was in the original intro, such as the beautiful scene that shows the moon shedding a tear of blood which then contains a mysterious, but very important figure in the reflection. Atlus knocked it out of the park with this cinematic, and if not for one other intro, it would undoubtedly be considered the very best of the series.
Groovy, confident, and all so catchy, thePersona 5intro oozes style, and it makes the player feel fully immersed and involved in the game’s world as soon as those signature notes play at the beginning. Whileeach Phantom Thiefis shown throughout the intro, they’re often seen darting around the environment and staying out of the spotlight when sporting their outfits, which adds a lot of intrigue, while also reflecting how they will eventually act throughout their many escapades. When they’re not donning their uniforms though, the characters are shown to be partaking in activities that reflect their personalities and backstories, such as Ryuji sprinting across a road and Yusuke splattering color all over a wall with a paintbrush.
Even to this day, it’s astonishing how all the scenes manage to seamlessly transition from one another. Whether it’s a screen on Futaba’s computer instantly switching over to the Blue Room, or even Arsene’s wings flapping the title screen into existence, it can’t be understated just how much artistic flavor and creativity was thrown into this single cinematic. “Wake Up, Get Up, Get Out” is also an incredibly catchy tune that feels very motivating to listen to, providing a delightful precursor to the rest of the game’s beloved jazz-inspired soundtrack.
