PERSONA 4 the Animation (2011)
A supernatural murder mystery anime following a teenage detective squad navigating a deadly TV world in rural Japan.
PERSONA 4 the Animation - Series Information
- Original Title: Persona4 the ANIMATION
- First Air Year: 2011
- Last Air Year: 2012
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Mystery, Crime
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 25 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 25
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: October 7, 2011 (United States - TV-MA), October 7, 2011 (United Kingdom - 12), October 7, 2011 (Australia - M)
- Networks: MBS
- Production Companies: Anime International Company, Aniplex, Index Corporation, Hakuhodo DY Media Partners, YOMIKO Advertising, ASCII Media Works, movic, MBS, AIC A.S.T.A.
- Production Countries: Japan
- Alternative Titles: TV'アニメ「ペルソナ４」 (JP), Persona 4: Anime (US)
PERSONA 4 the Animation - Plot
When Yu Narukami moves to the rural country town of Inaba to live with his uncle while his parents are away on business, he's expecting a lot more peace and quiet than he's been used to in the big city. Instead, the peace has been shattered as a rash of mysterious murders and kidnappings sweep the countryside. With the police stymied, Yu finds himself joining with a group of seven other teenagers in a desperate bid to solve the mystery. A mystery that is somehow connected to both the local weather patterns and a strange TV world which Yu, his friends and the enigmatic killer can all enter.
PERSONA 4 the Animation - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get your first look at Inaba's darkest secrets:
The truth lies on the other side of the screen!
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PERSONA 4 the Animation - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Daisuke Namikawa as Yu Narukami (voice)
- Showtaro Morikubo as Yosuke Hanamura (voice)
- Yui Horie as Chie Satonaka (voice)
- Ami Koshimizu as Yukiko Amagi (voice)
- Tomokazu Seki as Kanji Tatsumi (voice)
- Rie Kugimiya as Rise Kujikawa (voice)
- Kappei Yamaguchi as Teddie (voice)
- Romi Park as Naoto Shirogane (voice)
- Isamu Tanonaka as Igor (voice)
- Sayaka Ohara as Margaret (voice)
Writers
- Yuko Kakihara
- Jun Kumagai
- Mitsutaka Hirota
PERSONA 4 the Animation - FAQs
Is PERSONA 4 the Animation based on a video game?
It is a direct adaptation of Persona 4, the acclaimed 2008 JRPG developed by Atlus for the PlayStation 2. The anime closely follows the game's main storyline, bringing Yu Narukami and the Investigation Team's murder mystery adventure to the screen with the original voice cast intact.
How does the anime differ from the Persona 4 game?
The anime condenses the game's lengthy social simulation elements into a tighter narrative, focusing primarily on the central murder mystery. Yu Narukami is given a more defined personality compared to the silent protagonist of the game, making him a more active and expressive lead throughout the story.
What is PERSONA 4 the Animation about?
City teenager Yu Narukami relocates to the quiet town of Inaba, only to find it gripped by mysterious murders and kidnappings. He and seven classmates discover they can enter a strange TV world linked to the crimes, and together form the Investigation Team to unmask a dangerous killer.
Is there a sequel or follow-up to this anime?
Persona 4 The Golden Animation (2014) serves as a companion series adapting the enhanced PlayStation Vita version of the game, introducing new character Marie and additional story content. It is best enjoyed after watching the original anime, as it assumes familiarity with the core storyline and cast.
Who are the main voice actors in PERSONA 4 the Animation?
The cast features Daisuke Namikawa as Yu Narukami, Showtaro Morikubo as Yosuke Hanamura, Yui Horie as Chie Satonaka, Ami Koshimizu as Yukiko Amagi, Tomokazu Seki as Kanji Tatsumi, Rie Kugimiya as Rise Kujikawa, Kappei Yamaguchi as Teddie, and Romi Park as Naoto Shirogane.
When did PERSONA 4 the Animation first air?
The series premiered on October 7, 2011, broadcasting on MBS in Japan. It ran through 2012, concluding with 25 episodes across a single season, plus two additional special episodes that round out the full story with content beyond the main broadcast run.
What are some shows similar to PERSONA 4 the Animation?
Fans of the series often enjoy Puella Magi Madoka Magica for its dark supernatural twists, Gosick for its mystery-driven atmosphere, and Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak High School for its high-stakes ensemble drama. Persona 4 The Golden Animation is the most direct companion watch.
What is the content rating for PERSONA 4 the Animation?
The series carries a TV-MA rating in the United States, reflecting mature themes including violence, murder, psychological horror, and some suggestive content. In the United Kingdom it is rated 12, and in Australia it holds an M classification, indicating it is intended for mature audiences.
More About PERSONA 4 the Animation
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