The "Shin Megami Tensei: Persona" role-playing video game series developed and published by Atlus and has won over fans due to its darker storyline and it's one of the few games to incorporate a Japanese atmosphere incorporating simulation type games relating to its characters.Created back in 1996, "Shin Megami Tensei: Persona" has continually evolved and its fifth installment, "Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4″ (the fifth installment in the SMT: Persona series) was no doubt a popular title in the series when it was released on the PlayStation 2 in 2008.
The video game would inspire a 25-episode anime series titled "Persona 4: The Animation" , which aired on Japanese television in 2011-2012.
In 2012, with the release of the PlayStation Vita version of the game (titled "Persona 4: Golden") and the fighting game sequel "Persona 4 Arena" for the PlayStation 3 and XBOX 360, what better time than now to release the anime series "Persona 4: The Animation" on Blu-ray and DVD courtesy of Sentai Filmworks.
With the first volume of "Persona 4: The Animation" featuring the first 12-episodes released in September 2012, the second collection featuring 13-26 was released in January 2013.
VIDEO:
"Persona 4: The Animation" is presented in 1080p High Definition (1:78:1 aspect ratio). The anime series is vibrant and colorful. The overall look of "Persona 4″ is stylish and cool, but it's interesting to see its use of pink with white on the faces of the characters. It's definitely a different use of coloring for characters but watching this anime series, color plays a big part in this series to set a mood. May it be the looming danger of the fog rolling into Inaba, the use of blues in the Blue Room but for the majority of the anime series, everything is colorful. Chie's red hair and green/yellow track jacket, Yukiko and Rise's use of red and of course the beautiful combination of animation and CG elements, for the most part, I felt the series compliments the video game remarkably well.
But overall anime production from AIC A.S.T.A. is fantastic, the series looks wonderful on Blu-ray with no banding or artifacts. The series looked sharp, black levels were nice and deep and colors were absolutely vibrant! "Persona 4: The Animation" looks awesome!
AUDIO:
"Persona 4: The Animation" is presented only with an English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 soundtrack. While the English version is well-acted, it is somewhat of a disappointment that the Japanese soundtrack is not included. The reason for this is that the Japanese licensors did not want reverse importation of the Blu-ray release, but yet the DVD will include both soundtracks. It's sad because the Japanese soundtracks utilize the same voice actors, which would have been nice to see. But the fear of reverse importation does happen and unfortunately some series are released in America without its Japanese soundtrack. Interesting enough, on the video game side of things, the recent U.S. release of "Persona 4 Arena" became the first video game to be region-locked for the PlayStation 3. One again, in fears of reverse importation.
With that being said, dialogue and music is crystal clear through the front channels. And when it comes to voice acting, Sentai Filmworks brought voice acting veterans to the series such as Johnny Yong Bosch, Amanda Winn Lee, Yuri Lowenthal, Laura Bailey, Karen Strassman and more.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
"Persona 4: The Animation Collection Two" comes with the following special features:
Clean Opening and Closing Animations
Trailers Trailers for Sentai Filmworks releases
JUDGMENT CALL:
If you thought the first half of "Persona 4: The Animation" was exciting, wait until you watch "Persona 4: The Animation Collection Two". More action, more exciting and even more emotional than the first half. Definitely one of the best anime series created that is based on a video game!
I'm a big fan of the entire "Shin Megami Tensei" video game series. My first experience with a "Shin Megami Tensei" video game was "Persona II: Eternal Punishment" and I absolutely loved the game for its characters but also it's darker theme, use of Personas and it's use of Japanese pop culture ingrained into an RPG game, the video games were a distinct style compared to other games from the major software makers.
And things changed no doubt with "Persona 3″ which included a dating simulator and the ability for one to strengthen relationships, friendships and the overall gameplay becoming much more stylish and cool! Suffice to say, when "Persona 4″ came out, once again, Atlus was able to create cool characters and further the experience for fans and gamers (who love Japanese RPG's), but most importantly, making the games different from other companies and continuing to set the "Shin Megami Tensei: Persona" apart from its competitors.
And more American video game critics have started to take notice in the "Shin Megami Tensei" series. While many people who are discovering it are wondering, what is the appeal?
"Persona 4: The Animation" is a series that captures the fun of the video game series but in animated format. It's one thing to have animated cut scenes but to have a series that compliments the video game is wonderful. Many people who have watched anime series based on video games, may it be "Final Fantasy", "Xenogears", "Tekken", "Street Fighter", "King of Fighters" will notice that the stories are much different than the video game. While there are series such as the ".Hack" anime that does compliment the video games, it doesn't use the actual characters of the video game series completely. "Persona 4: The Animation" not only features the characters, but it also showcases the supporting characters and goes into things that make the video game series so fun such as one's ability to strengthen relationships and friendships.
Like the video game, the main protagonist Yu can make a difference in people's lives. From making a difference in the life of his cousin, young Nanako to also his relationship with his female friends...Chie, Yukiko and Rise. And like the video game, the series shows how Yu can easily heighten his relationship with these female characters if he focuses on it. The video game of course allows you to build these relationships, but the anime series showcases those relationships and what one can accomplish.
And then there is the Persona element. With most of the Persona games, there is always a character who has the special ability to use more than one Persona. The series uses Igor and Margaret from the Blue Room to start off each episode and shows how Yu has received a new Persona for strengthening his bonds with other people. This is important in the video game and it's great to see the series start off with the Blue Room and set the tone for the series, may it be to guide Yu or to warn him of major danger.
The second half of the series continues the action, but also the friendships that Yu and friends have. But how these people function almost like a family. But just when you think the serial-murder case was over, think again!
And what shocks the audience is when an unexpected tragedy hits close to home and a death you never expected. Definitely makes the series more emotional but everything works itself out by the end of the series that you can't help but want to watch more "Persona 4: The Animation". A lot of twists and turns with this second half but it was definitely worth watching!
Watching "Persona 4: The Animation" made me feel giddy like a fanboy. Why? Because I absolutely love the video games and to see it explored in such a way, like this anime series and getting it right, I don't know how many times I have watched an anime series inspired by a video game and felt disappointed because it seemed as if the writers of the anime series were not on the same page as those who developed the video games. But for "Persona 4: the Animation", the writers were in tune with what happens in the series and managed to incorporate those elements from the video game to this anime series.
The Blu-ray looks absolutely fantastic! Colorful, vibrant, the anime series looks fantastic on Blu-ray. As for the audio, I'm sure there are those who are going to be disappointed that the Japanese soundtrack was not included but once again, fears of reverse importation has happened before for an anime series on Blu-ray and in the case of "Persona 4″, it not only has affected this Blu-ray release but also the most recent release of the "Persona 4 Arena"video game being region-locked.
Sure, the Blu-ray may not have both soundtracks (while the DVD does) but if you do enjoy English dubs, the good news is that Sentai Filmworks brought in their veterans for "Persona 4: The Animation". From Amanda Winn Lee, Johnny Yong Bosch, Yuri Lowenthall, Karen Strassman, Laura Bailey to name a few, I'm quite pleased with the English dub. As for special features, you get the usual clean opening and ending animations but also both director's cut and on air versions of the first episode.
If you thought the first half of "Persona 4: The Animation" was exciting, wait until you watch "Persona 4: The Animation Collection Two". More action, more exciting battles and even more emotional than the first half of the series. Definitely one of the better anime series that is based on a video game! Recommended for fans of the "Shin Megami Tensei" video games and anime fans wanting something different for an action anime series but also something unique, stylish, cool!
Highly recommended!
The second half of the series is where I think this show shines the most. Hilarious Social Link episodes and high stakes fights are common in this half of the series. I always recommend that if you are interested in the show to try and play the game first, as the show obviously runs through it, which can ruin the game experience if you haven't already played it.
This set includes a special True End episode that is alternative to the ending of the episode before it. This special is actually worse than the normal ending though. This adaption of the True End from the game (which the True End in the game is absolutely fantastic and way better than the normal ending) is sloppy. They go for some kind of cutting maneuver which means they go from once scene to another and then back a earlier scene again constantly. It is quite nauseating to me, as it should have just been presented in the typical linear format, but the people directing it probably did it this way to cut down on the time of the special. Overall, this True End left me dissatisfied and I would actually recommend almost ignoring it.
Despite that, everything else is here. The very emotional scenes with Nanako, the heavy fighting climax against the true culprit, it is all here. Persona 4 is my favorite video game of all time, so this Anime does mean a lot to me, and I think they really did a good job with this adaption (well... besides the True End special). If you beat the game, or don't plan to ever play it, then I hope you give this Anime a shot!
Buy Persona 4: Collection 2 Now
This is going to be one of the best Blu-ray releases of the new year IMO, and for anyone who is not sure if it is english dubbed, it is. If you click on the pic of the back cover then zoom in, you will see that it has English DTA audio.Read Best Reviews of Persona 4: Collection 2 Here
its funny childish and epic with the whole second word thing going on its all that an anime should beWant Persona 4: Collection 2 Discount?
"Persona 4: The Animation" is based on the "Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4″ video game (the greatest game ever made). This collection of episodes concludes the 26 episodes developed for this show. The beginning of this animation series introduced the show and got into the heart of the story but these episodes are where the stuff just crazy leading up to the intense finale. This is the type of show that I feel that I revisit and and tune in to the Midnight Channel very often. Here is our review of Collection 1. Thanks to Sentai for not delaying to long and releasing Collection 2 so quickly. Though I have to admit though, I hope that they continue the "Persona" series in anime format since I absolutely love this franchise.Official Synopsis: The mystery of the murders seems to have been solved, but the riddle of the Velvet Room and the lethal Midnight Channel is an enigma that Yu and the other students who form the Investigation Team still have to crack. And that's to say nothing of the question of how their powers of Persona work in the first place, and how the fictional Teddie can exist in the real world. As conundrums wrap in conundrums, and the school year burns inexorably towards a blistering summer, the team must prepare for the most deadly challenge yet while still pretending to lead normal high school lives. But that won't be easy under the evil eye of their new homeroom teacher. And when Detective Shirogane reenters the game with new information about irregularities in the police investigation and clues that may lead to an entirely different conclusion; both team and detective find themselves playing the role of prey once more! The body count is on the rise, the Shadows attack and new Persona are about to ascend as the Midnight Channel launches the ultimate cancellation program in the grand finale of PERSONA4!
The Blu-ray presentation on par with the Collection 1. The animation looks just as vibrant and sharp with each 1080p transfer on the episodes. The audio track works good as well with its DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and does a good job of delivering the scale of this fantastic finale. Like in Collection 1, there is no original Japanese language track. There is just English dub available, not the fault of Sentai though. Unfortunately unlike the episodes, there is not much in special features department. Basically the only extra is the clean opening and closing animation sequences. Still a good feature but not enough to leave you satisfied. Lastly, there are trailers for other recent/upcoming Sentai titles.
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