Persona 3 Reload lastly introduced one in all my favourite JRPGs of all time to trendy audiences in a approach that matches the visuals and quality-of-life options of video games popping out immediately. Now that this want of mine is lastly granted, it’s time to stay up for the long run. For example, how it’s at present nigh-impossible to legally watch the wonderful Persona 3 anime films.
Persona 3 The Film was the primary on this quartet of movies, popping out in Japan on November 23, 2013. Every film got here out a few 12 months after each other, with the ultimate one — Winter of Rebirth — dropping in 2016. What could also be shocking about this example is how comparatively new (so to talk) these films are.

In any case, the ultimate film within the collection got here out not even 10 years in the past at the moment. That is fairly intriguing because the authentic Persona 3 got here out in 2006. In truth, these films are even newer than the Persona 4 anime collection. It got here out in 2011 and even its Golden model got here out in 2014.
That stated, there’s a stark distinction between the Persona 3 anime films and the anime diversifications of each Persona 4 and 5. Each of the latter collection can be found to stream proper now legally on companies like Crunchyroll. Regardless of the Persona 3 films being newer than the Persona 4 anime, it isn’t out there to stream wherever.
In truth, if you want to look at these films legally, you would need to purchase the bodily copies of the movies or a digital model. And, to be frank, good luck with that. Not solely are the bodily copies arduous to search out, however they’re fairly costly lately. Moreover, there appears to be a digital model you will get of those movies, however it’s only out there on Amazon Prime as of proper now.
Shopping for digital copies isn’t essentially the most sure-fire resolution, particularly when it’s solely on one platform, and issues may change anytime. As well as, it might price $60 to get all 4 films this manner. There’s a rental choice, however then you definately solely have a restricted set of time to look at them. It might be a lot better if you happen to may stream these films on a service like Netflix or Crunchyroll. This was potential previously, and is how I watched them, however not is the case.

It actually is a disgrace that the Persona 3 anime films are unavailable to stream as a result of extra followers of the collection need to see them. I get if you’re jaded by the anime diversifications of those masterpiece JRPGs since each Persona 4 and 5’s anime collection are a bit lackluster. Nevertheless, that isn’t the case in any respect with their Persona 3 counterpart.
For one, the visuals of those films are unbelievable. These are films for a motive, slightly than a TV collection, and it exhibits within the high quality and finances of the collection. Studio A-1 Footage —that labored on films 2-4 — is hit-or-miss typically on the subject of its animation high quality, however these films are among the finest work the studio has ever achieved. It captures the darkish and grim aesthetics of the unique JRPG so properly.
As well as, having the flicks divided up into 4 films offers simply sufficient time to do a lot of the story justice. Certain, you don’t get among the aspect tales right here. That stated, fortunately, a lot of the most important plot factors occur and are achieved properly. As well as, you get simply sufficient time with sure characters to expertise their full arc earlier than tragic occasions occur.
Plus, bringing again the Persona 3 anime films would enable a service like Crunchyroll to lastly dub them. It’s a disgrace there isn’t a official dub for them at the moment. With the latest launch of the unique recreation’s remake, Persona 3 Reload, in 2024, now appears like the right time for these to return. Right here’s hoping the Persona 3 anime films come again quickly. In any case, followers of the collection and this recreation, specifically, are lacking out in any other case.
Persona 3 Reload is out there proper now for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Collection X/S, and PC.