Back in 2011, one of the most dangerous natural disasters occurred of the coast of Japan. The Tohoku earthquake and subsequent tsunami ravaged the eastern coast of the country, took the lives of thousands, and contributed to one of the worst nuclear accidents since Chernobyl. Among all of those who were impacted by this disaster, the devastation had a profound impact on Katsura Hashino and much of the Persona development team. Persona 5's initial story concepts were scrapped to bring the story home to Japan in the wake of the disaster.
Many of Persona 5's sociopolitical conflicts were inspired by real-life scandals in Japan, focusing on a story built from intersocietal conflict framed in the game as an allegory to the Seven Deadly Sins. Persona 5's original plot concepts were vastly different from what released in 2017, but did present an interesting and unique vision of evolving the series beyond its Japanese high school roots. While the most recent entry was right to redirect and tackle these issues, it would be an interesting concept to see a future Persona title dive into the concepts initially pitched for Persona 5.
Persona 5's Original Story Concept
In the planning stages of Persona 5's development, director Katsura Hashino had envisioned a completely different concept for the game compared to what players got in 2017. Before the Tohoku natural disaster inspired Hashino to refocus the project's story, Persona 5 was intended to be a more globe-trotting adventure. Rather than exploring the interior of human's distorted desires, keywords during the initial planning were "self-discovery" and "journey," where players would spend the story exploring outside of school. Remnants of that desire can be seen in the real-world recreation of Japan and Shibuya, full of various locales that players could visit with confidants in Persona 5.
In the beginning concepts of Persona 5, Hashino and the development team were envisioning a far-reaching adventure that extended beyond the walls of a high school. Players would take on the role of a young adult on a backpacking trip, with the main story concepts focused on an adventure themed by self-discovery, coming-of-age, and identity. Going around the world to experience different walks of life, other countries' versions of oppression and prejudice, and defeating the enemies of world culture through the framing of the Gentleman Thief motif. Many of these themes were retained in Persona 5's final product despite bringing the setting closer to home, but there's still the lingering desire to see what a globe-trotting Persona adventure might look like.
Expanding Beyond Persona's Tradition
Practically every Persona game has involved high schoolers in various coming-of-age stories in their respective regions. Most of which have taken place in Japan or fictitious versions of Japan, despite differences in localizations changing the setting occasionally. That core concept has yet to be broken in a numbered entry in the franchise, but Hashino's original concept could've been the first to break that tradition. Envisioning a Persona game taking place in numerous places around the world would be a serious departure from the series' norm.
It'd be interesting to see characters tackle cultural and political problems all across the world, whilst shining a light on the problems that plague all walks of life. Playing through Persona 5 from the perspective of an American, or any region other than Japan, there are several instances and differences that can instill culture shock. But at the same time, these examples are framed in a way where players can come to understand these differences and gain a new perspective on lives outside of their own. Now imagine that same phenomenon on a much grander scale across the world, ranging from European to South American to Middle Eastern to North American cultures.
Broadening Persona's Horizons
This is not to say that Persona 5's original concept is better than what came in the final release. Persona 5 did a wonderful job encapsulating real-life Tokyo, and its societal issues, and framing these problems in an entertaining and thought-provoking way. Part of that is why the Persona series has gained new fame and acclaim with its fifth entry, it feels like a maturation of the Persona franchise itself. But now more than ever, Persona's fanbase has become a more global and diverse audience. Incorporating that backpacking "self-discovery" adventure into the next Persona entry would be a genuinely exciting capitalization on this newfound popularity.
Not to mention the types of issues players would encounter if Persona took inspiration from societal issues all around the world. Issues with oppression, freedom of speech, racial prejudice and injustice, drug and human trafficking, and plenty other mature topics to tackle while still framing them from the perspective of a young adult. Even outside of potential conflicts that could occur throughout the city, it's also an opportunity to showcase famous art and aesthetics of other cultures and countries.
Much of Persona 5 celebrates Japanese culture and history through its class knowledge questions and the personal conflicts with characters like Yusuke Kitagawa. Players could explore Renaissance, Baroque, Medieval art and themes in Europe. Witness abstract expressionism and Pop Art from North America. Things like Persona 5's palaces or real-life areas could be explored and depicted in Persona's signature aesthetic and style.
There's potential in the original concept for Persona 5 that'd be worth looking into for Persona 6 or any other future title in the franchise. Considering the worldwide success of Persona coming to a head with Persona 5 Royal, taking a more global approach could reinforce the series' desire to explore and expand the growing of one's inner self.
Persona 6 is rumored to be in development.