Fluorescent orange always look good on a Persona.

After spanking Impzie for stealing my Persona episode 1 post, I’m again in charge of blogging Persona: Trinity Soul. I know the Persona series of games since the 1st installment onf the game on the Psx and I was always avid for a anime adaptation of the Persona universe. This anime sequel of the Ps2 game, Persona 3, hasn’t disappointed me yet.

But there is one thing that is really annoying me… Is Jun a Reverse trap or what?


 

Starting with Persona, I’m thinking on using only screenshots to summarize the episodes. If you think it’s fine or if you want the old text-based summaries, please tell me on the comments.

Impressions

Let’s start first by analysing some aspects that Impz didn’t mentioned on the post of ep 1. One on fthe biggest issues and which the new Persona fans are debating more is the lack of Evokers. In Persona 3, they were the method used to summon the personas, but that was just a artificial way to make a summon on subjects with the potential. And what is a persona exactly? It is a Alter Ego, a physical manifestation of the summoner’s psyche and that’s one of the reasons they assume a form close to the arcana the summoners are more in synch with.

There are several key moments in Persona ep 1: Ryou’s talk in the phone with someone who’s supposely Akihito from Persona 3; the incident in the past wich cause the “dissapearance” or “death” of Jun’s twin sister,Yuki, and part of his current depression; Yuuji Kimoto (the villian on ep 1) and his hunt for A Latency personas and the Reverse effect on his victims; Ryo’s dream visions of other people’s personas including his older brother persona, and even dreaming about Igor, the presence of the former in the dreams of Ryou with the 3 masks (how the hell he kept his nose under the mask?); the mysterious second voice on Jun’s room when he’s seeing Yuki’s old dress, just to mention a few of those key moments.

Speaking now on the events of episode 2: let’s start with the focus of this episode, Shadow Extraction. What’s exactly the nature of this ritual? It seems to cause a feeling of euphoria and pleasure, and it’s related to the Persona inside of people. But why shin was able to fully extract Takurou’s persona? It was because Shin is a Special A or because Takurou is a Special A? (Special A seems to be a designation of individuals capable of evoking a Persona naturaly without the help of drugs or devices like Evokers.)

The Special A individuals are being targeted by 2 parties: one is the police forces lead by Ryou Kanzato and the mysterious 2nd party, which we saw 3 elements already; Yuuji Kimoto, Saki Tachibana (girl hunting Shin with a persona) and Touma Shikura (guy with bean hood). A fact to be pointed is they are seen taking medication like the Strega members in Persona 3; does this mean their personas are artificialy created? They also refered to Shin as a innate, possibly meaning he has a natural adquired persona.

Episode 2 presented us with the first school scenes, which are possible references (again) to the Persona 3 game. Megumi and Sakakiba seem to fulfill the roles of Yukari and Junpei, although Sakakiba is alot more cooler and looks like a mix of Nabeshin looks (Excel Saga) and Spike coolness and jazz style (Cowboy Bebop), but still keeps the womanizer skills of Junpei. It’s too early to say if Megumi will be the romantic interest of Shin, but she was present on both episodes and she is in the middle of the persona incidents. Considering the clues given, the guy she was trying to slap has probably raped her friend with the use of his persona powers and he’s trying to do the same now with her.

Other key scenes to be mentioned is Ryou sighting a red haired girl in the half-constructed bridge (not sure if it’s the same girl that appears underwater in episode 1 but the eyes color seems to be the same) and the floating of a white feather right after she dissapears. Too bad we have few data about the girl or Ryou’s past to speculate about them.

The soundtrack this time has more references to the Persona 3 game, including a remix of several tracks (Burn My Dread, Troubled and Mass Destruction) and some classical cameos from the other Persona games like Velvet Room. The anime original soundtrack keep the same style, but there is one interesting track introducing Sakakiba which is a fusion of Jazz and Shakuhachi (japanese flute).

The title of the 3rd episode is Marebito, which has a general meaning of rare person. Originally used to refer to a visitor, Marebito are spiritual beings who come to village communities to bring happiness and good fortune and are the basis of alot of the old japanese folklore.

My final comment: call me crazy or a wacko, but the more I see Jun, me more I’m convinced it’s a reverse trap. Everyone in the anime refers to him as a he, but his feminine look, way of moving and the dual voice incident in the room point to the reverse trap theory. Or maybe I’m just obsessed…

I have been a huge fan of Persona 3 when I played it on my playstation 2. The dating sim and adventure RPG is an exotic mix, and I always like the Greek mythology themed summons in the series. Hence, it is logical that I am extremely excited about the anime adaptation of the game, which is time lined at a period 10 years after the events of Persona 3.

Did the show whet my appetite for more Persona summoning and great fights?

I am not too sure after watching it.

Episode summary

Jun and Shin Kazato left their aunt’s house to Ryo Kazato, their only family as they do not want to impose on their aunt’s romantic relationship. Shin seemed to have dreams of a transformation, where he finds himself getting attacked. As they arrived at their home town, Ryo did not pick them up and Jun noted that Ryo is a very busy police superintendent. Shin also thought about how they have not met for ten years already. Ryo is investigating a case of “Reverse”, a certain symptom of lifelessness that is related to the events ten years ago. Ryo is traveling in his car to reach a crime scene when his cell rang. Another person has died from their “list” Ryo ordered for the remaining victims that show certain characteristics (A powers) to be protected.

As he visited the corpse, it looked like the body was almost dug inside out. The coroner said that it was such a sad thing that all three victims are high school students. Jun and Shin visited their old house, but the key has changed with a high tech security lock. They also reminisced about how Ryo tried to save Yuki, Shin’s twin sister from a tree. However, Yuki injured herself very badly in that accident. Jun said that he cannot remember Ryo playing with them, but Shin said Ryo cared a lot. Late at night, Ryo was given a call from his officer who screamed and was cut off. As he reached the crime scene, he knew that someone from their “list” is attacked as he rushed over to the house of the possible victim. Jun and Shin also went for dinner and talked about the monster Shin saw in his dreams.

The victim is attacked by a man who called out a persona (summon). As the persona of the female emerged, it looked like the woman’s life is sucked out of her. Ryo arrived in time as he shot some lasers. It is then we realize that Ryo is also a persona user as he managed to repel the man before he siphoned all the energies of the woman. Ryo also managed to injure him as the man ran off. Ryo decided to bring the girl to the hospital when his assistants arrived to the scene. Jun and Shin, while walking back to the residence, saw a tarot reader who talked about “Shin’s awakening”. It is Igor, the maintainer of the dark side.

When he realized what was said, Ryo woke the two up, as Ryo immediately scolded them for not checking a frog statue where the key is there, and the combination being their birthday dates. Shin is wondering why Ryo is so cold to them considering how they have not met for ten years. It is clear that Ryo does care about his siblings despite his cold demeanor. Shin, while he unpacked, saw a statue of Igor. Shin decided to go out to a convenience store, but saw the man who Ryo fought earlier. He looked in pain and his persona seemed to be out of control. Just then, Shin released his own persona (his awakening with the sword coming out of his body) and destroyed the other man’s persona easily.

Thoughts

This is a show that I have huge expectations due to my love of Persona 3, but Persona ~trinity soul~ somewhat disappoints me. One thing that is very cool for me is the use of the “Evoker” in persona 3 to release the summon, in which the character shoots themselves on the head with a revolver. I guess it is probably something that is unhealthy to be shown on national television, due to the feel that it is a suicidal attack. However, I really wanted it to show just that since it is just so cool. People who have played the game should know what I am talking about.

The way of summoning seems to be built on the form of the earlier Personas. For those who have not played the game, Personas are spirits that are Greek themed, and follows a certain tarot order in terms of having Persona themed with Justice, Moon, Magician, Star, Hermit, Priestess and the likes. With that brief introduction, Persona trinity soul really starts out as a pretty generic shounen series, and this seems to plague game-to-anime adaptations.

One thing that disappointed me of sorts is the graphics. Some of the battle scenes are not as impressive as I expected them to be. A1 pictures, who has done Ookiku Furikabette, does not have the financial strength compared to strong animation companies such as Kyoto Animation, Madhouse, JC Staff to have good battles. I am somewhat perplexed with some graphical glitches with the character designs at times. Some of the character’s facial features are under drawn at times, and I feel a bit awkward when I see such drawings.

Why you should watch it

Despite my extremely negative comments about the show, I really think that the show has some potential. The story on Reverse is interesting, and I am very sure that they will explain the notion of Personas and their symbolization. As it is simply creating a theme within the Persona world, people who have not played any of the Persona games should be able to follow the series just fine. I do want to see the second episode at least to see how this show plays out. The story about Yuki and Jun seems to be rather interesting, since Jun still keeps the little skirt that Yuki wore as a child.

For those who are fans of the Persona games, this is probably one to track. People who are interested in the supernatural and shounen genre should also apply for this. Anyone else should stay away.