Picture it. 2008. I was a bored twenty-something who hadn’t touched a console game in years. Through random internet searching, as these bored young adults are prone to do, I found out about Persona 4. Which sounded like the kind of weird mix of slice of life with demon fighting that I’ve always wanted.
I went out of my way to buy a used PS2, and went on to have the best gaming experience I’d had since the days of Final Fantasy VII and VIII.
I haven’t thought about Persona 4 much, it’s somewhat been lost to me since the advancing gaming generations, though it did get re-released a few years back. But now, thanks to UDON Studios, I can relive my misguided youth through the release of the Persona 4 manga, which is seeing English translation for the first time this Fall.
For those unfamiliar with this incredible journey, here’s a quick summary:
When the small rural town of Inaba suddenly becomes the scene of a series of grisly murders, an eclectic group of high school students forms an investigation team to uncover the truth behind them and prevent more deaths. But when they discover that the murders might be connected to an urban legend about a paranormal television phenomenon called the “Midnight Channel,” a simple investigation turns into a dangerous, action-packed journey of self-discovery across two different worlds. Along the way, dark truths will shake our heroes to their very core – and help them discover an inner strength they never knew they had!
Ash Paulsen, UDON’s Senior Editor, echoes the excitement of a lot of fans:
I’ve played the Persona 4 games and I’ve seen the anime from beginning to end, and yet the manga has still offered me a fresh, new perspective on this fantastic story. It’s an experience that the games and anime can’t quite replicate, thanks to manga’s uniqueness as a storytelling medium.
I can’t wait to tune-in to the Midnight Channel again. Volume 1 of this long awaited release (certainly by me) will hit stores in September of this year:
Persona 4 Volume 1
ISBN: 978-1-927925-57-7
DETAILS: 160pgs, 5.75×8.25″, B&W, Softcover
MSRP: $13.99
RELEASE DATE: September 2015
