Sega has revealed that it is exploring the possibility of live-action TV show and movie adaptations for Atlus video game properties, including the likes of Shin Megami Tensei, Persona, and Catherine. Via IGN, Toru Nakahara, lead producer at Sega on the Sonic the Hedgehog movies and Sonic Prime, has stated, “Atlus’ worlds are filled with high drama, cutting-edge style and compelling characters. Stories like those from the Persona franchise really resonate with our fans and we see an opportunity to expand the lore like no one has seen — or played — before.”
Sega has not commented on any specific studios it is hoping to work with for an Atlus TV show or movie, and it will likely be a long while before we hear anything official about a live-action Persona or Shin Megami Tensei. To date, there have been various anime adaptations for Persona and SMT, but a live-action adaptation would be a much different beast. It has worked out well for Sonic the Hedgehog, but imagining Catherine with human actors — especially if it were hypothetically set in America — would be… quite a thing.
Although IGN only specifically name-drops SMT, Persona, and Catherine, it sounds like Sega is open to exploring the whole Atlus catalogue. Now is the time for Etrian Odyssey fans to cross their fingers for a $200 million blockbuster.
In the meantime, Atlus fans can look forward to Persona 3 Portable, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 5 Royal appearing on every platform under the sun in the coming year or so.
