Following its cinematic release in Japan earlier this year, it has been confirmed that Persona 3 the Movie #4: Winter of Rebirth will be released on DVD and Blu-ray in Japan starting 3rd August 2016. Continuing on from the last three movies, this serves as a finale to the film quadrilogy, as the members of S.E.E.S. head towards their final battle atop Tartarus.
As the title implies, similar to Persona 4 the Animation, Persona 3 the Movie serves as a film adaptation of ATLUS’ JRPG Persona 3 – first released on the PlayStation 2 back in 2006. Given the less episodic nature of its plot and shorter runtime compared to a 26-episode anime series, this tale focuses almost exclusively on the members of S.E.E.S. and other characters vital to the core storyline. The tale is a lot more serious and less comical than the Persona 4 the Animation, and does provide new / altered events to keep within timing restraints.
Aniplex of America have released import editions of Persona 3 the Movie #1: Spring of Birth, Persona 3 the Movie #2: Midsummer Knight’s Dream and Persona 3 the Movie #3: Falling Down. They will presumably offer a similar edition for Persona 3 the Movie #4: Winter of Rebirth. However, it is currently unknown if they will eventually commission an English dub for the films, especially given the game’s popularity in western markets.
You can read my review of Persona 3 the Movie #1: Spring of Birth HERE.
