Persona on Netflix: Live-action series based on the popular video game series is in the works
Shawn Levy will also be involved behind the scenes
Netflix is snapping up the next big video game franchise: As reported by the industry magazine Variety, the streaming service is working on a live-action series based on the popular role-playing game series "Persona".
Christopher Monfette, who has previously worked on series such as "Star Trek: Picard" and "9-1-1", has been brought on board for the project. He will not only serve as screenwriter but will also act as executive producer and showrunner. "Deadpool & Wolverine" director Shawn Levy, meanwhile, will be working behind the scenes as an executive producer.
The "Persona" series is one of the most successful and popular JRPG franchises of recent years. Although each main installment tells a standalone story, the focus is usually on Japanese high school students who must navigate their daily lives amid school, friendships, and personal challenges. At the same time, they become entangled in supernatural events and battle mysterious threats.
To date, the series comprises six main games and a total of 15 spin-offs. "Persona" now joins a long list of video game adaptations from Netflix. The streaming service has already enjoyed great success with productions such as "The Witcher", "Arcane", "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners", and "Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft". A release date or details about the cast have not yet been announced.
From Castlevania to Devil May Cry: An Overview of All Major Video Game Adaptations on Netflix
Video game adaptations have long been considered difficult territory. Numerous films and series failed to win over either fans or critics. In recent years, however, the tide has turned – and Netflix, in particular, has played a decisive role in this development. For years, the streaming service has increasingly focused on well-known gaming brands and has since built up an impressive portfolio of series and movies. With the announced "Persona" live-action series, this universe is now expanding once again.
Castlevania: The Beginning of a Wave of Success
"Castlevania" laid the foundation for the success of video game adaptations on Netflix. The animated series, which aired from 2017 to 2021, is based on the Konami game series of the same name and tells the story of vampire hunter Trevor Belmont in his battle against Dracula. The dark atmosphere, mature storytelling, and high-quality animation quickly made "Castlevania" a favorite among critics and fans alike.
The series proved that video game adaptations can be more than just fan service and paved the way for numerous other projects. The success of "Castlevania" ultimately led to the spin-off "Castlevania: Nocturne". The series focuses on Richter Belmont and is set during the French Revolution. This project was also well-received and demonstrated that the franchise on Netflix is far from exhausted.
Arcane: The Masterpiece of League of Legends
When "Arcane" premiered in 2021, the series surprised not only "League of Legends" fans but the entire TV landscape. Produced by Riot Games and Netflix, it tells the backstory of the sisters Vi and Jinx and is set in the cities of Piltover and Zhaun. The elaborate animation, emotional storyline, and complex characters made "Arcane" a global phenomenon. The series won several awards, including an Emmy, and is still considered one of the best video game adaptations ever.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Another major success followed in 2022 with "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners". The anime series is set in the "Cyberpunk 2077" universe and tells the story of young David Martinez, who fights for survival in the brutal metropolis of Night City. Studio Trigger delivered a visually stunning series that not only received outstanding reviews but also helped reignite interest in the video game itself.
The Witcher: The Fantasy Flagship
Although "The Witcher" is originally based on the novels by Andrzej Sapkowski, the brand is best known today for the successful video games by CD Projekt Red. The live-action series starring Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia quickly became one of Netflix's most successful productions. The franchise now includes several seasons, as well as the prequel "The Witcher: Blood Origin" and the animated film "The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf".
Dragon's Dogma
With "Dragon's Dogma", Netflix brought Capcom's action role-playing game series to the screen in 2020. The anime series tells the story of the warrior Ethan, who sets out to hunt a dragon. Although the series received mixed reviews, it demonstrated that Netflix is willing to adapt even lesser-known video game franchises.
DOTA: Dragon's Blood
The anime series "DOTA: Dragon's Blood" is based on Valve's popular multiplayer game "Dota 2". It centers on the dragon knight Davion, who becomes caught up in a conflict between gods, dragons, and magic. The series ran for several seasons and built a loyal fan base, particularly among fantasy and anime fans.
Tekken: Bloodline
With "Tekken: Bloodline", Bandai Namco's famous fighting game series also got its own Netflix series. It tells the story of Jin Kazama and the legendary King of Iron Fist Tournament. The series was aimed primarily at longtime fans of the game series and featured numerous iconic characters and battles.
Dragon Age: Absolution
BioWare's role-playing game universe also found its way to Netflix with "Dragon Age: Absolution". The series tells a standalone story set in the familiar fantasy universe and expands the lore of the game series.
Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft
"Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft" marked the return of one of the most famous video game heroines of all time. The animated series picks up where the modern game trilogy left off and follows Lara Croft on new adventures around the world.
Sonic Prime
Sega's famous mascot also got his own Netflix series with "Sonic Prime". While the show is primarily aimed at a younger audience, it also features numerous references to the series' long history.
Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix
This unusual animated series is loosely based on "Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon" and brings together numerous Ubisoft brands in a shared universe. The wild mix of action, satire, and science fiction has made "Captain Laserhawk" one of Netflix's most creative video game adaptations.
Devil May Cry
With "Devil May Cry", Netflix brought another well-known Capcom franchise to the screen. The series, centered on demon hunter Dante, features fast-paced action and stylish cinematography and is one of the streaming service's most recent gaming adaptations.
Pokémon Concierge
Although "Pokémon Concierge" is aimed at a younger audience, the stop-motion series still showcases a completely new side of the Pokémon universe. Instead of epic battles, the focus is on relaxation and the relationship between humans and Pokémon.
"Persona" Coming Soon
With the announced live-action series based on "Persona", Netflix is further expanding its gaming portfolio. It's still unclear which game the series will be based on, but the popular JRPG series should fit perfectly into the streaming service's strategy.
In recent years, Netflix has impressively demonstrated that video game adaptations can be much more than just a niche product. With hits like "Arcane", "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners", and "Castlevania", the streaming service has significantly raised the bar for the genre. Given the growing number of projects, one thing seems certain: the connection between video games and streaming series will only grow stronger in the coming years.
