Katsura Hashino, the influential director renowned for his work on acclaimed JRPGs including Persona 3, Persona 4, Persona 5, and Catherine, has officially clarified his current role in the Persona franchise.
In a recent interview with Game Informer, Hashino reflected on his legacy with the series and detailed his focus on new creative endeavors within Atlus, under the banner of Studio Zero.
Hashino first made his mark as director of Persona 3, released in 2006 for the PlayStation 2.
Under his leadership, the Persona franchise expanded significantly, with both Persona 4 (2008) and Persona 5 (2016/2017) achieving critical and commercial success worldwide.
The series evolved into a key pillar for Atlus, spawning ports, spin-offs, and cross-platform releases, including on Nintendo Switch and the eShop, with Persona 5 Royal landing on the hybrid console in 2022. However, since the release of Persona 5, Hashino has transitioned away from directing the mainline Persona games.
Instead, he channeled his energy into launching Studio Zero, an internal team at Atlus devoted to original projects.
Studio Zero's debut title, Metaphor: Refantazio, garnered positive attention and marked a new chapter for Hashino and Atlus in the JRPG genre. Hashino explained his current position, stating that the next generation of developers at P-Studio (Atlus' Persona development division) has carried the series forward since his departure.
"Currently, my younger colleagues—those who joined after I did—have assumed leadership and are responsible for producing projects at P-Studio," Hashino told Game Informer.
He described himself as observing from a distance, offering support but no longer directly involved in shaping the Persona franchise post-Persona 5. Atlus' ongoing commitment to JRPGs remains clear as P-Studio propels Persona toward new audiences across multiple platforms, including the Nintendo Switch, while Studio Zero pursues fresh creative ground under Hashino's supervision.
The company has reported strong engagement and sales across the Persona series, with Persona 5 Royal alone selling over 1.3 million units worldwide as of 2022, reflecting the enduring global appeal of the franchise. Katsura Hashino's journey from Persona director to Studio Zero visionary underscores the dynamic evolution within Atlus and the broader JRPG landscape.
As fans anticipate new developments from both P-Studio and Studio Zero, it is clear that Hashino's legacy will continue to influence the genre, even as a new generation of creators steps forward.
In a recent interview with Game Informer, Hashino reflected on his legacy with the series and detailed his focus on new creative endeavors within Atlus, under the banner of Studio Zero.
Hashino first made his mark as director of Persona 3, released in 2006 for the PlayStation 2.
Under his leadership, the Persona franchise expanded significantly, with both Persona 4 (2008) and Persona 5 (2016/2017) achieving critical and commercial success worldwide.
The series evolved into a key pillar for Atlus, spawning ports, spin-offs, and cross-platform releases, including on Nintendo Switch and the eShop, with Persona 5 Royal landing on the hybrid console in 2022. However, since the release of Persona 5, Hashino has transitioned away from directing the mainline Persona games.
Instead, he channeled his energy into launching Studio Zero, an internal team at Atlus devoted to original projects.
Studio Zero's debut title, Metaphor: Refantazio, garnered positive attention and marked a new chapter for Hashino and Atlus in the JRPG genre. Hashino explained his current position, stating that the next generation of developers at P-Studio (Atlus' Persona development division) has carried the series forward since his departure.
"Currently, my younger colleagues—those who joined after I did—have assumed leadership and are responsible for producing projects at P-Studio," Hashino told Game Informer.
He described himself as observing from a distance, offering support but no longer directly involved in shaping the Persona franchise post-Persona 5. Atlus' ongoing commitment to JRPGs remains clear as P-Studio propels Persona toward new audiences across multiple platforms, including the Nintendo Switch, while Studio Zero pursues fresh creative ground under Hashino's supervision.
The company has reported strong engagement and sales across the Persona series, with Persona 5 Royal alone selling over 1.3 million units worldwide as of 2022, reflecting the enduring global appeal of the franchise. Katsura Hashino's journey from Persona director to Studio Zero visionary underscores the dynamic evolution within Atlus and the broader JRPG landscape.
As fans anticipate new developments from both P-Studio and Studio Zero, it is clear that Hashino's legacy will continue to influence the genre, even as a new generation of creators steps forward.
