Persona: Trinity Soul Premium Edition Part 2

Animé and Toons
Persona: Trinity Soul Premium Edition Part 2
By Chris Zimmerman
December 3, 2010 - 11:55

$59.98 US
Starring: Nobuhiko Okamoto, Miyuki Sawashiro, Kana Asumi
Directed by: Jun Matsumoto
Produced by: A-1 Pictures
Running Time: 307 minutes
Release Date: July 6, 2010
Distributors: NIS America

Thought-provoking anime are nothing new. In fact, it would seem that a majority of the titles coming out of Japan try so hard at presenting a deeper meaning than the subject matter actually conveys. Therefore, its nice to know that the complex themes pervading Persona: Trinity Soul are just that, engaging story elements that actually sweep the viewer into the story and make them want to continue watching to see the culmination to the story’s progression, even if it does test their patience in the process.

Based on a series of games of the same name, Persona: Trinity Soul picks up ten years later in the same universe. Beyond the name they have almost nothing to do with each other, dropping viewers into the lives of a new cast of characters that share familiar characteristics for the sake of those familiar with the games.

The series follows a trio of brothers named Ryo, Shin, and Jun who reunite after several years when a series of murders and supernatural phenomena weaves throughout their lives, thrusting them headlong into a massive conspiracy. As they delve further into the mystery, they happen across others who like them, are able to manifest psychic beings known as persona to be used in combat against each other.

The series becomes much more involving with this second installment, dividing the brothers and giving them a clear antagonist to do battle with. A character from the Persona games makes an appearance to aid the brothers in their battle but even this isn’t enough to halt the spread of unrest as several people who had once gone missing begin reappearing in bodies unfamiliar to them.

NIS brings gives Persona: Trinity Soul similar treatment to its past releases, with a sturdy art-box and a hardbound art book to compliment the release. The on disc extras are beefier than the norm, with a behind the scenes look at the various mysteries of the series with the producer of the animation studio. Clean closing and openings round out the extras.

Persona: Trinity Soul moves at a breakneck pace that threatens to lose those simply looking for an action romp. There is a lot for viewers to take in and while the pacing can seem a bit disjointed at times, the series is still worth checking out for those who don’t mind taxing their brains every now and then.

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