Kita-san spotted a 4 page Persona 3 Portable interview with Atlus Persona game director, Katsura Hashino in this April's issue of Dengeki Playstation with some interesting details in it...

When asked about the next Persona title that they are about to start, Hashino made no comment whether it was Persona 5 or on which platform it will be other than it will have new features.

However, in answer to fans hoping for a Persona 4 Portable, he comments that they will not be producing it unless they can find some method of including certain content that they couldn't when they developed P3P. Maybe he means the realtime 3D cutscenes that were in the original PS2 game but were removed in the portable version?

He goes on that if they did indeed produce P4P, there would be some sort of cross-over in it with other games which, I presume means that they would have some P3P cameos as Atlus tradition goes.

By saying they won't produce P4P, I think he's pretty bluntly stating that the next Persona title will indeed be Persona 5. Also... I don't see why they can't develop the game on two UMDs if there's a space issue just like what Falcom did with their Legend of Heroes VI Second Chapter RPG?

In any case, I'm hoping it won't be for the PS3 because it would be another major reason for me to buy the console. I highly doubt they would make a Persona game with real life-like graphics, though ^^;

And while we're on the subject of Atlus' Persona series, let me remind you a Persona 4 Drama CD Vol. 3 will be released on May 26th - Just in case you missed it on my Twitter and don't know already! Look out for the goods on Play-Asia if you're interested.

The last volume 2 drama was hilarious even though it had your typical "girls can't cook" Anime/Manga scenario.

This time, the drama is set in the year 2011 autumn. The gang is having a study group together at the MC's house. While studying, they start to question why do they study? The school sports festival is also coming up and they wonder why they bother with that too when their classmates' motivation are as low as their own.

Cue "Signs of Love" track from the OST.

I guess this issue with motivation is something everyone goes through sometime, not just with school so it will be interesting to listen. Personally I think studying helps expand our skills, helps us get closer to achieving our goals and allows us to take better care of ourselves and others.

As for this sports festival event... I think it's creating memories and spending time with others.

Well, until the next bit of Persona news!