Famitsu Poll Reveals Kei Nanjo as Persona 1's Most Popular Character
Famitsu published results from a fan survey celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Persona series. The poll, featured in Weekly Famitsu, ranked characters, Personas, and games across the franchise. For Persona 1, Kei Nanjo was the most popular party member, while Yamaoka was the most impactful Persona. A majority of respondents had not played the original game.
Key points
- Famitsu launched a fan survey in July to mark the 30th anniversary of the Persona series, with results published in the latest issue of Weekly Famitsu.
- In the Persona 1 section, 63.8% of respondents reported never playing the game, while 23.4% played the original PlayStation version and 12.8% played the PSP port.
- Kei Nanjo was the most popular party member in Persona 1 with 1,690 votes, followed by the protagonist with 1,160 votes and Elly Kirishima with 418 votes.
- Yamaoka was the most impactful Persona in Persona 1 with 729 votes, ahead of Seimen Kongou (228 votes) and Vishnu (191 votes).
- The poll included rankings for characters, Personas, and games across the entire Persona series, not just Persona 1.
Background
The Persona series, developed by Atlus, has been a staple of the Japanese RPG genre for three decades. This poll coincides with the franchise's 30th anniversary, a milestone that has prompted similar celebrations in other gaming franchises, such as Quake's 30th-anniversary update and Pokémon's 30th-anniversary card release. While the archive notes Sony's recent PS5 update adding regional popularity widgets, this Famitsu poll represents a direct fan-driven assessment of the Persona series' enduring legacy.
Why it matters
The poll provides a quantitative snapshot of fan engagement with the Persona series three decades after its inception. The high percentage of respondents who have not played the original game suggests that the series' popularity has expanded significantly beyond its initial audience, likely driven by later entries and media adaptations. The results also highlight which characters and mechanics have left the most lasting impression, offering insights into the series' cultural impact and potential directions for future anniversary projects or remakes.
What to watch
Famitsu may publish further analysis or related content in upcoming issues of Weekly Famitsu. Atlus could potentially use the poll results to inform future anniversary celebrations, such as remasters, compilations, or new media projects. The gaming community may also engage in discussions about the poll results, particularly regarding the popularity of older characters and games.
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