Get ready to celebrate, gamers, because 2026 is shaping up to be a monumental year for gaming anniversaries! But here's where it gets exciting: while iconic franchises like The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Dragon Quest, Kid Icarus, and Castlevania are all turning 40, and Sonic the Hedgehog is hitting 35, it’s Persona and Pokémon that are stealing the spotlight with their 30th birthdays. With so many milestones, the next 12 months are bound to be packed with celebrations—but let’s kick things off with Persona, a franchise that’s already making waves.
Earlier this week, Japanese developer Atlus launched an official website (https://asia.sega.com/p30th/en/) dedicated to Persona's 30th anniversary. And this is the part most people miss: while the site is still light on content, it features stunning new artwork by character designer Shigenori Soejima. What’s truly surprising? The team is finally giving Persona 1 and Persona 2 some well-deserved love—something fans have been waiting ages for!
The first anniversary announcement? Fitness Boxing Persona 5 (https://twitter.com/FitBoxingInfo/status/2006561021620584708). Sure, it’s not Persona 6, but for fans of the series—which has collaborated with Japanese icons like Fist of the North Star and Hatsune Miku—it’s a fun twist. Imagine breaking a sweat with Joker or Ryuji as your trainers (just pray Kamoshida isn’t involved). Developed by Imagineer, the Fitness Boxing series has been a Nintendo Switch exclusive, so expect this entry to follow suit.
But here’s the real question: Is this just the appetizer? The website teases a bigger announcement on January 8th. While it could be merch, discounts, or updates on the Persona orchestral concert (https://www.eurogamer.net/individual-diablo-hades-and-persona-orchestral-musical-concerts-are-coming-to-london-and-if-last-years-baldurs-gate-3-concert-was-anything-to-go-by-you-wont-want-to-miss-them), there’s a chance we’ll hear about Persona 4 Revival (https://www.eurogamer.net/persona-4-revival-will-be-enjoyable-in-a-new-and-different-way-says-series-boss) or even Persona 6. Controversial take: Could Atlus be holding back a major reveal to avoid overshadowing other anniversaries? Or are they saving the best for last?
Let’s not forget Persona 5: The Phantom X, the gacha title that’s been a hit in Japan. A console port feels inevitable, and the 30th anniversary seems like the perfect time to announce it. So, mark your calendars for next week’s reveal and keep your fingers crossed for something big. In the meantime, I’ll be humming “You’ll never see it coming” on repeat.
What do you think? Is Fitness Boxing Persona 5 a clever collab, or a missed opportunity for something bigger? And what are you most excited to see from Persona’s 30th anniversary? Let’s debate in the comments!
