A Netflix Persona live-action series is reportedly in development, with the streaming platform preparing to adapt one of the most beloved Japanese role-playing game franchises for television. According to a new report, Netflix is working on a live-action series based on Atlus’ Persona franchise, with production companies Story Kitchen and 21 Laps involved in the project. Story Kitchen is known for producing the Sonic the Hedgehog film franchise for Sega, while 21 Laps was founded by Shawn Levy, the producer behind major titles including Stranger Things, Deadpool & Wolverine and Free Guy.
The project has not yet been described as fully finalised, but the reported development marks another major step in Netflix’s ongoing push into video game adaptations.
Christopher Monfette Attached as Writer and Showrunner
According to the report, Christopher Monfette is attached to write the Persona adaptation and serve as executive producer and showrunner. Monfette has previously worked as a writer and producer on several television projects, including Star Trek: Picard, 12 Monkeys and 9-1-1. He is also involved as a writer and producer on Marvel Television’s upcoming VisionQuest series for Disney Plus.
His involvement suggests Netflix may be looking to build Persona as a serious character-driven series rather than a simple action adaptation. That could be important, because the Persona games are known as much for their emotional storytelling and social relationships as they are for supernatural battles.
Why Persona Could Work as a TV Series
The Persona franchise has strong potential for a television adaptation because of its structure. Most Persona games follow groups of Japanese high school students who live ordinary daily lives while also becoming involved in supernatural conflicts. The characters attend school, build friendships, face personal struggles and gradually uncover larger threats hidden beneath the surface of normal life.
This combination of school drama, psychological themes and fantasy action could translate well into an episodic series. Each episode could explore relationships, personal trauma, mystery, action and the strange worlds where the characters summon their Personas.
The franchise’s central idea is also visually strong. Personas are supernatural manifestations of a character’s inner self, often used in battles against dark forces. That gives a live-action series room for striking visuals, emotional symbolism and high-stakes fantasy sequences.
What Is the Persona Franchise?
The Persona series began in 1996 with the release of Persona for the original PlayStation. The franchise started as a spinoff of Shin Megami Tensei, another well-known Japanese role-playing game series from Atlus. Over time, Persona developed its own identity and became one of Atlus’ most successful and recognisable properties. Its popularity also reflects the wider strength of modern gaming culture, where players continue to follow major releases, role-playing titles and the best multiplayer games across platforms.
The series has since produced multiple mainline entries, spinoffs, rereleases and expanded media projects. Its most recent mainline game, Persona 5, was released in 2016 and became a major global success, helping introduce the franchise to an even wider international audience. The next mainline game, Persona 6, was announced in early June, although it does not yet have a release date.
Persona 5 Could Shape Expectations
Although the report does not confirm which Persona game Netflix will adapt, many fans will naturally think of Persona 5. Persona 5 is widely considered the most internationally recognisable entry in the franchise. It follows a group of students known as the Phantom Thieves, who enter supernatural worlds connected to corrupt adults and attempt to change their hearts.
The game’s stylish visual identity, jazz-inspired soundtrack, themes of rebellion and strong cast of characters helped make it a defining modern role-playing game.
If Netflix chooses to adapt Persona 5 directly, the series could have a clear story foundation and a built-in global fan base. If it instead creates an original Persona story, the adaptation may have more freedom while still using the franchise’s core ideas.
Netflix Continues Its Video Game Adaptation Push
The reported Netflix Persona live-action series fits into the streamer’s broader investment in video game adaptations. The project also adds to the growing list of movies and series based on video games, as studios continue turning major gaming franchises into mainstream entertainment. Netflix has found major success with animated adaptations, including Arcane, based on Riot Games’ League of Legends, as well as series inspired by Castlevania, Cyberpunk 2077, Devil May Cry and Tomb Raider. The same shift is visible in cloud gaming, where major franchises are reaching audiences beyond traditional consoles and physical game ownership.
However, the company’s live-action video game adaptations have had a more uneven record. Its live-action Resident Evil series lasted only one season, while Netflix’s planned BioShock movie remains in development.
That mixed history may make Persona a challenging project, but also an important one. If handled carefully, it could become one of Netflix’s most distinctive live-action game adaptations.
Why Story Kitchen and 21 Laps Matter
The involvement of Story Kitchen and 21 Laps could be significant. Story Kitchen has experience turning video game properties into screen projects, especially through its work on the Sonic the Hedgehog films. Those movies helped prove that game adaptations can become mainstream box office successes when they respect the source material while also appealing to wider audiences.
21 Laps, meanwhile, brings strong television credentials through Stranger Things. That connection may be especially relevant for Persona, because both properties involve young characters, supernatural danger, emotional bonds and hidden worlds beneath everyday life.
While Persona has a very different tone and cultural identity, a production team familiar with ensemble storytelling and genre television could help shape it for streaming audiences.
The Challenge of Adapting Persona
Adapting Persona into live action will not be simple. The games are known for their long stories, complex social systems, stylised battles and deep character arcs. A television adaptation would need to balance everyday school life with supernatural action while keeping the emotional heart of the franchise intact.
Another challenge is cultural setting. Persona is strongly rooted in Japanese youth culture, school life and urban environments. Any adaptation would need to decide whether to preserve that setting closely or reinterpret it for a broader international audience.
Fans are likely to watch those choices carefully. Persona has a passionate audience, and any major change to its tone, characters or themes could generate strong reactions.
Final Thoughts
The reported Netflix Persona live-action series could become one of the streamer’s most ambitious video game adaptations if it moves forward. With Story Kitchen, 21 Laps and Christopher Monfette attached, the project has creative names connected to successful genre entertainment and game-based storytelling. The Persona franchise also offers a strong foundation, combining school drama, supernatural action, psychological themes and emotionally driven characters.
Nothing is fully confirmed yet, and the adaptation still appears to be in development. But if Netflix can capture the style, emotion and strange beauty of Atlus’ games, Persona could become a major new live-action series for fans of both Japanese role-playing games and supernatural television. Viewers looking for more streaming recommendations can also explore the best Arabic series to watch in 2026.