PERSONA5 the Animation
2018
There are sourced concerns, but the case is limited.
What counts as a cash grab?
Commercial extraction prioritized over meaningful consumer or creative value. Profit, popularity, adaptations, sequels, remakes, high budgets, and normal marketing do not count by themselves.
Why?
PERSONA5 the Animation is a 26-episode 2018 anime adaptation of Atlus's Persona 5, released on broadcast and later on multiple Blu-ray/DVD volumes and a high-priced complete Blu-ray set from Aniplex of America. Reporting and fan commentary cite rushed pacing, uneven and cheaply executed battle animation, and complaints it largely retells the game rather than adding substantial new material. Official product pages show bundled specials and typical Aniplex Blu-ray bonus content, with a complete set retailing near $299 in the US.
- Official Aniplex US complete Blu-ray set listed near $298.98, a high-priced physical bundle.
- Multiple community reviews and threads report terse pacing and low-quality battle animation suggesting low-effort adaptation choices.
- The series is a straightforward 26-episode retelling of the game with several bundled specials and standard Blu-ray bonuses.
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- Production credited to CloverWorks and distributed by Aniplex, indicating established studio backing rather than an ultra-minimal production.
Score factors
| Direction | Factor | Evidence | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| For | High-priced complete set | Aniplex of America announced a complete Blu-ray set priced at $298.98 for the 26-episode series and specials, indicating premium pricing for a retelling package.[2][1] | +20 |
| For | Criticized animation quality and pacing | Community discussion and reviewer comments repeatedly describe choppy, off-model and cheaply animated battle and action sequences, and complain the adaptation feels rushed and condensed.[4][5] | +18 |
| Against | Established studio and full series production | The anime was produced by CloverWorks and broadcast as a full 26-episode series with official Blu-ray/DVD releases and bundled specials, showing conventional production scope and distributor investment.[3][7] | -10 |
| For | Straightforward retelling of the game | The TV series adapts the Persona 5 game story across 26 episodes with additional special episodes released alongside Blu-ray volumes, indicating primarily retelling rather than a substantially new narrative.[3][6] | +9 |
| Against | Blu-ray bonus content and specials | Official Blu-ray/DVD listings note multiple bonus/special episodes and typical bonus content included in limited edition volumes and the complete set.[6][1] | -6 |
Confidence: Medium · Evidence includes official pricing and distribution materials and numerous community critiques indicating low-effort elements, however there is limited formal critical press explicitly labeling it a cash grab and official sources show standard production and bonus content which mitigate a definitive · Researched 2026-11-03
Sources reviewed
- [1]aniplexusa.com
- [2]www.crunchyroll.com
- [3]en.wikipedia.org
- [4]www.reddit.com
- [5]www.reddit.com
- [6]p5a.jp
- [7]www.aniplex.co.jp
- [8]store.aniplexusa.com
- [9]www.cdjapan.co.jp
- [10]www.aniplex.co.jp
View 15 more sourcesShow fewer sources
- [11]p5ausa.com
- [12]aniplexusa.com
- [13]www.justwatch.com
- [14]www.blu-ray.com
- [15]personacentral.com
- [16]aniplexusa.com
- [17]jmaf-promote.soulmatesinteractive.jp
- [18]en.wikipedia.org
- [19]pie.co.jp
- [20]www.reddit.com
- [21]www.reddit.com
- [22]www.reddit.com
- [23]zh.wikipedia.org
- [24]www.reddit.com
- [25]en.wikipedia.org
What does the community think?
The AI found some cash-grab signs. What's your read?
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