Speculation surrounding Persona 6 is growing as releases like Persona 3 Reload and Persona 5 Tactica approach. Fans have been theorizing about what Atlus has planned for the highly anticipated follow-up to Persona 5. While most information about Persona 6 is currently based on rumors and theories, it is likely that the game will continue the series' tradition of using a specific color motif in its design. Many fans are speculating that green could be the next color theme for the series, which could provide hints about what to expect from this installment.
The Persona series has always employed color to invoke specific emotions and set the tone for each title. This practice became most noticeable with Persona 3, which prominently featured blue as its primary color. This choice was fitting as blue elicits a sense of melancholy, capturing the darker and more somber tone of Persona 3. Persona 4 followed suit with yellow as its primary color, aligning with the game's cheerful and lively atmosphere. Persona 5, on the other hand, utilized red as a dominant color to reflect its themes of passion and justice.
How Green Could Come into Play in Persona 6
Green has numerous cultural connotations that could be expressed in Persona 6, with the most apparent one being its association with vitality and the natural world. This symbolism suggests that the game may feature a setting more in tune with nature compared to Persona 5's Tokyo or even Persona 4's quaint town of Inaba. Furthermore, it implies that the cycle of life, death, and rebirth could serve as a significant thematic element. In Japanese culture, green is often linked to eternal life, an aspiration or longing that could serve as a driving force for the game's characters.
Given that the concept of life and death is already a central theme in Persona 3, Persona 6 might want to avoid thematic repetition. Instead, green could embrace another commonly associated idea, namely greed or envy. In the Western world, the phrase "green with envy" is prevalent, and green is also often linked to money due to US dollar bills being green. While these associations may not be as prominent in Japan, they could still influence a narrative centered around themes of jealousy, excess, and the downfall that ensues from an abundance of wealth.
Green is commonly linked to positive emotions and progress, as seen in traffic lights. It has been proven to enhance mood when present in one's surroundings. Considering the incorporation of psychologist Carl Jung's ideas on the human psyche in the Persona series, it would be fitting for the game to utilize green's psychological impact. Persona 6 could resemble Persona 4 in the sense that it presents a positive and lively exterior while exploring darker underlying themes.
Furthermore, the color green could go beyond thematic elements and influence new gameplay mechanics. Since green is often associated with luck, Persona 6 could introduce a luck-based system for obtaining new Personas, similar to Persona 3 and Persona 4's Shuffle Time. This system would give players the opportunity to acquire new Personas and other rewards after battles. It is still too early to determine the exact role of color in Persona 6, but if it follows the anticipated green motif, there is ample potential for the color to play a significant role in the game.
Persona 6 is currently in development.