Aniplex Of America have announced that the Japanese Blu-ray of the anime Shin Megami Tensei: Persona3 THE MOVIE #1 Spring Of Birth — which is based on the 2006 video game Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 — will be available in other countries, in limited numbers, and in both Standard and Collector’s Editions, starting May 20th.
The anime is the first animated movie based on the role-playing game, and features the same Japanese voice cast. It was directed by Tomohisa Taguchi, who worked on the 2011 TV show Persona 4 The Animation, and written by Jun Kumagai, who wrote Persona 4 The Animation as well as the anime movie Aura: Koga Maryuin’s Last War.
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona3 THE MOVIE #1 Spring Of Birth is also the first in a series of three films based on the game. The second movie, Shin Megami Tensei: Persona3 THE MOVIE #2 Midsummer’s Night Dream, will be out in Japan on June 7th.
As for the Blu-rays, both the Standard and Collector’s Editions will include the Director’s Cut of the film, which adds seven previously unseen minutes, as well as the original 90-minute-long theatrical cut. Both versions are presented in Japanese with English subtitles.
The two Blu-rays will also include the original trailers and TV commercials, as well as an audio commentary, though that commentary will be in Japanese.
The Collector’s Edition will also add a soundtrack CD, 10 stickers, four key art illustration cards, a 48-page booklet (which, again, is in Japanese), a different cover, and exclusive box art by animation director/character designer Keisuke Watabe.
In addition, if you order the Collector’s Edition from Animplex Of America — which you can do here — you’ll receive an English version of the booklet.
Currently available for pre-ordering, the Standard Edition Blu-ray of Shin Megami Tensei: Persona3 THE MOVIE #1 Spring Of Birth will retail for $74.98 (but is $59.98 on Aniplex Of America’s website) while the Collector’s Edition is $99.98 (and, again, $79.98 on Aniplex Of America’s website).
