Persona 5 Vol 1 kicks off the manga adaptation of the beloved JRPG with all the stylish flair, rebellious spirit, and simmering mystery you’d expect from the Phantom Thieves’ debut. For longtime fans of the game, this volume feels like coming home—dark subway tunnels, corrupt adults, and all. But even if you’re new to the world of Persona, Vol 1 makes sure you know what’s at stake right from the start: injustice, identity, and the strange power that awakens when people are pushed to the edge.
The story centers on Ren Amamiya (though some fans still lovingly call him Joker), a seemingly quiet transfer student with a criminal record and a tendency to attract trouble. Right from the first few pages, you get the sense that something’s off. Society has written him off as a delinquent, but the truth behind his past is murky—and that mystery hangs over every interaction he has in his new life at Shujin Academy. You feel for the guy immediately: cold shoulders from classmates, harsh stares from teachers, and a world ready to chew him up before giving him a chance.
Vol 1 wastes no time introducing Kamoshida, the sleazy gym teacher whose abuse of power is the first major conflict the Phantom Thieves face. Kamoshida’s portrayal is every bit as detestable in the manga as in the game—he’s smug, manipulative, and genuinely terrifying in his unchecked authority over the students. The tension builds fast as Ren and his soon-to-be partner-in-crime, Ryuji Sakamoto, realize they can’t just sit back and let this guy ruin lives.
The Metaverse makes its grand, trippy entrance early on, and the manga does a fantastic job capturing the surreal nightmare of the first Palace. The backgrounds shift from oppressive school hallways to twisted castle corridors in a way that feels fluid and dangerous. The Persona awakenings are another highlight—dramatic, emotional, and oh-so-stylish. When Ren finally dons his mask and summons Arsène, it’s a moment that practically explodes off the page.
Art-wise, Vol 1 is slick and energetic. The action scenes are sharp and easy to follow, character expressions nail the emotional beats, and the Phantom Thieves’ signature coolness oozes from every panel. There’s also a good mix of dark atmosphere and light-hearted school life moments, giving you breathing room between the heavier themes.
One thing the manga does well is streamline the story without sacrificing depth. It trims some of the side content from the game (understandably), but keeps the emotional weight intact. Ren’s internal struggle, Ryuji’s frustration, and Ann Takamaki’s quiet pain over Kamoshida’s harassment all feel raw and real. Ann’s introduction, in particular, is handled sensitively, showing her strength even in the face of humiliation and fear.
If there’s a downside, it’s that the pacing feels a bit brisk compared to the slower build of the game. Some character moments don’t have as much room to breathe. But for a first volume, it gets the job done: introduce the players, set the stakes, and leave you wanting more.
By the end of Vol 1, the seeds of rebellion have been planted. The Phantom Thieves of Hearts are ready to rise, and the battle against corruption is only just beginning. Whether you’re a veteran Phantom Thief or a curious newcomer, Persona 5 Vol 1 is a thrilling start to a stylish saga of rebellion, justice, and teenage angst wrapped in velvet darkness.
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