P4の声優、リメーク再登場を否定

The revelation from Yuri Lowenthal—voice actor for Yosuke Hanamura in Persona 4—that he was not asked to reprise his role in the long-anticipated Persona 4 remake adds significant weight to growing rumors of the game’s development. While Atlus and Sega have yet to officially confirm a remake, Lowenthal’s candid statement on BlueSky (formerly Twitter) serves as one of the most direct and credible indicators yet that a new version of the beloved RPG is in active production—likely in full swing.

His mention of "pleading" to return underscores how seriously he and likely other original cast members took the opportunity to rejoin the project. The fact that Atlus made the decision not to bring back key voices suggests a deliberate shift in casting strategy—possibly due to contractual constraints, creative direction, or even the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, which has raised concerns over AI voice usage and performer rights. Although Lowenthal is a union member, it's unclear whether the strike directly influenced casting choices; however, the broader industry tension around AI and voice replication remains a sensitive undercurrent.

That said, the timing is telling. Persona 3 Reload—a critically acclaimed and commercially successful remake—was announced during the 2023 Xbox Games Showcase, a major event known for launching high-profile RPGs. Given the success of the Persona 3 Reload project and the franchise’s momentum, a remake of Persona 4 is not only plausible but arguably a natural progression for Atlus.

The rumor mill has been active for years. Prior domain name registrations for persona4-remake.com and persona4renewed.com sparked speculation, and multiple leakers have previously claimed that Atlus is developing a modernized version of Persona 4, potentially using Unreal Engine 5 for enhanced visuals, gameplay revamps, and a fresh narrative polish.

Meanwhile, fans aren’t left waiting long for new Persona 5 content: Persona 5: The Phantom X, a new mobile and PC spin-off, is set for release on June 26, 2025, promising a continuation of the series’ signature style and themes.

As we head into the summer of 2024, expectations are high. The upcoming Xbox Games Showcase (likely in June 2024) and potentially Sony’s State of Play or Nintendo Direct could serve as the perfect stage for a formal announcement—possibly even a full reveal trailer—for the Persona 4 remake.

For now, Lowenthal’s statement stands as a quiet but seismic confirmation: the Persona 4 remake isn’t just a rumor. It’s real—and it’s happening.