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'Persona 5' release date 2016: Japan, US releases confirmed; E3 attendees gets treated to live stream

A screenshot of "Persona 5," which will have a 2016 Japanese release and a 2017 Western launch. | Atlus/Persona 5 Official Website

Atlus, the game developer behind "Persona 5," has just confirmed that the game will officially be released in Japan on Sept. 15. It will be made available to PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 users. Meanwhile, the United States release of said game is expected on Valentine's Day 2017.

Some people are wondering why the U.S. release of "Persona 5" on PS3 and PS4 has been pushed farther than the promised 2015 launch, but apparently, a Feb. 14, 2017 release date was necessary to make sure "every bit is in place." The PlayStation blog said "the biggest factor in the 2017 release date is attention to detail," and that fans would know what they mean when "Persona 5" is highlighted at E3.

Moreover, they announced that a special "Take Your Heart" Premium Edition would be made exclusively available to the "Persona 5" PS4 version. The collectible box will contain a soundtrack CD, a 64-page hardcover art book, a school bag that features the Shujin Academy crest, a 4" Morgana plush, and a SteelBook collectible case.

Yibada reported that Atlus would announce further details about the game at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), which will be held in Los Angeles on June 14-16. The developers will bring along Soijima as they respond to questions from their avid fans during the Question and Answer session at E3. More guest appearances and activities are in store for gamers then.

"Persona 5" will be introducing a new protagonist who will assume the identity of Phantom Thief. He will make it his mission to steal several individuals' corrupted hearts dubbed as "treasures" and attempt to change the existing state of the world, particularly from its dark and corrupted influences. Haru Okumura, Ann Takamaki, Ryuji Sakamoto, Futaba Sakura, Yusuke Kitagawa, Makoto Niisshima, and a mysterious talking cat, Morgana will join the main protagonist in his adventures.

Some notable features of this latest release will include new personas for each character, "All out Attacks," several real-life activities, new weapons, and a stealth-style feature called "Sneak."

Atlus has also announced that an anime special titled "Persona 5 the Animation – The Day Breakers" will air in September before the official Japanese launch date of "Persona 5."

Meanwhile, Atlus will host a special live stream titled "Uncover the Phantom Thieves!" at the E3. It will air on June 15 at 9:00 p.m. or 5:00 a.m. PT, 8:00 a.m. ET, and 12:00 p.m. GMT. There is no word yet as to what will be shown in the live stream, but new "Persona 5" videos would most likely be included.

"Persona 5" will have a Japan launch on Sept. 15, 2015, while the U.S. launch will happen on Feb. 14, 2017. No dates have been disclosed for the United Kingdom release.