While fans of the Persona franchise have a lot to look forward to in the near future, what with Persona 4 Revival coming soon and the long-awaited Persona 6 set to follow, fans of the series could be seeking an alternative in the meantime. Many will have done all there is to do in Persona 3 Reload by now, and with the franchise having a very specific style, it’s likely difficult to find an alternative that scratches the same itch. Fortunately, a newly revealed game called Astrae Oratio is set to release in 2026, and it offers Persona’s focus on student life and turn-based combat, with magical girl elements also present.
This promising Persona-like game will feel familiar enough due to its flashy splash screens, damage number pop-ups, and yes, the presence of guns. While not every character is packing like the cast of Atlus’ Persona 5 — only one member of the cast is shown wielding a gun, with the others having distinct weapons like throwable explosives, light swords, and more — the general vibe is present. However, as the comments on the reveal trailer have pointed out, there’s more to the game’s appeal than its Persona traits, as its character models also feel like a callback to 90s magical girl anime like Sailor Moon. Those interested in this magician-focused anime game can read further, though it’s important to note that information is currently quite limited.
Even the platforms Astrae Oratio will be available on are unknown. Its HUD suggests a mobile release, though it could just as easily be available on PC as well or have a full console launch, too.
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Astrae Oratio Puts Players in Charge of a School of Magician Girls
Astrae Oratio’s world seems entirely centered around celebrating magic, though only dozens of magicians exist at any one time, as there is only one per district of the country. Players embody the role of a leading figure of a magic school that’s been granted the title of Shunin, and their job is to shape the girls’ magical talents and manage their personalities in the lead-up to a big magic expo later in the year. Preventing conflicts and handling them when they do arise will be key, with said clashes playing out as turn-based battles. Here, players can expect to see all the staples of the genre, from limit breaks and decision-making on what to use during each of their turns. Based on the footage shown, it seems like players will have 3 characters in their party at any given time.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Still, with a schooltime setting, the magical girls of Astrae Oratio will only be able to get in so much trouble. In addition to combat and cinematics where the characters interact and tell their stories, players can expect some management elements. Phone conversations and picking outfits for the students to wear are seemingly features shown within the trailer, and as the boss of a school, it can be assumed that players will have some control over how the girls spend their time. With the characters shown thus far having diverse weaponry that serves as an extension of their appearances and backstories, Astrae Oratio should be entertaining for it’s (likely) long runtime as a JRPG.
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Astrae Oratio is All About Its Characters
Currently, six characters have been properly revealed for Astrae Oratio, though details are scarce on a few of them:
- Tanaka Erin — Despite being raised in Japan and proud of her heritage, Tanaka’s mother being Irish has given her a distinctly western appearance. Tanaka discovered her magic accidentally during a chance encounter with fellow magicians Riria and Anna. In combat, the pink-haired Tanaka wields both a want and an energy blade.
- Anna M. Battenberg — A noble girl pressured by her family to find a partner, Anna resides with her family’s retired butler, who also is desperate to find her a match.
- Fujiwara Riria — A member of an iconic magician family, this blue-haired magic expert has mysteriously chosen to attend school and live the life of a normal student.
- Mitsuko Luna — This white-haired student comes from a middle-class family that fell into wealth purely because of a real estate boom. An only child, Mitsuko refuses to become arrogant but has a focused demeanor. Her combat stands out, as she wields a gun like Persona 5’s characters while also wielding ice magic.
- Akitsu Akina — Likely to he a fan favorite, Akitsu hunting for ghosts an urban legends during her spare time helps her stand out from the other students with difficult family lives. In combat, this redhead serves as the explosives expert of the group.
- ??? — Potentially a villain, the stinger attached to the Astrae Oratio trailer shows a fiery figure. With short dark hair covering her eyes and some dark dialogue, she’s clearly going for an edgey vibe, but the headphones around her neck suggest she’s still young and may he able to be rescued from a dark path.
In addition to the above characters, the Astrae Oratio website also fleshes out the world of the game. There is the Dominion Management Console, which is full of tiny busybodies who handle the day-to-day clerk work of the school, and the Special District Office, where the player character referred to as Shunin works. Hiwagishiakari Ai is the player’s boss and the one who hired him, though her bio — and the somewhat creepy bodygaurd doll created for Shunin — suggests gamers should keep an eye on her. Finally, there’s the mysterious Other Cabinet that rules the wider magical world, with the Death Mask and its constructed “persona” of the Signalman watching over everything. Given the design for Death Mask, this group feels like the obvious candidate for this anime game’s true antagonist.
With all other details on this game being kept under wraps at the moment, fans of anime games, Persona, the Sailor Moon franchise, and/or the overall magical girl vibe will have to keep their eyes peeled for further details. For now, bookmarking the Astrae Oratio website seems like the best way to stay in the loop.
