(Photography by James Chen at The Novo)
Fans of Atlus’ “Persona” game series were treated to two special events hosted by Anime Expo, on the third day of the convention on July 5, 2025. A late-morning panel in the Los Angeles Convention Center brought the Petree Hall to capacity with fans. This panel divulged the behind-the-scenes considerations and decision making details undertaken by the team behind the recently-released “Persona 5: The Phantom X”.
As the panel came closer to its conclusion, Lyn Inaizumi (going by just “Lyn” for contributions to Persona 5 as well as other music endeavors) appears alone on the cleared stage and gives fans a small preview of the special event to take place later in the afternoon. Lyn’s vocals underpin the most iconic music in “Persona 5” and her first performance in the U.S. begins with “Ambitions and Visions”, the opening theme of “Persona 5: The Phantom X”.
It’s time to break the spell
The audience erupts in cheers as Lyn adds vocal florish to the end of the verse and sustains the note effortlessly.
Stand up, gon’ persevere
The earlier jazz vocal stylings were merely a preview of the extraordinary vocal control and playfulness to be demonstrated with the end of this verse and the audience responds in kind, cheering and applauding even more excitedly than before.
The second, and last, song of this performance is the iconic “Life Will Change” from “Persona 5”. The audience cheers upon hearing the guitar riff that starts off the song.
Your empire will fall apart
Verse after verse is being delivered showcasing pitch variations with riffs and runs that the audience will only experience live and they once again erupt in applause.
Now we know that life will change
Lyn again demonstrates extraordinary vocal control inciting cheers from the audience, but by this point one should be forgiven for describing this as “showing off” amazing breath control and vocal technique.
that life will change
Lyn adds a partial lyrical refrain of the final verse and holds the note for an unbelievable duration decorated with riffs as the audience again bursts into ecstatic applause.
The afternoon’s Persona Music Experience concert event took place at The Novo, a live music venue a short walk from the convention center. As with the morning panel, The Novo was also now at capacity, filled with fans eager to see Lyn’s first full performance in the U.S.
Lyn appears on stage with the most radiant smile and asks the audience to get on up out of their seats - the audience appears more than happy to do so and have their light sticks at the ready.
Fans are delighted to hear some of the most iconc songs from “Persona 5” performend live:
- Colors Flying High
- Last Surprise
- Take Over
Toshiki Konishi, a composer for Atlus who has made various contributions to the Persona series, takes over the stage with his electric guitar to perform iconic instrumental songs from the “Persona 5” soundtrack:
- Keeper of Lust
- Blooming Villain
- Will Power
As well as a surprise from “Persona 3”: “Battle Hymn for the Soul”.
Lyn joins Konishi on stage and the concert proceeds with the two performing together, starting with the mellow “Beneath the Mask”.
I’m a shapeshifter - what else should I be?
Fans surely reminisced upon their time exploring nighttime Tokyo in “Persona 5” to the soothing vibe of this song.
The duo perform “Ambitions and Visions” followed by “Rivers in the Desert” and Lyn playfully demonstrates that incredible breath control and ability to sustain notes verse after verse.
Creating rivers in the desert
The audience is absolutely losing it and break into cheers and applause as the duo leave.
The crowd continuously chant and clap for an encore and the duo eventually return to the stage, with Lyn bearing a very exciting annoucement. Revealed to the audience in video form, a larger full production Persona Live concert event will take place in Los Angeles in January 2026. The video announcement contained footage of previous Persona Live performances in Japan featuring various vocalists and musicians.
For the encore, this dream-come-true of a day for Persona fans concluded with “Life Will Change”.
