Persona 4 remake loses key voice actors, fans aren’t thrilled

Two major Persona voice actors just confirmed they won’t be returning for the long-rumoured Persona 4 remake. First, it was Yuri Lowenthal, the voice of Yosuke, and now it’s Erin Fitzgerald, who voiced Chie. Neither was invited back to reprise their roles, and both say they asked to be included. That’s not just disappointing—it’s fuel on the fire for fans who’ve been speculating about the remake for years.

There’s still no official announcement from Atlus or Sega, but these public posts strongly suggest something’s in the works. Whether or not we get a full reveal soon, the cast shakeup is already sparking reactions—and not the good kind.

“And for those who keep asking, no, I will not be returning as Yosuke for the Persona 4 remake. I asked. Maybe I even begged, but they don’t want me to come back.” — Yuri Lowenthal, via Bluesky

Erin Fitzgerald echoed the same situation the next day:

“For those asking, I have not been asked to reprise my role as Chie Satonaka in the Persona 4 remake. RIP. I am blessed to have recorded as many Persona 4 games as I did playing her.” — Erin Fitzgerald, via Bluesky

That’s two confirmations, two fan favourites, and two clear signs that Atlus is either recasting or taking the remake in a new direction. Neither actor seems bitter—just disappointed.

Persona 4 remake has been whispered about for years

The Persona 4 remake hasn’t been officially announced, but let’s not kid ourselves. Between job listings, insider leaks, and now former cast members acknowledging it exists, the writing’s on the wall. Atlus just hasn’t said the words out loud.

Persona 3 Reload dropped in 2024 with a full cast refresh, so this isn’t new territory for Atlus. That remake was received well, but it still sparked debates around nostalgia and authenticity. Doing the same thing with Persona 4, a game that built an intense emotional connection with its cast, might not go over as smoothly.

Persona’s cultural weight is massive

Since Persona 3, Atlus' RPG series has gone from niche cult favourite to full-blown cultural force. Persona 5 made the franchise a global name. The stylish UI, mature themes, anime adaptations, live concerts, and constant fan art—this is more than just another JRPG. It’s a lifestyle brand now.

Persona 4, in particular, played a crucial role. Released on PS2 in 2008, it blended slice-of-life storytelling with murder mystery and supernatural battles. Its golden-hour vibe, small-town setting, and emphasis on friendship made it resonate with players in a different way. When Persona 4 Golden launched on Vita in 2012, it basically carried the entire system.

The voice cast helped define that legacy. Chie’s tomboy energy, Yosuke’s dorky charm—they were part of why the game stuck with people. Recasting those voices without clear reasons or transparency? That’s a tough sell.

The franchise timeline shows how big Persona got

Here’s a breakdown of major Persona titles and how they helped shape the series:

That Metacritic average? Very few franchises pull those kinds of numbers. This is one of Japan’s biggest exports in gaming, period.

What does this mean going forward?

Atlus might be aiming to future-proof the remake with a younger or more consistent voice cast. That was the logic with Persona 3 Reload, but fans of Persona 4 are louder, more nostalgic, and have been replaying that game for 15 years. These voice actors are the characters for a lot of people.

There’s also the question of communication. If two beloved actors are publicly saying they tried to come back and were turned away, it paints Atlus in a weird light. Why not let them return, even for legacy bonus content? Why not explain the casting change before leaks and confirmations start showing up on Bluesky?

The remake reveal is inevitable now

With two cast members confirming their exclusion, a Persona 4 remake announcement feels closer than ever. If Atlus is sticking to a 2025 release, expect a full reveal during the next summer showcase cycle or Tokyo Game Show. They might even follow the Persona 3 Reload pattern and give us a flashy trailer with new voice snippets.

Either way, fans have already noticed—and they won’t stay quiet if the full cast changes without warning.

Direct confirmation without a press release isn’t the best way to kick off a remake of one of your most beloved games. Atlus might want to get ahead of this before it spirals.