Atlus producer Kazushi Wada has again explained why Persona 3 Portable's popular female protagonist (FeMC), Kotone Shiomi/Minako Arisato, is unlikely to appear in Persona 3 Reload.
In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Wada revealed that while initially considered, including the FeMC—even as post-launch DLC alongside Episode Aigis - The Answer—proved too costly and time-consuming. The Persona 3 Reload team, focused on delivering a faithful remake of the 2006 classic released in February, ultimately deemed adding the FeMC unfeasible.
Wada stated that the development time and costs were simply unmanageable. Even exploring DLC options proved impossible within the current development window. He expressed his apologies to fans who hoped for her inclusion, stating that it's now highly improbable.
Many fans anticipated the FeMC's presence, either at launch or as post-release content, given her popularity in Persona 3 Portable. However, Wada's comments solidify the unlikelihood of her appearance. He previously emphasized to Famitsu that adding her would have required significantly more time and resources than Episode Aigis, presenting insurmountable hurdles. He reiterated that, unfortunately, there is no possibility of including the female protagonist.