Metaphor fans are in for a treat as the first chapter of the official Metaphor: ReFantazio manga makes its debut on the MANGA Plus website, available to read for free. Atlus has teamed up with the renowned manga publisher Shueisha to bring this exciting adaptation to life, illustrated by the talented Japanese manga author Yōichi Amano, known for works like Akaboshi: Ibun Suikoden and Stealth Symphony.
The manga takes a unique approach by diverging from the video game's original plot, introducing creative liberties that significantly alter the opening timeline. Notable changes in the first chapter include the omission of a specific beginning story area, the introduction of new events not present in the game, and a restructured narrative around how the protagonist, now canonically named Will, encounters his allies.
Mark your calendars for the next update, scheduled for February 19th, which will be released simultaneously with the Japanese version.
Metaphor: ReFantazio, Atlus’ latest intellectual property, has been developed by Studio Zero, led by Katsura Hashino, the acclaimed director and producer behind Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona 5. The game follows the protagonist, Will, and his fairy companion Gallica, on a quest to save the prince of the United Kingdom of Euchronia from a cursed fate.
The narrative takes a dramatic turn with the assassination of the king, plunging the kingdom into chaos and leaving it without a ruler. In his final moments, the king's dying wish is to entrust the kingdom to a leader chosen by the people, drawing Will into a grander adventure than he ever imagined.
Upon its release, Metaphor: ReFantazio achieved unprecedented success, selling over one million copies worldwide on its launch day, surpassing the sales of Persona 3: Reload, which was released earlier in 2024. The game has garnered widespread acclaim, earning high scores and prestigious awards at the 2024 The Game Awards, including Best RPG, Best Art Direction, and Best Narrative.
Metaphor: ReFantazio is available to play on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Xbox Series X|S.