"Can you capture someone's spirit in a photograph?"
The city of Madasui, Japan would otherwise be normal if not for that question. With its various districts, it's local academy, and a number of historic sites, it seems like a town well-groomed for tourists and scholars... Yet recently, individuals photographed near one of the city's two rivers have been waking up "empty." Those affected lose themselves over time - their memories, their motivations, and their emotions. At last, they become nothing more than empty shells...
Ordinary people are having bizarre dreams. Sometimes they're drowning, sometimes they see twisted memories of their past, and sometimes it's nothing more than a massive museum. These people - unknowingly - have access to a power called Persona, and only they can find the truth... But first, they have to lose themselves to the phenomenon.
Though they can reclaim themselves by awakening their power, there are more things than just a loss of self to deal with in Madasui. A parallel, colourless version of the city exists - filled with creatures called "Shadows," manifestations of repressed human emotion.