Persona 3 Reload is the thorough remake of the 2006 JRPG classic, and released back in February this year. The game reintroduces many features and mechanics unique to the installment, but the absence of Kotone/Minako grieved many fans. Despite fan dismay, Wada made it clear that including the character was simply not feasible.
"The more we discussed it, the more improbable it became," Wada explained. "The development time and costs would not have been achievable." Even if the idea of adding her through a DLC was considered, "but since it is not possible for us to release P3R with the female protagonist in this window, we just can’t do it," he reportedly said. "I'm really sorry to all of the fans who were holding out hope, but it is improbable never going to happen."
"For a female main character, I am sorry to say that regrettably, there is no feasibility," Wada allegedly expounded in an earlier interview with Famitsu. "The development time and cost would be several times longer than Episode Aigis, and the obstacles would be too high."