"Persona 5 the Animation -The Day Breakers-" is a standalone special episode that serves as a prelude to the larger "Persona 5" anime series. The story is set in modern-day Tokyo and revolves around a group of high school students who discover they possess the ability to enter a metaphysical realm known as the Metaverse. Within this realm, they can confront the distorted desires of corrupt individuals by infiltrating their Palaces, which are manifestations of their subconscious minds. The protagonists, known as the Phantom Thieves, aim to reform society by stealing the "Treasure" from these Palaces, thereby forcing the targets to confront their crimes and change their ways.

The narrative focuses on the Phantom Thieves' mission to target a corrupt businessman named Kaneshiro Junya, who exploits his employees and engages in unethical business practices. The team, led by the protagonist Ren Amamiya (also referred to as Joker), includes Ryuji Sakamoto (Skull), Ann Takamaki (Panther), and Morgana, a mysterious cat-like creature who guides them through the Metaverse. Each member wields a Persona, a manifestation of their inner self, which grants them unique abilities to combat Shadows, the malevolent entities that inhabit the Palaces.

As the Phantom Thieves navigate Kaneshiro's Palace, they uncover his exploitative schemes and the suffering he inflicts on his workers. The group faces challenges in the form of security systems, puzzles, and powerful Shadows guarding the Treasure. Through teamwork, strategy, and the use of their Personas, they successfully steal the Treasure, leading to Kaneshiro's public confession of his crimes. The episode concludes with the Phantom Thieves reaffirming their commitment to targeting other corrupt individuals and bringing justice to society.

The story emphasizes themes of rebellion, justice, and the power of collective action, while also introducing key elements of the "Persona 5" universe, such as the Metaverse, Personas, and the moral ambiguity of the Phantom Thieves' methods. The episode serves as an accessible entry point for newcomers to the franchise while providing additional context for fans of the original game.