Arahabaki

Arahabaki is a recurring demon in the series.

History
Arahabaki is a Japanese god of uncertain origin. His portrayal in the Megami Tensei franchise is influenced by Tsugaru Soto-Sangunshi, a forgery compiled in the 1970s. The contents of the document and even the circumstances in which it was purportedly found prove that it was not genuine, but due to coverage in occult magazines between the 1970s and early 2000s it's relatively often referenced in popculture. Inaccuracies include descriptions of natural disasters which never happened, scientific discoveries stated to occur in incorrect time periods, and references to XXth century urban legends in purported XVIIIth century chronicles. Arahabaki is also stated to be a god exclusively associated with the Tohoku region in it - however, most place names related to this deity aren't even located in the north.

According to Tsugaru Soto-Sangunshi, Momunofu were his servants and before his religion was submerged by the Shinto pantheon, Arahabaki was worshipped in Japan's northeastern regions as a god of travelers. He was also worshipped by Nagasunehiko, an enemy of Emperor Jimmu, and so by the Emperor's orders Arahabaki became a symbol of treachery, rebellion and heresy and his worship was forbidden for a long period afterwards.

The genuine Arahabaki is a god said to be capable of healing medical problems related to the lower half of the body. An association with ironworks is also suggested sometimes.

The dogu figurines on which both the description of Arahabaki in Tsugaru Soto-Sangunshi and his Megami Tensei design are based on actually aren't connected to this deity and date back to the neolithic Jomon culture. Their purpose remains uncertain, though religious and apotropaic functions are often ascribed to them by researchers.

Appearances

 * Megami Tensei II: Brute Race
 * Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei: Brute Race
 * Shin Megami Tensei: Deity Race
 * Shin Megami Tensei II: Kunitsu Race
 * Shin Megami Tensei: if...: Kunitsu Race
 * Shin Megami Tensei NINE: Kunitsu Race
 * Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne: Vile Race
 * Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE: Nation Ruler Race
 * Shin Megami Tensei IV: Kunitsu Race
 * Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse: Kunitsu Race
 * Shin Megami Tensei V: Kunitsu Race
 * Majin Tensei II: Spiral Nemesis: Chigi Race
 * Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army: Frost Order
 * Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon: Frost Order
 * Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Lone Marebito
 * Soul Hackers 2: Deity Race
 * Persona 3 / FES / Portable: Hermit Arcana
 * Persona 3 The Movie: Hermit Arcana
 * Persona 4 / Golden: Hermit Arcana
 * Persona 4 The Animation: Hermit Arcana
 * Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth: Hermit Arcana
 * Persona 5 / Royal: Hermit Arcana
 * Persona 5 Strikers: Hermit Arcana
 * Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth: Hermit Arcana
 * Shin Megami Tensei Trading Card: Card Summoner: Kunitsu Race
 * Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner: Evil Race
 * Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner 2: Icon Race
 * Devil Survivor 2 / Record Breaker: Deity Race
 * Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2: Vile Race

Shin Megami Tensei


Arahabaki appears as a rare encounter in the Imperial Palace. He can later be recruited in Tokyo Destinyland after beating the devil summoner there in the Neutral route.

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne
Arahabaki can be obtained by evolving Momunofu when he has enough experience at level 24. Upon evolving, it will always lose Brutal Slash due to lacking a weapon. Arahabaki has the ability to Repel Ice and void Expel, Death and Physical attacks. However, it is weak to the remaining affinities. Arahabaki can also be encountered at the Obelisk as a random encounter, but as a Vile demon, cannot be recruited through any means, even during Full Kagutsuchi and while begging for its life.

A strong Arahabaki that can cast Makarakarn to protect its weaknesses aside from ailments can be bought in the Labyrinth of Amala from a Shady Broker that lies behind a door that only opens to a demon of light. As such, the Demi-fiend's title must be Light-aligned before he can attempt to purchase this Arahabaki.

Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE
Arahabaki can only be acquired through fusion. It appears as the final boss of Ichigaya Camp's silver-level instance and will always spawn with Momunofu. It also appears as a nightmare variant in the basement level floors of the gold instance.

Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse
Arahabaki is encountered in Tennozu Shelter in the Challenge Quest "[Tgt] Secure an Evac Point." Arahabaki took refuge in the shelter, stating that it had sorceries still present that Arahabaki found to be pleasant. He demands that Nanashi and company worship him when they meet, and becomes enraged should he be asked to leave. Arahabaki will continually make use of Makarakarn to cover his weaknesses in battle, preventing elemental magic from being used on him. However, a gun loaded with elemental rounds can bypass this, as they are considered to be Physical-type damage. Using magic against Makarakarn is likely to cause it to Smirk but it will not cast Makarakarn until the next turn. Arahabaki has no means of removing debuffs from himself or buffs from the party, which may be necessary to use as Arahabaki will spend turns using Concentrate followed by Sea of Chaos.

Arahabaki can teach Nanashi the Sea of Chaos, Makarakarn, Concentrate and Energy Drain skills through his Demon Whisper. He benefits from learning Almighty and Support skills.

Shin Megami Tensei V
Arahabaki can be found at the Fairy Village, seeking to find someone worthy to continue protecting Tokyo. Until the quest "The Ancient Guardian" is accepted, he will not talk to the protagonist.

Once the quest is accepted, the protagonist can speak to him again, who deems him worthy and fights them to test their strength. He is defeated and bestows the Lord's Sword to them, allowing them to find and awaken the Four Heavenly Kings before teleporting away.

Persona 3
Arahabaki is the ultimate Persona of the Hermit Arcana. It is unlocked after maxing out Maya's Social Link. However, Arahabaki requires a special cross-fusion and thus cannot be fused until after 9/21 and the protagonist is Level 60. The personas; Omoikane, Take-Minakata, Okuninushi and Kikuri-Hime are needed to fuse Arahabaki.

The Movie
Arahabaki is summoned by Makoto during the battle against Chidori Yoshino and against other Strega members afterwards.

Persona 4 The Animation
Arahabaki is the Persona representing the bond between Yu Narukami and the Fox. He was first summoned by Yu in an attempt to slow down and damage Shadow Naoto, attacking with what was possibly Torrent Shot. Arahabaki also made a brief appearance in the fight against Kunino-sagiri. While Yu was being controlled, he used Arahabaki to block Kanji's rushing Take-Mikazuchi in his attempt to help. In the True Ending special, Arahabaki appeared to attack Margaret's Cu Chulainn using Vicious Strike and brought a message of support from the Fox.

Persona 5
Arahabaki is the sixth Persona of the Hermit Arcana and can be encountered as a Shadow in Okumura's Palace and the Adyeshach area of Mementos with the title "Awakened God." It is the first Persona to learn the Null Brainwash skill and the first Persona that can be used in battle by the protagonist to learn Maeiga. When itemized through Electric Chair execution in the Velvet Room, Arahabaki yields the Tapsuan armor for female characters, which has 160 DEF, 12 EVA and grants the Evade Wind (high) effect to the wearer. Arahabaki is one of the Personas required to summon Yoshitsune through an advanced fusion in the Velvet Room.

Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner
Arahabaki is an enemy encountered in the Samsara Tunnels under Manipura. It tends to use physical attacks like Hell Thrust and Gates of Hell. To beat it, one ally must have a powerful Ice spell, like Cocytus, and freeze it. This bypasses its defenses and the party can inflict damage with critical after critical attack. Expel attacks and Almighty skills are the only other methods that can damage it. It drops Fusion Cells and Vital Noises.

Arahabaki is also the fourth demon summoned by the Demi-fiend in the optional secret boss fight. In this battle, it has access to dangerous moves such as Gate of Hell, Debilitate and Ragnarok.

Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner 2
Arahabaki is a common enemy in the higher layers of the Sun.

Devil Survivor 2
Arahabaki can only be fused after the protagonist reaches Fate Rank 3 with Jungo Torii.

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne
Summonable ally=

Shady Broker=

Shin Megami Tensei V
Boss=

Ally=

Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army
Enemy=

Ally=

Persona 3
Persona 3 =

FES/Portable =

Persona 5 / Royal
Persona 5=

Persona 5 Royal=

Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner
Normal Encounter=

Boss=
 * Summoned by the Demi-fiend

Trivia

 * Arahabaki's design is based on the goggle-eyed doguu (or shakouki doguu), a type of clay figurine made during the Jomon period of prehistoric Japan (roughly 14,000 to 400 BC).
 * While Arahabaki is often referenced as a "he" in game text, the original clay figurines were actually modeled after women.
 * In Shin Megami Tensei, he appears as a Deity of the Light-Law alignment. However, Arahabaki is considered (in the series, at least) a symbol of defiance, rebellion and heresy. This could possibly be a reference to his former status as a Deity.