Rangda

Rangda (ランダ, Randa) is a recurring demon in the series.

History
Rangda is the demon queen of the leyaks in Bali, according to traditional Balinese mythology. Terrifying to behold, the child-eating Rangda leads an army of evil witches against the leader of the forces of good - Barong.

It is suggested that Rangda may be derived from the 11th century Javan queen Mahendradatta who was exiled by the king, Dharmodayana, for allegedly practising witchcraft. The tale surrounding this is that she proceeded to take her revenge by killing off half the kingdom, which by then belonged to her and Dharmodayana's son Erlangga, with plague before being overcome by a holy man. The name Rangda itself means "widow" in old Javanese and Balinese language. It may also be associated with the legend of a demon queen named Calon Arang, who wreaked havoc in late 10th century Java, during the reign of Airlangga.

Rangda is important in Balinese culture, and performances depicting her struggles with Barong or with Airlangga in that tale are popular tourist attractions as well as tradition. She is depicted as a mostly nude old woman, with long and unkempt hair, pendulous breasts, and claws. Her face is traditionally a horrifying fanged and goggle-eyed mask, with a long, protruding tongue.

It has been suggested that Rangda may be closely associated with the Hindu warrior mother goddess Durga, or the black goddess of destruction Kali, given that Bali is a Hindu island. While Rangda is mainly seen as fearsome and a personification of evil, she is also seen as a protective figure in some parts of Bali. The colours associated with Rangda are red, black, and white, and these colours are also associated with Kali, and her iconography is also similar to Kali. Mahendradatta, the queen Rangda might be based on, was known for her devotion to the cult of Durga in Bali.

Appearances

 * Megami Tensei: Kijo Clan
 * Megami Tensei II: Kijo Clan
 * Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei: Kijo Clan
 * Shin Megami Tensei: Kijo Clan
 * Shin Megami Tensei II: Kijo Clan
 * Giten Megami Tensei: Kijo Clan
 * Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne: Femme Race
 * Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey: Femme Race
 * Last Bible II
 * Last Bible III
 * Last Bible Special
 * Majin Tensei: Youjuu Clan
 * Majin Tensei II: Spiral Nemesis: Youjuu Clan
 * Persona 2: Eternal Punishment: Empress Arcana
 * Persona 3: Magician Arcana
 * Persona 3: FES: Magician Arcana
 * Persona 4: Magician Arcana
 * Persona 3 Portable: Magician Arcana
 * Persona 4 Golden: Magician Arcana
 * Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Kijo Clan
 * Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers: Kijo Clan
 * Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon: Pagan Order
 * Devil Children Red Book
 * Devil Children Black Book
 * Devil Children White Book
 * DemiKids: Light Version as Rhanda
 * DemiKids: Dark Version as Rhanda
 * Devil Children Fire Book
 * Devil Children Ice Book
 * Devil Children Black Book/Red Book (PS)
 * Devil Survivor: Femme Race
 * Devil Survivor 2: Femme Race
 * Shin Megami Tensei Trading Card: Card Summoner: Kijo Clan

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne
Fusing Rangda and Barong is the only way to obtain Shiva.

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey
Rangda can be found and recruited in Sector Horologium or fused. Barong, found in Horologium 1F, posts an EX Mission to issue a challenge to her. Once found and talked to, she responds to the mirror Barong sends with one of her claws. Fusing her and Barong will allow you to obtain Shiva.

Persona 3
Fusing Rangda and Barong is the only way to get Shiva.

Persona 4
Rangda still holds the distinction of being one of the few Personas that naturally reflects physical attacks. Once again, fusing Rangda and Barong is the only way to obtain Shiva.

Devil Survivor
Rangda holds a distinction of being a consistent source of decent "Phys Repel" skill, since it appears in Free Battles late in the game and thus becomes available on Devil Auction once defeated. Fusing with it Barong results in Shiva.

Trivia

 * Incidentally, Rangda's first appearance in Megami Tensei was simply a palette swap of Barong.