An ancient Japanese aboriginal god since the Kofun period. The 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. However, this is only mentioned in the Tsugaru Soto-Sangunshi (which was said to have been compiled in the 1970s) which has been concluded to be a false document.
"Origin: Japan. A native god of ancient Japan. Because shrines to him are found throughout Japan, he is known as a god of travelers. In one account, he was the chief god when Nagasunehiko and Abihiko started their kingdom."
—Shin Megami Tensei A-Mode DDS dictionary
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
"A major deity in ancient Japanese mythology. Clay dolls were often sculpted in its image. Because this god was worshipped by a rebel, the dolls came to be considered symbols of defiance."
—Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne compendium
Arahabaki can be obtained by evolving Momunofu when he has enough experience at level 24. Arahabaki has the ability to repel Ice and void Expel, Death and Physical attacks. Unfortunately, literally anything it does not void or repel, it is weak to. It can also be encountered at the Obelisk as a random encounter.
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
"One of the chief gods of ancient Japanese lore. His image is reflected in shakoukidogu statues. Because he was worshipped by Nagasunehiko, who defeated Emperor Jimmu's army, he was seen as a symbol of rebellion toward the Emperor, causing his adherents to be persecuted."
—Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse compendium
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. 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.
Arahabaki is summoned by Makoto during the battle against Chidori Yoshino and against other Strega members afterwards.
Persona 4 The Animation
Arahabaki was used in an attempt to slow down and damage Shadow Naoto. He attacked with, 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 appears to attack Margaret's Cu Chulainn using Vicious Strike and brings a message of support from the Fox.
Arahabaki is the Persona representing the bond between Yu and the Fox.
Persona 5
"A mysterious god of ancient Japan. Most famously worshipped by Nagasunehiko, who was defeated in battle against Emperor Jimmu, Arahabaki came to be treated as a symbol of rebellion and defiance."
—Persona 5 background
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 no elemental weaknesses or resistances and has access to dangerous moves such as Debilitate and Ragnarok.
Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner 2
Arahabaki is a common enemy in the higher layers of the Sun.
Devil Survivor 2
"One of the chief gods of ancient Japanese lore. His image is reflected in shakoukidogu statues. Because he was worshipped by Nagasunehiko, who defeated Emperor Jimmu's army, he was seen as a symbol of rebellion toward the Emperor, causing his adherents to be persecuted."
—Devil Survivor 2 compendium
Arahabaki can only be fused after the protagonist reaches Fate Rank 3 with Jungo Torii.
Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2
"One of the chief gods of ancient Japanese lore. His image is reflected in Shakoukidogu statues. Because he was worshipped by Nagasunehiko, who defeated Emperor Jimmu's army, he was seen as a symbol of rebellion toward the Emperor, causing his adherents to be persecuted."
I'm Arahabaki the Deity. I may have a poker face, but, well, I'll do my best anyway.
The thought of being fused tickles the soul. Give me a good partner!
Gallery
Artwork from Persona 3
Arahabaki as it appears in Megami Tensei II
Model in Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne
Model in Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE
Sprite from Card Summoner
Arahabaki as it appears in Devil Survivor 2
Artwork in Persona 4 The Animation
Arahabaki first summoned in Persona 4 The Animation
Arahabaki as it appears in Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Lone Marebito
Arahabaki in Persona 3 The Movie
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).[1]
While Arahabaki is often referenced as a "he" in game text, the original clay figurines were actually modeled after women.[1]
In Shin Megami Tensei, he appears as a Deity of the Light-Law alignment. However, he was considered a symbol of defiance, rebellion and heresy. This could possibly be a reference to his former status as a Deity.