In the nine orders of angels in Christian teachings, archangels are among the eighth, making them second in the third hierarchy. Archangels are one of the few bodies of angels that contact those on the material plane directly and are the ministers and messengers between God and mankind. There is a dispute on wheter famous archangels such as Michael and Gabriel are the same class as the "plain" archangels, who in the Kabbalah and in the Bible are called "Beni Elohim" (meaning "children of God"), or belong to a completely different order known as "Rav-Malakhim" or "Malakhim-Panav," who are the angels that stand before the lord himself.
According to some texts, archangels are also the primary warrior race of angels and are known to be at constant war with the fallen angels. It is even suggested that Lucifer was an archangel before his fall from grace.
"Origin: Israel. They are the second lowest of the angels. The four heralds were originally depicted as being of this rank. However, they rose in the hierarchy for their feats in battling the fallen angels. They are the general staff of God's army, and mediators between God and humans."
—Shin Megami Tensei A-Mode DDS dictionary
Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE
"The eighth class of angels, members of the Third Sphere, they are directly involved in the world of humans as the bearers of God's will, acting as a bridge between humans and their Lord. At the end of the world, they will be charged with the blowing the Seven Horns. Archangels have a spiritual awareness two levels higher than humans. Unlike angels, their role is to guide groups and nations rather than individuals."
—Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE compendium
Archangels can be contracted on Shinagawa field and can be encountered regularly in the Celu Tower instance. They appear as mobs supporting various Divine and Seraph bosses, as well as Hathor when she appears as the boss of Celu's bronze instance.
Archangel is one of the law-specific bazaar tending demons that can only be used in Arcadia.
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey
"Eighth of the nine orders of angels. Their duty is to minister to humans and deliver messages.
They are warriors of Heaven and lead Heaven's forces during battle with the armies of evil."
—Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey compendium
Shin Megami Tensei IV
Archangel can be evolved from an Angel once she reaches level 12. He can teach Flynn the Hama, Heat Wave, and Tarukaja skills through his Demon Whisper. Archangel is used in the special fusion to summon High Pixie in the Cathedral of Shadows. Upon reaching level 22, Archangel can evolve into Principality.
Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse
A Principality and Archangel guard an item needed to undo the first of the seals within Kanda-no-yashiro under orders from Merkabah. After warning Nanashi and Asahi to leave, they will attack should the two choose to remain. Defeating the pair will yield the Mallet Crest.
Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth
"Eight of the nine order of angels, their duty is to humans and deliver messages. They are at constant war with the fallen angels."
—Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth compendium
Persona 5
"Eighth of the nine orders of angels. Their duty is to minister to humans and deliver messages. They are warriors of Heaven and lead Heaven's forces during battle with the armies of evil."
—Persona 5 background
Archangel is the second Persona of the Justice Arcana and can be found as a Shadow in Kamoshida's Palace, with the title "Heavenly Punisher." He is the second out of two Personas to learn the Hama skill and the second Persona the protagonist can access that has the Psi skill. He is also the first Persona usable in battle to learn the Makouha skill and the first to learn the Vajra Blast skill. When itemized using Electric Chair execution in the Velvet Room, Archangel yields a Dazzler skill card.
Archangel is first encountered as a mid-boss in the chapel area of Kamoshida's Palace, and then will appear in the latter areas of the Palace as a strong Shadow. Archangel will not reappear in Mementos, so he must be acquired in Kamoshida's Palace or summoned through fusion.
Devil Children Black/Red Book
Archangel can be obtained by rank fusing Seraph ten times.
DemiKids Light & Dark
"A champion of champions and a natural-born leader with the heart of an angel."
Known as Guardian, he can perform the combos Holy Song with Doom Cat and Holy Shield with Vomana. Guardian can be fought in the Old Tower in Light Version and the Deep Hole in Dark Version. There is a rare chance of encountering a shiny Guardian, and beating the Tournament version of BattleNet has a spawn of obtaining one.
Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner 2
Archangels begin appearing on the 11th floor of the Karma Society Tower. They may appear alone, in a group of 3, or alongside Setanta.
Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2
"Eighth of the nine orders of angels. As their name indicates they were higher in the hierarchical order but over time fell through the ranks. Their duty is to minister to humans and deliver messages. They are also the warriors of Heaven and lead Heaven's forces during times of battle."
60% chance of halving remaining HP of one foe. Expel-type.
Mahama
45% chance of halving remaining HP of all foes. Expel-type.
Trivia
The archangel's latest design wears an accurate example of a late 14th century suit of armor, sporting one of the most realistic armors in the series. He even wears a sword and dagger like actual knights of the period.
Gallery
Archangel as he appears in Shin Megami Tensei II
Archangel as seen in the Devil Summoner series and later games
Archangel as it appears in Persona 3
Artwork from Devil Children Red/Black Book.
Archangel as he appears in Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne.
Archangel in Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE
Archangel in Persona 3 Portable
Archangel as it appears in Shin Megami Tensei Trading Card: Card Summoner
Archangel as it appears in Persona: Tsumi to Batsu