Cerberus, in Greek myth, is a monster that guards the gates of the underworld, the realm of Hades and the dead. It is generally depicted as a vicious, gargantuan dog with three heads, although accounts may vary.
Cerberus is in fact the Latin transliteration of the Greek name Kerberos. The dominance of Latin throughout the modern Western world was for many centuries precipitated by functionaries of the Roman Catholic Church. However within contemporary non-denominational academic discourse, the use of Latin for non-Roman words is in sharp decline.
Cerberus is encountered like any other demon near the end of the Tower of Daedalus within a corridor on the way to Valhalla. He is also featured on the game's startup screen and graphics, and appears in stills from the Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei OVA printed within the game manual.
Megami Tensei II
Cerberus may be encountered and welcomed into the player's party via an optional side-quest which entails gaining access to the Intelligence Building by which the player's party is able to re-enter the Devil Busters video game. Cerberus is encountered approximately in the same area he may be found in the first game.
Shin Megami Tensei
After having his mom killed and eaten by a demon, the protagonist can choose to add his dog, Pascal, into his party. In normal circumstances, Pascal serves as a low level ally. However, when fused with a demon in the Jakyou Manor, he transforms into the high level demon Cerberus. Because of Pascal's former loyalty towards his master passed on to him by the fusion, Cerberus can be used even when his level far surpasses that of the Hero—something that generally is impossible. He aids him in only one battle however, disappearing through a teleporter after a boss fight.
Much later in the game, Cerberus stands on the bridge that leads to Tokyo Destiny Land, in a berserk state that can only be reversed if the protagonist possess a valuable item called "Golden Apple". Because of the power of this item to stabilize violent demons, Cerberus came back to his senses and recognized the Hero, thus choosing to share his fate by joining his party.
Shin Megami Tensei II
Cerberus first joins you on the quest Madam gives you: Find and bring back Hanada. After the quest, he leaves the party. Later when Valhalla is swallowed by Abbadon, you will find him at the former entrance to the city from the underground passageway. He joins your party shortly after meeting him for the second time.
Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne
"The feared guard dog of hades in Greek mythology. His parents were the giants Typhon and Echidna. He is the brother of Orthrus."
—Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne Compendium
Cerberus first appears at the Burial Chamber in the Amala Labyrinth's First Kalpa, where it will challenge you to prove your worth as a demon by quickly vanquishing once more those that you have killed in the Vortex World using the Black Visor. After meeting all the requirements and starting a new cycle, meeting with Cerberus again in the same location will have him take you to his master's resting place instead at the Tomb of Yomi in the hidden 666th floor, where you will receive an extra Press Turn.
Cerberus can also be encountered and recruited inside the Diet Building.
Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE
Cerberus is the second demon the player acquires although in an injured state. He is passed down from DB Kuroe after witnessing her death and treating Cerberus's wounds. He then insists on following you on your journeys as a fledgling DB, but is again taken to heal fully by Snakeman after Act 3. After reaching level 30, you can regain him again as an ally at full health. A 3-headed version of Cerberus may be obtained with certain requirements achieved.
Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
"The guardian hound of Hades in Greek mythology. It traditionally has three heads and a snake's tail. It was born from Typhon, the giant of wind, and Echidna, the mother of monsters."
—Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers 3DS Compendium
Cerberus possesses the Loyalty Slash technique, and until the 3DS remake this was his signature move.
In the 3DS remake, a variant Cerberus can be purchased from Nemechi (dango form), and costs 300 D-Souls. His artwork is based on his traditional design from the first Shin Megami Tensei game. This version loses his vulnerability to ice magic and is better suited at casting spells, but does not have Loyalty Slash.
Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army
"The guardian hound of Hades in Greek mythology. Traditionally, it has three heads and a snake`s tail. It is the offspring of Typhon, the giant of wind, and Echidna, the mother of monsters."
—Devil Summoner Devil Chart
Persona 3
Cerberus appears as Koromaru's initial Persona. It is a fire and darkness elemental Persona and differs from the usual appearance as a black three-headed hound resembling a Doberman. The original Cerberus can also be accessed and used by the Protagonist by using a cheat device.
Persona 3: FES
When fought as an opponent, Cerberus can use several unique skills outside of its normal moveset, which are as follows:
Cerberus is the Atma Avatar of Lupa, the leader of the Wolves. He serves as the boss fight in the Samsara Waterways. In this title, Cerberus appears as a three-headed, eyeless beast.
The battle will begin as soon as the party reaches the light at the top of the ramp, across from the Large Karma Terminal that is designated Samsara Tunnels 3. Unlike most bosses so far, Cerberus does not have an actual weakness and resists everything aside from Ice and Physical attacks. Cerberus also has the High Counter and Counterstrike skills, which makes Physical attacks without retaliation difficult.
Cerberus has three heads, each of which fulfill a different role. Cerberus (R) uses buff and debuff spells along with Ice Repel. Cerberus (L) acts as a healer, but will focus on healing the center head.. Finally, Cerberus (C) is the main attacking head. Each head grants Cerberus one press turn, so destroying a head will reduce the number of turns Cerberus can take.
Devil Survivor 2
"The guardian hound of Hades in Greek lore. Traditionally has three heads and a snake's tail. He was born from Typhon, the giant of wind, and Echidna, the mother of monsters. he is also Orthrus' older brother."
—Devil Survivor 2 Compendium
Devil Survivor 2: The Animation
Cerberus serves as Yamato's main demon. Its status serves as a nod to a scene early in the game where Yamato uses it to dispatch some demons before showing the JP's underground trains to the party. He summoned it at the young age of 5, and it has accompanied him ever since. To date, Yamato has used Cerberus in fending off Phecda and Megrez.
Tokyo Revelations
Cerberus is summoned by Gagyson in order to kill Kojiro, who poses a threat to Gagyson's plans. Although he succeeds in killing Kojiro's dog Patra, he is stopped from finishing Kojiro thanks to a monk. The monk then defeats Cerberus and gives him an ultimatum: protect Kojiro or die. Choosing the former, he betrays Gagyson and takes the form of Patra while guarding him. After Ose is summoned he becomes the steed of Kojiro after the human incarnates into his true form, Masakado.
Cerberus as he appears in Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne.
Cerberus as it appears in Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE
Cerberus in Majin Tensei
Cerberus in Majin Tensei II
Cerberus as seen in Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers.
Cerberus in Giten Megami Tensei
Cerberus as seen in Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
Cerberus as Koromaru's Persona from Persona 3
Cerberus, Koromaru's Persona, in battle
Artwork from Devil Children Red/Black Book.
Artwork from Digital Devil Saga.
Cerberus as it appears in Digital Devil Saga
Cerberus in Devil Survivor
Cerberus in Devil Survivor 2.
Cerberus as he appears in Devil Survivor 2 The Animation
Cerberus in Devil Survivor 2 The Animation Manga Adaption
Cerberus as he appears in Tokyo Revelation.
Trivia
Cerberus is the name of the sole NA server in Shin Megami Tensei: IMAGINE.
Cerberus is one of the earliest of demon allies to appear as part of the Megami Tensei franchise. His roots put him as far back as the very first Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei publications.
He typically appears as a white dog with a lion-like mane, unlike the Cerberus of Greek mythology. In Japan, Cerberus is rendered Kerberos, which is also the Greek pronunciation.
