A ghoul is a cannibalistic undead demon of ancient Arabian folklore. The word "ghoul" is Arabic for "demon" or "calamity," referring to creatures who were believed to dwell in graveyards and abandoned places. They are wild, vicious and repulsive in appearance, though sometimes are almost indistinguishable from normal humans. Ghouls generally steal corpses from graveyards and eat them, but they will also carve, attack and eat live human flesh. They sometimes assume the form of animals when attacking people, most often hyenas.
Ghouls are sometimes believed to be a type of Jinn, an Arabian elemental. It is said that invoking the name of Allah (God) will drive off a ghoul. This is because Allah created the jinn, and ghouls do not dare oppose the God that created them. Female ghouls are called "ghula" or "ghouleh" and use their alluring beauty to ensnare and eat human men.
"Origin: Arabia. Man-eating demons that appear in graveyards. They carve human flesh and attack live humans, stealing bodies from their graves. The female form is a "ghouleh." Ghouls are believed to be a type of djinn. Invoking the name of Allah will drive them away."
—Shin Megami Tensei A-Mode DDS dictionary
Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE[]
"A man-eating demon of Arabian legend, often seen in graveyards. Its name derives from the Arabic word for "calamity." Ghouls are associated with the Arabian elementals called jinn. They are wild, vicious, and repulsive in appearance. Ghouls generally steal corpses from graveyards and eat them, but they will also attack and eat living humans. They sometimes assume the form of animals when attacking people, most often hyenas. Female ghouls are called "ghula" and use their alluring beauty to ensnare and eat human men. Calling upon the name of Allah will drive off a ghoul. This is because Allah created the jinn, and ghouls do not dare oppose the God that created them."
—Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE compendium
Ghoul can be contracted in Ichigaya, the Old Tokyo Metro and Shinjuku Babel's docks. It can appear in both bronze and silver level boss rooms of Old Ichigaya Camp. A Ghoul NPC tied to the To My Beloved quest chain can be encountered in a remote region of Ichigaya.
Shin Megami Tensei Strange Journey[]
A Ghoul is summoned by Captain Jack to fight a demon-fused Jimenez who kills it along with Jack's other demons before killing the captain himself.
Shin Megami Tensei IV[]
Three ghouls are fought as part of a multiple branch quest: "A Magical Remedy," "Magical Medicine" or "2 Magical Medicines." These demons must be defeated before Flynn can claim the remedy or euthanasia medicine from the hospital near Tsukiji Hongwanji.
They can later be found as normal encounters in the Infernal Tokyo version of Kasumigaseki. Ghoul can teach Flynn the Energy Drain, Tetanus Cut and Damascus Claw skills through its Demon Whisper.
Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse[]
"A cannibalistic demon from Islamic lore. It feeds on the flesh of both the living and the dead. It is indistinguishable from normal humans and prefers to prey on children and travelers."
—Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse compendium
Ghoul can be found in Ikebukuro. It can teach Nanashi the Frenzied Chomp, Tetanus Cut, Damascus Claw and Acid Breath through its Demon Whisper. It benefits from learning Darkness, ailment and Physical skills.
Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army[]
"A man-eating demon that feeds on both live human flesh and the rotten meat of carcasses. It can change its shape, and often disguises itself as a hyena."
—Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army devil chart
Ghoul begins appearing as a random encounter in Harumi-Cho.
Persona 3 Reload[]
Ghoul is one of the five Personas present since Persona 3 FES to be removed in Persona 3 Reload.
Persona 4[]
"Cannibalistic demon from Islamic lore. It feeds on the flesh of both the living and the dead. It is indistinguishable from normal humans, and prefers to prey on children and travelers."
Two Ghouls are the first enemies that are fought in the game, being transformed soldiers of the Vanguards tribe that are encountered in Svadhisthana. The fight against them there also serves as the tutorial for the Press Turn battle system.
Other than that, Ghouls only appear as regular enemies in Manipura before the Solids occupy the Maribel Base.