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In Japanese folklore, a nekomata, also known as a bakeneko, is a type of yokai that appears as a cat with supernatural abilities akin to those of the fox or raccoon dog. A cat may become a bakeneko in a number of ways: it may reach a certain age, be kept for a certain number of years, grow to a certain size or be allowed to keep a long tail. In the last case, the tail forks in two and the bakeneko is then called a nekomata. This superstition may have some connection to the breeding of the Japanese Bobtail.
Nekomata can only be found in the dungeon the priest in the Taishidou temple sends the protagonist to.
Shin Megami Tensei[]
"Origin: Japan. A split-tailed cat youkai that speaks. It's said that they are cats who are over 50 years old, and can take human forms. They are normally harmless, and may even perform good deeds, or act out of revenge."
—Shin Megami Tensei A-Mode DDS dictionary
Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne[]
"Incarnations of long-living cats in Japanese mythology. They can speak to humans and, depending on their power, can do various things. Some can turn into humans, while others can have the dead do their bidding."
—Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne compendium
Nekomata first appears in the Shibuya disco "Club Inferno" and talks suggestively. Demi-fiend approaches her for information to proceed the story, which turns out to be a challenge in battle. After defeating her, she reveals the Assembly of Nihilo which is ruling over the Ginza area. Nekomata can evolve into Senri upon reaching level 27.
Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE[]
"The supernatural incarnation of a cat who has lived to an extraordinary age. The time it takes for a cat to become a Nekomata ranges from 10 years to 40 years depending on the source. The name "Nekomata" comes from the Japanese word for "cat straddling," referring to a ritual where a cat would straddle someone to lay a curse on that person. Nekomata understand and can speak human language. They are distinguished by their forked tails. They sometimes take human form, in some cases changing into women and seducing and eating men. On the other hand, they are faithful to their owners and will avenge them if their owners die tragically. Nekomata are thought to have originated from Xian Li, fairies of Chinese folklore. Some say that Nekomata who posses vast magical power become Xian Li."
—Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE compendium
Nekomata appear within the bronze instance of Suginami Tunnels. They act as NPCs within the gold and unknown instances. Players are able to acquire a Nekomata tail and female players can dress completely like a Nekomata. The NPC called Nora in Shinjuku Babel is known for dressing as a Nekomata.
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey[]
"Long-lived cats are said to become these. They can speak human languages. Their powers vary according to how long they lived, ranging from shape-shifting to controlling the dead."
—Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey compendium
Shin Megami Tensei IV[]
Nekomata can be found in Ginza or evolved from Senri once it reaches level 32. She can teach Flynn the Scratch Dance and Pulinpa skills through her Demon Whisper.
Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse[]
Nekomata can be found in Shibuya or can evolve from Senri once they reach level 31. Nekomata can teach the Axel Claw, Pulinpa and Mazanma skills through her Demon Whisper. She also benefits from learning Physical, Fire and Force skills.
Shin Megami Tensei V[]
"Incarnations of long-living cats in Japanese mythology. They can speak to humans and, depending on their power, can do various things. Some can turn into humans, while others can have the dead do their bidding."
—Shin Megami Tensei V lore
Nekomata is a member of the Beast race.
If Cait Sith is in the protagonist's stock when he attempts to speak with Nekomata, Cait Sith with interject and begin a conversation with Nekomata, resulting in her leaving and the battle ending.
Conversation
[Cait Sith stepped forward and began talking to a demon!]
Cait Sith:
Ho there, maiden fair! I don't suppose you'd... care to have tea with me?
Nekomata:
...Huh?
Cait Sith:
You and I are both felines of the world... Let us discuss grand, worldly affairs! Trivial amusements! Or nothing at all!
Nekomata:
...What?
Cait Sith:
Of course, being a gentleman myself, I would be happy to prepare a drink fit for such a lady... My prized blend of catnip tea!
Nekomata:
... Uh, you're not making any sense. Who are you?
Cait Sith:
Ah, my sincerest apologies! I really ought to have introduced myself first... I am Cait Sith. A dauntless feline hero, and wanderer of the netherworld!
Nekomata:
O... kay...? Thanks for clearing that up, I guess? So, what do you want?
Cait Sith:
Well... I was rather hoping you might join me for tea.
Nekomata:
Uhh... no.
Cait Sith:
What!? Why?
Nekomata:
I mean, you seem super shady. You talk weird, and you definitely dress weird.
Cait Sith:
Shady? Why, nothing could be farther from the truth, milady! You may not think it to look at me, but I preside over my own kingdom!
Nekomata:
Wait, really...? No way! So, like, where is this kingdom of yours?
Cait Sith:
Inside the gnarled hollows of trees, and abandoned houses.
Nekomata:
Wow, gross AND lame!
Caith Sith:
Well, I never! They say "home is where you make it," no!?
Nekomata:
Not if it's just a delusion. My home's gotta be real, and it's gotta be comfy. Before I became a demon, I used to be a housecat in this merchant's fancy mansion in the classy part of town. I'm not gonna settle for anything but the best food, the best clothes, and the best home.
Cait Sith:
The food and shelter I can understand, but... what manner of housecat needs clothing?
Nekomata:
Says the cat wearing a stupid ren faire costume! Yeah, no way in hell I'm going out with you. See you never.
[Cait Sith was shot down...]
Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers[]
"Long-lived cats are said to transform into these malevolent cat demons, and are distinguishable by their partially forked tails. They can speak human languages, and their powers vary according to how long they lived, and how cruelly they were treated in life. Their abilities range from shape-shifting to controlling the dead."
—Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers 3DS compendium
Nekomata can be transformed into Nyan Claws with Mystic Change.
In the 3DS remake, a variant Nekomata is available from Nemechi, unlocked with the octopus form. She costs 100 D-Souls and uses her artwork from Shin Megami Tensei II and the Devil Survivor series. This Nekomata can use strong wind magic.
Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army[]
"Cats that live a long life are said to become these. They can speak human languages. Their powers vary according to how long they lived, ranging from shape-shifting to controlling the dead."
—Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army devil chart
Nekomata begins appearing as a random encounter in Kasumidai and Dark Kasumidai. Being a demon of the Skill Order, she can only be confined during a Full Moon. She can later be found in the Shipbuilding Facility.
Nekomata's design in the Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha series uses her design from Soul Hackers.
Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon[]
"Cats that live a long life are said to become these. They can speak human languages. Their powers vary according to how long they lived, ranging from shape-shifting to controlling the dead."
—Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon details
Nekomata is a demon of the Skill Order and begins appearing in the Tento Sanctuary. The passive skill she learns at Max Loyalty, Desperate Power, will increase the chances of a Fiend encounter during a New Moon.
Soul Hackers 2[]
"Incarnations of long-living cats in Japanese mythology. They can speak to humans and, depending on their power, can do various things. Some can turn into humans, while others can have the dead do their bidding."
—Soul Hackers 2 demon info
Nekomata is a demon of the Beast race and can be found in Sector 3F of Arrow, Milady and Saizo's Soul Matrix.
Megami Ibunroku Persona[]
Nekomata is a demon that begins appearing in the latter area of St. Hermelin ???. They'll frequently use Candy Voice and Feral Claw as they attack the party.
As a Persona, there's no difference in comparison to Innocent Sin, however, the Nekomata of Eternal Punishment is brown, and the one in Innocent Sin is white. A special Rumormonger Nekomata appears as an NPC in the Kuzunoha Detective Agency. To unlock the Rumormonger Nekomata, the player must either donate ¥100,000 to the cat statue in Kuzunoha Detective Agency or do a Mansearch. Importing save data from Innocent Sin (not available in the English release) will make any money donated to the statue in the previous game carry over, reducing the money needed to ¥90,000 or less. The Mansearch asking for Nekomata only appears after Tatsuya Suou joins the party and if the Rumormonger Nekomata isn't unlocked yet. Doing the Mansearch rewards the party with ¥30,000 so it's more profitable to wait until that point of the game and do the Mansearch rather than donate money.
Persona 3[]
"Incarnations of long-lived cats in Japanese mythology. They have various powers, including human speech and control over the dead."
—Persona 3 FES compendium
Nekomata returns in Persona 3, as a Lv 5 MagicianPersona, and can be obtained via fusion or through Shuffle Time when exploring Tartarus' first block, Thebel. Her skill set specializes in Fire and Physical attacks as well as negative status effects.
Persona 5[]
"Long-lived cats are said to become these malevolent cat demons. Their powers vary according to how long they have lived, ranging from shape-shifting to controlling the dead."
During a fusion alarm, Nekomata will yield the Paw-omber for Haru, with 220 ATK, 70 ACC and the Med Confuse effect.
In the Path of Da'at, the shadow has an unrecruitable super variation called the "Immortal Feline" who is accompanied by two Playful Puss in Boots.
The Shadow of Ryoko Aino will take the form of Nekomata when confronted in Mementos during the "If Cats Disappeared from the City" request. She is one of two Mementos bosses that are able to talk to the protaganist in order to end the confrontation instead of fighting, similar to Negotiation. After being defeated, she will drop the Cat Broochaccessory, which gives the wearer the skill Sukukaja.
Persona 5 Tactica[]
"Long-lived cats are said to become these malevolent cat demons. Their powers vary according to how long they have lived, ranging from shape-shifting to controlling the dead."
—Persona 5 Tactica background
DemiKids Light & Dark[]
"Long-living cat with two tails. This demon can change into a girl and walk among humans."
"Long-lived cats are said to become these. They can take the form of human women. When a pet cat lives for 50 years, it becomes a Nekomata. The name comes from its tail, which is split in two. They can speak human languages, and there are tales of them telling humans about themselves. They can stand on two feet and even dance."
—Devil Survivor 2 compendium
Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2[]
"A cat yokai in Japanese folklore. Long-lived cats are said to become these creatures that have mastered human speech. The powers of the Nekomata vary, some were even strong enough to turn into people or command the dead."
—Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2 compendium
Nekomata is a common 1-star demon and Rika Ryuzouji's starting demon. There is also an alternate version, introduced as a random 4-star uncommon summon, based on the earlier design that possesses the unique skill "Pussyfoot."
The only Megaten games with an American release to portray the folkloric forked-tail are Persona 2: Innocent Sin, Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers, Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army, Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon and DemiKids: Light & Dark Version.
In Revelations: Persona, Nekomata was renamed Felicia as a reference to the character of the same name from Capcom's Darkstalkers fighting series.
_Fixed.png "Nekomata Devil Survivor 2 (Top Screen) Fixed.png (15 KB)")
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