The protagonist of Shin Megami Tensei is a young man living with his mother and dog in Kichijoji, Tokyo.
The protagonist is a powerful warrior who, despite his inability to wield magic, is a master swordsman, marksman and leader. He is capable of recruiting and summoning demons through his Arm Terminal. In addition, he can also wield immensely strong swords, guns and magic-effect swords by means of sword fusion.
Quick Answers
What abilities does the protagonist of Shin Megami Tensei possess?
How does the protagonist of Shin Megami Tensei recruit and summon demons?
What weapons can the protagonist of Shin Megami Tensei wield?
What is the significance of the Arm Terminal in Shin Megami Tensei?
How does the protagonist of Shin Megami Tensei differ from other SMT protagonists?
Appearances[]
- Shin Megami Tensei: Protagonist
- Shin Megami Tensei II: Statue
- Shin Megami Tensei: if...: Guardian, Fiend Race (Rare encounter; also indirectly mentioned)
- Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE: Opening Cinematic
- Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse: DLC Party Member, Human Race
- Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2: ?? Race
Personality[]
Through the tradition of the Shin Megami Tensei series, he is a silent protagonist, where his personality is based upon players' actions and decisions. He is often looked to by the people around him for support.
Profile[]
Shin Megami Tensei[]
He's given the name Sho in Shin Megami Tensei Final Story: Atlus Official Replay Novel, Kazuya in Shin Megami Tensei Character Profile: Steven Report I and Futsuo in Kazuma Kaneko Complete Illustration Works.
Beginning[]
In the beginning of the game, the protagonist has a dream sequence featuring the a soul consecreted to god, a soul seeking for power, a woman named Yuriko who vows to wait for the protagonist as their eternal partner, as well as an enigmatic prophecy of the future. Waking up, the protagonist receives a computer program that allows him to communicate with and summon demons from an user on DDS-Net named Stephen. In his email, Stephen is sending out the program to everyone he can in anticipation for the coming apocalypse. After a chat with his mom and playing with the house dog Pascal, the protagonist heads to Kichioji Mall for an errand.
While at the mall, the protagonist could run into Yuriko, and chat with people regarding recent murders and missing people. Inside the mall he then witnesses a demon killing a man and is attacked by it as well. He returns home unsure of what happened, but the wound and the weapon left by the dead man are real. His mom comments on how things have been very dangerous, with murder in the park nearby, missing people and the police closing off the district.
The protagonist has another dream sequence in which he meets the same companions again, only this time they interrupt a ritual sacrifice in the dream. The woman who was to be sacrificed expresses her gratitude, commenting on that they will surely meat again before the dream ends. After waking up, his mom comments on how he murmurs a woman's name in his sleep, with the name being similar to their neighbor's daughter. If the protagonist checks his computer, Stephen has sent an additional program: Auto-Mapping.
Leaving the house, the protagonist realizes something is not right. Demons are now roaming the streets. The protagonist could try fighting, running or negotiating with the demons from this point onward. Visiting the neighbor, we learn that the daughter does share the same name with woman who was to be sacrificed. The neighbor mentioned that she is about to go on a date with her boyfriend in Shinjuku. The protagonist continues toward Inogashira Park where he encounters a mysterious old man.
The old man warns that the forces of Law and Chaos are about to clash for supremacy, and no matter who wins, the balance of the world will be askew. The protagonist then enter another dreamscape where he meets up with Law Hero and Chaos Hero. They all traverse up the building, where a ghostlike figure of the protagonist's mother warns of the danger and begs them not to go any further. The trio continue in and see a man dressed in lab coat, performing some sort of ritual in front of a Terminal. The man forces the party out and a fight ensues as he transforms into Douman. However, the mysterious old man brought the protagonist back to the park. The old man comments that the protagonist's power is far too weak and therefore he must nurture strength, and mysteriously disappeared from sight.
On his way back home, police forces shows up and accuses the protagonist of murder, seemingly for the one which happened in the Kichioji Mall. The protagonist is arrested and taken to a prison where he meets the Law Hero for the first time. The Law Hero reveals he too was caught for murder, but all he did was defeating demons in his way to a date in Shinjuku with his girlfriend; who also shares the same name with the protagonist's neighbor, and the woman who was to be sacrificed in their dream.
The two attempt to leave the cell but a surgeon shows up, demanding that it is time for them to undergo "modifications." The Law Hero rushes up and knock the man cold. The two join forces and traverse the "jail" as they attempt to escape, finding doors locked by an automatic system. They then meet a man on wheelchair locked up in a cell too. He introduces himself as Stephen, the same person who provided the Demon Summoning Program.
Stephens reveals after he accidentally opened a portal to the Expanse during an experiment with the Terminal, he was left gravely injured facing off against the demon. Thus the Demon Summoning Program was created to combat demons with demons. Stephen then sends the party the Demon Analyze Program, which allows the player to view enemy stats, then helps unlock the door to the hospital director's office.
At the director's office, they are greeted by the director himself. He inquires if the party if they had undergone the "modification." Regardless of the answer, a fight ensues as the director transforms into a Orias. With the director defeated, all the auto-locked doors open, allowing the party to escape.
On their way out, the party encounters the Chaos Hero at Kichijoji mall beaten by a local gangsters led by Ozawa. The gang leaves upon being disturbed by the protagonist and the Law Hero. The Chaos Hero laments how powerless and pitiful he is, and only if he had more power. As the two are about to leave, Law Hero mentions the protagonist name which catches the attention of Chaos Hero. Realizing the two are the same person from his dream, the Chaos Hero demands he accompany them, which he does regardless of the answer chosen.
Journeying home, the trio are greeted by the protagonist's mother. Her speech pattern seems unusual, and always suggests the protagonist go closer towards her and give her comfort. The Law Hero comments on how she seems weird, and the Chaos Hero comments that her smell is very off. The demon in disguise then reveals itself as Amanojaku, craving to eat the party to satisfy its hunger, just as it did to the protagonist's mother.
Defeating the demon yields an ID Card. The two heroes try to comfort the protagonist in their own way, Law Hero giving his condolences, Chaos Hero giving time for the protagonist to grieve alone. Pascal shows up, making a gesture that it wants to join the party. Depending on the player's choice and the console of the game, Pascal may or may not join the party later in the game. If taken to Cathedral of Shadows, Pascal can bypass the level limitation and be fused with any demon resulting in Cerberus.
The party then heads toward Echo Building, the only location in town which has ID Card locked door. The party then runs into Yuriko in front of the Terminal room. She comments that with his current strength, she is not worried and wishes the best to the protagonist. Upon entering the Terminal room, the man in lab coat drags the party out again, transforming into Douman and starting a fight, he declares the party won't win this time and that they won't escape.
Following the fight, the party enters the now empty Terminal room. Pascal (either as a dog or demon) is mysteriously sucked into the machine. The party swiftly follows only to be transported to a mysterious lab. Exploring the lab, the party meets a Zombie with his mind intact. The Zombie reveals that prior to his transformation, he was a scientist who was working on a secret project of data transmission via the Terminal system. However, the demons appeared and raided the facilities two or three days prior, the members there either got killed or got transformed into zombies like he did. The party could also run in Stephen again.
Stephen reveals more about Gotou and the plan to create a demon army, as well as the Terminal. Stephen then ask the protagonist if the Demon Summoning Program has proved useful, and if the protagonist is satisfied with the amount of demons the program could hold. If answered no regarding the amount, Stephen will permanently increase the stock count by two.
Leaving the lab, the party find themselves in Sendagaya just outside Meiji Jingu, but with the road below the lab now barricaded by armed forces, declaring martial law in place. With no place else to go to, the party heads toward the Shinjuku.
Warring Factions[]
Just outside Shinjuku underground mall a news is announced. Gotou, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's general has staged coup d'etat. Being an avid Gaeaen follower, he announced his plans to "awaken the old gods as demons from the Expanse and prevents the conspiracy aspiring in Japan." American ambassador Thorman in response to the coup, seizes control of the government and deployed United States Armed Forces. With Shinjuku soon to turn into warring zone, the party heads inside Shinjuku Underground Mall.
Inside, the Order of Messiah and the Ring of Gaea have set up their own facilities, and offers their services only to those they deemed worthy or are aligned with their vision. Inside a bar, the party is scouted by a bartender, questioning the protagonist's beliefs. Pleased with the protagonist's answer, the bartender introduces the party to the Resistance and their hideout. The party also learns from a girl inside the bar that there are gangster and military men pestering women around Tokyo, asking for a woman with the same name as Law Hero's girlfriend, the neighbor's daughter and the woman from the protagnost's dream. The Resistance hopes to stop the craziness while being neutral towards the citizens. The heroine shows up and reveal herself as the leader of the Resistance, requesting the parties' help.
However, Yuriko shows up and abducts the heroine. She mentions bringing the heroine to Ozawa's place. The party and the Resistance try to search for the heroine's whereabouts, and learn that the heroine will be publicly executed at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Citizens' Plaza, charged for her resistance activities. The party either directly head towards the plaza, or detour towards west of Shinjuku to save other girls abducted by Ozawa, with the dialogue changing slightly depending on heroine's presence. Defeating Ozawa, he mentions he has no real interest in the power play happening in Tokyo, he only wants the power and authority that Gotou can provide, and quickly escape from the hideout. Chaos Hero is very irritated with Gotou, still vowing to avenge his earlier humuliation.
At Citizens' Plaza, the party is barred from the heroine by Yuriko. She laments on the protagonist not siding with her and summons waves of demon to block the party, with the all the demons being from the undead and spirit race. The party succeeds in saving the heroine, with Yuriko admitting her loss and the heroine thanking the protagonist, just like she did in their dream, the party quickly departs from the plaza.
The party arrives at the same bar in Shinjuku, and discuss further plans for both the party and the resistance. The heroine mentioned other hideouts of Ozawa and the possibility of other girls sharing the same name still in captivity of Ozawa and Gotou. Both the Law Hero and Chaos Hero depart from the party temporarily, with the Law Hero still looking for his girlfriend, and the Chaos Hero tracking Ozawa himself down. The protagonist and heroine plan to infiltrate Gotou's and Thorman's base of operations, hoping to learn more about their intentions. With fake ID provided by the Heroine, depending on the protagonist's choices, the party infiltrates either or both bases.
The party infiltrate the base of Gotou, saving other girls in captivity as well as Pascal which is also imprisoned there. Meeting Gotou face to face, Gotou asks the party to listen to his views. Gotou elaborates his information on "God's Thousand-Year Kingdom" being conspired by Thorman under the pretense of bringing order to Japan, and how only a few selected people will be left alive were they to succeed. Gotou then asks the party to join forces with him to defeat Thorman, giving the party time to think and see for themselves.
The party infiltrate the base of Thorman, the American Embassy, with relative ease. Meeting Thorman face to face, Thorman asks the party to listen to his views. Thorman elaborates his information on Gotou's plan to summon the old gods is merely a pretense to summon the Tyrant Lucifer and bring anarchy to Tokyo. Thorman then asks the party to join forces with him to defeat Gotou, giving them time to think and see for themselves.
The three of them, as well as the heroine, attempt to stop an ICBM missile attack from destroying Japan. Regardless of the choices the protagonist makes, the party fails, and the Great Cataclysm occurs. The heroine stays behind, but she manages to teleport the party into the Diamond Realm before the missiles hit. After completing a few request in the Diamond Realm, the party then returns to Tokyo, which has been ravaged by the missiles but still has human survivors and demons roaming about. The protagonist later has the choice of helping the Messians complete the Basilica and having a world of peace, helping the Gaeans destroy it and giving the world freedom or fighting both sides to make a world where there is balance and humans can decide their own fate.
Shin Megami Tensei II[]
Before the events of Shin Megami Tensei II, the protagonist founded the Valhalla district of Tokyo Millennium and worked to help it expand alongside Pascal-Cerberus and Madam. He refused to blindly obey the orders of the Center and was eventually killed in what was reported as an accidental cave-in. After his death, Madam took over as the governess of Valhalla and strove to continue his work.
During the game itself, a statue of the protagonist appears at the Colosseum, where it is labeled "First Champion." When seeing the statue before the first fight with Daleth, the statue will have tears flowing from its eyes for unknown reasons.
Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE[]
The protagonist appears in silhouette along with the Law Hero, Chaos Hero and heroine during a cutscene after completing Act 0, and is spoken of highly, regarded as a hero among heroes by the narrator. A costume was released as part of CAVE's Beta testing promotion that players can wear in order to appear as the original Super Famicom SMT hero. It is one of the few outfits in game that will actually completely overwrite a character's hair and equipment.
Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse[]
The Hero appears in the DLC quest "Messiahs in the Diamond Realm." At the start of the quest, Stephen appears before Nanashi, holding his formless soul as he explains that it is the soul of the hero of a timeline where he died during the ICBM attack. Nanashi goes about the Diamond Realm to gather the rest of the Messiahs; Aleph, the Demi-fiend and Flynn, before confronting Stephen again. Stephen battles Nanashi, expecting him to use his power of observation and the experience of the battle to help the hero remember who he is and assume his original form. Upon successfully reforming himself, the hero is joined by the other three Messiahs as Stephen goes all-out and challenges all the protagonists at once.
Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2[]
An event titled The Hopefuls: Saviors from 199X was held in the game to coincide with the Hero being added to the game.
"Appeared from somewhere or other when the wishes of those desperate for help gathered together. He is said to be the embodiment of a figure that existed in the year 199X."
—Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2 compendium
">You feel from him the unwavering resolve to stand firm and fight, no matter what challenges may arise."
">It is as though his eyes see far beyond, to the fate that awaits the world."
">Your demon allies seem to trust him quite a bit."
">The sword and gun he carries seem to have seen their fair share of use."
">His expression betrays no hints as to his goals or motivations."
—Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2 Party Reactions
Stats[]
Shin Megami Tensei: if[]
if...[]
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Gallery[]
Shin Megami Tensei[]
.jpg "Protagonist and Heroine (Shin Megami Tensei).jpg (157 KB)")
.jpg "Protagonist, Law Hero and Chaos Hero (Shin Megami Tensei).jpg (146 KB)")
.jpg "Protagonist and a Demon (Shin Megami Tensei).jpg (154 KB)")
.jpg "Protagonist and Heroine with Michael (Shin Megami Tensei).jpg (176 KB)")
Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse[]
Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2[]
TCG[]
Other[]
Trivia[]
His mention in SMT if...
- In Shin Megami Tensei if..., he is mentioned once by Yahata who was inspired by his COMP and decided to make one himself.
- In Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army, in the Akarana Corridor, one of the hourglasses' visions says that "There's a ruined city with three young warriors fighting for survival." Those three warriors could be the protagonist, Law Hero and Chaos Hero.
- The Lost Soul found in the 2030s area of the corridor alludes to the events of Shin Megami Tensei, as well as the protagonist saying "We owe a lot to the schoolboy with the gadget on his arm, who defeated all the gods and demons..."
- He is the only Shin Megami Tensei protagonist to have followed a canonical route in a game with multiple paths and endings.
- One of his names, "Futsuo," means both "ordinary man" and "Contact of Buddha."
| Playable Characters | Protagonist - Heroine - Law Hero - Chaos Hero - Pascal |
| Non-Playable Characters | Stephen - Ozawa - Yuriko - Old Man - Gotou - Ambassador Thorman - En no Ozuno - Louis Cyphre - Soul Diver |
| Locations | Tokyo - Kichijoji - Shinjuku - Ichigaya - Diamond Realm - Shibuya - Roppongi - Ginza Underpass - Ginza - Tokyo Tower - Shinagawa - Ikebukuro - Ueno - Tokyo Destinyland - Basilica - River Styx |
| Terminology | Terminal - Alignment - Ring of Gaea - Order of Messiah - Great Cataclysm - Sword fusion - Four Heavenly Kings |
| Soundtracks | Shin Megami Tensei Sound Collection |
| Archives | Demons - Bosses - Skills - Items |