Rangda is the demon queen of the leyaks, witches who can separate their head and entrails from their body, according to traditional Balinese mythology. Terrifying to behold, the child-eating Rangda leads an army of evil witches against the leader of the forces of good, Barong.
It is suggested that Rangda may be derived from the 11th century Javan queen Mahendradatta who was exiled by the king, Dharmodayana, for allegedly practicing witchcraft. The tale surrounding this is that she proceeded to take her revenge by killing off half the kingdom, which by then belonged to her and Dharmodayana's son Airlangga, with plague before being overcome by a holy man. The name Rangda itself means "widow" in old Javanese and Balinese language. It may also be associated with the legend of a demon queen named Calon Arang, who wreaked havoc in late 10th century Java, during the reign of Airlangga.
Rangda is important in Balinese culture, and performances depicting her struggles with Barong or with Airlangga in that tale are popular tourist attractions as well as tradition. She is depicted as a mostly nude old woman, with long and unkempt hair, pendulous breasts and claws. Her face is traditionally a horrifying fanged and goggle-eyed mask, with a long, protruding tongue.
It has been suggested that Rangda may be closely associated with the Hindu warrior mother goddess Durga, or the black goddess of destruction Kali, given that Bali is a Hindu island. While Rangda is mainly seen as fearsome and a personification of evil, she is also seen as a protective figure in some parts of Bali. The colors associated with Rangda are red, black and white, and these colors are also associated with Kali, and her iconography is also similar to Kali. Mahendradatta, the queen Rangda might be based on, was known for her devotion to the cult of Durga in Bali.
In almost every installment, fusing Rangda and Barong will result in Shiva. She is also so prominent with her signature physical repelling resistance throughout the series but with some sort of weakness to magic, particularly electricity, which is the element usually possessed by Barong.
Shin Megami Tensei[]
"Origin: Bali. A witch that is said to live in Bali. Rangda uses her black magic to perform evil deeds. When this happens, the holy beastBarong appears from nowhere to challenge her."
—Shin Megami Tensei A-Mode DDS dictionary
Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE[]
Rangda can be encountered as a boss by obtaining an item from giving five opals to the Barong Believer in Protopia. Using this item in a plasma that appears by the teleport in Kagurazaka Caverns' gold level instance will spawn her. She has a rare chance of dropping her plug-in item.
Rangda lacks her usual reflection of physical attacks; nullifying them instead. Her illusion variant, which was implemented much earlier than her regular form, still reflects physical instead of nulling it.
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey[]
Rangda can be found and recruited in Sector Horologium or fused. Barong, found in Horologium 1F, posts an EX Mission to issue a challenge to her. Once found and talked to, she responds to the mirror Barong sends with one of her claws.
Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse[]
Rangda can be found in Camp Ichigaya. She can teach Nanashi the Binding Claw, Mazandyne and Madness Nails skill through her Demon Whisper. She benefits from learning Force, Physical and healing skills.
Shin Megami Tensei V[]
Rangda is one of the demons required to fuse Shiva.
Enemy Rangda can be spoken to by Barong. She tries to reconcile with him but he appears oblivious and insults her as an "old hag", prompting her to snap and attack.
Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers[]
"A wicked witch and the symbol of evil in Balinese Hinduism. When women who used magic held a grudge or went down the path of evil, they became this dreadful creature. She spreads plagues, causes natural disasters, curses people, and even uses evil spirits to do her bidding. The holy beast Barong that symbolizes good is her eternal rival. Even if defeated, she will come back to life, and their battle will have no end."
—Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers 3DS compendium
Soul Hackers 2[]
"A wicked witch and symbol of evil in Balinese Hinduism. Women who used magic, held a grudge, or walked an unrighteous path were said to have transformed into this dreadful creature, where they would go on to spread plagues, cause natural disasters, curse the people, and even use evil spirits to do their bidding. The holy beast Barong, champion of the forces of good, is her eternal rival, for even if Rangda is defeated, she will always come back to life."
"A wicked witch of Balinese lore. She represents evil, and is Barong's eternal rival. Even if defeated, she will come back to life, and their battle will have no end."
—Persona 3 compendium
Rangda is the penultimate Persona of the Magician Arcana. By using a triangle fusion of Orobas, Sati and Hua Po, the resulting Rangda can potentially inherit the Fire Boost skill from Hua Po to increase its damage output.
Reload[]
Rangda can be found on the 1st half of Harabah, the fifth section of Tartarus.
Persona 5[]
"A wicked witch of Balinese lore, she represents evil and is Barong's eternal rival. Even if defeated, she will come back to life, and their battle will have no end."
—Persona 5 background
Rangda is the seventh Persona of the Magician Arcana and can be found in the later areas of Niijima's Palace and in the Sheriruth area of Mementos, with the title of "Dancing Witch." She is the first Persona to learn the Bloodbath Physical skill and also serves as an initial source of the Counterstrike skill, which she has in addition to naturally repelling Physical and Gun skills. When itemized through Electric Chair Execution, Rangda yields the Bloodbath Skill Card. Rangda is once again needed for a special fusion with Barong to summon Shiva.
Royal[]
When itemized through Electric Chair Execution, Rangda will now yield the Maeiga Skill Card, and during a fusion alarm, Rangda will yield the Eigaon Skill Card.
The Shadow of Kuniko Kagami will take the form of Rangda when confronted in Mementos during the "A Small Cry for Help" request. After being defeated, she will drop the Spiral Hell Ringaccessory, which gives the wearer the skill Mamudoon.
Demikids Light/Dark[]
"An evil witch of many guises that uses its deadly powers to destroy its enemies."
—Demonary
Known as Rhanda, she can perform the combo Fiery Impact with Flarlok. She also has the power Rogue Charm.
Devil Survivor[]
Rangda holds a distinction of being a consistent source of decent "Phys Repel" skill, since she appears in Free Battles late in the game and thus becomes available on Devil Auction once defeated.
Devil Survivor 2[]
"A wicked witch and the symbol of evil in Balinese Hinduism. When women who used magic held a grudge or went down the path of evil, they became this dreadful creature. She spreads plagues, causes natural disasters, curses people, and even uses evil spirits to do her bidding. The holy beast Barong that symbolizes good is her eternal rival. Even if defeated, she will come back to life, and their battle will have no end."
—Devil Survivor 2 compendium
Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2[]
"A wicked enchantress and the symbol of evil in Balinese Hinduism. When a witch full of hate strays from the path of good to serve evil, they become this vile creature. Rangda uses black magic to cause natural disasters, plagues, curses, and even uses evil spirits to do her bidding."
Rangda's appearance in Megami Tensei and several other early games is simply a palette swap of Barong.
Starting from Shin Megami Tensei, fusing Rangda and Barong creates Shiva, one of the most important gods of Hinduism who represents eternity, creation and destruction.
Magician
.png "Rangda (Dx2 Art).png (1.13 MB)")
_57_10556.png "Devil Survivor 2 (USA) 57 10556.png (23 KB)")
.png "Rangda (P O.A.).png (373 KB)")
Japanese
French
Italian
German
Spanish