Cerberus
From MegatenWiki
Contents |
[edit] Literature
- Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei's Second demon summoned
[edit] Games
Present in the whole series in Majuu / Beast clan generally.
The exceptional categorizations are listed below:
| Game | Cate. | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army | Pyro order | |
| Persona 1 | Fortune arcanum | |
| Persona 2 | Fortune arcanum | |
| Persona 3 | Strength arcanum | (Koromaru's exclusive persona) |
| Persona 4 | Hierophant arcanum | |
| Digital Devil Saga | Asura | (Lupa's atma avatar) |
[edit] About
According to Greek mythology, Cerberus (Greek 'Kerberos' meaning 'demon of the pit') was the one of the sons of Typhon and Echidna, making him brethren with Hydra, Orthrus, Chimera, and many others. Cerberus is traditionally portrayed as a three-headed dog with a serpentine tail. He became the dog of the god of the underworld, Hades, and guardian of the gate to Hades. His job was to ensure that spirits of the dead could enter but not leave, and that nobody living could go in. Cerberus featured in many stories and has come into contact with (and been tricked by) several heroes, including Hercules, Orpheus, and Hermes. Cerberus is also considered by some to be one-in-the-same with Naberius, one of the 72 demons of the Goetia.
- Look up Cerberus in en Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
[edit] Portrait in Megaten series
Cerberus is a recurring monster (along with many) in the Megaten series. He mostly got depicted as a white lion with a what appears to be a long, black rat's tail. This Cerberus lacks three heads, or any resemblance to a dog of any kind. The only current exceptions to this irregularity are in Soul Hackers, Digital Devil Saga and Persona 3, where he does indeed have three heads. It should be noted that Orthrus in the early Megaten games is also portrayed as a one-headed dog in different color tone. It is probably due to the limited pixel of the consoles in the era. Cerberus originally appeared in the series as a reference to the original book, Digital Devil Story, in which he played a vital role as the protagonist, Akemi Nakajima's primary demon. So its one-head image is widely (though not completely) accepted by series fandom and remains in this way in most sequels.
A Cerberus named Cool is the main character's primary demon in Devil Children: Black Book. Unlike the other depictions in the series, he is portrayed as a dark purple fire breathing dog - although he only has one head.
In Shin Megami Tensei, the player can recruit Cerberus early on by fusing protagonist's pet dog Pascal with any demon. Even if it has higher level than protagonist, it will join the party and make upcoming boss fights much easier. However, it will jump in the first teleporter and disappear. The player will encounter this Cerberus again after the Great Disaster, during which it will rejoin.
In Shin Megami Tensei II, Cerberus is pet of Madam, Valhalla's governess. She lends it to Hawk to aid in the search for Hanada, a mad scientist. Cerberus leaves the party after they return to Madam's mansion. If the player tries to enter Valhalla after it was swallowed by Abaddon, Aleph will find Cerberus and it will rejoin.
In SMT Nocturne, Cerberus first appears at the Burial Chamber in the Amala Labyrinth's First Kalpa, where it will challenge Hito-Shura to prove his worth as a demon by quickly vanquishing once more those that he has once killed in the Vortex Word 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 Hito-Shura to his master's resting place instead at the Tomb of Yomi in the hidden 666th floor, where Hito-Shura will receive an extra Press Turn.
Cerberus can also be encountered and recruited at the Diet Building.
In Persona 3, The 3-headed version of Cerberus is utilized exclusively by Koromaru, the only canine Persona-user in the group. But using a debug code will allow you access to another Cerberus Persona that knows Great Seal and some Fusion Spells. (Using Great Seal will freeze up the game) When summoned, the white, single-headed lion-esqe version appears, suggesting that it's the likeness that may have been planned for official use in the game but later altered, being used instead as a base to create the Beast series shadow.
In Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha, Cerberus is a Pyro Order Demon.
 Soul Hackers portrayal |
 Digital Devil Saga portrayal |
 Persona 3 portrayal |
 Devil Summoner Raidou Kuzunoha portrayal |
