'' Megami Tensei'' is a series of

role-playing video game A role-playing video game (commonly referred to as simply a role-playing game or RPG, as well as a computer role-playing game or CRPG) is a video game genre where the player controls the actions of a character (or several party members) immers ...

s primarily developed and published by

Atlus is a Japanese video game developer, publisher, arcade manufacturer and distribution company based in Tokyo. A subsidiary of Sega, the company is known for video game series such as ''Megami Tensei'', ''Persona'', ''Etrian Odyssey'' and ''Trau ...

. It began in 1987 with the Famicom game '' Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei'', and has since spawned several spin-offs and sub-series, such as ''Shin Megami Tensei'', '' Persona'' and ''

Devil Summoner ''Devil Summoner'', initially marketed as ''Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner'', is a video game franchise developed and primarily published by Atlus. Focused on a series of role-playing video games, ''Devil Summoner'' is a spin-off from Atlus' ...

''. In addition to the console and computer releases, there are ''Megami Tensei'' mobile games, several of which are developed by Menue. The series also includes additional media, such as

anime is Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside of Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, in Japan and in Japane ...

series and films,

manga Manga (Japanese: 漫画 ) are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Most manga conform to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and the form has a long prehistory in earlier Japanese art. The term ''manga'' is u ...

, and a live-action television series, and has seen several music album releases. The series has several recurring themes, including

demon A demon is a malevolent supernatural entity. Historically, belief in demons, or stories about demons, occurs in religion, occultism, literature, fiction, mythology, and folklore; as well as in media such as comics, video games, movies, ani ...

summoning Evocation is the act of evoking, calling upon, or summoning a spirit, demon, deity or other supernatural agents, in the Western mystery tradition. Comparable practices exist in many religions and magical traditions and may employ the use of mi ...

, Japanese folklore, and the

occult The occult, in the broadest sense, is a category of esoteric supernatural beliefs and practices which generally fall outside the scope of religion and science, encompassing phenomena involving otherworldly agency, such as magic and mysticism a ...

. Despite its thematic roots in

Japanese culture The culture of Japan has changed greatly over the millennia, from the country's prehistoric Jōmon period, to its contemporary modern culture, which absorbs influences from Asia and other regions of the world. Historical overview The ance ...

and

mythology Myth is a folklore genre consisting of narratives that play a fundamental role in a society, such as foundational tales or origin myths. Since "myth" is widely used to imply that a story is not objectively true, the identification of a narrat ...

, it has found a

cult following A cult following refers to a group of fans who are highly dedicated to some person, idea, object, movement, or work, often an artist, in particular a performing artist, or an artwork in some medium. The lattermost is often called a cult classic. ...

internationally.

Video games

The ''Megami Tensei'' video game series began with the 1987 game '' Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei'', which was published by

Namco was a Japanese multinational corporation, multinational video game and entertainment company, headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo. It held several international branches, including Namco America in Santa Clara, California, Namco Europe in London, Na ...

for the home video game console Famicom, and was based on Aya Nishitani's novel of the same name. It received a sequel in 1990, after which a number of sub-series were created; the ''Shin Megami Tensei'' sub-series, along with the original ''Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei'' titles, form the core of the ''Megami Tensei'' series, while others, such as the ''

'' and '' Persona'' series, as well as the '' Fire Emblem'' crossover '' Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE,'' are spin-offs. Some spin-offs belong to other genres than role-playing, such as the

fighting game A fighting game, also known as a versus fighting game, is a video game genre, genre of video game that involves combat between two or more players. Fighting game combat often features mechanics such as Blocking (martial arts), blocking, grappli ...

'' Persona 4 Arena'', the

action game An action game is a video game genre that emphasizes physical challenges, including hand–eye coordination and reaction-time. The genre includes a large variety of sub-genres, such as fighting games, beat 'em ups, shooter games, and platform gam ...

Jack Bros. ''Jack Bros.'' is an action game, action video game developed and published by Atlus for the Virtual Boy, released in late 1995 in Japan and North America. It is a spin-off from Atlus' video game series ''Megami Tensei'', and was the first entr ...

'', and the strategy game ''

Majin Tensei ''Majin Tensei'' is a series of strategy video games published by Atlus. It is a spin-off from Atlus' ''Megami Tensei'' franchise, and began with 1994's ''Majin Tensei''. Since then, four further titles have been released: ''Majin Tensei II: Spi ...

''. Most entries in the series are unrelated to one another, but carry over common thematic elements and gameplay mechanics, such as a contemporary urban setting,

themes, demon-summoning and recruitment, and the ability to fuse two or more demons together to create more powerful demons. Most of the games are developed by

, but other companies have also been involved, including Multimedia Intelligence Transfer, Lancarse,

CAVE A cave or cavern is a natural void in the ground, specifically a space large enough for a human to enter. Caves often form by the weathering of rock and often extend deep underground. The word ''cave'' can refer to smaller openings such as sea ...

, Nex Entertainment, and Arc System Works. Atlus has also worked with Menue on multiple mobile spin-off games, including ones based on ''Persona'' and ''Devil Summoner''.

Film and television

Manga

Music albums

Notes

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Megami Tensei media Japanese television-related lists Megami Tensei Megami Tensei