Megami Tensei is a media franchise consisting mainly of role-playing video games primarily developed and published by Atlus. It began in 1986 with the Digital Devil Story novel trilogy, shortly followed in 1987 by a film adaptation and the game Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei, which had two versions, one by Telenet Japan for home computers and one by Namco for the Famicom, the latter of which has since spawned several spin-offs and sub-series, such as Shin Megami Tensei, Persona and Devil Summoner. 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 series and films, manga, and a live-action television series, and has seen several music album releases.
The series has several recurring themes, including demon-summoning, Japanese folklore, and the occult. Despite its thematic roots in Japanese culture and mythology, it has found a cult following internationally.
Video games
Megami Tensei sub-series Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei Shin Megami Tensei Last Bible Majin Tensei Devil Summoner Persona Devil Children Digital Devil Saga Devil Survivor
The Megami Tensei video game series began with the 1987 game Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei, which was published by Namco for the home video game console Famicom, and was based on Aya Nishitani's Digital Devil Story novel trilogy. 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 Devil Summoner 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 Persona 4 Arena, the action game Jack Bros., and the strategy game Majin Tensei. 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, occult 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 Atlus, but other companies have also been involved, including Multimedia Intelligence Transfer, Lancarse, CAVE, 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 TitleWriterArtistPublisherReleaseRef.Shin Megami Tensei: Tokyo RevelationKazunari SuzukiChiaki OgishimaASCII Corporation1993–1996Shin Megami Tensei II: Tokyo Millennium(Unknown)(Unknown)ASCII Corporation1994Shin Megami Tensei I·II Comic(Unknown)(Unknown)Futabasha1995Majin Tensei: The True RemembranceShinshū UedaShinshū UedaEnix1995–1996Shin Megami Tensei If... Gakuen no Akuma TsukaiKazuaki YanagisawaKazuaki YanagisawaASCII Corporation1996Shin Megami Tensei: KahnKazuaki YanagisawaKazuaki YanagisawaASCII Corporation, Enterbrain1996–2002Megami Ibunroku Persona: Be Your True MindShinshū UedaShinshū UedaEnix1997–2000Devil Summoner: Soul HackersShouko TsutsumiShouko TsutsumiEnix1998–1999Shin Megami Tensei CG Senki: Dante no MonOsamu MakinoNatsuo AnetsuASCII Corporation1999–2000Persona 2: Tsumi: 4Koma Gag Battle(Unknown)(Unknown)Kobunsha1999–2000Shin Megami Tensei: Comic Anthology(Anthology featuring several writers)(Anthology featuring several artists)Kobunsha2001Persona: Tsumi to BatsuNaotsugu MatsuedaNaotsugu MatsuedaShueisha2000–2001Plastic Babies: Megami Ibunroku Persona & Persona 2: TsumiBeruno MikawaBeruno MikawaKobunsha2000–2011Shin Megami Tensei: 4Koma Gag Battle(Unknown)(Unknown)Kobunsha2001Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Children: 4Koma Gag Battle(Unknown)(Unknown)Kobunsha2001Shin Megami Tensei: Devil ChildrenFujii HideakiFujii HideakiKodansha2001–2002Megaten All-Stars Devils Arc(Unknown)(Unknown)Kobunsha2002Shin Megami Tensei: D-Children: Light & DarkFujii HideakiFujii HideakiKodansha2003–2004Shin Megami Tensei: EdenMutsuki AmatatsuMutsuki AmatatsuKadokawa Shoten2003Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne(Unknown)(Unknown)Enix2003Shin Megami Tensei: Nine: Anthology Comic(Anthology featuring several writers)(Anthology featuring several artists)Enterbrain2003Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne: Anthology Comic(Anthology featuring several writers)(Anthology featuring several artists)Enterbrain2003Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne: 4Koma Manga Gekishō(Unknown)(Unknown)Square Enix2003Shin Megami Tensei Gaiten: Hato no SenkiShinshū UedaShinshū UedaSquare Enix2003–2006Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner: Shinen no MatouMoheji YamasakiMoheji YamasakiJive2005Persona 3: Anthology Comic(Anthology featuring several writers)(Anthology featuring several artists)Enterbrain2006–2007Persona 3Shuji SogabeShuji SogabeKadokawa Shoten2007–Persona 4Shuji SogabeShuji SogabeKadokawa Shoten2008–Persona 4 Anthology Comic(Anthology featuring several writers)(Anthology featuring several artists)Enterbrain2008–2009Persona: Trinity Soul: Anthology Comic(Anthology featuring several writers)(Anthology featuring several artists)Enterbrain2008Devil Summoner: Kuzunoha Raidou tai Kodoku-no-MarebitoTaiyō Makabe, Anjū HaradaKirihito AyamuraEnterbrain2010–2012Devil SurvivorSatoru MatsubaSatoru MatsubaKodansha2012Persona 4: The MagicianShiichi KugureShiichi KugureASCII Corporation2012Devil Survivor 2: Show Your Free WillAtlusNagako SakakiEarth Star Entertainment2012Devil Survivor 2: The AnimationHaruto ShiotaMakoto UezuSquare Enix2012–2014Tartarus Gekijō: Persona 4 & Persona 3 & Persona 3 PortableRyo YasohachiRyo YasohachiKadokawa Shoten2012–2016Persona 4: The Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena: Comic Anthology(Anthology featuring several writers)(Anthology featuring several artists)Ichijinsha2012–2013Shin Megami Tensei IV: Dengeki Comic AnthologyAtlus(Anthology featuring several artists)ASCII Corporation2013Persona 4: The Ultimate in Mayonaka ArenaAiya KyuAiya KyuASCII Corporation2013–2014Persona X Detective NaotoNatsuki MamiyaSatoshi ShikiASCII Corporation2013–2014Shin Megami Tensei IV: Demonic GeneIkumi FukudaIkumi FukudaShueisha2014Shin Megami Tensei IV: PrayersMasataka MiuraMasataka MiuraShueisha2014Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth: Comic Anthology(Unknown)(Unknown)Ichijinsha2014–2015Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth – Side: P3Sō TobitaSō TobitaKodansha2015Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth – Side: P4MizunomotoMizunomotoKodansha2015–2017Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth: RoundaboutAkaumeAkaumeASCII Corporation2015P4U2: Persona 4 the Ultimax Ultra Suplex HoldRokuro SaitoRokuro SaitoKadokawa Corporation2015–2018Persona 5Hisato MurasakiHisato MurasakiShogakukan2016–Persona 5 Dengeki Comic Anthology(Anthology featuring several writers)(Anthology featuring several artists)Kadokawa Shoten2017Persona 5 Comic à la Carte(Anthology featuring several writers)(Anthology featuring several artists)Kadokawa Shoten2017Shin Megami Tensei DSJ Another ReportYasuo KanōYasuo KanōAkita Shoten2018–Persona 5: Mementos MissionRokuro SaitoRokuro SaitoKadokawa Corporation2018–
Music albums