The long-awaited Shin Megami Tensei V arrives today on Nintendo Switch, and while it might not have the following of its spin-off franchise, Persona, it is just as iconic and top-notch.
Known for its brutal difficulty and electric, dark atmosphere, players travel an apocalyptic landscape in a battle between Chaos and Order. Throughout your journey, you’ll come across characters who embody different ideals, challenging you as a player and changing the game’s ending. Who will you side with?
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In Shin Megami Tensei V, the protagonist (that’s you!) fuses with an entity known as Aogami and transforms into the Nahobino, a forbidden being with the power to eradicate demons and bring about the new world after the apocalypse.
Does monster collecting, demons and dark adventure strike your fancy? Here are five anime series to watch in between your play sessions.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
I think this one is pretty obvious, right? Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is all about killing demons, and quite frankly, that’s what Shin Megami Tensei is about too, though Angels are equally ruthless in this world.
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The most satisfying aspect of Shin Megami Tensei is finally beating a boss that gave you a hard time. Seeing Tanjiro in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba overcome his obstacles and defeat the strongest of opponents offers a similar feeling to taking on a power-hungry baddie.
Though, Tanjiro has a strong moral core. In Shin Megami Tensei, that’s up to you.
Watch Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba on Funimation!
Pokémon
That’s right, Pokémon! There are plenty of demons and monstrous creatures in Shin Megami Tensei, and while some are friendly, most will go ahead and just attack you. However, you can also convince them to join your cause, granting you extra muscle to take on your enemies!
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Sound familiar? Pokémon works in a similar fashion, where you collect different kinds of creatures to build out your party. Of course, Pokémon is a much more family-friendly franchise, even if some of the core gameplay elements are the same.
There are no apocalyptic events wiping out human civilization there! So if you want to chill out and relax with some cool monsters, try the Pokémon anime.
Jujutsu Kaisen
This is also a pretty easy pick, but one that fits so incredibly well. Jujutsu Kaisen has some really grotesque creature design, and so does Shin Megami Tensei. A match made in hell!
In Jujutsu Kaisen, Yuji Itadori swallows the finger of Ryomen Sukuna, a powerful curse who wants to harm humanity. Itadori then unwittingly becomes the curse’s host, yet, for the most part, Itadori can still control his own body.
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The Nahobino in Shin Megami Tensei V works in a similar fashion, except that the partnership is mutual and Aogami certainly doesn’t want to hurt anyone. While the dynamics are different, it’s really interesting to see how Itadori and Sukuna interact with each other compared to the protagonist and Aogami.
Watch Jujutsu Kaisen on Funimation!
Ga-Rei-Zero
An unfortunate part of Shin Megami Tensei is the fact that you have to turn on fellow friends if they hold conflicting ideals to the protagonist (again, you!). Ga-Rei-Zero follows a somewhat similar path through the story of two young girls, Kagura and Yomi, who are the daughters of exorcists.
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They fight demons together as part of Japan’s Supernatural Disaster Countermeasure Division. However, they eventually begin to develop irreconcilable differences throughout the series.
This theme of personal conflict between classmates and friends is entrenched within both Shin Megami Tensei and Ga-Rei-Zero. It’s a conflict that usually ends up disastrously.
Watch Ga-Rei-Zero on Funimation!
Death Note
Shin Megami Tensei always has different characters who represent each side in the war between Order and Chaos. And what better anime to exemplify that divide than the iconic Death Note?
The show follows Light Yagami, a young man who finds a notebook called the Death Note, which kills any person whose name is written in it. Yagami uses the book to enact his own sense of justice upon Japan. Going after criminals, it might seem (at first) like Light is using the Death Note for noble purposes. But what happens when he gets carried away?
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In Shin Megami Tensei, Order always equates to the “good” side. On the surface, that certainly seems right, but what’s beneath it? Maybe it’s not quite as pretty as you’d think. Light certainly thinks that what he’s doing is for the greater good, but does the end justify the means?
Watch Death Note on Funimation!
