Shin Megami Tensei V is shaping up to be the Nintendo Switch‘s next big RPG. Not only does it mark the return of the series to home consoles, it also harkens back to themes of rebirth and recreation that haven’t truly been seen since the fan-favorite Nocturne. Add this to more dynamic gameplay and a greater freedom of movement, and it’s safe to say that this is the best-looking SMT title in years.
Despite all the hype surrounding the game, however, reception to its protagonist has been mixed. Some fans wholeheartedly embraced the androgynous Nahobino, with LGBTQ+ fans being particularly supportive of the design. However, others were disappointed by the divergence from “tough guy” heroes like Nocturne‘s Demi-Fiend and Strange Journey‘s strike team soldier. While what makes a design good is ultimately in the eye of the beholder, examining the SMT series as a whole reveals that Nahobino’s looks are not that much of a departure for the franchise.
Religion and mythology are by far the greatest sources of inspiration for the Shin Megami Tensei series, and many entities in these stories don’t have genders that correspond to human ones. The Hindu pantheon, from which many of the series’ strongest gods are derived, is full of deities that change or fuse genders throughout their respective stories. Similarly, some angels in the series evoke more Biblically-accurate descriptions, meaning they have no obviously-gendered traits. Even God’s chariot Merkabah is depicted in the fourth game as an intersexed entity. Therefore, if the series is willing to depict lore characters of ambiguous gender, it makes sense for at least one protagonist to follow suit.
This is not to say that Nahobino will necessarily be non-binary or genderfluid. On the contrary, despite his androgynous appearance, Atlus’ promotional material indicate the character is male. While this may disappoint fans who were hoping for greater representation, it might also provide a clue as to how the game’s story will unfold. Combinations of masculine and feminine traits are common throughout the SMT franchise, often being important to its demon fusion mechanic or even informing the story. So, while the Nahobino may begin as a male, it’s not a guarantee that he’ll stay that way.
The name “Nahobino” may derive from the “Nahobi-no-kami,” Shinto deities responsible for correcting the actions of calamity gods known as “Magatsuhi.” There are two of these deities, which could correspond to the protagonist and his benefactor Aogami fusing into the game’s Nahobino. However, the Kojiki text also mentions a goddess named Izunome-no-kami being born alongside them. This may explain the protagonist’s androgynous appearance, aesthetically referencing her part in the story, or it might be a clue that the character will eventually incorporate a more feminine aspect throughout the game.
The hero being based on the Nahobi-no-kami would make sense given the return of magatsuhi, which is a resource used in creation in the series. Since screenshots indicate it will play a role in gameplay, it’s quite possible some analogy to Izunome-no-kami will as well. Such a twist wouldn’t be unheard of. After all, the aforementioned Merkabah was created from a male human, and the Digital Devil Saga games are effectively about the formation of the divine multi-gendered Seraph. This isn’t to say the Nahobino will definitely fuse with her — that obviously remains to be seen — just that fans shouldn’t be surprised if he does.
Even if the hero doesn’t undergo any further physical changes, that still wouldn’t preclude the possibility of an associated goddess playing some prominent part in the story. In fact, she may be hiding in plain sight. Mido, the long-time head of the Cathedral of Shadows, appears to have been supplanted as the heroes’ demon-fuser by the new character Sophia, whose role as an avatar of wisdom in both mythology and past SMT games inherently raises the possibility of her being more than just a fancy NPC. If so, it will certainly be interesting to see how Atlus combines a Gnostic character with these Shinto concepts.
However SMT V‘s story unfolds, one can’t deny that its hero’s design stands out from his peers. The post-apocalyptic setting has already drawn comparisons to Nocturne, so it’s refreshing that the artists didn’t just recycle the Demi-Fiend. The Nahobino may not look like a traditional masculine lead, but one can’t deny that he’s perfectly suited to brave the new world.
About The Author