Shin Megami Tensei V Daily Demon Video #165 Showcases the Disturbingly Endearing Piggyback Demon, Obariyon

The official Youtube channel for Atlus Japan has shared the 165th Daily Demon video for the upcoming Shin Megami Tensei V. This entry highlights Obariyon, a bizarre demon in Japanese mythology who attaches itself to travelers finding themselves near forests or the like. Due to a curse, the Obariyon’s weight on a person’s shoulders typically results in insanity. However, if one manages to bring the creature to their residence, it transforms into golden coins.

Thanks to the Megami Tensei Fandom wiki for describing Obariyon as a “piggyback demon.” I could not think of a way to describe this thing, and I found that description cute.

Obariyon wields evasion-centric skills such as Sukukaja, and it is typically used in conjunction with that functionality alongside minor physical support. Obariyon debuted in Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner, and its first Persona game appearance was in Persona 4. Well, to be technical, its actual first appearance was apparently in this web browser RPG called Persona Ain Soph, but I doubt many would care about that.

You can view the Shin Megami Tensei V Daily Demon video introducing Obariyon below:

Shin Megami Tensei V takes place after a murder occurs in modern-day Tokyo that blocks the game’s protagonist from walking home. The detour may have been due to fate or another force, but he finds himself buried and unconscious.

When he awakens, he finds himself in a new Tokyo, a wasteland after the apocalypse known as Da’at. He quickly finds out that he’s not alone, as demons are closing in on his location. However, a mighty being known as a Nahobino appears and saves him. With this power, the protagonist can venture through Da’at and hopefully get some answers about what happened to his former home.

Shin Megami Tensei V is releasing for Nintendo Switch on November 12, 2021.