Preta

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Preta is a Demon in the Megami Tensei franchise.

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Profile

Origin

Preta, also known as "hungry ghost" or "gaki", originate from Buddhism. They are people who have reincarnated into humanoid creatures due to unjust deeds committed in their past lives. They are prone to wandering off into the human realm after being sent to one of the six realms: The Hungry Ghost Realm, a realm where Preta reside.

As punishment for their karma, they are inflicted with the inability to eat. Due to the thin size of their neck; if they succeed, the food will ignite in their mouth. They may also be attacked by animals, or driven off by bigger, stronger demons such as Oni. Among the most notorious punishments is being cursed with an insatiable hunger for something inedible such as human waste. Preta aren't invisible to the human eye. However, in a Preta-centric Theravada Buddhist story, The Petavatthu, it is mentioned that people such as monks can communicate with them.

The depictions of Preta vary but in a Japanese scroll called the Gaki-zoshi, they are portrayed as grotesque with thin limbs and a large swollen stomach. They are illustrated slightly taller than humans. The Preta have a variety of skin colors: black, dark blue, yellow, and beige. The scroll also depicts them naked while the others wear fundoshi.

Design

Preta's design varies in each game.

His debut in Shin Megami Tensei has a monstrous appearance; having three fingers with sharp claws, purple skin, and a large swollen stomach.

Last Bible, portrays him as a short ghoulish demon with beige skin and large lips.

In Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner, he has purple skin, and a swollen stomach. This design also features an elongated chin, two golden bracelets, red ofuda, and a messy bowl cut.

His design in Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers is the same but a color swap with brown skin, gray bracelets, and yellow ofuda. This design is more faithful to the Preta depicted in the Gaki-Zoshi scroll.

Preta typically has visible but censored genitalia. However, for the 3D Shin Megami Tensei appearances it is left uncensored while in other games such as in Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon it has been removed entirely.

Gameplay

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne

Name	Level
Preta	4

Obtained	—

Race	Alignment	HP	MP
Haunt	Dark	54	24

Resistances
Phys	Fire	Ice	Elec	Force	Almighty
—	—	—	—	—	—
×1	×1	×1	×1	×1	×1
Expel	Death	Curse	Nerve	Mind	Explode
—	—	—	—	—	—
×1	×1	×1	×1	×1	×1

Skill Inheritance
Preference	MoMouth	WiWing	EyEye	LuLunge	BiBite	ClClaw	WeWeapons	GiGirl	TaTalk
—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Skills
Skill	Attribute	Cost	Description	Level

Name	Level
Preta	4

Obtained	—

Race	Alignment	HP	MP
Haunt	Dark	54	24

Resistances
Phys	Fire	Ice	Elec	Force	Almighty
—	—	—	—	—	—
×1	×1	×1	×1	×1	×1
Expel	Death	Curse	Nerve	Mind	Explode
—	—	—	—	—	—
×1	×1	×1	×1	×1	×1

Skill Inheritance
Preference	MoMouth	WiWing	EyEye	LuLunge	BiBite	ClClaw	WeWeapons	GiGirl	TaTalk
—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Skills
Skill	Attribute	Cost	Description	Level

Shin Megami Tensei V

Name	Level
Preta	3

Race	HP	MP	C. CostCompendium Summoning Cost	Gift Type
Haunt	40	54	—	—

Resistances

—	WkWeak	—	—	WkWeak	WkWeak	StrStrong
×1	×1	×1	×1	×1	×1	×1

Ailment Resistances

—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
×1	×1	×1	×1	×1	×1	×1	×1

Skill Potential

+1	—	+1	—	—	-3	+3	—	—	-1	—

Basic Attack	1 attack with the Phys element to 1 enemy

Skills
Skill	Cost	Description	Level

Magatsuhi Skills
Skill	Description
Omagatoki: Critical	All attacks, including magical attacks, will become Critical hits for all allies for 1 turn.
Twilight WaveRequires Haunt Talisman	Heavy Physical attack to all foes. Chance of inflicting Sleep.

Compendium

Compendium Entries
Shin Megami Tensei (A-Mode DDS)	Origin: Japan - The forms of greedy souls. They have large heads and a thin neck, fat bellies, and shriveled limbs. They are plagued with a hunger that can never be satisfied.
Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne	They are "hungry ghosts," as they are unable to swallow food. This is a punishment in reincarnation. One with too many desires in life is doomed to spend time as a Preta.
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey	A ghoulish demon of Buddhist lore. Greedy humans cast into the Preta realm of Hell become these. Their hunger is unrelenting and their suffering continues until they are reincarnated.
Shin Megami Tensei IV	Known as gaki in Japanese, they are ghoulish demons of Buddhist lore. Greedy humans cast into the preta realm become these. Their hunger is unrelenting and their suffering continues until they are reincarnated.
Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse	Known as gaki in Japanese, they are ghoulish demons of Buddhist lore. Greedy humans cast into the preta realm become these. Their hunger is unrelenting and their suffering continues until they are reincarnated.
Shin Megami Tensei V	Known as "gaki" in Japanese, they are ghoulish demons of Buddhist lore. Greedy humans cast into the preta realm become these. Their hunger is unrelenting and their suffering continues until they are reincarnated.
Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine	The form given to those who are cast down into the Preta Realm, one of the Six Realms of Buddhist scriptures. Those who lived extravagant lives are said to be cast into the Preta Realm after death. Preta are constantly tormented by hunger and thirst, but whenever they put something to their mouths, it bursts into flame, and so they are eternally deprived of food and drink. Their figures are gaunt, except for their bellies, which are strangely swollen.
Liberation Dx2	Known as Gaki in Japanese, they are ghoulish demons of Buddhist lore. Greedy humans cast into the Preta realm become these unfortunate creatures. Any food they try to consume burns up in their mouth, fated to be tormented by never ending hunger and thirst.
Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon	A ghoulish demon from Buddhist myth. Greedy humans cast into the Preta realm of hell become these. Their hunger is unrelenting and their suffering continues until they are reincarnated.

Game Appearances

Shin Megami Tensei V

Preta can be encounter in the Netherworld of Da'at: Minato.

Main Quest

At the streets of Tamachi, the protagonist Nahobino discovers a fairy-like demon named Amanozako who is being threatened by three Pretas. As Nahobino getting closer to rescue her, the Pretas noticing his approach as one of them ask who he is; the protagonist didn't respond while Amanozako hides behind the rocks spectating. One of the three Pretas believes that Nahobino is about to take the "food" away from them due to their starvation. They eventually run towards to the protagonist for an attack as they desperately want to slap him on their "menu".

Nahobino then defeats them and saves Amanozako.

A Preta Predicament

Inside the cave of the northeast of Tamachi, Nahobino discovers a group of starving Pretas who complains about their hunger. He then asks the Preta Leader about the situation. The Leader responds that he and the Pretas don't have any food, expecting his wanderers to scavenger it but never come back. He then wants Nahobino to search the wandering Pretas and demands them to "get their butts" to back the cave with food. Nahobino agrees and sets out to find them.

Later at a street of Mita, Nahobino found a wandering Preta who is scavenging underneath the trees. He replies to Nahobino that refuse to go back to the cave because he's nervous of what will happen if he returns home without any food. The protagonist later went back to the cave in Tamachi to report the Preta Leader about the unfortunate luck. The Leader then asks him to search another wandering Preta, believes that he's located at Shiba.

Nahobino later made it to the interior cave of the east side of Shiba. He discovers a wandering Preta who is worshipping Apsaras along with his own kind, Cait Siths, and Kodamas. A worshipping Preta replied that he got the food but refuses to go back to the cave as he's too occupied. He instead gave Nahobino the food to deliver called "Sake and Dango Medley".

Nahobino later made it back to the cave of Tamachi and gave the Sake and Dango Medley to the Preta Leader. The Leader is very excited for Nahobino bringing food to the Pretas and gathers the group around the campfire for a feast. However, the feast didn't last long as the hungry demons ate the entire food and left them very unsatisfied. They then ask Nahobino if he has anything more to give them; the protagonist refused. The group have no choice but to attack him.

After the fight, Nahobino defeats the Pretas. They apologize to Nahobino for their behavior and gives him a Haunt Talisman item.

Apsaras Subquest

If Nahobino sides with Leanan Sidhe and defeats her, a Preta will continue to worship Apsaras even if she gone.

If Nahobino side with Apsaras, a Preta will normally worship her as usual.

Miscellaneous

A Preta is standing behind the Tokyo Diet Building in Nagatacho. There, he heard rumors that the "old meeting place" where "big important humans" gather a long time one. He is fascinated over the fanciness of the building.

Nomenclature

Names in Other Languages
Language	Name	Meaning