Rokuten Maoh is based on Japanese unifier Oda Nobunaga. The name comes from Dairoktuen Maoh, a nickname for Nobunaga that is commonly translated as the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven. The Sixth Heaven refers to Takeji-Zaiten, the sixth of the desire realms between earth and heaven.
Design
Shigenori Soejima based Rokuten Maoh's design on Oda Nobunaga with the head being Nobunaga's helmet and the large spikes being his mustache. The flames were added to resemble Kanji's flaming skull t-shirt, and Soejima thought that Kanji would be stoked about the flame decals on his Persona, thinking, "It's so cool and American! How badass!" But as another Atlus staff member amusingly pointed out, fire would be attributed with Nobunaga due to his death at Honnoji, rather than him burning things down.[1]
In Golden, Kanji starts with Take-Mikazuchi. It transfigures into Rokuten-Maoh upon maxing his Social Link, and can further transfigure into Takeji-Zaiten during winter.
↑"Characters: Kanji Tatsumi", Persona 4 Official Design Works, Atlus, Famitsu Editorial Department. Published by Famitsu (2008). Japanese. p. 69. ISBN-13: 978-4757745087.