Boss
Boss is a minor character in Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse. Formerly an active Hunter for 10 years, he now runs the Kinshicho Hunter Association.
Profile
Boss is Asahi's father and Nanashi's adoptive father. He takes his job of running Kinshicho's Hunter Association seriously, even extending his professionalism to Asahi when she does not refer to him as "Boss" at work. Despite his impersonal treatment, he loves his daughter dearly. Since his job keeps him busy, he relies on Nanashi to watch over her in his place, as he knows her habits well.
He appears to be an older-looking man with a stubble. He carries around a pipe and wears glasses.
Game Appearances
Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse
Boss is first seen working at Kinshicho's Hunter Association when Asahi and Nanashi arrive to watch the morning broadcast and to look for Nikkari and Manabu. He is about to remind her to address him as "Boss" but she interrupts him whilst yielding to his request. He goes on to lecture her, saying she could learn a few things from Nanashi and how she cannot fathom how much he has and will do to take care of them. Then he tells them that Nikkari is somewhere around the bar and to not keep him waiting.
After the quest to gather food at Kinshi Park goes awry, Boss immediately sends some Hunters to recover the corpses of Nikkari and Manabu. He tries to comfort Asahi and Nanashi by telling them to take it easy. However, Asahi asks him to make her and Nanashi official Hunters, to which he refuses as the two are still kids. When she continues to insist, he admonishes her, admitting he never wanted to the two to become Hunters and that the two should not worry about the bigger picture. He ends the conversation here and asks Asahi for Nikkari's phone, only for her to ignore him and run out of the bar. Exasperated, he asks Nanashi to follow her, to which he obliges.
When Asahi and Nanashi return to the bar later after taking on a high-leveled mission at the Sky Tower, Boss scolds them for disregarding his worries, emphasizing the dangers that come with being a Hunter. Flynn cuts in to compliment the two as accomplished Hunters, surprising Boss with his presence. He is placated by the praise Flynn and Isabeau give to his kids for their actions. With the two Samurai vouching for his kids' capabilities, Boss officially deems Asahi and Nanashi as Hunters, but orders Nanashi to keep an eye on Asahi since he is still worried. While registering the two in the database, he asks the two about the aliases they want to go by, with Asahi taking a while to settle on one. He gets annoyed at how long it takes for her to decide and tells her to just use her real name. Afterwards, he reiterates the dangers of being a Hunter and reminds them to thank Flynn and Isabeau for rescuing them. He also wishes that he and the rest of Tokyo could do more to help Flynn out and promises to send aid if the Samurai asks.
Later, Asahi and Nanashi come back to the bar to ask him for more quests, but rather than give them another job, he goes into another lecture. He mentions taking on smaller jobs first to gain experience over time. He becomes annoyed when Asahi continues to pester him and tells her to check her phone if she wants more work to do. She leaves the bar once more while Boss repeats his earlier order to Nanashi to watch over her.
After the Divine Powers makes their presence known to all of Tokyo, Boss provides supplies for his kids to bring to Shinjuku for a resupply run.
This section contains spoilers. (Skip Section)
When the Tokugawa Mandala activates and prevents demon summoning, Kinshicho is beseiged by hordes of demons allied with the Divine Powers, including Quetzalcoatl. In a rush, Asahi runs headfirst into the underground district to check on her father but he protects her from the full brunt of the demon's attack. While Nanashi and the rest of his party defeat Quetzalcoatl, Boss' wounds prove to be fatal, due to bleeding out without immediate treatment. In his dying breath, he urges Asahi not to cry and reminds Nanashi to always watch over her.
Once Nanashi completes every non-DLC Challenge Quest, the bartender that takes over Kinshicho's Hunter Association after Boss' death will give him the Master Suit—a tricked out variant of Nanashi's jumpsuit made by Boss himself. He planned to gift the suit once Nanashi became the strongest Hunter.[1]
- End of spoilers.
Trivia
- Character Designer Masayuki Doi states that Asahi's and Nanashi's clothes were chosen by Boss and reflect his hopes for the future.[2]
Nomenclature
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Japanese |
マスター | Master; common way of referring to barkeepers in Japan. |
Gallery
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In-game Sprite
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Boss talking
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Boss smiling
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Boss wearing a rueful smile
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An angry Boss
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A flustered Boss
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Boss bleeding out
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Boss protecting Asahi
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A dead Boss
References
- ↑ "Bartender: B-Boss made that, for you... H-He said to give it to you once you became the strongest Hunter... H-He really tricked it out..." Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse.
- ↑ "アサヒのパイロット風の装備も、東京の上空が厚い岩盤に覆われている現状から、空を飛べるような未来に向かってほしいという願いを込めて、父親が選んだものです。子どもは、親から服を買い与えられるものですからね。アサヒの父親は、主人公の養父でもあり、“NO WAR”の文字がデザインされた主人公の服も、文字通り戦争のない世界を生きてほしいという大人の気持ちの表れです" [1]. Published March 10, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2023. Famitsu.