Preta

Preta is a Demon in the Megami Tensei franchise.

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 some of 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

For complete gameplay information, see Gameplay:Preta.

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.
Soul Hackers (3DS)	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.
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

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Shin Megami Tensei V

Main Story

On a street in Tamachi, the Nahobino discovers a fairy-like demon named Amanozako who is cornered by three Preta. As the Nahobino approaches, they notice his presence while one of them demands to know who he is. The protagonist does not respond just as Amanozako hides behind a wall while spectating. The Preta believe that Nahobino will take their "food" away and attack as they threaten to slap him on their menu.

A Preta Predicament

Inside a cave to the northeast of Tamachi, the Nahobino discovers a group of starving Preta, who complain about being hungry. Speaking with the Preta Leader, he asks for his buddies to be found, demanding they get back the cave with food.

In Mita, a wandering Preta is seen scavenging underneath the trees. When asked he says that refuses to go back to the cave. He is afraid of what will happen if he returns without any food. Reporting back to the cave in Tamachi, the leader then asks the Nahobino to search for another Preta, that he believes is in Shiba.

Arriving at a cave on the east side of Shiba, a lone Preta is seen worshiping Apsaras alongside many Cait Sith and Kodama. When spoken to the worshiper replies that he has food but refuses to go back as he has “found his own path”. He gives the Nahobino Sake and Dango Medley asking him to deliver it.

Returning to the cave in Tamachi the Preta are excited about the food. They gather the group around the campfire for a feast. However, the feast does not last long as the devoured food leaves them unsatisfied. They then ask the Nahobino if he has anything more to give them. When he refuses, the group attacks. After defeating them, they apologize for their behavior and give him the Haunt Talisman.

Trivia

In Shin Megami Tensei V, If the Nahobino sides with Leanan Sidhe, the Preta will continue to worship Apsaras even if she is defeated.

Nomenclature

Names in Other Languages
Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	ガキ GakiShin Megami Tensei (Super Famicom) Shin Megami Tensei V 餓鬼 GakiShin Megami Tensei (Mega-CD)	Hungry ghost; the Japanese name for Preta.