Maruo

Maruo
Other Name(s)	Grand Member (by Maruologists)
Occupation(s)	Cult Leader
Affiliation(s)	Maruology
Race(s)	Human
Alignment(s)	Chaos

Maruo is a minor character in Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse. He is featured in 3 Challenge Quests: "[Grd] West Entry Park Security", "National Park Farm Security", and "Help Me, Hunter Boy".

Profile

Maruo is the founder and leader of the Maruology cult, attracting people to his ideals of self-acceptance. His firm words and loud attitude resonate with his followers, allowing him to sway them to do his bidding. However, he shrinks away upon facing opposition whilst trying to hide this weakness from his followers.

He is a plump man that wears a green hoodie, a golden chain necklace, sunglasses, and a backwards cap.

Gameplay

Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse

	Name Level HP MP Maruo 43 3993 733	Strength 75 Dexterity 40 Magic 30 Agility 55 Luck 70
Race AlignmentFactored with certain skills EXP Human Chaos —
Drop — — —
Resistances RsResist RsResist RsResist RsResist RsResist RsResist NuNull RsResist ×½×0.50 ×½×0.50 ×½×0.50 ×½×0.50 ×½×0.50 ×½×0.50 ×1 ×½×0.50
Ailment Resistances ×0 WkWeak RsResist RsResist WkWeak ×0 ×0 ×0
Skill Affinity — — — — — — — — — — — —
Basic Attack Element Hit(s) Target Effect Phys 1 Single enemy —
Skills Skill Cost Description Maru-maru Dance 1 MP Inflicts Charm to all foes. Good Night, Baby 1 MP Heavy physical damage to one foe. Inflicts Sleep. As I Wish 1 MP Heavy physical damage to all foes. High critical but low accuracy. Being Myself 1 MP Inflicts Bind to all foes.

Game Appearances

Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse

Maruo gathers his followers, known as Maruologists, to take over West Shinjuku Park, forcing out the Hunters who used the park as hunting grounds for demons. In his midst is a meek woman, who he preaches his message to: ideas of self-acceptance and living the way one wants to live. He promises he will still love her and the rest of his followers no matter what and affirms the belief in doing what one wants. The crowd cheers louder at the affirmation, but Nanashi attempts to settle their chanting. Although the Maruologists attack Nanashi for daring to interrupt Maruo, he steps forward to protect his followers. He calms them down then chides them for fighting, claiming that they will not be strong unless they are honest with themselves. Maruo then faces Nanashi himself to set an example but tires out, forfeiting the fight under the guise of being bored. However, before leaving, he promises that he will show his true self when he runs into Nanashi again.

He later directs his followers to steal crops from Shinjuku National Park to lure Nanashi back for a rematch. When Nanashi arrives, Maruo summons three Girimekhalas, intent on baring his true self and teaching the boy a lesson. During the fight, he tries to convince Nanashi to join his cult to no avail and is further frustrated by the refusal once the Girimekhalas are defeated. He spouts platitude after platitude, desperate to sway Nanashi, but only succeeds in confusing his followers. Suddenly, Mara manifests from his body and the demon leads away Maruo and his followers.

Afterwards, he sends Nanashi a distress call to save his followers from Mara after the demon took them to Kiba Storage. Once Nanashi arrives and defeats Mara, Maruo's influence on his followers fades and he loses weight, both being granted by Mara. He asks if everyone is unscathed and confesses to have lied about his real self with help from Mara, causing his followers to abandon him for betraying their trust. However, the meek woman from before admits that his reassurance saved her despite it being based in lies. With this encouragement, Maruo recalls his desire to help people and decides to start over.

He is later found at Shinjuku National Park, working hard to help the farmers there.

Nomenclature

Names in Other Languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	マルヲ	Maruo

Gallery

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