Tao Isonokami

	This article contains major spoilers for the following media:
	Shin Megami Tensei V
	Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance
	The contents of this article cover major plot and/or character spoilers. Reader discretion is advised.

Tao Isonokami
磯野上タオ
Artwork from Shin Megami Tensei V
Other Name(s)	Tao The Saint
School(s)	Jouin High School
Occupation(s)	Saint
Affiliation(s)	Bethel
Race(s)	HumanShin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance
Alignment(s)	Neutral-NeutralShin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance
Voice Actor(s)	Saori Hayami (JA) Jeannie Tirado (EN)

Tao Isonokami is a character in Shin Megami Tensei V.

Profile

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Design

Tao wears the light blue jacket, white shirt and plaid skirt of Jouin High School. She has light skin and long black hair.

This section contains spoilers. (Skip Section)

Tao's demon form resembles her human form, with the head being the exact same but with white eyes. She wears what appears to be a white and gray bodysuit with a red and white skirt and sleeves, and gold accents. She also wears a golden crown with a red circle in the middle, and pieces on both sides of her head resembling spirals. In this form, her voice is slightly distorted.

Tao's goddess form resembles her demon form. Her suit's reds become white and gray, her sleeves disappear, her legs become blue and she gains a pair of asymmetrical metallic wings. Her head accessories are replaced with a mask covering her face, which has two gold-accented horns on the sides. Her voice sounds significantly more distorted in this form.

End of spoilers.

Gameplay

Shin Megami Tensei V

Isonokami accompanies the Nahobino in Shinagawa, providing healing to the party after each battle.

Later, Tao joins the party as one of the Nahobino's demons once she takes him to Taito provided that there is space in his Stock, then leaves the party at the Empyrean, either immediately or after the Nahobino takes the throne depending on the chosen route. She can be registered to the Demon Compendium and receive Essences, however, she cannot be summoned or fused.

	Name Level HP MP Tao 60 308 355	Strength 20 Vitality 44 Magic 62 Agility 38 Luck 49
Race Speech C. CostCompendium Summoning Cost Gift Type Panagia — — —
Resistances — — — — — NuNull — ×1 ×1 ×1 ×1 ×1 ×1 ×1
Ailment Resistances — — — NuNull — — — — ×1 ×1 ×1 ×1 ×1 ×1 ×1 ×1
Skill Potential −5 — — — — +5 — — — +3 +3
Basic Attack Element Hit(s) Target Physical 1 1 enemy
Skills Skill Cost Description Level Light of Order 150 MP Moderate HP recovery for all allies. Cancels debuffs and raises all stats 1 tier for 3 turns. Innate Hamaon 15 MP Heavy Light attack to 1 foe. Chance of instakill when striking weakness. Innate Megidola 70 MP Heavy Almighty attack to all foes. Innate Matarunda 30 MP Lowers attack of all foes by 1 rank for 3 turns. Innate Mahamaon 40 MP Heavy Light attack to all foes. Chance of instakill when striking weakness. 61 Mana Aid — Recover MP after a battle. 62 Null Dark — Nullifies Dark skills. 63
Magatsuhi Skills Skill Description Omagatoki: Critical All attacks, including magical attacks, will become Critical hits for all allies for 1 turn.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance

In the Canon of Vengeance, Isonokami automatically joins the party as a Guest at certain points in the story. Like with Yoko Hiromine, her presence in the active party has an influence on the Nahobino's alignment: every 50 battles grants one point towards Preservation, up to a total of 3 points.

Once she takes him to Taito, she instead joins the Nahobino as one of his demons provided that there is space in his Stock. If the Nahobino's alignment is Preservation, or if it is Neutral and he chooses to side with Tao, she remains in the party until after defeating Tehom. If the Nahobino's alignment is Reformation, or if it is Neutral and he chooses to side against her, Tao instead leaves the party prior to fighting Tiamat.

Upon finishing the Canon of Creation or the Law route of the Canon of Vengeance, Tao becomes available to be summoned from the Demon Compendium, and the player is prompted to register her to the Compendium prior to starting a New Game+.

ShinagawaShinjukuTaito

	Name Level HP MP Tao Isonokami 20 95 130	Strength 11 Vitality 16 Magic 23 Agility 17 Luck 20
Race Alignment Speech C. CostCompendium Summoning Cost Gift Type Human Neutral-Neutral — — —
Resistances — — — — — RsResist WkWeak ×1 ×1 ×1 ×1 ×1 ×½×0.50 ×1¼×1.25
Ailment Resistances — — — RsResist — — — — ×1 ×1 ×1 ×½×0.50 ×1 ×1 ×1 ×1
Skill Potential −3 — — — — +3 −3 — — +2 +2
Basic Attack Element Hit(s) Target Physical 1 1 enemy
Innate Skill Saint's Prayer While in the active party, allies in battle will recover from ailments when returning to the stock.
Skills Skill Cost Description Level Mahama +3 21 MP Weak Light attack to all foes. Chance of instakill when striking weakness. Innate Media +2 23 MP Slight HP recovery to all allies. Innate Recarm +2 15 MP Revive one ally with half HP. Innate Marakukaja +2 23 MP Raises Defense of all allies by 1 rank for 3 turns. Innate Light Mana Aid — Recover a little MP after a battle. 24 Masukukaja +2 23 MP Raises Accuracy/Evasion of all allies by 1 rank for 3 turns. 30
Magatsuhi Skills Skill Description Omagatoki: Critical All attacks, including magical attacks, will become Critical hits for all allies for 1 turn. Omagatoki: StrategizeRequires Unwrit Neutral Periapt Changing party members or passing a turn will not consume a Press Turn Icon for all allies for 1 turn.

	Name Level HP MP Tao Isonokami 37 165 203	Strength 20 Vitality 28 Magic 29 Agility 28 Luck 33
Race Alignment Speech C. CostCompendium Summoning Cost Gift Type Human Neutral-Neutral — — —
Resistances — — — — — NuNull WkWeak ×1 ×1 ×1 ×1 ×1 ×0 ×1¼×1.25
Ailment Resistances — — — RsResist — — — — ×1 ×1 ×1 ×½×0.50 ×1 ×1 ×1 ×1
Skill Potential −3 — — — — +4 −3 +2 — +2 +2
Basic Attack Element Hit(s) Target Physical 1 1 enemy
Innate Skill Saint's Prayer While in the active party, allies in battle will recover from ailments when returning to the stock.
Skills Skill Cost Description Level Mahamaon +4 32 MP Heavy Light attack to all foes. Chance of instakill when striking weakness. Innate Mediarama +2 47 MP Moderate HP recovery to all allies. Innate Samarecarm +2 47 MP Revive one ally with full HP. Innate Marakukaja +2 23 MP Raises Defense of all allies by 1 rank for 3 turns. Innate Mana Aid — Recover MP after a battle. Innate Masukukaja +2 23 MP Raises Accuracy/Evasion of all allies by 1 rank for 3 turns. Innate Megidola +2 60 MP Heavy Almighty attack to all foes. 41 Matarunda +2 23 MP Lowers Attack of all foes by 1 rank for 3 turns. 45
Magatsuhi Skills Skill Description Omagatoki: Critical All attacks, including magical attacks, will become Critical hits for all allies for 1 turn. Omagatoki: StrategizeRequires Unwrit Neutral Periapt Changing party members or passing a turn will not consume a Press Turn Icon for all allies for 1 turn.

	Name Level HP MP Tao 60 308 355	Strength 20 Vitality 44 Magic 62 Agility 38 Luck 49
Race Alignment Speech C. CostCompendium Summoning Cost Gift Type Panagia Light-Law — 0♄Macca —
Resistances — — — — — NuNull WkWeak ×1 ×1 ×1 ×1 ×1 ×0 ×1¼×1.25
Ailment Resistances — — RsResist NuNull — RsResist — — ×1 ×1 ×½×0.50 ×0 ×1 ×½×0.50 ×1 ×1
Skill Potential −3 — — — — +5 — — — +3 +3
Basic Attack Element Hit(s) Target Physical 1 1 enemy
Innate Skill Saint's Prayer While in the active party, allies in battle will recover from ailments when returning to the stock.
Skills Skill Cost Description Level Light of Order +3Panagia Tao-exclusive 149 MP (Unique) Slight HP recovery to all allies. Removes debuffs and raises all stats 1 rank for 3 turns. Innate Samarecarm +3 45 MP Revive one ally with full HP. Innate Mahamaon +5 30 MP Heavy Light attack to all foes. Chance of instakill when striking weakness. Innate Megidola +4 56 MP Heavy Almighty attack to all foes. Innate Matarunda +3 22 MP Lowers Attack of all foes by 1 rank for 3 turns. Innate Mana Aid — Recover MP after a battle. Innate Hamabarion +5 41 MP Severe Light attack to 1 foe. Chance of instakill when striking weakness. 62 Null Dark — Nullifies Dark skills. 63
Magatsuhi Skills Skill Description Omagatoki: Critical All attacks, including magical attacks, will become Critical hits for all allies for 1 turn. Eternal PrayerRequires Panagia Talisman Full HP recovery, and recovery from ailments and incapacitation for all allies (stock included). Waves of OrderRequires Virtuous Order Periapt Moderate HP recovery to all allies. Removes ailments and debuffs and adds 1 Press Turn Icon to next turn.

Compendium

Compendium Entries
Shin Megami Tensei V	Once cherished as the Saint of Bethel, Tao Isonokami was forced to watch helplessly as a close friend perished before her eyes. At that moment, the voice of a higher being spoke unto her, awakening the goddess within. Even after her divine transfiguration, she appears to have retained her memories. However, she has cast off her former personality, and no longer acts as she once did as a human.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance	Shinagawa: A student at Jouin High School in Tokyo, known to Bethel's Japanese branch as a Saint. She helps those who have suffered at demons' hands. Shinjuku: A student at Jouin High School in Tokyo, known to Bethel's Japanese branch as a Saint. In order to save the students who have been turned to salt, she searches for clues to its cause. Taito: Once cherished as the Saint of Bethel, Tao Isonokami was forced to watch helplessly as a close friend perished before her eyes. It was then that the voice of a higher being spoke unto her, awakening the goddess power within. Even after her divine transfiguration, she appears to have retained her memories. However, she has cast off her former personality, and no longer acts as she did as a human.

Game Appearances

Shin Megami Tensei V

Prior to the start of the game, Tao had inherent magical power from a young age and began working with Bethel Japan in order to aid the organisation after their forces were diminished during Armageddon. Her natural power earned her the respect of Bethel and she was named The Saint of Bethel, a position that afforded her a level of authority. She formed a friendship with Yuzuru Atsuta and Miyazu Atsuta, and was best friends with Sahori Itsukishima.

Tao is introduced when the protagonist walks to the Jouin dormitories with her, along with Yuzuru and Miyazu. When walking through Shinagawa Station, she recounts how she's been having reoccurring dreams before being interupted by the commotion of the station being shut down after a mysterious murder. When the protagonist returns from investigating the incident, both Tao and Yuzuru have disappeared.

Tao reappears once the protagonist, now fused with Aogami as a Nahobino, returns to Tokyo with Yuzuru and Ichiro Dazai. When Abdiel threatens the Nahobino for violating the Condemnation, Tao intervenes and convinces Abdiel to allow the Japanese branch of Bethel to investigate, citing how the Creator's will is impossible to undermine, and challenges Abdiel for her hostile treatment towards Aogami, her former subordinate. Abdiel relents, leaving it to the Japanese branch to investigate, and leaves. Tao invites the others to tell them the truth that Tokyo is in fact a replica of the real Tokyo, which had been destroyed during the Conception and is now infested with demons that seek the human souls from the other Tokyo. Hayao Koshimizu, the Prime Minister of Japan, appears to confirm Tao's information, revealing himself as the director of Bethel Japan and requesting the assistance of those present in defending Tokyo.

The following day, Tao asks the protagonist to meet her on the roof of the dormitory to discuss the matter of Sahori Itsukishima, her friend and captain of the lacrosse team, as she was being bullied by her teammates and Tao didn't know what to do. Regardless of the protagonist's advice, demons invade Tokyo the next day, including Lahmu, who is the Life to Sahori's Knowledge and seeks her to become a Nahobino himself. The protagonist finds Tao pleading with Sahori not to kill her bullies, but it is ineffective. Sahori is taken to Shinagawa by Lahmu, and other students are taken to Da'at by other demons. The protagonist and Tao chase after the students, rescuing some of them and assisting the Fairy Village with their efforts to treat and shelter the humans there. They find Sahori and Lahmu, which the protagonist initially appears to defeat despite Lahmu forcefully fusing with Sahori. However, they are tricked by Lahmu, who appeared as Sahori, and both are pierced by Lahmu's tentacles. In her dying moments, Tao hears a voice telling her to awaken to her role. She suddenly recovers and gives her life to save the protagonist and Aogami. Sahori gains control of her body for a moment, letting herself be killed by the Nahobino.

Much later, following the Pandemonic Summit and dissolution of the alliance between Bethel's branches, Tao's voice speaks to the protagonist and asks him to meet her on the dorm roof. There, he learns that Tao was reborn as a Goddess of Creation, and wants to guide him to the throne for risking himself for her and Sahori's sakes, though she is no longer the human he knew. She takes the protagonist and Aogami to Taito, where the Temple of Eternity can be found, and where the holders of the Temple's three keys are located. She fights by his side as the protagonist claims the keys and climbs the Temple to reach the Empyrean.

In the Preservation and Reformation routes, Tao remains with the protagonist until he defeats all other Nahobino. There, Goko reveals himself to be Amitabha, the light of creation, and summons Tao to place him upon the throne. Tao expresses gratitude for being allowed to serve her purpose and disappears into light.

In the Destroy the Throne route, Tao leaves the protagonist once they reach the Empyrean, as she cannot aid one who rejects creation. Once the other Nahobino are slain, she asks him again to consider his decision, but he takes the throne himself and destroys it.

In the Humanity route, the Nahobino instead chooses to create a world for humans alone. Tao acknowledges it as the right of the ruler, and guides him to the throne to make his vision a reality.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance

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This section contains spoilers. (Skip Section)

In the "Heroes of Heaven and Earth" subquest, it is implied that Tao Isonokami is the Knowledge of Amaterasu, the Command-type Proto-fiend, though her power overwhelmed Amaterasu's and did not allow her to exist.

End of spoilers.

Trivia

• In her Demon Haunt conversations, Tao states that she enjoys chocolate mint ice cream and crepes.
• Tao was a member of Jouin High School's lacrosse team along with her friend Sahori.
• Her light blue jacket symbolizes Law. It contrasts with Yoko Hiromine's red ribbon.

Nomenclature

Tao Isonokami shares a name with Isonokami Shrine, which is said to house the Worochi no Aramasa, the sword used by Susano-o to slay Yamata-no-Orochi.

Names in Other Languages

Language	Name	Meaning
English	Tao Isonokami
Japanese	磯野上タオ Isonokami Tao	Tao Isonokami

Gallery

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  Artwork from Shin Megami Tensei V
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  Render of Tao's demon form from Shin Megami Tensei V
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  Render of Tao's goddess form from Shin Megami Tensei V
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  Unused icon of Tao's goddess form from Shin Megami Tensei V
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  Tao's introduction in Shin Megami Tensei V
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  Tao with the Nahobino and Yoko in Shinjuku
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  Tao and the other students facing Khonsu
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  Tao casting Mahamaon
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  Yoko, appearing to betray Tao and the Nahobino
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  Tao, Yoko and the Nahobino confronting the Qadištu
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  Tao guiding the Nahobino to claim the Throne of Creation
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  Tao and Yoko calling to the Nahobino
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  Tao at the end of the Peaceful route