Zaou-Gongen

Zaou-Gongen, also known as Kongou Zaou-Gongen, is a demon in the series.
==History==
Zaou-Gongen , also known as Vajragarbha, is one of the most important mountain deities of Japan's syncretic sects founded by En no Ozuno. They are a diverse tradition of mountain ascetic practices associated with Shinto beliefs, Taoism, magic, supernatural powers and Esoteric (Tantric) Buddhism. After the arrival of Buddhism to Japan in the mid-6th century, the native Shinto Kami were soon considered manifestations of the imported Buddhist divinities. Zaou serves as the protector deity of sacred Mt. Kimpusen Japan's Nara prefecture and is considered the local Japanese Shinto manifestation of three Buddhist divinities: the historical Buddha, Kannon Bodhisattva and Miroku Buddha, who serve respectively as the Buddhas of the Past, Present and Future. This makes Zaou perhaps the most powerful local divinity of religious mountain worship in Japan.
Zaou is widely venerated in the entire mountain range stretching from Yoshino to Kumano (the cradle of Shugendou practice), but also venerated at numerous remote mountain shrines and temples throughout the country. Despite Zaou's Tantric appearance, the deity is generally thought to be of Japanese origin. Zaou's cult spread throughout Japan from the 11th century onward.
Zaou-Gongen appears in some cultural content of Japan, mostly classical, such as Kuze Noh, where the gods protect Emperor Temmu, 40th Emperor of Japan, against enemy soldiers pursuing him.
==Appearances==
*Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux: Fury Race
*Shin Megami Tensei V: Fury Race
*Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers: Fury Race
*Soul Hackers 2: Fury Race, DLC-exclusive
*Persona 4 / Golden: Strength Arcana
*Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth: Strength Arcana
*Persona 5 / Royal: Strength Arcana
*Persona O.A.
*Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth: Strength Arcana
*Devil Survivor 2 / Record Breaker: Kishin Race
**Devil Survivor 2 The Animation
*Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2: Fury Race
==Design==
===Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers===
Kaneko's design for Zaou-Gongen, much like Ippon-Datara and Melchizedek's, draws inspiration from Todd McFarlane's 1992 comic Spawn. The character Spawn in particular inspiring the chains and skull-like underwear. The design also draws inspiration from Buddhist deity Acala, of which Zaou-Gongen replicates the general pose and design of a particular statue seen here. From this statue, Zaou-Gongen can also be seen replicating the same mudra with his left hand and holding a vajra in his right. 
==Profile==
===Shin Megami Tensei V===
Zaou-Gongen first appears in the quest "The Destined Leader" when the protagonist refuses to hand over Amanozako to the tengu, in which a Kurama Tengu summons him, believing his strength would overpower the Nahobino. Despite his efforts, Zaou-Gongen is defeated, prompting the tengu to abandon bringing back Amanozako to them. Defeating Zaou-Gongen also unlocks him for fusion.
Zaou-Gongen possesses his signature skills Violent Rage, an Almighty attack on all opponents that can inflict seal, and Pandemonic Crush, a medium Physical attack on all opponents that lowers their defense.
===Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers===
===Soul Hackers 2===
Zaou-Gongen is a demon of the Fury race added by the DLC Bonus Demons pack. Once Ringo has reached level 46, she can summon Zaou-Gongen at the Cirque du Goumaden through a special fusion of Arahabaki and Quetzalcoatl. Zaou-Gongen can also be summoned once for free from the compendium.
===Persona 4===
Zaou Gongen appears as the ultimate Persona of the Strength Arcana. He is available to be summoned once the protagonist completes the Strength Arcana Social Link and reaches at least Lv. 90 or above.
===Persona 5===
Zaou-Gongen is the ultimate Persona of the Strength Arcana and can only be obtained through fusion in the Velvet Room after completing the Strength Confidant. He is one of four Personas to learn God's Hand, and the second of two Personas to learn Evade Phys. He is the first of three Personas to learn the Blazing Hell skill. Despite learning Cripple, a move that increases the damage of Gun skills by 50%, he does not learn any Gun skills naturally and will need to be supplied with one through fusion to take advantage of the skill himself. When itemized through an Electric Chair Execution, Zaou-Gongen yields a God's Hand Skill Card.
====Royal====
When itemized through Electric Chair execution, Zaou-Gongen will now yield the God's Hand Belt accessory, allowing the wearer to use God's Hand. During a fusion alarm, Zaou-Gongen will yield the Gigantomachia Belt accessory instead, allowing the wearer to use Gigantomachia.
===Devil Survivor 2 The Animation===
In episode 12, the seventh day, Zaou-Gongen is summoned alongside Nebiros by Yamato Hotsuin in deep grief of Makoto Sako's sacrifice in order to protect the former from Alcor's deadly attack. After Yamato has survived Alcor's self-destruct attack, he uses both demons to block the path of Hibiki Kuze, Daichi Shijima and Io Nitta to buy him time to ascend to Polaris' throne. Zaou-Gongen is engulfed by the void. In the final episode, Yamato fuses Zaou-Gongen and Nebiros together to produce Satan.
===Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2===
==Stats==
===Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux===
===Shin Megami Tensei V===
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Boss=
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Ally=
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===Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers===
===Soul Hackers 2===
===Persona 4===
===Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth===
===Persona 5 / Royal===
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Persona=
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Persona (P5R)=
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===Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth===
===Devil Survivor 2===
===Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2===
==Gallery==
Zaou Gongen.jpg|Zaou-Gongen as he appears in Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
Zaou-Gongen P5R.jpg|Zaou-Gongen as he appears in Persona 5 Royal
Zaou-Gongen (PQ).png|Zaou-Gongen as he appears in Persona Q: Shadow of the Labrinth
Zaou-Gongen (PQ) (仮).png|Zaou-Gongen as he appears in Persona Q: Shadow of the Labrinth (temporary)
PersonaO,A,-Zaou-Gongen.jpg|Zaou-Gongen as he appears in Persona O.A.
Zaou Gongen Devil Survivor 2 (Top Screen).png|Zaou-Gongen as he appears in Devil Survivor 2
Devil zaougongen.png|Zaou-Gongen as he appears in Devil Survivor 2: The Animation
Zaou Gongen and Nebiros DeSu2 The Animation.jpg|Zaou-Gongen as he appears in Devil Survivor 2: The Animation
PandemonicCrush SMT5.gif|Zaou-Gongen casting Pandemonic Crush in Shin Megami Tensei V.
ViolentRage_SMT5.gif|Zaou-Gongen casting Violent Rage in Shin Megami Tensei V
ザオウゴンゲン - 真・女神転生V 日めくり悪魔 Vol.148|Zaou-Gongen in SMTV Daily Demon #148
==In Other Languages==
Language	Name
Japanese	ザオウゴンゲン (Zaougongen)
French 	Zaou-Gongen
Italian 	Zaou-Gongen
German 	Zaou-Gongen
Spanish 	Zaou-Gongen
Category:Japanese Mythology
Category:Buddhist Mythology
Category:Chaos Demons in Shin Megami Tensei V
Category:Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers Intruder Demons