A Brief Introduction to Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha
The Premise
Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army and Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon are a duology of Action-RPG games that belong to the Devil Summoner and Megami Tensei series. They fall under the realm of historical fantasy, taking place in the early 1930s in the fictional year of Taishō 20,* and take many inspirations from popular Japanese detective fiction that was released during the early 20th century.
The games star the titular protagonist Raidou Kuzunoha XIV, the newest successor to the Raidou family of the Kuzunoha Clan and recently-stationed apprentice detective at the Narumi Detective Agency. As a member of the Kuzunoha Clan, he primarily works as a Devil Summoner to protect the people of Japan from supernatural threats. Though still a schoolboy, Raidou is highly trained in combat and is proficient with both the sword and gun, and has the supernatural ability to see and communicate with demons. His capabilities as a Summoner have earned him the prestigious opportunity to serve as the Capital's protector.
*"Taishō 20" refers to the 20th year of Emperor Yoshihito's reign (posthumously honored as Emperor Taishō). In real life, the Taishō era only lasted 15 years.
The Games
Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army
- Release Date: 2 March 2006 (JP)/10 October 2006 (US)/27 April 2007 (PAL)
- Rating: CERO 15/ESRB M/PEGI 16
- Synopsis: After receiving a call to look into a seemingly unimportant case, Raidou and his boss Narumi end up in over their heads after a girl named Kaya Daidouji gets kidnapped out of the blue by mysterious soldiers in red who seem to possess inhuman strength and resilience, but not before she requests to be killed. It's up to Raidou and his feline companion Gouto-Douji to unravel all the strings of what is shaping up to be a bizarre government conspiracy and save Kaya before it's too late.
Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon
- Release Date: 23 October 2008 (JP)/12 May 2009 (US)
- Rating: CERO 15/ESRB M
- Synopsis: Returning once again to serve as the Capital's protector, Raidou soon finds himself wrapped up in another case as a strange young woman named Akane Narita comes to the Narumi Detective Agency in hopes of tracking down a man named Dahn, all while the newspapers and gossip-mongers have been buzzing nonstop with rumors of people experiencing incidents of both extreme good and bad luck. With nothing but a photograph to serve as a lead, Raidou heads out in hopes of finding answers to a mystery that goes much deeper than he ever could have expected.
The Characters
Main Cast
Raidou Kuzunoha XIV
- Age: Late teens (18-19)
- Occupation: Devil Summoner, apprentice detective, student at Yumizuki-no-Kimi Higher Normal School
- The fourteenth successor to the Raidou Kuzunoha name and current protector of the Imperial Capital. Years of training in isolation have made him stoic and taciturn, but under that cold exterior Raidou holds a great deal of passion for his duty and the people he cares about.
Gouto-Douji
- Age: Unknown
- Occupation: Raidou's mentor and guardian
- A strange talking cat with a sarcastic attitude. Little is known about Gouto's past, but he seems to have once been a powerful Devil Summoner before being reduced to his current form by the Yatagarasu as some sort of punishment.
Shouhei Narumi
- Age: 32
- Occupation: Head of the Narumi Detective Agency
- Raidou's employer with a reputation for being lazy. Despite his piling debts and dismissive attitude, Narumi knows how to get serious when the chips are down, and has a hidden heart of gold.
Tae "Kichou" Asakura
- Age: 22
- Occupation: Reporter for the Capital Daily
- An outspoken feminist with dreams of becoming an anthropologist who studies folklore. She's always got her nose in Raidou and Narumi's business, and often proves herself to be of help by providing leads for them to investigate.
Secondary Characters
Dr. Victor
- Age: Approximately 120
- Occupation: Owner of the Gouma-Den
- Once the very same Victor von Frankenstein who Mary Shelley wrote about, he began studying demons after escaping Antarctica. He eventually came to operate the Gouma-Den after giving himself near-perfect immortality by ingesting vampire blood.
Kenzō Satake
- Age: 43
- Occupation: Head of the Kantou Haguro-gumi Yakuza syndicate
- One of Raidou's contacts who can always be found relaxing at the Daikoku-Yu bathhouse. He's a straightforward guy who has no respect for cowards who prey on those weaker than them.
Rasputin
- Age: Unknown
- Occupation: Dark Summoner
- An odd character who butts heads with Raidou from time to time. He's not actually the legendary Russian monk Grigori Rasputin, but rather an android who was sent back in time by the future Japanese government.
Herald of Yatagarasu
- Age: Unknown
- Occupation: Herald of Yatagarasu
- Very little is known about her. Despite always being found at the nameless shrine in Shinoda, she doesn't seem to actually live there, at least not physically.
Raidō Kuzunoha XIV
- Age: Late teens (18-19)
- Occupation: Devil Summoner, apprentice Detective, student at Yumizuki-no-Kimi Higher Normal School
- Raidou Kuzunoha XIV's alternate universe counterpart. The scars on his face give him an intimidating appearance, but he seems to be a kind young man and gets along well with Raidou.
Game-Specific Characters
The Soulless Army
Kaya Daidouji
- Age: 15
- Occupation: Student at Ouran High School
- The only heir to the Daidouji family who believes that she is fated to be possessed by a demon. Although she was raised wealthy, Kaya is known for being incredibly kind and humble, and seems to get along well with just about everyone.
Major General Munakata
- Age: 46
- Major General of the Imperial Japanese Army
- Previously known for being a dreamer who wanted to restore Japan to its former glory, he is now the cold and calculating leader of the "Super Soldier Project." Munakata prefers to operate in the shadows, making him a mysterious and intimidating figure.
Sadakichi
- Age: 31
- Occupation: Imperial Navy Spy
- An undercover agent who was sent to monitor the Imperial Japanese Army's activities. Though he may ally himself with Raidou, he's still willing to turn against him if their desires come in conflict.
King Abaddon
Akane Narita
- Age: 19
- Occupation: Unknown
- Allegedly the daughter of politician Tasuke Narita, but rumors suggest she comes from a different background altogether. She is a polite young woman, but her desire to accomodate others and stick to tradition can cross the line into reckless self-sacrifice.
Dahn Tsukigata
- Age: 25
- Occupation: Fukoshi assassin
- The acting leader of the 8th Fukoshi clan. While he may come off as hotheaded and even self-aggrandizing, he is actually a quite calculating individual willing to go to extreme measures to protect his loved ones.
Nagi
- Age: Late teens
- Occupation: Devil Summoner in training
- Geirin Kuzunoha XVII's intended successor. Her skills as a Summoner are not quite up to snuff yet, and her more eager and outwardly emotional attitude can cause her to come in conflict with her mentor.
Geirin Kuzunoha XVII
- Age: 61
- Occupation: Devil Summoner
- Member of the Kuzunoha Clan currently overseeing Tsukigata Village. He is not fond of other Devil Summoners interfering with his work, and can come off as quite harsh towards Nagi, though he still cares for her in his own way.
Blonde Young Man
- Age: Unknown
- Occupation: Unknown
- A mysterious man who seems to know much more than his appearance would let on.
Other Media
Devil Summoner: Kuzunoha Raidou tai Shibito Ekishi
- Type: Novel
- Release: 2006
Devil Summoner: Kuzunoha Raidou tai Sekigankashin
- Type: Drama CD
- Release: 2009
Devil Summoner: Kuzunoha Raidou tai Kodoku no Marebito
- Type: Manga
- Release: 2009-2012
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