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thebladeblaster · 1 year

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More SMT IV and Apocalypse text posts

Is Jonathan wrong though 😅?

Like seriously please Apocalypse take him seriously for more than 5 seconds

Anarchy basically

Flynn: *had to murder his best friend, his parents and many people he’s known his whole life have died and his home is in shambles*

Abbot Hugo: We aren’t paying you to grieve! We’re paying you to kill demons and heretics!

Flynn: You don’t pay me at all

Abbot Hugo: Exactly

This is why Flynn has issues 😅.

I have always headcanoned that pre-game Issachar would always rope Flynn into pulling pranks with him.

#shin megami tensei #smt iv #smt 4 apocalypse #smt flynn #isabeau smt #jonathan smt #walter smt #Navarre smt #smt nanashi #burroughs #smt dagda #abbot hugo #issachar smt #toki smt #asahi smt #ammut #my crappy edit

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reallyonl99 · 4 months

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#smt flynn #smt issachar

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ifellinlovewithpersona · 2 months

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This moment when you randomly scroll youtube and find perfect meme template to make into SMT IV meme (you're all welcome)

#sorry for shitty quality picsart monetized times new roman 🤡#smt iv #issachar #flynn #smt tag #smt meme #smt shitpost #shin megami tensei

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lu15d4 · 1 year

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Most of their writing comes from talking with npcs but yeah

Surprisingly fantastic characters

#smtiv #shin megami tensei iv #smt akira #smt4 #shin megami tensei #smt #akira smt #shin megami tensei 4 #smt issachar

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rustyvanburace · 1 year

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Analysis on SMTIV’s Issachar

I wrote up a long analysis on Issachar from Shin Megami Tensei IV, covering his aspirations for wanting to become a Samurai, his myriad struggles, and even a bit of how he’d compare with Walter.

Spoiler warnings for the beginning of SMT IV up to Kiccigiorgi Forest. This is all my own interpretation, of course!

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My personal belief is that if Issachar did become a Samurai, I don’t actually see him as becoming "Another Walter". In some ways I actually even think that Walter would clash with him somewhat. And I say this in respect to Issachar's own beliefs and ambitions. As a Samurai, I can see Issachar clinging onto his new role with overwhelming pride and maybe even turning a blind eye of denial to the discrimination within. I can imagine him turn excessively determined to prove himself and even more so in defiance of his growing disillusion. And maybe that would still culminate in him losing himself and becoming vulnerable to demonic influence all the same.

For both good and bad, Issachar has raw emotion. And it's those same emotions that kept both his ambition alive against impossible odds, as well as what ultimately consumed him. Issachar isn't just at odds with the Luxurors' stifling oppression, though that is a large part of it, but also what he idealizes the Samurai to be and his complicated relationships.

So let's analyze Issachar's reason to become a Samurai. At quick glance, it is a means to escape his Casualry status and become a Luxuror. And that is true and something he expresses, but that also doesn't cover all his values nor his complicated anger at his rejection. What’s important is to first consider the value he holds the Samurai to and their perceived role in society.

If you go to the Obelisk before taking the Rite, Issachar comments on each section. And there's a comment there that really stands out. In retelling the founding of the Samurai, the epigraph relates Aquila's heroic deeds and ends by describing today's Samurai as the "cornerstone of our defenses". And it's right afterwards that Issachar starts to daydream in that role. "When I am made a Samurai, then I, too, shall be..."

Issachar doesn't state it outright, but given what the epigraph just described, I take this to mean that he values the Samurai as heroes of justice. Maybe even reveres Aquila. And this reverence would've come to him at an early, impressionable age, when he and Flynn had first gone to the castle on an errand as children and vowed then to become Samurai. Seeing as Issachar is a Casualry from a remote village, I can see him believing the Samurai to be noble heroes who equally come to everyone's aid. This belief would certainly give a lot of hope to a young Casualry and something to aspire to be, especially for one struggling with his own village's expectations.

During the Kiccigiorgi mission, there are a pair of NPCs who are implied to be Issachar's parents (or at least close acquaintances). Yet instead of expressing concern for their son's safety during a crisis, they speak of his absence with contempt -- in sharp contrast to their lauding of Flynn's bravery. Mind, they haven't seen Issachar at all since he left for the Rite. They have no knowledge that he led the Sabbath and embraced the demonic. Their assumption and source of ire is that he has cowardly run off. Maybe even abandoned his duties before all of this even happened. While Flynn is busting his ass to save everyone, where the hell is that lousy Issachar?

If that's their reception towards him during a major crisis, then I don't think they were supportive of his ambitions and efforts either. They may have seen his training as goofing-off from work. Casualries becoming Samurai are almost unheard of, so why waste all his time doing that? It's a fact that a lot of Casualry NPCs early on have simply accepted their lot in life and it's this conformance that creates a divide between the elders and youths. The elders have no interest in the Sabbaths. There are Casualry elders who give God their thanks for their role, who let the Luxurors think for them, and who are too concerned with work than bigger issues.

All that, of course, is rooted with the Luxurors for creating a controlled, oppressive society. Nonetheless, to a Casualry youth who may not have realized that yet and wants more out of life yet is shown no support by their own peers, that is incredibly frustrating. The exchange from Issachar's implied parents is very short, but it paints the picture that Issachar was among those struggling with his own peers on top of the Luxurors. Maybe even at odds with his village at large. And I believe that to be one aspect that encouraged his aspiration to become a heroic Samurai. So that he could bring hope to his village and become someone they could look up to instead of down upon.

At the Gauntlet Ritie, Issachar reassures himself by repeatedly saying "I will become a Samurai... I'm definitely going to be a Samurai... A Samurai and Luxuror at that..." He chants becoming a Samurai three times and a Luxuror last. It's not that he doesn't want to escape his trade, but that he holds greater value in becoming a Samurai first and what that role signifies. Conversely, there is a NPC during the Rite who, having just been rejected, waves off the whole thing as a dog and pony show. And this is a crucial exchange as it directly counters the heavy significance that Issachar is placing in the Rite. What that NPC is saying is that the Rite and by extension the Samurai aren't actually as grandeur as the early narrative is suggesting.

Then, to be rejected and shortly afterwards discover books that open to new ways of thinking, it's likely that Issachar would've been confronted by the reality that the Samurai are not actually defenders of the people but soldiers who enforce the Luxurors' rule. And if he truly believed the Samurai to be just, noble heroes and aspired to become that, then this revelation would've been a painful one.

So Issachar is struggling with society, his unsupportive family/community, and his beliefs shattered. But there is also a fourth thing going on: his complicated relationship with Flynn. It needs to be said that Issachar, even before being rejected, is not without flaw. He didn't actually have confidence in Flynn’s success despite together vowing to become Samurai. While at the same time that Issachar is reassuring himself, he doesn't extend that same hope to Flynn. He never mentions "we will become Samurai" but consistently "I". He states this could be farewell and thus indirectly hints that Flynn would be the one leaving. And instead of feeling proud that his best friend and fellow Kiccigiorgi Casualry was chosen, his reaction is of appalled shock.

And this all culminates at Kiccigiorgi Forest. Issachar isn't happy to see Flynn to the rescue and responds back sarcastically. He tells him his revelations, but only "I'm telling you this because you're you." He is treating Flynn as stupid, incompetent, and undeserving of becoming a Samurai. At most Flynn is now just another Luxuror dog upholding authority, in contrast to the survivors who laud Flynn's arrival or knew him positively. It's very possible that Issachar is also jealous of that, especially if he was like an older brother to Flynn and helped him out with most things. Like baiting hooks.

I imagine, following his rejection, Issachar must've felt abandoned by Flynn and his future stolen by him. Now Flynn gets to be that heroic Samurai that everyone can look up to. Worse, he may even betray his Casualry roots and forget all about Kiccigiorgi. Issachar essentially expresses that belief during his battle depending on how Flynn responds and it's why he reacts with surprised torment and regret for his actions if Flynn affirms that he is still a Casualry.

Now of course, none of this is actually Flynn's fault nor his intention. Issachar is running on high emotion. Regardless of the Rite though, it still doesn't change the fact that Issachar initially doubted Flynn. Issachar has a selfish side, and that's a good thing actually, as that gives him more nuance and his reaction is honestly a natural one. But he also comes around to overcoming that jealousy at the end and, in his final words, pleads that Flynn becomes that "magnificent Samurai" that he dreamed the Samurai to be.

So having gone through all that -- the oppression, the shattered moral value he placed in the Samurai, his lack of community support and pressure to prove himself, and his future seemingly stolen by his best friend and then abandoned -- it's infuriating. It's soul crushing. Where do you go from there when you have placed your entire worth into one moment that has never guaranteed you a future? Back to the village, alone, that's already disappointed in you? It's little wonder then why he became easy prey to the Black Samurai looking to stoke that anger and why he'd throw everything away. And it's because of those complex emotions and beliefs that I believe Issachar would struggle even as a Samurai.

I believe Issachar's idealization is where he and Walter differ greatly. Walter doesn't revere the Samurai nor does he place his entire worth in being one or upholding their image. He doesn't adopt a heroic or Luxuror identity. Walter also wanted to escape his family trade, but the way he treats the Samurai is much less of a life's goal and more as a pleasantly surprising turn of events. If he were denied, he would've likely sought his own way of escape. I earnestly don't believe that Walter actually aspired or even hoped to become a Samurai. Walter also runs high emotions, but he is still able to reign those in. He is able to hone his anger into a strength as opposed to a vulnerability. And he tends to be a lot more realistic or grounded.

And it's those differences where I think that the idealistic Issachar and realistic Walter would honestly clash. Maybe not necessarily as a heated argument (at least not right away), but as an annoyed or awkward discomfort. In some ways, Issachar actually has more in common with Jonathan insofar as their views of the Samurai.

Now obviously, who knows what would've happened if Issachar did become a Samurai. I do think he would at least be able to cope much better, having finally made it. But I also still believe that his idealized view of the Samurai would begin to crack while still clinging onto those same values. Maybe he would still fall to demonic influence out of despair. Maybe become a resigned, insipid shell of himself. Maybe emboldened to become that noble hero at all costs. Maybe his jealousy of Flynn would even carry on with him. Who really knows?

But if he did become a Samurai, I cannot see him as "Another Walter" nor would I want him to be.

#Shin Megami Tensei #Shin Megami Tensei IV #SMT #SMT4 #SMTIV #Issachar #Megaten #character analysis #rusty's analyses

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rustyburacedraws · 1 year

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( SMT IV ) Bookwormmm

#shin megami tensei iv #smt #smtiv #smt4 #issachar #megaten #Rusty Squiggles

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m0gelf · 7 months

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A month ago I started playing Shin Megami Tensei IV, betting with myself that I would get the Order ending since I had started to like Jonathan and the simping is stronger than me.

Now I'm here, I finished the game with the Nothing/Nihilism ending and... I have mixed but mixed feelings, I feel a huge emptiness... I feel like I'm in nothingness itself. Now I will dedicate myself to getting the Neutral ending with New Game+.

Eng:

"Wow, I got the ending Nothing."

"I don't know how to feel about it. I want to cry but I can't."

#shin megami tensei 4 #smt 4 #smtiv #I feel empty #this game hit me really hard #SPOILERS HERE!!!#especially with the death of Issachar #Even though I had already predicted that he would die #It hurt me so much to the point of almost crying.#and I was also hurt by the parts where Jonathan and Walter argued (more specifically during Lilith and Tayama's missions)#I have always been a very sensitive person regarding the topic of friendship. traumas from my childhood :“v

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mdpikachu · 1 month

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EVERYTIME I SEE U ON MY DASH IM FILLED W QUESTIONS ND NOSTALGIA BC OF THE WALTER SMT4 MANGA PFP... may i ask... ur journey w him 👉👈

YOU MAY!!

SMT4 was my first atlus game, and i got it bc my friends were also playing it. One of my buds liked jon best, and I just liked walter. not shown is the ancient rp blog but ill get back to that.

As Issachar did not get into game proper for more than 5 seconds, Walter ended up my fav. I gunned for Chaos end,,, and got law. hjeck

I also liked both smt 4 mangas so i went thru them for icon materials, saw my cirrent avi, and immediately made it my avatar, and i refuse to change it. thats my brand.

^my fjucking brand.

I don't think he can be topped as the fav smt teammate. navarre is a close second (apo/final). (personas do not count) (protags do not count) (they cant do better than walter and jon, they cant). smt 5's characters wish they had what walter had. (actual character) (blasts airhorns)

I am now pointing at ur Merlin icon and shaking him because he won't come home still. Merlin is so mean 2 me ) )

bonus walters

#mddttxt #walter #smt

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vinegar-on-main · 26 days

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fynn thoughts. now.

I ASSUME YOU MEAN FLYNN FROM SMT IV AND HELLO YES HI I am going to be talking major spoilers for SMT IV and by extension Apocalypse during this.

If you have any desire to play or watch me play the game (@beantothemax and by extension @meme-boys-blog you have clearance) I suggest you do not engage.

For the record, i haven't beaten SMT IV Apocalypse yet, so most of my opinions will come from SMT IV and the few glimpses I got of him during gameplay so far.

Favorite thing about them Almost every single NPC in Tokyo talks about how polite he is, almost unbearably so if you refuse healing from Hunters Associations. Every dialogue option is so very polite and formal.

Least favorite thing about them GOOD LORD I wish we got to see more of Past!Flynn in the Neutral route. I mean I got a couple more scraps of info from Apocalypse, but I need to know the kid's relationship with Masakado and/or Skins and Fujiwara.

Favorite line Hes a bit of a silent protagonist, but he does say stuff about Relics that you find around Tokyo. They're so silly. Try guessing which one is which!

"Could it be to protect one from feces?"

"Bizarre-smelling sand."

"Could it be a uniform for some sort of ritual?"

"A very bouncy object."

"Could it be seaweed?"

"....."

"A squishy carpet"

brOTP Mentioned this in the Isabeau writeup, but yeah. Isabeau. They've gone through so much, they're basically besties at this point.

OTP HEY GUYS YOU KNOW WHAT WOULD BE SO TRAGIC??? I love Flynn/Issachar. I love the inherent tragedy in it. I can see them going off and being Samurai together like they dreamed but alas, the world is not so kind... In fact it is so much Crueler than they think! nOTP Shipping Flynn with Walter or Jonathan. Like sure I can see it, but I think those two are more in love with Chaos or Law respectively. Again, please change my mind! I love hearing different opinions to mine!

Random Headcanon Flynn never really talked to people when he was a kid. Issachar approached him one time at like a town meeting and Issachar made it his mission to be friends with him. Flynn immediately opened up as soon as Issachar brought him out into the woods to hunt for Cool Bugs.

Unpopular opinion If you say any other ending is canon you CLEARLY haven't played neutral. And yeah i mean i get you neutral ending is hard to get and a bit of a slog, but new game plus is RIGHT THERE. And there's a BILLION guides on how to get neutral.

Song I associate with them

Just... Lets just say i drafted out an entire animatic to this song.

Favorite Picture of them

Sleepy... Having dreams about Things Screaming in his face... In all seriousness i think you know what is my fav picture:

Yes, i had to hunt through my files to see my darling boy smile again. He deserves it. Look at him, Hes so happy. About .5 seconds later he is beaten within an inch of his life. :(

#ask game answers #smtiv #Flynn smt #smt #shin megami tensei #megaten #smt iv #asks

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