Tao Isonokami

Tao Isonokami is a character in Shin Megami Tensei V. She is a student at Jouin High School and one of the protagonist's classmates living in Tokyo.

Appearances[]

• Shin Megami Tensei V / Vengeance: Major Character, Human Race, Panagia Race (as a Demon), Guest Party Member

Design[]

Tao is a young woman with black hair and gray eyes. She wears a variation of the Jouin High School uniform.

Personality[]

Tao is compassionate, caring and has a sixth sense which she's had since she was little.

Profile[]

Shin Megami Tensei V[]

Tao Isonokami is a friend of the protagonist at school of the same year. She is a member of the school lacrosse club. She is friendly and caring. She possessed a sixth sense ever since she was little, and since then has worked for the Japanese branch of Bethel; everyone there calls her "the Saint." She supports the protagonist and his friends when they join Bethel.

According to Tao, she had strange dreams recently, where she keeps hearing a distant voice, as if they're calling out to her, but she wakes up once they get close. These are implied to be higher beings, attempting to reveal the truth of her role and have her become a goddess.

Tao is close friends with Sahori Itsukishima, a former lacrosse club member like her, but had to leave after an accident, leaving some girls with a grudge for her strictness, causing them to constantly bully her. This causes her to make a deal with the demon Lahmu, as she wished her two bullies would disappear. Tao attempts to dissuade Sahori from hurting others, but she does not listen to reason and has Lahmu murder her two bullies. However, he decides to kidnap Sahori because she was in his debt. So Tao accompanies the protagonist to Shinagawa to locate her.

Almost instantly after Bethel's rescue mission for Jouin Academy's kidnapped students, Tao will heal the protagonist's party each time after battle, as well as revive any fallen demons. This is only temporary, as after Lahmu is defeated, she will no longer be available for automatic healing.

After encountering Sahori and Lahmu in Da'at, Tao attempts to reach out to her to no avail. Following Lahmu's defeat at the hands of the protagonist, Tao tries once more to approach Sahori, only for her faith to be betrayed, as Lahmu has possessed her body. In his attempts to kill Tao, the protagonist and Aogami shield her from the tentacles but are fatally stabbed, undoing their fusion as a Nahobino, laying on the floor drenched in Magatsuhi. Lahmu then stabs Tao who falls to the ground, lamenting how powerless she was to save Sahori and the two girls that were bullying her. Just then, Tao hears a mysterious voice and finds herself in a higher plane of reality, awakening her mysterious latent power. She offers her life to revive the protagonist and Aogami, but fades away afterwards and is presumed dead. The protagonist puts Lahmu's plans to a close by slaying him and Sahori.

However, after Bethel disbands, Tao calls out to the protagonist, who is astonished to hear her familiar voice. She tells him to meet her at the rooftop of the dorm. The protagonist exclaims surprise at her survival as she was assumed to have died. She explains that while she did in fact die as a human, she had awoken to her power as a saint and was reborn as a goddess, now following her role to guide the Nahobino to the Throne of Creation. She decides to assist the protagonist in reclaiming the throne and teleports him to Da'at to accomplish their mission.

Tao then can be used as a party member up until a certain point in the game, depending on the alignment path the protagonist chooses. Upon arriving at the Empyrean, Tao will briefly transform into her final goddess state. If the protagonist chooses to destroy the Throne of Creation, Tao will immediately leave him, as the goddess has no intention to aid one who's against creation. In the other two ending routes, Tao will remain in the protagonist's party without incident. If Tao does leave, she will reappear once more if the protagonist was informed by Nuwa of another alternative, in which she asks him to reconsider his option. If at this point the protagonist chooses to create a world for humanity only, Tao will gladly assist in the task despite being aware that she would no longer exist. In every ending path, Tao will finally leave the party for good once the protagonist takes out his competition to the throne, right before the prompt for the final confrontation against Lucifer.

The human Tao can be seen in the "world for humanity only" ending conversing with her friends.

Due to her plot relevance, Tao can never be carried over to New Game Plus. While her information can be recorded in the compendium, she can never be resummoned. She will only be regained in a repeat run by reaching the Taito area of Da'at, but her stats will be reset when she joins the protagonist then. While she travels with the protagonist, she will occupy a slot in his roster, and cannot be fused off or dismissed (but can be customized with Essence Fusion, Sutras and Incense), though pursuing the Neutral path endings will cause Tao to remove herself from the party once the Nahobino reaches the Empyrean. Tao also does not have an Essence unlike the other playable demons.

Vengeance[]

Tao has a larger role in the new story for Canon of Vengeance, in which she serves as one of the deuteragonists along with Yoko Hiromine. While the story progresses in mostly the same way at the start, her interactions with Yoko change Tao's mind regarding how to help Sahori overcome her problem with bullying. Determined to do anything for Sahori, Tao tries to kill the bullies herself, before breaking down crying. Seeing Tao try her best for her, Sahori changes her mind. Unlike in the original story, Lahmu does not kill Tao or Sahori. Instead, as Sahori rejected Lahmu at the last moment, she initially survives the encounter only to be killed by Lilith alongside Tao, who impales both of them as they are embracing each other using the serpent she carries around. Sahori will remain dead as in the original game, but Goko will revive Tao shortly after.

Tao will travel alongside the protagonist and Yoko for much of the game, constantly giving her point of view about what is happening in the story and about the choices the player makes in certain sub-quests. The three of them work together to stop the Qadištu, who are killing humans to steal their Magatsuhi, and also to prevent Mastema from turning more humans into salt. However, Tao is killed a second time when the Qadištu take the Nahobino as a sacrifice to revive Tiamat.

After awakening as a Goddess of Creation, Tao will return and join the party as a demon of the Panagia race, right after defeating Abdiel in Shakan. In addition, certain side-quests would heavily imply that Tao had Amaterasu's Knowledge, but her status as Goddess of Creation overwhelmed Amaterasu, and prevented Bethel from completing a Proto-fiend based on her.

When the party arrives to the Empyrean, Tao will speak to the main character, explaining that she still feels like Tao Isonokami. She says that even if her personality should have been erased by her awakening as a Goddess of Creation, the strong determination that was born in her as a result of her journey with the main character and Yoko kept the original Tao alive. She will tell him that she understands that this world needs to be remade as the original Creator God has made a world of oppression in which humans are meant to suffer. Believing in the main character, Tao will suggest that they work together to create a new world where nobody is rejected and everyone's dreams can come true, and promises to stay by the main character's side until they accomplish it, as she acknowledges it will be a hard task because everyone is different and has their own wishes.

In the Law-Vengeance route, when the party steps foot into the Throne Room, they will be interrupted and challenged by Yoko Hiromine, who has also awakened as a Goddess of Creation. Yoko first takes control of Tiamat, then sacrifices herself to summon Tehom. Afterwards, the party will challenge Lucifer to a final battle and claim the throne. In the epilogue, everything will be restored back as it used to be. The protagonist presumably sacrifices his existence to become a god that can grant any wish and all other side characters were revived. As they leave the classroom, human Tao will turn around and feel a presence behind her, but see nothing. With Tao gone, Goddess Tao will appear in the corner of the classroom, looking at them with a smile on her face.

In the Chaos-Vengenance route, Tao will still remain with the Nahobino, but only up until reaching the Throne Room where he will reject her in place of Yoko when she arrives to interfere. Disappointed on the protagonist's rejection she prepares to fight him and Yoko, but Mastema will arrive to fight in her place. From this point on, she will permanently leave the party and is replaced by Yoko. Mastema initially fights the Nahobino and Yoko by controlling Tiamat, then fighting alone. Once the party returns to the throne room, she and Goko will express disappointment and leave the protagonist to challenge Lucifer, as it is now certain that the universe will be wiped out and begin anew.

In Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, not only does Tao now have an Essence, she gives the Nahobino the Panagia Talisman upon joining the party, giving the Panagia race a Magatsuhi Skill, and can now be played outside of the Taito Arc in a New Game Plus file, by being able to be summon her from the Demonic Compendium like a regular demon after completing any route of the Canon of Creation and the Law route of the Canon of Vengeance. As such, customizations given to Tao via Essence fusion, sutras and incense are now saved. If Tao leaves the party, the Nahobino is allowed a chance to register Tao's information in the compendium before she leaves, as well as during the formation of a New Game Plus file.

Stats[]

Shin Magami Tensei V[]

Race Level HP MP Strength 20 Vitality 44 Magic 62 Agility 38 Luck 49 Panagia 60 308 355 Phys Fire Ice Elec Force Light Dark - - - - - Null Weak Ailment Resistance Null:Charm Skill Potential Phys Fire Ice Elec Force Light Dark Almi. Ailm. Heal. Supp. -5 - - - - +5 -5 +4 - +3 +3 List of Skills Skill Cost Effect Level Light of Order 150 MP (Unique) Moderate HP recovery for all allies. Cancels debuffs and raises all stats 1 tier for 3 turns. Innate Hamaon 25 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 Auto Recover MP after a battle. 62 Null Dark Auto Nullifies Dark skills. 64

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance[]

Jouin High School/Shinagawa[]

Race Level HP MP Strength 11 Vitality 16 Magic 23 Agility 17 Luck 20 Human 20 95 130 Phys Fire Ice Elec Force Light Dark - - - - - Resist Weak Ailment Resistance Resist: Charm Skill Potential Phys Fire Ice Elec Force Light Dark Almi. Ailm. Heal. Supp. -3 - - - - +3 -3 - - +2 +2 List of Skills Skill Cost Effect Level Saint's Prayer Auto When an ally is returned to stock, removes all status conditions from it. Innate Skill Mahama 25 MP Weak Light attack to all foes. Chance of instakill when striking weakness. Innate Media 30 MP Slight HP recovery to all allies. Innate Recarm 20 MP Revive one ally with half HP. Innate Marakukaja 30 MP Raises Defense of all allies by 1 rank for 3 turns. Innate Light Mana Aid Auto Recover a little MP after a battle. 24 Masukukaja 30 MP Raises Accuracy/Evasion of all allies by 1 rank for 3 turns. 30 Omagatoki: Strategize Magatsuhi Changing party members or passing a turn will not consume a Press Turn Icon for all allies for 1 turn. Unwrit Neutral Periapt

Shinjuku[]

Race Level HP MP Strength 20 Vitality 43 Magic 38 Agility 40 Luck 48 Human 37 165 202 Phys Fire Ice Elec Force Light Dark - - - - - Null Weak Ailment Resistance Resist:Charm Skill Potential Phys Fire Ice Elec Force Light Dark Almi. Ailm. Heal. Supp. -3 - - - - +4 -3 +2 - +2 +2 List of Skills Skill Cost Effect Level Saint's Prayer Auto When an ally is returned to stock, removes all status conditions from it. Innate Skill Mahamaon 40 MP Heavy Light attack to all foes. Chance of instakill when striking weakness. Innate Mediarama 60 MP Moderate HP recovery to all allies. Innate Samarecarm 60 MP Revive one ally with full HP. Innate Marakukaja 30 MP Raises Defense of all allies by 1 rank for 3 turns. Innate Mana Aid Auto Recover MP after a battle. Innate Masukukaja 30 MP Raises Accuracy/Evasion of all allies by 1 rank for 3 turns. Innate Megidola 70 MP Heavy Almighty attack to all foes. 41 Matarunda 30 MP Lowers Attack of all foes by 1 rank for 3 turns. 45 Omagatoki: Strategize Magatsuhi Changing party members or passing a turn will not consume a Press Turn Icon for all allies for 1 turn. Unwrit Neutral Periapt

Demon[]

Race Level HP MP Strength 20 Vitality 44 Magic 62 Agility 38 Luck 49 Panagia 60 308 355 Phys Fire Ice Elec Force Light Dark - - - - - Null Weak Ailment Resistance Resist:Poison, Confusion Null: Charm Skill Potential Phys Fire Ice Elec Force Light Dark Almi. Ailm. Heal. Supp. -3 - - - - +5 -3 +4 - +3 +3 List of Skills Skill Cost Effect Level Saint's Prayer Auto When an ally is returned to stock, removes all status conditions from it. Innate Skill Light of Order 150 MP (Unique) Moderate HP recovery for all allies. Cancels debuffs and raises all stats 1 tier for 3 turns. Innate Samarecarm 60 MP Revive one ally with full HP. Innate Mahamaon 40 MP Heavy Light attack to all foes. 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 Mana Aid Auto Recover MP after a battle. Innate Hamabarion 55 MP Severe Light attack to 1 foe. Chance of instakill when striking weakness. 62 Null Dark Auto Nullifies Dark skills. 64 Eternal Prayer Magatsuhi Full HP recovery, ailment and/or death recovery for all allies. Panagia Talisman Waves of Order Magatsuhi Moderate HP recovery to all allies. Removes ailments and debuffs and adds 1 Press Turn Icon to next turn. Virtuous Order Periapt

Gallery[]

Demon Tao

Goddess of Creation Tao

Tao casting Light of Order.

【 真・女神転生Ⅴ Vengeance 6月14日発売】 磯野上タオ（CV.早見沙織）

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Twitter Character Promotinal Video

Tao Isonokami in the TCG (Monument of Reincarnation)

Panagia Tao and Panagia Yoko giving their hands to the protagonist in Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengenace

Etymology[]

Isonokami (磯野上^*)^? means "above the rocky seashore." It is also the name of the Isonokami Shrine (石上神宮^*)^? where enshrines the godly swords Ame no Ohabari (Aramasa) and Futsu-no-Mitama. Tao (多緒^*)^? means "many cords."

In Other Languages[]

Language	Title
Japanese	磯野上 タオ
Korean	이소노카미 타오
Traditional Chinese	磯野上 多緒