Rangda is the demon queen of the leyaks in Bali, according to traditional Balinese mythology. Terrifying to behold, the child-eating Rangda leads an army of evil witches against the leader of the forces of good - Barong.
It is suggested that Rangda may be derived from the 11th century Javan queen Mahendradatta who was exiled by the king, Dharmodayana, for allegedly practicing witchcraft. The tale surrounding this is that she proceeded to take her revenge by killing off half the kingdom, which by then belonged to her and Dharmodayana's son Erlangga, with plague before being overcome by a holy man. The name Rangda itself means "widow" in old Javanese and Balinese language. It may also be associated with the legend of a demon queen named Calon Arang, who wreaked havoc in late 10th century Java, during the reign of Airlangga.
Rangda is important in Balinese culture, and performances depicting her struggles with Barong or with Airlangga in that tale are popular tourist attractions as well as tradition. She is depicted as a mostly nude old woman, with long and unkempt hair, pendulous breasts, and claws. Her face is traditionally a horrifying fanged and goggle-eyed mask, with a long, protruding tongue.
It has been suggested that Rangda may be closely associated with the Hindu warrior mother goddess Durga, or the black goddess of destruction Kali, given that Bali is a Hindu island. While Rangda is mainly seen as fearsome and a personification of evil, she is also seen as a protective figure in some parts of Bali. The colors associated with Rangda are red, black, and white, and these colors are also associated with Kali, and her iconography is also similar to Kali. Mahendradatta, the queen Rangda might be based on, was known for her devotion to the cult of Durga in Bali.
In almost every installment, fusing Rangda and Barong is will result in Shiva. She is also so prominent with her signature physical repelling resistance throughout the series but with some sort of weakness to magic, particularly electricity, which is the element usually possessed by Barong.
Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE
Rangda can be encountered as a boss by obtaining an item from giving five opals to the Barong Believer in Protopia. Using this item in a plasma that appears by the teleport in Kagurazaka Caverns' gold level instance will spawn her. She has a rare chance of dropping her plug-in item.
In Imagine, Rangda is particularly notable for lacking her usual reflection of physical attacks-- nulling it instead. Her illusion variant, which was implemented much earlier than her regular form, still reflects physical instead of nulling it.
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey
Rangda can be found and recruited in Sector Horologium or fused. Barong, found in Horologium 1F, posts an EX Mission to issue a challenge to her. Once found and talked to, she responds to the mirror Barong sends with one of her claws.
Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
"A wicked witch and the symbol of evil in Balinese Hinduism. When women who used magic held a grudge or went down the path of evil, they became this dreadful creature. She spreads plagues, causes natural disasters, curses people, and even uses evil spirits to do her bidding. The holy beast Barong that symbolizes good is her eternal rival. Even if defeated, she will come back to life, and their battle will have no end."
—Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers 3DS Compendium
Persona 3
"A wicked witch of Balinese lore. She represents evil, and is Barong's eternal rival. Even if defeated, she will come back to life, and their battle will have no end."
—Persona 3 Compendium
Rangda is the highest leveled persona of the Magician Arcana available without maxing out the Magician Social Link. By using a triangle fusion of Orobas, Sati, and Hua Po, the resulting Rangda can potentially inherit the Fire Boost skill from Hua Po to increase its damage output.
Demikids Light/Dark
"An evil witch of many guises that uses its deadly powers to destroy its enemies."
—Demonary
Known as Rhanda, she can perform the combo Fiery Impact with Flarlok. She also has the power Rogue Charm.
Devil Survivor
Rangda holds a distinction of being a consistent source of decent "Phys Repel" skill, since it appears in Free Battles late in the game and thus becomes available on Devil Auction once defeated.
Devil Survivor 2
"A wicked witch and the symbol of evil in Balinese Hinduism. When women who used magic held a grudge or went down the path of evil, they became this dreadful creature. She spreads plagues, causes natural disasters, curses people, and even uses evil spirits to do her bidding. The holy beast Barong that symbolizes good is her eternal rival. Even if defeated, she will come back to life, and their battle will have no end."
