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The White Hugo SMTIV

White Hugo.

"Freedom and order, destruction and sustenance. Man is a pitiful creature who cannot escape that cycle."
—The White, Shin Megami Tensei IV

The White (ホワイトメン, Howaitomen, lit. "Whitemen; White Men") are a group of characters in Shin Megami Tensei IV.

Appearances[]

Profile[]

"The embodiment of the ancient races destroyed by the angels. They've appeared to humans four times now, sharing their memories and knowledge of the past. They claim that whether humans submit to angels or unite with demons against God, history is doomed to repeat itself and the future will never change. Therefore, they aim to obliterate all existence and return the cosmos to nothingness. They show the protagonist visions of two alternate futures - "Blasted Tokyo" and "Infernal Tokyo" - while taking on the appearance of Isabeau and Hugo in order to deceive the protagonist."
Shin Megami Tensei IV Official Artbook

Beings who reside in the Expanse. They first appear after the Yamato Perpetual Reactor is activated by Flynn or Walter. They appear within a white void and wish anyone they choose to make a decision and will show the chosen ones alternate worlds so they can make that choice. Jonathan had the same dream as the former two Samurai.

The second encounter is after leaving Blasted Tokyo using the Reactor, with Flynn returning to the white void. There they reveal a desire to show Flynn a world where they did not preserve. However, they tell him not to forget that what awaits mankind is a wasteland of despair for they are merely tools before sending him to that world.

The third encounter with them is after leaving Infernal Tokyo, where they tell of how preserving the world means nothing as God will destroy it if it does not mean his will, while choosing not to preserve will lead to self-destruction. They give Flynn the choice to turn everything to nothing or let it continue.

They are ecstatic when Flynn chooses to end it all and leave only nothingness. They reveal the true purpose of the Reactor and that they created it when choosing this path. The White are overjoyed as they finally have won with the damage done to the Reactor's control device as it becomes a black hole that swallows all. They view this choice as an end to meaningless suffering.

Should he allow it to continue, they will curse his messianic tendencies and leaving the world intact, asking if he will preserve the status quo or destroy it. They abandon him within the Monochrome Forest after he makes his choice, wishing for him to die there. They are revealed to be the aggregate collective of human thought that reside in the Expanse and are the sentient embodiment of humanity's will throughout the multiverse that humans created by repressing their nihilism regarding life itself. The despair they express is the collective will of humanity's despair at being trapped under God's will. The four must be defeated to escape the forest. Although defeated, they will eventually revive so long as humanity exists because they are humanity's collective will.

The White reveal that humans are trapped in God's scheme with no way to escape because of their imperfections, and that they create God for the sake of their own convenience. The White explain that the reason that Law and Chaos constantly do battle is because the world eternally cycles through a loop of Law and Chaos as per God's will due to humanity endlessly repeating its mistakes. Demons and God will keep resurrecting because humanity is too weak to not rely on God's foundation or to keep their desires repressed. Any path to preserve that doesn't align to God's will shall be cast into destruction, any attempt at upheaval will lead inexorably to a path of self-destruction. The only solution, according to the White, is to end all of existence. The White view this solution as a mercy killing because the only alternative is to endlessly continue the cosmic war of Law and Chaos under God's rule. Gabriel tells Flynn in the challenge quest details after defeating several of them that they had gained knowledge beyond their ken concerning God as an aggregation of human thought, which lead them to this belief in order to continue her preaching of knowledge being evil. Stephen explains they are the aggregate sentience of human thought itself. Lucifer explains so long as the humanity created by God exists, then themself, God and the White will never disappear.

The White also appear in "The Eternal Youth" and "Ancient One of the Sun" DLCs, intending to drive Flynn to nihilism and show him humanity's despair by sending him back to Infernal Tokyo and Blasted Tokyo to fight against Sanat and the Ancient of Days, respectively. They mention their existence is tied to Flynn's; as long as he exists, so will they, because they are humanity's collective will.

It is revealed in the Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse Hunter Memos DLC that their goal is not possible in the grand scheme of things, as every possibility observed becomes real and branches off into countless parallel universes, meaning that destroying all existence is impossible and futile from the beginning as their plan only destroys a single universe.

White (K)[]

"A world betrayed by its faith in God. A world that spurns God and drowns in anarchy. Now that you stand at the dead-end of possibility, what else greets you besides despair? Such hope is beyond redemption..."
—White K, Shin Megami Tensei IV Neutral Route

The first of the group to appear. He tells Flynn that his atom has brushed across two possible worlds when he returns from a world where they chose to preserve, and a world where the status quo was destroyed. In the White ending, he says that they will be saved from suffering and sorrow before disappearing. The second White to be fought in the Monochrome Forest. White K desires to teach Flynn the splendor of nonexistence.

As he falls, he groans about a world betrayed by its faith in God and a world drowned in anarchy, asking Flynn what else is there beyond despair. His last words condemn Flynn's hope. On the Chaos Route, he remarks on how God cannot be opposed with mere brute force, and that the coming freedom will be short-lived, condemning Flynn's indulgence, whereas on the Law Route, he calls Flynn out for playing along with God, refusing to free mankind, condemning his obeisance. 

When battling White K in Monochrome Forest, his attacks are mainly pierce (AKA gun) attacks.

When Flynn beats the Ancient of Days and Sanat, he questions why Flynn does not despair.

White (Issachar)[]

"Ah...where is our salvation? Why? Why wouldn't you save me even unto the very end? Why are you leaving us behind in the rift of God...demons...and man?"
—White Issachar, Shin Megami Tensei IV Neutral Route

The second of the group to appear. He asks the mitochondria within Flynn if he has ever thought about why humans are born or why the world exists. After returning from Blasted Tokyo, he states to Flynn that his desire to preserve was swallowed by a greater will's desire to preserve. He asks Flynn in their third encounter if he will use his power to turn the world to naught as the Messiah. White Issachar calls Flynn the true Messiah before vanishing in the White ending.

The fourth of the White faced in the Monochrome Forest. On the Neutral, Law or Chaos path, White Issachar comments the fate of humans is to endlessly repeat the same mistakes, thus justifying the White's omnicidal viewpoints. He also says he took on the form of Flynn's dearest friend because Issachar was torn by the way of the state of the world after reading the books given to him by Lilith, who was called the Black Samurai at the time, and the White tells Flynn he will show him how powerful one's suffering can be, using Issachar's form as an example. He will also try to guilt-trip Flynn by invoking Jonathan's viewpoints in the Chaos Path, Walter's in Law and both in Neutral.

Upon his defeat, he asks why Flynn did not save him in the very end in an undistorted and emotional voice to further guilt-trip Flynn by reminding him of Issachar's brutal death. In the Neutral path, White Issachar is denounced by Burroughs, along with the rest of the White, as an entity of unjustified resentment, rash self-denial and self-justification. In the Law path, he is likewise denounced as a coward by Jonathan, and in the Chaos path, it is Walter who brushes aside his arguments. As he dies, he will also ask Flynn where is their salvation, and why he is leaving them in the rift of God, of demons and of man.

White Issachar attempts to guilt trip Flynn before his death, as he, unlike the others, spoke in Issachar's voice without distortion upon defeat. The real Issachar asked Flynn to give him a mercy killing so as not to prolong his suffering.

When Flynn beats the Ancient of Days and Sanat, he tells Flynn the only way to fundamentally save humanity is via siding with them and destroying the reactor. Alternatively, when he decides to instead return to his own world, he says that doing so will merely cause that future (Blasted/Infernal Tokyo) to crumble.

The White taking the form of Issachar will pose questions to Flynn which will affect the tide of the battle.

Law Route
"Do you recall those lands? That blasted world, tainted with poison... Those who depended on God were callously killed by Him. Has the possibility that you, too, may also be smote by God not crossed your mind?"
"There IS that possibility..." White +Tarukaja/Rakukaja/Sukukaja
Flynn's party +Tarunda/Rakunda/Sukunda
"I won't be killed." White +Tarunda/Rakunda/Sukunda
Continue fighting No effect
"One who desires preservation... What would your fellow Samurai think? I refer to he who dreamt of changing this world, who is not here now... The one called Walter. Does it not give you pause to think what he might say, were he to learn of your choice?"
Think about Walter White +Tarukaja/Rakukaja/Sukukaja
Flynn's party +Tarunda/Rakunda/Sukunda
Forget about Walter White +Tarunda/Rakunda/Sukunda
Continue fighting No effect
Chaos Route
"Do you recall those lands? That infernal world, ruled by violence... Those who yearned for freedom ended up desiring order after all. Has the possibility that you, too, will long for order in time not crossed your mind?"
"There IS that possibility..." White +Tarukaja/Rakukaja/Sukukaja
Flynn's party +Tarunda/Rakunda/Sukunda
"Freedom is everything." White +Tarunda/Rakunda/Sukunda
Continue fighting No effect
"One who desires upheaval... What would your fellow Samurai think? I refer to he who dreamt of a stable world, who is not here now... The one called Jonathan. Does it not give you pause to think what he might say, were he to learn of your choice?"
Think about Jonathan White +Tarukaja/Rakukaja/Sukukaja
Flynn's party +Tarunda/Rakunda/Sukunda
Forget about Jonathan White +Tarunda/Rakuna/Sukunda
Continue fighting No effect
Neutral Route
"Tell me this. What possibilities does this world hold that you feel secure walking the path of neutrality? As the one who embodies those possibilities, what comes to mind?"
"God." White +Tarukaja/Rakukaja/Sukukaja
Flynn's party +Tarunda/Rakunda/Sukunda
"Demons." White +Tarukaja/Rakukaja/Sukukaja
Flynn's party +Tarunda/Rakunda/Sukunda
"People." Flynn's party +Tarunda/Rakunda/Sukunda
"I don't know yet." Flynn's party +Tarukaja/Rakukaja/Sukukaja
"What would your fellows think? Jonathan, who desired a stable world... Walter, who desired revolution... Does it not give you pause to think what they might say, were they to learn of your choice?"
Think about the two Flynn's party +Tarukaja/Rakukaja/Sukukaja
Forget about the two Flynn: HP-> 1, SP->0
Continue fighting No effect

White (Hugo)[]

"Humans...can never escape the karma of desire. Desires are no different then demons. Humans themselves are demons. Such desire is beyond redemption..."
—White Hugo, Shin Megami Tensei IV Neutral Route

The third of the group to appear. He proclaims that a single atom's revolt will only damage a single cell, while the cell will be healed by the other cells. In their second encounter he mentions that Flynn also has the choice to not preserve and that they shall show him that possibility. The third encounter has him inform Flynn that humans are prisoners of God's expectations and speaks of a way to escape his grasp by turning it all to nothing. In the White ending, he says mankind has finally won and then disappears. The first of the White to be faced in the Monochrome Forest, he calls Flynn the fifth son and tells him that he will unmake him since he did not choose nothingness.

When defeated on Neutral, he will mutter humans cannot escape the karma of desires, which are no different from demons. Thus, humans are exactly like demons. His last words condemn desire itself. In the Chaos Route, he condemns Flynn's thoughtlessness and his seemingly futile struggle to escape God. In the Law Route, he warns that God's plan has only led to ruin, and Flynn will surely follow the same path.

When Flynn beats the Ancient of Days and Sanat, he sends them back to his own world, except he tells him he has yet to save humanity from that which is to come (via doing the nihilism ending). When Flynn instead decides to return to his own world, he is the only one of the white to not say anything.

White (Isabeau)[]

"We humans with our demonic tendencies, who create a 'god' for the sake of our own convenience. Do you think that ones so weak can carry on living in this quagmire of order and chaos? Such neutrality is beyond redemption..."
—White Isabeau, Shin Megami Tensei IV Neutral Route

The last of the group to appear. In the third encounter, she is the one to bring up the decision they wish for him to make. She mentions that they lack forms, which is why they must entrust Flynn with turning all to nothing. She asks him to free humanity of God's control and to become the true Messiah, thanking him for ending their long and painful journey in the White ending, telling him goodbye before dissipating. She is the third of the White to be faced in the Monochrome Forest.

Upon her end in the Neutral Route, she declares that humans are no different then demons who seek a power to rule over them. Her last words condemn the path of balance as a whole. On the Chaos Route, she condemns Flynn's desire to forge a path through force when it plays into God's hands anyway, whereas in the Law Route, she points out dissenters of God's plan will arise and the peace Flynn seeks will not last.

When Flynn beats the Ancient of Days and Sanat, she tells him even should he try to enkindle the hopes of the people of Tokyo, it would ultimately only result in their despair.

Stats[]

White (Hugo)[]

Race Level HP MP
Strength --
Dexterity --
Magic --
Agility --
Luck --
Archaic 64 ~5,500
Physical Phys Gun Gun Fire Fire Ice Ice Electricity Elec Force Force Light Light Dark Dark
- - - - - - Null Null
Ailment Resistance -
Normal Attack Phys x1, 1 enemy Turn Icon 3
List of Skills
Skill Effect
Mabufudyne Heavy ice damage to all foes.
Mazandyne Heavy force damage to all foes.
Hamaon 55% instantly kills one foe. Light-type.
Naught Wave Medium almighty damage and 10% instant kill to all foes.
Tetrakarn Bestows physical/gun-repelling shields for one turn to all allies.


White (K)[]

Race Level HP MP
Strength --
Dexterity --
Magic --
Agility --
Luck --
Archaic 65 ~7,000
Physical Phys Gun Gun Fire Fire Ice Ice Electricity Elec Force Force Light Light Dark Dark
- - - - - - Null Null
Ailment Resistance -
Normal Attack Phys x1, 1 enemy Turn Icon 3
List of Skills
Skill Effect
Blight Weak physical damage and 60% poison to all foes.
Riot Gun Severe gun damage to one foe.
Blast Arrow Medium gun damage to all foes.
Blank Bullet 2 hits of medium gun damage and 25% panic to all foes.
Tarukaja Buffs party's attack power by 1 level.


White (Isabeau)[]

Race Level HP MP
Strength --
Dexterity --
Magic --
Agility --
Luck --
Archaic 66 ~8,500
Physical Phys Gun Gun Fire Fire Ice Ice Electricity Elec Force Force Light Light Dark Dark
- - - - - - Null Null
Ailment Resistance -
Normal Attack Phys x1, 1 enemy Turn Icon 3
List of Skills
Skill Effect
Titanomachia Heavy physical damage to all foes. High critical but low accuracy.
Maragidyne Heavy fire damage to all foes.
Mamudoon 55% instantly kills all foes. Dark-type.
Impossible Slash 2~3 hits of medium physical damage to all foes and Rakunda
Panic Voice 70% panic to all foes.


White (Issachar)[]

Race Level HP MP
Strength --
Dexterity --
Magic --
Agility --
Luck --
Archaic 67 ~8,500
Physical Phys Gun Gun Fire Fire Ice Ice Electricity Elec Force Force Light Light Dark Dark
- - - - - - Null Null
Ailment Resistance -
Normal Attack Phys x1-2, 1 enemy Turn Icon 3
List of Skills
Skill Effect
Mortal Jihad Heavy physical damage to one foe. High critical but low accuracy.
Megidola Medium almighty damage to all foes.
Luster Candy Buffs party's attack, defense and agility by 1 level.
Charge Multiplies user's next physical or gun damage by 2.5.
Impossible Slash 2~3 hits of medium physical damage to all foes and Rakunda
Blank Bullet 2 hits of medium gun damage and 25% panic to all foes.
Naught Wave Medium almighty damage and 10% instant kill to all foes.


Gallery[]

 
The White K SMTIV
White K.
 
The White Isabeau SMTIV
White Isabeau.
 
The White Issachar SMTIV
White Issachar.

Trivia[]

  • The White are named after the Great White Brotherhood, a group of enlightened humans in Theosophy. Their views and beliefs are a distortion of the Brotherhoods, having become "enlightened" by learning the nature of God and view existence as something that must end. They also make references to the Root Race by calling Flynn the fifth son in reference to the fifth humanity. This is shared with their fellow Theosophy based being Sanat.
  • The White are a reference to the Sanskrit term of "Mahatma" meaning "Great Soul" and popularized by the Great White Brotherhood.
  • The White came into existence as a result of the previous four generations of humanity being led to ruin and eventually completely killed off by the angels. Flynn, representing the fifth humanity, is called their fifth son for this reason. The Fifth Son represents ignorance towards tradition; Flynn remains obstinate to the knowledge told by the White if he chooses Law, Chaos or Neutrality.
  • According to an NPC in Ginza near the end of the game, he met "white shadows" that resembled his wife and daughter telling him to die with them only for him to dispel them by telling them "he will do his best", implying that the White who met Flynn merely took the forms of his loved ones to guilt trip him into advancing their own agenda.


Characters
Main Flynn - Isabeau - Jonathan - Walter - Burroughs
Supporting Hope - Issachar - Gabby - Navarre - Hugo - K - Tayama - Kaga - Hikaru - Fujiwara - Skins - Mastema - Stephen - Black Samurai - The White - Kiyoharu - Akira - Kenji - Aquila - Ahazuya Mikado - Charon - Mido - Lucifer - Merkabah - Masakado
Minor Terminal Guardian - Nozomi - Minako
Adaptations Gina - Stan - Al-mi'raj - Asuma - Nicola - Ys
Setting
Locations Eastern Kingdom of Mikado - Mikado Castle - Naraku - Kiccigiorgi - Tokyo - Ueno - Chiyoda - Shinjuku - Ikebukuro - Kagome Tower - Shibuya - Roppongi - Ginza - Tsukiji Hongwanji - Midtown - Reverse Hills - Camp Ichigaya - Blasted Tokyo - Pluto Castle - Infernal Tokyo - Monochrome Forest - Tokyo Bay - Minami Sunamachi - Purgatorium - Lucifer Palace - River Styx
Organizations Samurai - Hunter Association - Ashura-kai - Ring of Gaea - National Defense Divinities - Counter Demon Force
Archives
Terminology COMP - Gauntlet Rite - Press Turn Battle - Smirk - Domain - Horde - Terminal - Cathedral of Shadows - Red Pill - Hunter - Yamato Perpetual Reactor - Whisper event - Demonoid - Neurisher - Cocoon - Streetpass
Lists Demons (Evolutions - Special Fusions) - Bosses - Skills - Items - Apps - Quests - Translations
Other Media
Games Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse
Production Original Soundtrack
Publication DEMONIC GENE - -Prayers- - Artbook
Events Shin Megami Tensei Online Live 2021: Reason of Music
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