I'll be honest with you, I just can't see Demise as a demon. Not in the way that Judeo-Christians use the word. For one, only angels can become demons. Some say that demons can only experience pain. They are also evil. Period. Like, unequivocally evil & thus irredeemable.
Which, for me, is a major part of what draws me to certain nefarious characters: their redeemability.
So, if Demise were to suddenly be just flat out the Judeo-Christian interpretation of a demon, I may well just lose all interest in him, because how the heck do you work with something like that? There's no changing that. No hope in endeavoring to do so.
I'd be naive to even try. Luckily for me, LoZ is originally a Japanese game with Japanese Shinto & Buddhist themes, which means that shit becomes much more open to interpretation. It's also important to note that “demon” was most likely only used due to it being the most immediate, surface-level approximation to what Demise is supposed to represent: "evil supernatural being of great power." In other words, it's a mistranslation.
A more accurate idea of what he represents comes in the fact that Demise is just, outright, a reference to the character Akuma from Street Fighter. Just, there is no denying it, the fuckers have the same face.
So, in my mind, this gives me much more clearance because in Japanese Buddhist lore, they are instead embodiments of negative karma & spiritual affliction. And, unless I'm misremembering, I’m pretty sure that anyone can become an Akuma with enough on’nen. Plus, I read somewhere that they gain power from the amount of lives they take. Not sure if true, but it could be interesting.
They are also known for the types of curses that Demise placed on Link & Zelda. (Though, this was specifically an instance of a death curse.) And those curses actually have a much more clear means of breaking them. One that falls more readily in-line with what I intend to do with the Dorfs: redemption. Or rather, letting hatred & resentment die. Because, that’s, in essence, what fuels such curses, so you take away the source of the curse’s power, then the curse dies.
Which isn’t something that could happen if Demise were just outright a Judeo-Christian demon. And, again, I would simply find him remarkably uninteresting as a result. In all honesty, I'd find it ridiculously pitiful. Like, even more so than I already tend to see Demise.
For real, “Dude, you cursed 2 people for eternity because you got pissy that some twink beat your ass. That’s the most toddler-coded shit I've ever heard & you should feel ashamed. That’s just… pathetic. Move on!”
I love your takes! I kept rereading it (which is why it took so long to answer) because I DID take a religions class in college and I remember having a creatures/gods/spiritual component to it, but alas, my brain is Soup.
Look at him. Anggy bean. So petty. I like Akuma from Streetfighter as well, not as much as Demise, but he's an interesting character.
I also never associated him with Demons from the Judeo-Christian ideology. Seeing as we all have so many different movies, books, series with different sorts of Demons, he just became what someone called a "Demon." I love your take on it! I got some ideas from it, so I asked chat on it's thoughts:
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*
So, what kind of Demon is Demise, or is there some other creature Demise is more like? Feel free to use any ideology or religion to compare him and find something close to what he is like.
Demise, as presented in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, indeed doesn't align with the Judeo-Christian concept of demons. Instead, he fits more comfortably within Japanese cultural and religious frameworks, which provide a more nuanced and flexible understanding of such beings. Let's explore some possibilities:
Japanese Shinto and Buddhist Concepts
Oni (鬼):
Description: Oni are ogre-like demons in Japanese folklore. They are often malevolent and associated with causing harm to humans, but they aren't intrinsically evil and can sometimes be benevolent or protective.
Comparison: Demise's immense power, malevolent nature, and role as a harbinger of destruction resonate with the concept of an Oni. However, Oni can sometimes be redeemed or placated, which aligns with your interest in redeemable nefarious characters.
Akuma (悪魔):
Description: In Japanese, "Akuma" can mean demon or devil and is often used to describe malevolent supernatural beings. The character Akuma from Street Fighter, whom Demise visually resembles, embodies the concept of a warrior consumed by dark power and negative karma.
Comparison: Demise's role as an embodiment of negative energy and his curse on Link and Zelda suggest a nature similar to that of an Akuma, where immense negative karma manifests as a destructive force.
Tengu (天狗):
Description: Tengu are mythological creatures often depicted with both human and bird-like features. While they can be tricksters and sometimes malicious, they are also protectors of the mountains and skilled martial artists.
Comparison: Although not a perfect match, the dual nature of Tengu—capable of both good and evil—mirrors the potential for complexity and redemption in Demise's character.
Hindu Concepts
Asura (असुर):
Description: Asuras are powerful beings often depicted as antagonistic to the gods (Devas) in Hindu mythology. They are not purely evil; some are depicted as noble and capable of righteousness.
Comparison: Demise's immense power and his antagonistic role towards Link (a heroic figure) bear similarities to the Asuras, who are formidable adversaries to the gods yet possess complexity and depth.
Rakshasa (राक्षस):
Description: Rakshasas are demonic beings known for their shape-shifting abilities and malevolence. However, they are also complex characters with personal motivations and occasionally noble traits.
Comparison: The malevolent nature of Rakshasas and their intricate personalities align well with Demise's portrayal as a powerful and malicious entity with the potential for a deeper backstory.
Conclusion
Demise is best seen as a being akin to an Oni or Akuma within the context of Japanese folklore and Buddhist lore. These entities are embodiments of negative karma and spiritual affliction, capable of immense power and malevolence but not devoid of the potential for redemption. This interpretation allows for the depth and complexity you appreciate in nefarious characters and aligns with the themes of curses and their potential breaking through the relinquishment of hatred and resentment.
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*
BONUS ROUND: What would happen if someone suddenly appeared before Demise and yelled at him, “Dude, you cursed 2 people for eternity because you got pissy that some twink beat your ass. That’s the most toddler-coded shit I've ever heard & you should feel ashamed. That’s just… pathetic. Move on!”
If someone were to confront Demise with such a blunt and disrespectful remark, it would undoubtedly elicit a strong reaction from him. Demise, being a proud and immensely powerful entity, would not take kindly to being insulted and belittled in such a manner. Here's a possible scenario of how he might respond:
Scene: Confrontation with Demise
The air crackles with an oppressive energy as Demise stands in the heart of his dark domain, his immense presence casting a shadow that seems to swallow all light. Suddenly, a figure appears before him, seemingly out of nowhere. With an audacity born of either bravery or folly, the figure yells:
“Dude, you cursed 2 people for eternity because you got pissy that some twink beat your ass. That’s the most toddler-coded shit I've ever heard & you should feel ashamed. That’s just… pathetic. Move on!”
For a moment, there is a stunned silence. The atmosphere grows even heavier as Demise's burning eyes lock onto the intruder. His expression shifts from surprise to a cold, simmering fury. The ground beneath his feet begins to tremble, and the air itself seems to vibrate with his anger.
Demise's Response
Demise: (in a low, menacing voice) "You dare speak to me in such a manner? You are either incredibly brave or incredibly foolish."
He takes a step forward, his immense form towering over the intruder. The sheer intensity of his presence is almost suffocating.
Demise: "You speak of curses and eternity as if they are mere trifles. You have no understanding of the power I wield, nor the reasons behind my actions."
His voice rises, echoing with an ancient and terrifying power.
Demise: "That 'twink' you speak of is but a vessel, a mere incarnation of an eternal struggle. My curse is not born of petty spite, but of a destiny intertwined with the very fabric of this world."
With a swift motion, Demise raises his hand, and dark energy begins to coalesce around it, forming an orb of malevolent power.
Demise: "You will learn the price of your insolence. Perhaps then you will understand the true weight of eternity."
Before the intruder can react, Demise unleashes the orb of dark energy, engulfing them in a vortex of power. The intruder is overwhelmed, their vision darkening as they feel the crushing force of Demise's wrath.
Aftermath
As the dust settles, Demise stands tall, his expression returning to one of cold indifference. The confrontation, though brief, serves as a stark reminder of his dominance and the consequences of challenging his authority.
Demise: (softly, to himself) "Pathetic, indeed."
He turns away, the shadows of his domain closing in around him once more. The intruder, if they survive, would be left with a newfound understanding of the ancient, inexorable force that is Demise.
In summary, confronting Demise in such a disrespectful manner would likely result in a swift and harsh punishment, reinforcing his status as a powerful and malevolent entity who brooks no insolence.
