I've always likened that the White are to Issachar, the same way that Lucifer is to Walter and Merkabah is to Jonathan. Issachar's own journey, incredibly short-lived as it was, ended up being one of sheer hopelessness and nihilism. In a way, he and the White are both intrinsically linked to one another.
The White are, of course, not actually Issachar or any of Flynn's other friends; but phantoms manipulating his consciousness. All the same, they are entities using the likeness of someone close to Flynn resigned to their same ideals, and (ab)use that likeness to assuage, guilt, and shame Flynn. The choice for Issachar's likeness as the final White battle is poetic then.
Plus how White Issachar (what a name) speaks its final words in Issachar's clear, unfiltered voice. Just like how Lucifer and Merkabah do in Walter's and Jonathan's own voices. The parallels are monumental.
And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.
Something that bothers me about the translated SMT IV Dengeki Comic Anthology online is that it's actually missing a large chunk of it. There's only about 4 translated comics online, but there's actually so many more stories in the anthology.
Nor is it even in order. One site lists the Masakado comic first, when it isn't even the first one in the book and actually comes after the Peallaidh comic. (Not that order even matters with these self-contained short stories anyway. But the inconsistency still bothers me.)
I guess it's not surprising since very few care about the anthologies. But the IV one does have its fans and it's a shame how much people are missing out on.
Not having all of it also means that people don't know my boy Issachar is in it too.
In case anyone ever needs information on the Demon Gene here
Warning: Spoilers for Shin Megami Tensei IV, Apocalypse, Demonic Gene, and Prayers
Things to know:
-The pandemic variant seems to be completely different than if it was triggered individually
Pandemic variant (As seen in the dlc)
-Causes a demonic transformation
-Very significant power boost
-Everyone becomes a hive mind mindlessly serving YHVH
-It’s contagious and you can catch it even if you don’t have the DG because it’s implied that Nanashi can catch it
-Their souls can’t be messed with by anyone who isn’t YHVH. Dagda tried but he couldn’t affect them with his powers.
-Someone has to agree to start it for everyone
-If the one who agreed to trigger it dies or as Hugo calls himself “the voice of God” dies everyone infected dies
-Everyone’s souls are linked together
Normal variant (As seen in IV, the Demonic Gene, and Prayers manga)
-Causes a demonic transformation
-Triggers within an individual if they feel very extreme negative emotions which is usually triggered by literature
-Very significant power boost
-Not contagious
-No forced obedience or linkage if anything it is the complete opposite wherein they become extremely rebellious and radical
-In the mangas only it seems that those with the DG become stronger from consuming/absorbing demons (This is shown in both Demonic Gene and Prayers)
Very significant power boost
For comparison a Walter (probably level 1-5) who was regularly using a demon as weak as Centaur was able to defeat Yaso Magushi effortlessly. Issachar who has never fought any demon was able to fight four prentice Samurai at once but he did ultimately lose.
Minotaur is a level 14 demon and he got oneshot. So considering how much stronger Issachar got that isn’t too ridiculous.
However Yaso Magatsuhu is level 46 and was defeated in an instant. That implies a much more significant boost similar to the one Hope and Hugo got. They got boosted from being practical fodder to being able to fight Anarchy Nanashi and at least hurt him. Hugo was implied to formerly be a Samurai so he would have some strength at least.
Not confirmed (but probably true AKA headcanon)
It seems like the power boost is either some sort of multiplier since depending on the base the person seems to become more powerful the stronger they are.
For example
Note: This is not the multiplier this is just an example to illustrate my point.
Assume Issachar is a 1, Walter is a 5, and Hope and Hugo are 10s. If the multiplier was 5 then it would be like this.
Issachar: 5
Level 1-5 Walter: 25
Hope: 50
Hugo: 50
Or it could be completely different depending on the person. Who knows.
-Likely the reason they can use magic
-Can easily learn skills from demons
-Become stronger or weaker depending on their emotional states
