Mephisto Pheles

"To a libertine like me... there could be no better playground than this! The real fun is just beginning." — Mephisto Pheles about Assiah in Child of a Cursed Temple

Mephisto Pheles
Kanji	メフィスト・フェレス
Rōmaji	Mefīsuto Fēresu
Alias	The King of Time (時の王 Toki no Ō) Johann Faust V (ヨハン·ファウスト五世 Yohan Fausuto Gosei) Loki (ロキ Roki) Trickster (トリックスター Torikkusutā) Raven (ワタリガラス Watarigarasu)
Characteristics
Race	Demon
Gender	Male
Height	6'5"
Weight	163 lbs.
Hair Color	Purple
Eye Color	Green
Professional Status
Affiliation	True Cross Order
Previous Affiliation	Gehenna
Occupation	Exorcist Principal of True Cross Academy Demon King
Partner(s)	Ukobach (Anime-only)
Base of Operations	True Cross Academy
Exorcist Information
Class	Honorary Knight
Weapon(s)	Umbrella
Personal Status
Status	Active
Relative(s)	Satan (Father) Amaimon (Brother) Lucifer (Brother) Rin Okumura (Half-Brother) Yukio Okumura (Half-Brother)
Debuts
Manga Debut	Chapter 1
Anime Debut	Episode 2
Portrayal
Japanese Voice	Hiroshi Kamiya
English Voice	Sam Riegel
Mephisto Pheles Images

Mephisto Pheles (メフィスト・フェレス Mefīsuto Fēresu), whose real name is Samael (サマエル Samaeru), is an Exorcist and the second strongest of the Eight Demon Kings; he holds the title The King of Time (時の王 Toki no Ō). He uses the name Johann Faust V (ヨハン·ファウスト五世 Yohan Fausuto Gosei) in public and is the Principal of True Cross Academy. Following the death of Shiro Fujimoto, Mephisto takes it upon himself to enroll Rin in True Cross Academy.

Appearance

Mephisto's original attire

Mephisto has dark purple hair and forest green eyes. He is also tall, having a height of 195cm (6'5").  He is usually seen in an elegant white outfit that consists of a white top hat with pink and purple around the base, purple gloves, a tie that is pink with white dots, a white suit-shirt and undershirt, jester-style pants, and pointed shoes. His appearance prompts Rin to refer to him as The Clown. As the series progresses, he stops wearing the jester pants and pointed shoes, instead wearing white dress pants and black shoes.

In addition, he can transform into a small white dog when he counts down from three in German (up to three in the anime). In this form he is a small, fluffy, Scottish terrier-looking dog with a large pink ribbon around his neck with a silver trinket attached to it, the trinket being the symbol of an Exorcist.

Personality

Shrouded in mystery, one quickly learns of Mephisto's innate ability to act as if he knows more than what he is letting on. Careful and meticulous, he is like a chess player, always ahead of the game.

He enjoys chaos, as he stated to himself that he was a hell-raiser, and Assiah to be his playground. He frequently observes the growing conflict around Rin and his friends with delight, though he does not wish to see of his students killed.  He apparently 'loves' humans.  When Mephisto first meets Amaimon in the series, it is implied he is conspiring with Satan and is most likely training Rin on his orders.  He likes to make gambles with whoever possible, including Fujimoto, Rin, and the True Cross Order.

He is prone to eccentric moments nestled in between serious moments, making light of a heavy mood and is portrayed as a man with more money than sense, but is very cheap when it comes to spending on others.  Like his brother, he loves to eat sweets and he is deeply interested in the Japanese pop culture, proudly stating that he is an otaku.

History

Nothing much is known about Mephisto's history, other than the fact that he was close friends with Shiro, and that he has assisted the Vatican for around 200 years.

A more recent development shows that he has been around as early as the Renaissance era, making him more than a thousand years old. He is shown talking with Faust himself (the German scholar of mythology) about a gamble. Mephisto says that he will grant Faust eternal life, but, the moment the man wishes to die, his soul belongs to Mephisto. Mephisto later said that he eventually won the bet.

In the anime filler, Mephisto claims that he had connections with an artificial life laboratory over 500 years ago, but stopped when the Vatican declared it illegal. He left it to his students, but there is a large gap between then and now.  

Synopsis

True Cross Academy arc

Mephisto laughing at Rin's idea.

He is originally mentioned by Father Fujimoto as being the only contact on the cell phone Rin is given and would be willing to take him in. However, once word had reached the Order about Rin awakening his Demonic nature, Mephisto is dispatched along with other Exorcists to eliminate him; Mephisto appears to Rin after Father Fujimoto's funeral. He gives Rin three options: kill, be killed, or kill himself. However, Rin doesn't choose any of them. He instead demands Mephisto allow him to join them to, as Rin put it, "Kick Satan's ass" and avenge Fujimoto. Surprised, Mephisto laughs at the idea, but still agrees to it; much to the shock and displeasure of the rest of the Exorcists present, he allows Rin to become an Exorcist.

Car ride to True Cross Academy

The next day Mephisto comes for Rin in a pink limo, almost running him over, and he takes Rin and Yukio to True Cross Academy. On the way there he reveals that Rin is going to attend school, as well as attending the cram school where he will study to become an Exorcist. When Rin finishes his tour of the academy, he sees a dog who makes Rin follow him. After they get out of the academy, the dog transforms into Mephisto and explains that the principal cannot randomly walk around the school. He told Rin that he would accept him in True Cross Academy under the one condition that he keep his identity as the son of Satan a secret.

Mephisto in his dog form with Rin in the classroom

Mephisto then gives Rin a magic key, that allows him to use any door get to his class, and transforms back into a dog to accompany Rin on his first day of class. Yukio enters the classroom as their teacher and Mephisto explains to Rin what a Mashō,a wound inflicted by a demon, is and he also explains that it is required to recieve a Mashō in order to become an Exorcist. Mephisto then stays in the classroom and watched as the two brothers start arguing, and he continues to watch as Rin accidently makes Yukio drop a vial of fermented animal blood that draws a horde of Goblins to the classroom. Much to his amazement, Rin and Yukio work together to slay the Demons after the other students had been moved out of the room. He later tells Yukio he was a bit "stiff" for teaching his first class. He then mutters to himself that Satan would make a move soon.

Mephisto talking with Amaimon

Later on, he is seen having a conversation with his brother Amaimon. They talk about Rin and the rest of their family in Gehenna; Satan has accepted Mephisto's porposal that he will take care of their youngest brother, Rin. Amaimon then asks when he will return to Gehenna and Mephisto replies that he has a lot of work here in Assiah. After Amaimon leaves, he says that this world is his biggest play toy.

Training Camp arc

Mephisto and Amaimon watch the training camp

Mephisto appears half way through the arc floating above the forest with Amaimon, using his transformed umbrella to do so. Amaimon is there to yet again test Rin and talks about how he wants to kill the people below. Mephisto warns him that if he kills any of them he will kill Amaimon, making his brother restrain himself. He watches the battle from above until Rin and Amaimon get out of control and complains about what troublesome little brothers he has; they were causing property damage to his school, which was something Mephisto would not tolerate. He descends to the battle and summons a cookoo clock that he uses to imprison Amaimon. He vanishes the clock and then subdues Rin by sheathing the Kurikara. At this point the new Paladin, Arthur A. Angel, arrives and arrests Mephisto and Rin to bring them before the Grogori. Mephisto takes this lightly, changing into a respectible outfit before going with Angel to be tried.

In the anime, Rin destroys the clock allowing Amaimon to escape into the forest and Shiemi is responsible for stopping Rin.

Mephisto is brought before the Grigori and accused of betraying the Vatican by lying about the existence of Satan's sons, mainly Rin. As Rin is kept subdued by Arthur A. Angel Mephisto gives a speech about how it was done for good and that Rin may become the weapon the True Cross Order needs to switch to the offensive in the war against Satan. He asks the Grigori to take this bet with him. They agree to an extent, Rin must past the Exorcist exam in 6 months or be executed.

In the anime, Rin is imprisoned in a large crystal when Mephisto gives his speech and Amaimon attacks during the trial. Mephisto refuses to help until the Grigori agree to his terms on Rin. Rin in the mean time is revived by the repairs done to the Kurikara and defeats Amaimon, destroying his current body. As Amaimon is defeated he calls for his brother, Mephisto, to help but Mephisto stares on impassively.

Filler arc

Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

Click "show" to read the arc plot. 

While the Gehenna Gate is opened, Mephisto and Amaimon watch the events from Mephisto's floating chair. When Rin and Yukio create a giant blue fire bird, he seems delighted. After the Gehenna Gate is destroyed, Amaimon tells Mephisto that it's gone, but Mephisto seems distracted. Mephisto tells Amaimon that he remembers a man who he had made a gamble with a long time ago.

File:Dr Faust.JPG

Dr. Faust speaking with Mephisto

Mephisto won, but he remembers the man's dying words. The man said that he wished to live that moment forever, and Mephisto claims he now understands what he had meant. According to Rin's narration around the end of the episode, Mephisto went back to being the principal of the Academy, though still under his pseudo name, Johann Faust.

Impure King Revival arc

Mephisto imprisons Rin

Mephisto appears briefly in the start of the arc to tell the Exwires they are going on a real mission. He does not reappear till after the Demon's revival. He shows up to capture Rin as per the orders of the Vatican, who have decided that Rin should be executed after having lost control of his flames again. He provides Shura with cloaks that turn the wearer invisible, implying the students are to save Rin. Rin is rescued from Mephisto's prison by his friends and heads off to battle the Impure King himself and prove to the higher-ups that he should be allowed to live.

Mephisto, apparently having planned this turn of events from the start, prepares to watch the ensuing battle from afar. When Rin kills off the Impure King, Mephisto laughs, saying Rin has become a Blue Exorcist. He later is seen talking with Yaozo and Shura, apologizing for not being there to help, and if Yaozo is called by the Vatican, to not hesitate to telling the truth. When he leaves, Shura attacks Mephisto, holding a blade to his neck, and demanding to know his plans. He then tells Shura to value her life, as it would be a shame if a beautiful woman died so young. Realizing what he is implying, she then leaves.

True Cross Academy Festival arc

After Rin arrives for a dinner at his Mansion, Mephisto reveals that he have been called many things over the years, but his true identity is that of the Demon King of Time, Samael, who is second in command of Gehenna.

Powers & Abilities

Mephisto is powerful enough to block any higher ranking Demon from entering into the academy. It is stated when Pheles told Amaimon the King of Earth, to enter into the academy, Amaimon replied that he can't enter into the academy without the "Infinity Key" because of Pheles' barrier. How powerful he is has not been shown yet but he has mentioned that he is an Honorary Knight, the position two ranks below Paladin. When he sealed Rin's blue flames into Kōmaken, he only had to snap his fingers.

Transformation: Mephisto possesses the unique and peculiar ability of transforming into a small dog after counting down from three in German, which allows him to escape through small gaps and spaces. He has also shown the ability to transform into a cockroach. An ability he used to spy on a conversation between Yukio and Shura.

Time-Space Manipulation: Mephisto has dominion over time and space, manipulating it in various ways. He was able to transfer his and others' consciousness into other dimensions, such as Gehenna. Also, he has shown to be able to stop time for an unknown period of time allowing him to snatch Rin's sword.

Summoning: Mephisto was able to summon a giant clock to save Amaimon just by counting up to 3 in German, to make the giant clock appear. This could mean that his powers aren't triggered by words or specific phrases, but just his own preference. He was also capable of summoning The Strongest Prison that was used to hold Rin.

The flaming pentagram

Flaming Pentagram: When the Boys' Dorm was attacked by the masked person, Mephisto said that he was going to make the person regret attacking the academy. He waves his umbrella in circles above him and a giant flaming pentacle appears in the air. It creates lightning as it hovers. It, like his other abilities, appears to be activated by him counting to three in German. However, Arthur Angel puts out the symbol with water, so it is currently unknown what it would have done were it to have been used. (Unnamed)

Trivia

• Both his name and alias, Faust, are taken from German literature called Goethe's Faust in which the main character, Faust, wagers his soul with Satan.
  • Furthermore, the Demon Mephistopheles in Goethe's Faust is able to transform into a small dog too.
• His real name, Samael, is an archangel in Talmudic lore who fell from heaven, and is also called an angel of death.
• In Judaism lore, Samael is the guardian angel of the Biblical character Esau, brother of Jacob. In some theories, the angel that Jacob wrestles (from whom he earns the name Isreal) is named Samael.
• His average hours of sleep is 1 hour.
• He is pretty good at party games, claw crane games and chess.
• His pastimes and talents are: watching movies, reading manga, watching anime, playing video games, listening to music, toys, and subcultures.
  • All manga genres are his favorites.
• His favorite food is junk food (mostly candy).
• His favorite type of women are those who are temptresses, "devilish", or elegant/beautiful. In the Weekend Hero novel, he mentions also fancying "pretty girls with a sad past", as well as charismatic women.
• He has a frequent tendency of breaking the fourth wall by directly speaking to the reader.

Quotes

• (After his talk with Yukio Okumura) "Dear me.. you've got too much tension in those shoulders, Mr. Teacher... You should try to enjoy life a little. And it's not just the order we have to contend with... it won't be long before Satan makes his move."

• (After his talk with Amaimon, in reference to Assiah) "To a libertine like me... there could be no better playground than this! The real fun is just beginning."

• (About Rin Okumura) "It's the birth of a Blue Exorcist... whose self-imposed fate is to kill his own comrades."

• (To Shura Kirigakure) "How old are you again? Please treasure your life. It would be a pity if a beautiful woman like you died at such a young age."