I’m far from an expert on Japanese internet culture, memes and doujin games. But one of my favorite culminations of these things surrounds the 2011 PlayStation 3 / Xbox 360 title, El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron.
It’s a third person action title with a mix of 3D as well as 2D gameplay. Though it’s most notable for its abstract artistic design, odd scenarios and off beat story. It features protagonist Enoch whom is pursuing the fallen angels. But despite the religious iconography, he wears denim jeans under his divine armor. He’s supported by the archangel Lucifel, who regularly reports Enoch’s progress back to God via a cell phone.
El Shaddai was revealed during E3 2010, then quickly became a bit of a meme in Japanese communities. This is partly due to the trailer’s over the top dialog, with many parody videos showing up on the YouTube-like service, Niconico.
(Image Source: Sylph Watch)
In response to the popularity, an unofficial fan event, called El Shaddai Only, was held for circles, creators and artists to sell their fan-made doujin goods based off the game. Though it’s not entirely a stand alone venture, as it took place within another event called Sukima Festival 5 – An arrangement that was seemingly last minute.
El Shaddai Only was announced two days before the festival’s submission deadline for participating groups. When concerns were brought up about the rushed nature, they kept in line with the source material that inspired them in the first place by using a quote from the trailer “No problem. Everything’s fine.”
From what I’ve seen online, Sukima Festival seems fairly similar to any other doujin market, or artist alley at a western convention. Fans meet, trade works, sell goods, cosplay, etc.
(Image Source: Sylph Watch)
According to a live blog about El Shaddai Only – it was fairly popular, especially among women. Some of the goods being sold included Jeans (not to be confused with the official ones sold later), an Enoch bust mouse pad, various bits of art, in addition to games. Keep in mind El Shaddai wasn’t even out at that point, yet people were already making their own parody versions.
(Image Source: DMRevolution)
I’m aware of two titles that were at the event. One being an auto runner called El Shadash: Acceleration of Enoch. It’s pretty straight forward. You glide over pits, while managing a power meter. The second game is El ShaDIE, which I was able to find a copy almost a decade later at Winter Comiket 2019.
It’s a stock 2D action platformer with fairly simple mechanics, aesthetics and level designs.
The most stand out aspect is that both you, along with many of the enemies, have long reaching melee attacks. Spacing is a key component as you often have to kind of inch up on foes to nick them with the tip of your blade. It heavily reuses boss fights, yet is able to keep each encounter feeling fresh by changing stage elements around them.
While there’s nothing complicated going on here, it’s still solid with a mix of basic platforming in addition to obstacles that feel ripped out of a Mega Man level. You’ll dodge spiked walls and jump across disappearing blocks. Though there is this annoying mechanic where you have to land on moving boars in a very precise spot on their back. If you miss, you lose a third of your life.
Despite those issues, it’s fun. I enjoyed my time with it on a recent stream. Doujin games typically vary wildly in quality. Most of the time, you’re getting someone’s pet project that was made as a test of skill, club assignment, or out of passion.
(Image Sources: Gapcom and Melon Books)
Both El Shadash and El ShaDIE are novelties. Their names are probably half the fun – Still, that’s OK. They represent the dedication of an online fan base surrounding the franchise. One that wasn’t just a flash in the pan.
El Shaddai Only still goes on, though seemingly under the name El Festa. They met last year in March and it looks like they’ll be attempting to meet again in May of this year. Though given we’re still not the pandemic – we’ll see how things go. I love them denim masks they’re selling.
There was even a new parody title release in 2018 for Android and iOS called Enoch, You Sure That’s Enough Armor? A name inspired by yet another quote in the trailer.
It’s nice that this passion seems to be shared by El Shaddai’s original designer, Sawaki Takeyasu. After a couple of canceled mobile games by Publisher UTV Ignition, he bought the rights to the franchise from them. Meaning he’s been able to sell branded goods on his website, create a follow up title called The Lost Child, as well as start work on a PC port of the original release.
While the love for El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron feels like it’s never extended beyond its niche core audience, I’m glad the fans and creator are keeping it alive ten years later.
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