Moriya Shrine Gods’ Hotspring Retreat

Memories of Phantasm, officially titled “Fantasy Kaleidoscope The Memories of Phantasm” (known in Japanese as “Gensou Mangekyou The Memories of Phantasm”), is a highly acclaimed fan-made animated video series based on the Touhou Project, a long-running bullet hell shoot ‘em up video game franchise created by ZUN (Jun’ya Ota) under the Team Shanghai Alice banner. Produced by the doujin circle Manpuku Jinja (also romanized as Manpukujinjya), this series represents one of the most ambitious and polished fan animations in the Touhou fandom, blending high-quality animation, orchestral and rock-infused soundtracks, and faithful adaptations of the game’s lore, characters, and incidents. Debuting at Comiket 80 on August 13, 2011, with its first episode, the series has since expanded to include 18 original video animations (OVAs) as of the latest releases, each episode typically running between 10 to 30 minutes and focusing on episodic retellings of key events from various Touhou games, such as Embodiment of Scarlet Devil, Perfect Cherry Blossom, Imperishable Night, and Mountain of Faith, among others. At its core, Memories of Phantasm serves as an anime-style adaptation that bridges the gap between the original games’ minimalistic storytelling—often conveyed through dialogue-heavy boss battles and sparse narrative—and a more cinematic, visually expansive format. It emphasizes the fantastical world of Gensokyo, a sealed-away land where humans, youkai (supernatural beings), gods, fairies, and other mythical entities coexist in a delicate balance, frequently disrupted by “incidents” that protagonists like Reimu Hakurei (the shrine maiden) and Marisa Kirisame (the ordinary magician) must resolve through danmaku (bullet pattern) duels. The series is renowned for its attention to detail in replicating the games’ spell card systems, where characters declare elaborate, themed attacks, and it incorporates fan-favorite elements like spell card declarations, intense aerial battles, and character interactions that highlight their personalities—Reimu’s laid-back yet dutiful nature, Marisa’s mischievous bravado, and the eccentricities of antagonists turned allies. What sets Memories of Phantasm apart from other Touhou fanworks is its production quality, often compared to professional anime studios. The animation style draws inspiration from mainstream anime, featuring fluid character movements, dynamic camera angles during action sequences, and detailed backgrounds that evoke the mystical, seasonal landscapes of Gensokyo, such as cherry blossom fields, foggy mountains, or autumnal forests. The soundtrack, primarily composed and arranged by the doujin music circle Yuuhei Satellite, reinterprets ZUN’s original chiptune-style themes into fully orchestrated pieces with electric guitars, synthesizers, and vocal tracks, adding emotional depth to scenes—ranging from upbeat battle themes to melancholic interludes. Voice acting is provided by a cast of amateur but dedicated performers, with characters speaking in a stylized manner that captures the archaic, poetic dialogue of the games, often infused with humor, sarcasm, and cultural references to Japanese folklore. Thematically, the series explores core Touhou concepts like the boundary between reality and fantasy (symbolized by the Hakurei Barrier), the coexistence of humans and youkai, and the cyclical nature of incidents that maintain Gensokyo’s equilibrium. It often delves into character backstories and relationships not fully fleshed out in the games, such as the dynamics within factions like the Moriya Shrine (featuring gods Kanako Yasaka and Suwako Moriya, and their shrine maiden Sanae Kochiya), the Scarlet Devil Mansion, or the Netherworld. While primarily action-oriented with spectacular danmaku fights, episodes incorporate slice-of-life moments, fanservice elements (like hot spring scenes or costume changes), and occasional horror or mystery undertones, reflecting the games’ blend of genres. The “Phantasm” in the title alludes to phantom-like memories or illusions, tying into Touhou’s dreamlike, otherworldly aesthetic, where events can feel like fleeting visions. As a doujin work, Memories of Phantasm operates under ZUN’s permissive guidelines for fan creations, which encourage non-commercial derivatives as long as they respect the source material. This has allowed it to thrive within the Touhou community, inspiring fan discussions, cosplay, and even spin-off works. However, it’s not without criticism—some purists argue it takes liberties with canon, such as altering incident resolutions or emphasizing certain ships (romantic pairings) for dramatic effect, while others praise it for making the dense lore more accessible to newcomers. Episodes are released sporadically at events like Comiket or Reitaisai (the Touhou-only doujin convention), and fansubs in multiple languages ensure global reach. Overall, Memories of Phantasm embodies the creative spirit of the Touhou fandom, transforming a niche indie game series into a vibrant, ongoing animated saga that captures the essence of wonder, conflict, and camaraderie in Gensokyo, making it a cornerstone of fan animation history.

she wears a blue and white outfit similar to a shrine maiden's, with the blue areas covered in light blue polka dots and stripes. From Legacy of Lunatic Kingdom onwards the blue areas switch to a pattern resembling lace, and from Unconnected Marketeers onwards they become notably darker. Kanako has an elaborate red shirt with long white sleeves and a round mirror over the center of her chest. She wears a long black skirt with a red flower print hem. Has poofy intense blue hair and dark red eyes. Behind her is a large twisting rope circle shimenawa with shide. Suwako wears a short simple purplish-blue dress with a frog print design based on a panel from the first Chōjū-giga scroll, as well as large white sleeves stitched onto the torso, and a white collar. She has medium length blond hair, grey eyes, a light brown wide-brimmed hat with two frog eyes on the top, white kneehighs and black shoes. Originally unofficial, Suwako has been shown to wear Zettai Ryouiki