Touhou RPG (complete and custom version)

The Forest of Magic (魔法の森): A dense and sprawling forest where the ordinary magician Marisa Kirisame resides. It is a place teeming with magical energy, strange flora, and youkai. Alice Margatroid's home is also located within this forest. The Human Village (人間の里): The primary settlement for the human population of Gensokyo. It is a relatively safe haven where humans live their daily lives, though the threat of youkai is never too far away. The village features various shops and facilities, including the book-lender Suzunaan. The Scarlet Devil Mansion (紅魔館): A grand, European-style mansion located on the edge of the Misty Lake. It is the residence of the vampire Remilia Scarlet, her sister Flandre, and their loyal staff, including the head maid Sakuya Izayoi and the gatekeeper Hong Meiling. Hakugyokurou (白玉楼, Tower of White Jade): Situated in the Netherworld, this expansive estate is the home of the ghost princess Yuyuko Saigyouji and her gardener and bodyguard, Youmu Konpaku. It is renowned for its magnificent, yet unnatural, cherry blossom tree, the Saigyou Ayakashi. Eientei (永遠亭, House of Eternity): A hidden and mysterious mansion located deep within the Bamboo Forest of the Lost. It is inhabited by the Lunarians Kaguya Houraisan and Eirin Yagokoro, as well as the moon rabbit Reisen Udongein Inaba and the earth rabbit Tewi Inaba. Natural Landmarks and Other Significant Areas: Youkai Mountain (妖怪の山): A massive mountain that is home to a large and diverse population of youkai, including the kappa, the tengu, and the gods of the Moriya Shrine. Moriya Shrine (守矢神社): A shrine located atop Youkai Mountain that was transported into Gensokyo from the Outside World. It is the home of the gods Kanako Yasaka and Suwako Moriya, along with the shrine maiden Sanae Kochiya. The Bamboo Forest of the Lost (迷いの竹林): A disorienting and seemingly endless bamboo forest where it is easy to become lost. It is the location of Eientei. The Misty Lake (霧の湖): A large lake located near the Scarlet Devil Mansion. It is often shrouded in a thick mist. The Sanzu River (三途の河): The river that separates the world of the living from the world of the dead, Higan. Komachi Onozuka works here as a shinigami, ferrying the souls of the deceased across the river. Higan (彼岸): The shores of the Sanzu River where the souls of the dead await judgment by the yama, Shikieiki Yamaxanadu. The Netherworld (冥界): The land of the dead, where Hakugyokurou is located. It is a vast and ethereal realm inhabited by ghosts and phantoms. Muenzuka (無縁塚, "Hill of the Nameless"): A burial ground for those who have no living relatives to care for their graves. It is a place filled with a sense of melancholy and is a gateway to Higan. Beyond Gensokyo: Other Realms and Dimensions The world of Touhou extends beyond the borders of Gensokyo, encompassing several other distinct realms: The Outside World (外の世界): The modern world as we know it, separated from Gensokyo by the Great Hakurei Barrier. The prevalence of science and rationality in the Outside World has led to the decline of magic and belief in the supernatural. The Moon (月): Home to a highly advanced civilization of Lunarians. They possess sophisticated technology and powerful magic. The Lunar Capital is their primary city. Makai (魔界, "World of Demons"): A demonic realm that has served as the setting for several games. It is a world filled with powerful demons and a unique magical energy. Shinki is its creator and ruler. Hell (地獄): A vast and terrifying realm where the wicked are punished after death. It is divided into numerous layers and is overseen by the Ministry of Right and Wrong. Former Hell, where the Palace of the Earth Spirits is located, is a region of Hell that was once on the surface. The Dream World (夢の世界): A realm that exists within the dreams of individuals. It is a chaotic and surreal place that can be influenced by the dreamer's thoughts and emotions. Heaven (天界): The celestial realm where the virtuous reside after death. It is the home of celestials and is a place of peace and tranquility. The Setting: Gensokyo, the Land of Illusion The heart of all Touhou lore is its setting, Gensokyo (幻想郷, Gensōkyō). A Forgotten Paradise: Gensokyo is a remote, landlocked region in the mountains of Japan. Over a century ago, as science and rationalism began to dominate the Outside World, belief in gods, youkai (monsters, demons, spirits), and magic started to fade. These supernatural beings, who rely on human belief or fear to exist, found their power waning. The Great Hakurei Barrier: Around 1885, a powerful sage erected the Great Hakurei Barrier (博麗大結界, Hakurei Dai-Kekkai). This magical barrier sealed Gensokyo off from the Outside World, functioning as a one-way membrane. Things from the Outside World that have been forgotten—be it creatures, items, or concepts—can find their way into Gensokyo, but nothing can easily leave. A Sanctuary for the Supernatural: Because of the barrier, Gensokyo became a sanctuary, a "Land of Illusion" where all the forgotten supernatural beings gathered to live. This is why it is populated by a staggering variety of characters: vampires, ghosts, oni, tengu, kappa, gods, and countless other youkai from mythology, alongside a small population of humans. The Core Conflict: A Delicate Balance Unlike many fantasy settings, the lore of Touhou is not a simple story of good versus evil. The central conflict is about maintaining a delicate balance between the human and youkai populations. Youkai Need Humans: Youkai sustain themselves on human fear, belief, or sometimes, their essence. If humans were to disappear or stop fearing youkai, the youkai would weaken and eventually fade from existence. Humans Need Youkai (in a way): The presence of youkai, while dangerous, is what defines Gensokyo. The constant tension and threat are part of the land's nature. This symbiotic relationship means that while youkai may threaten humans, they cannot wipe them out. Similarly, while humans may fight back against youkai, they cannot eradicate them without destroying the nature of their world. The "Incidents" and the Spell Card Rules The plot of nearly every Touhou game is driven by an "Incident" (異変, Ihen). An Incident is a large-scale, supernatural event that disrupts the balance of Gensokyo. Examples of Incidents include: The entire land being shrouded in a scarlet mist, blocking out the sun (Embodiment of Scarlet Devil). The arrival of a winter that never ends, preventing spring from arriving (Perfect Cherry Blossom). The moon being replaced by a fake replica (Imperishable Night). When an Incident occurs, it's up to the heroines to resolve it. However, because all-out war would be too destructive, a formal system for dueling was created: The Spell Card Rules. Non-Lethal Combat: The rules establish a system of non-lethal dueling using magical projectiles, known as danmaku (弾幕, "bullet curtain" or "bullet hell"). A Battle of Beauty and Skill: Fights are not about killing but about overwhelming the opponent with beautiful and complex patterns of energy. A "defeat" simply means one party has run out of "spell cards" or has been hit too many times, forcing them to concede. Everyone Plays Fair: This system allows humans with special abilities to face off against overwhelmingly powerful youkai on relatively equal footing. It's a test of skill, not just raw power. This is the lore-based reason for the series' "bullet hell" gameplay. Key Protagonists: The Incident Resolvers While the cast is massive, the story is usually seen through the eyes of two main characters: Reimu Hakurei (博麗 霊夢): The Shrine Maiden of the Hakurei Shrine, located on the border of Gensokyo. Her primary duty is to manage the Great Hakurei Barrier and resolve any Incidents that threaten Gensokyo's balance. She is powerful and dutiful, though often portrayed as lazy and impatient. Marisa Kirisame (霧雨 魔理沙): An ordinary human magician who lives in the Forest of Magic. Unlike Reimu, who resolves incidents out of duty, Marisa does so out of immense curiosity and a desire to collect new magic. She is hardworking, prideful, and a notorious kleptomaniac. The lore of Touhou explores several recurring themes: Coexistence: How different factions with conflicting interests can live together. Memory and Forgetting: The power of belief and the fate of things forgotten by the modern world. Tradition vs. Modernity: The clash between the old ways of Gensokyo and the scientific rationality of the Outside World. The Nature of Reality: Many Incidents involve plots that warp reality, perception, and the boundaries between concepts like dreams, life, death, and illusion. While seemingly ordinary, humans in Gensokyo are a cornerstone of the world's ecosystem. They are the source of the belief and fear that sustains youkai and gods. Humans (人間, Ningen): Live primarily in the Human Village for safety. Unlike humans in the Outside World, those in Gensokyo possess innate spiritual awareness and some, like Marisa Kirisame, can learn to use powerful magic through sheer effort. They are generally weaker than youkai but form the foundation of the delicate balance in Gensokyo. Saints, Hermits, and Celestials: These are humans who have transcended their normal limitations. Hermits (仙人, Sennin): Humans who have achieved longevity and supernatural powers through rigorous ascetic training, often based on Taoism. Their flesh is considered a delicacy to youkai. Examples include Kasen Ibaraki and the Taoists from Ten Desires. Celestials (天人, Tennin): Former humans who reside in Heaven. They lead carefree, idyllic lives and are effectively immortal, though they must still defend themselves from shinigami who come to claim their souls. Their bodies are poisonous to youkai. Tenshi Hinanawi is the most prominent example. Youkai (妖怪) Youkai are the supernatural beings of Gensokyo and the most diverse group by far. The term is a broad umbrella for nearly all non-human, non-divine native entities. They thrive on human fear and belief. Oni (鬼): Monstrously strong beings known for their love of competition, drinking, and feasting. They are considered one of the most powerful youkai species, possessing immense physical and magical strength. They once lived on Youkai Mountain before retreating to the Underworld. Notable oni include Suika Ibuki and Yuugi Hoshiguma. Tengu (天狗): A highly organized, hierarchical society living on Youkai Mountain. They value information and speed above all else. Their society is structured like a corporation with different types: Crow Tengu (Karasu-tengu): The reporters and information-gatherers, like Aya Shameimaru. White Wolf Tengu (Shirōkami-tengu): The defense force and scouts, like Momiji Inubashiri. Great Tengu (Daitengu): The management and leadership class. Kappa (河童): Amphibious youkai who live in Gensokyo's rivers and ravines. They are shy but possess a genius-level intellect for engineering and technology, often creating advanced gadgets by reverse-engineering items from the Outside World. Nitori Kawashiro is the most well-known kappa. Vampires (吸血鬼, Kyūketsuki): A powerful type of devil with immense strength, speed, and regenerative abilities. They are a Western import to Gensokyo and have all the classic weaknesses, including sunlight and flowing water, though they can mitigate these with magic (like using a parasol). The residents of the Scarlet Devil Mansion, Remilia and Flandre Scarlet, are vampires. Magicians (魔法使い, Mahōtsukai): A unique species one can become through intense study. Once they fully transition, they cease to be human, gaining extended life but remaining physically vulnerable. Marisa Kirisame is a human who uses magic, while Alice Margatroid and Patchouli Knowledge are true magicians. Tsukumogami (付喪神): Inanimate objects that have come to life after existing for one hundred years. They are often driven by a desire to be used or a grudge against humans for being discarded. Examples include Kogasa Tatara (an umbrella) and the Prismriver Sisters (musical instruments). Therianthropes (獣人, Jūjin): Humans who can transform into beasts (or vice-versa). This includes werewolves like Kagerou Imaizumi and the were-hakutaku Keine Kamishirasawa. Spirits and the Deceased This category includes beings related to souls, death, and the afterlife. Ghosts (亡霊, Bōrei): The corporeal spirits of deceased humans who remain in the world due to strong lingering attachments. They can be physically touched and mistaken for the living. Yuyuko Saigyouji is the most famous ghost. Phantoms (幽霊, Yūrei): A more general and less tangible form of spirit that can arise from anything, not just humans. The "half-phantom" half of Youmu Konpaku is a well-known example. Shinigami (死神): Ferriers of the dead who guide souls across the Sanzu River to Higan for judgment. They wield large scythes and have the ability to manipulate distance. Komachi Onozuka is the resident shinigami. Yama (閻魔): The judges of the dead who preside over the Ministry of Right and Wrong in Higan. They possess the ultimate authority to decide a soul's fate, sending them to Heaven, Hell, or for reincarnation. Shikieiki Yamaxanadu is the Yama of Gensokyo. Divine Beings These entities are objects of worship and exist based on the faith they gather from humans and youkai. Gods (神, Kami): Divine spirits that embody concepts, places, or phenomena. They gain power from human faith and can be very powerful if widely worshipped, or fade away if forgotten. The goddesses of the Moriya Shrine, Kanako Yasaka and Suwako Moriya, are prime examples. Lunarians (月の民, Tsuki no Tami): An ancient and highly advanced society of beings who left the "impure" Earth to live in the Lunar Capital on the Moon. They possess extremely long lifespans and sophisticated technology mixed with magic. They look down on earth-dwellers. Kaguya Houraisan and Eirin Yagokoro are Lunarians. Moon Rabbits (玉兎, Gyokuto): Rabbits from the Moon who serve the Lunarians. They are known for their ability to send telepathic waves over long distances. Reisen Udongein Inaba is a moon rabbit who fled to Earth. Other Notable Races Fairies (妖精, Yōsei): The embodiment of nature itself. They are simple-minded, childlike, and generally weak, often appearing as common enemies. However, they are effectively immortal; if "killed," they simply regenerate later as they are a force of nature, not an individual life in the traditional sense. Cirno, an ice fairy, is the most famous (and self-proclaimed strongest). Half-Youkai / Half-Human: Individuals of mixed heritage who often find themselves caught between two worlds. This includes Rinnosuke Morichika (whose other half is unknown) and Youmu Konpaku, who is a half-human, half-phantom. The Stories of the PC-98 Games Here are the brief stories of the five games from this era: Touhou 1: Highly Responsive to Prayers (HRtP) This game was not a shooter. It was more of a breakout-style action game. The Story: The Hakurei Shrine is destroyed by an unknown force. A furious Reimu Hakurei must use her powerful Yin-Yang Orb, bouncing it off her gohei (purification rod) to destroy enemies and clear stages. Her journey takes her through a gate to another world (either Hell or Makai, it's ambiguous) to find and punish the one responsible. Touhou 2: Story of Eastern Wonderland (SoEW) The first true "danmaku" shooter in the series. The Story: Reimu returns from a training session to find Gensokyo overrun by youkai and ghosts. Riding on her flying turtle Genjii (a character unique to this era), she sets out to investigate. This game marks the first appearance of Marisa Kirisame, who appears as a boss. The final culprit is Mima, the powerful evil spirit sealed near the shrine, who has broken free. Touhou 3: Phantasmagoria of Dim.Dream (PoDD) A competitive, split-screen danmaku game, not a traditional single-player campaign. The Story: Mysterious ruins appear on the outskirts of Gensokyo, with a reward offered to whoever can reach the center. This sets up a contest between various characters. The story culminates in a confrontation with Chiyuri Kitashirakawa and her professor Yumemi Okazaki, scientists from the "Outside World" who crossed the barrier in search of magic. Touhou 4: Lotus Land Story (LLS) This game introduced many series staples, like the focus-fire mode. The Story: A massive surge of demonic power is emanating from a lake in the mountains. Reimu and Marisa (now playable for the first time) independently decide to investigate. Their journey takes them into a dream world called Mugenkan ("Fantasy World"), where they face off against the powerful flower-loving youkai Yuuka Kazami, who is the source of the power. Touhou 5: Mystic Square (MS) The final and perhaps most famous game of the PC-98 era. The Story: A gateway to the demon world, Makai, opens on Youkai Mountain, and hordes of demons stream into Gensokyo. Reimu, Marisa, Mima, and Yuuka are all playable characters who venture into Makai to put a stop to it. There, they confront the world's creator and ruler, Shinki, who sees the "tourists" from Gensokyo as a mere annoyance. This era laid the essential groundwork for the entire Touhou phenomenon, establishing its core gameplay, musical identity, and central characters before it was rebooted into the vast world we know today. The overarching narrative structure of the Touhou series is episodic. Each game presents a new "Incident" (異変, Ihen) that threatens the peace of Gensokyo. The story of that game follows the protagonists, usually Reimu Hakurei and Marisa Kirisame, as they investigate the strange phenomenon, fight their way through those responsible, and ultimately confront the mastermind to restore balance. While each game's story is self-contained, they are chronological and build upon each other, introducing new characters and locations that become part of the established world in later entries. Here are the stories of the main Windows-era Touhou games to give you a clear picture: Touhou 6: The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil (EoSD) The Incident: A mysterious and dense scarlet mist appears, covering all of Gensokyo and blocking out the sun. This is draining for humans and troublesome for youkai who enjoy the sunlight. The Story: Reimu and Marisa set out to find the source of the mist. They fly towards the Misty Lake, where they fight through a fairy gatekeeper (Cirno) and a Chinese youkai guard (Hong Meiling) to reach the source: the magnificent Scarlet Devil Mansion. Inside, they battle a knife-wielding head maid (Sakuya Izayoi) and a magic-using librarian (Patchouli Knowledge). The Resolution: The mastermind is the mansion's owner, the young but powerful vampire Remilia Scarlet. As a vampire, she can't go out in the sun, so she released the mist to be able to walk around freely during the day. After being defeated, she agrees to use a parasol instead, and the Incident is resolved. This game also introduces her even more destructive younger sister, Flandre Scarlet, as the extra stage boss. Touhou 7: Perfect Cherry Blossom (PCB) The Incident: Winter has dragged on for an unnaturally long time, and May is approaching with no sign of spring. A magical blizzard continues to cover Gensokyo. The Story: The heroines (now including Sakuya Izayoi as a playable character) set out to find who is stealing the "essence of spring." Their investigation leads them through the clouds to a massive gate leading to the Netherworld (冥界, Meikai). They are guided and then blocked by a half-human, half-ghost gardener named Youmu Konpaku. The Resolution: Youmu was collecting the essence of spring on the orders of her mistress, the ghost princess Yuyuko Saigyouji. Yuyuko's goal was to make the legendary, soul-devouring youkai cherry tree, the Saigyou Ayakashi, bloom perfectly. She believed this would awaken the soul sealed within it, unaware that the soul was her own from when she was alive. After a beautiful danmaku battle, the heroines stop her, releasing the spring and allowing the seasons to return to normal. Touhou 8: Imperishable Night (IN) The Incident: On the eve of the Harvest Moon Festival, the residents of Gensokyo notice something is wrong: the real moon has been replaced with a fake one that stops the night from ever ending. The Story: This game features unique human/youkai teams (Reimu/Yukari, Marisa/Alice, Sakuya/Remilia, Youmu/Yuyuko). They fly through the night, fighting various youkai who are also agitated by the endless night, eventually discovering a hidden mansion in the Bamboo Forest of the Lost called Eientei. The Resolution: The culprits are a group of Lunarians (people from the Moon) in hiding: the immortal princess Kaguya Houraisan and the genius pharmacist Eirin Yagokoro. They sealed the Earth-Moon corridor and created the fake moon to hide from emissaries from the Moon who were coming to take Kaguya back. After confronting the heroines, they agree to restore the true moon. Touhou 10: Mountain of Faith (MoF) The Incident: A new shrine, the Moriya Shrine, has appeared on Youkai Mountain, and its god is demanding that the Hakurei Shrine close down or join them. This represents a major challenge to Reimu's authority and the faith balance in Gensokyo. The Story: Reimu and Marisa ascend Youkai Mountain to confront these newcomers. They fight through various mountain-dwelling youkai, including the kappa (Nitori Kawashiro) and the tengu (Aya Shameimaru), to reach the new shrine at the summit. The Resolution: They discover the shrine is run by the wind priestess Sanae Kochiya, who serves two gods: Kanako Yasaka and Suwako Moriya. They moved their shrine from the Outside World into Gensokyo to gather faith, as belief in gods was dying out in the modern world. After a "duel" to establish dominance, they agree to coexist peacefully with the Hakurei Shrine, becoming major players in Gensokyo's politics. Later Games (Brief Summaries) Touhou 11 (Subterranean Animism): A geyser of vengeful spirits erupts near the Hakurei Shrine. The heroines are sent into the depths of Former Hell to investigate, discovering a plan by a hell raven, Utsuho Reiuji, who gained the power of nuclear fusion from the gods of Youkai Mountain and threatened to burn the surface world to ashes. Touhou 13 (Ten Desires): An unusual number of divine spirits (spirits of the recently deceased) appear all over Gensokyo. The investigation leads to a mausoleum where a group of Taoist immortals, led by the crown prince Toyosatomimi no Miko, are resurrecting after centuries of slumber. Touhou 15 (Legacy of Lunatic Kingdom): The Lunarians (from the Moon) launch a bizarre invasion of Gensokyo by sending probes that "purify" the land, making it uninhabitable. The heroines are sent to the Moon itself to confront the mastermind, Sagume Kishin, and the true culprit, Joon and Shion Yorigami, who started the incident for their own selfish gains. Touhou 19 (Unfinished Dream of All Living Ghost): The latest entry sees the emergence of a black market for "Ability Cards," which allow anyone to use the powers of other characters. Reimu, Marisa and others investigate the market's origins, tracing it back to a plot by the oni Zanmu Nippaku on Youkai Mountain. In-Game Items: The Collectibles As someone fly through a stage, defeated enemies release a shower of items. Managing these is key to survival and scoring. Power Items (P): These are small, red "P" items. Collecting them increases the power and complexity of your character's shot. At maximum power (usually 128 power points), your character's attack is at its strongest. If you get hit, you lose a significant amount of power. Point Items: These are blue items that grant score. A crucial mechanic is the Point of Collection (PoC). Point Items are worth much more the higher up the screen you are when you collect them. Skilled players will stay near the top to maximize their score. When you are at full power, moving to the top of the screen will automatically draw all items on screen towards you. Bomb Items (B): Usually represented by a green "B" icon. Collecting one adds a Bomb to your stock. Bombs are your most important defensive resource. In the lore, these are your character's own Spell Cards. Life Items (1UP): These are rare items, often shaped like a heart or a miniature version of your character's head, that grant you an extra life. They are typically dropped by midbosses or earned by reaching certain score milestones. Full Power Items (F): A large, flashing "P" item that instantly grants you maximum shot power. These are rare and incredibly useful, especially after losing a life. Game-Specific Items: Some games introduce unique items tied to their central mechanic, such as Season items in Hidden Star in Four Seasons or Ability Cards in Unfinished Dream of All Living Ghost. Character Abilities: The Core Toolkit Every playable character has a set of fundamental abilities that you must master. Shot and Homing: Nearly every character has two primary fire modes they can choose from at the start of the game: Shot: A powerful, concentrated attack that fires straight ahead. Excellent for dealing high damage to bosses but requires precise aiming. Homing: A weaker attack that spreads out or automatically seeks enemies. Great for clearing the screen of weaker foes but less effective against a single, tough target. Focus Mode (Holding Shift): This is arguably the most important technique in Touhou. Slows Movement: It drastically slows your character's movement speed, allowing for the precise, fine-tuned dodging required to navigate dense bullet patterns. Reveals Hitbox: It makes your character's hitbox visible—usually a small, glowing dot in the center of their sprite. This is the only part of your character that can be hit. Realizing your hitbox is tiny is a major "aha!" moment for new players. Alters Shot: It changes your attack, typically focusing all your firepower into a single, narrow, high-damage stream. Bombs / Spell Cards: This is your "panic button" and a powerful offensive tool. Defensive Use: Using a Bomb makes you completely invincible for a few seconds and clears all bullets currently on screen. Its primary purpose is to save you from a situation you cannot dodge. Offensive Use: Bombs also deal massive damage to any enemies on screen, making them useful for quickly finishing a difficult boss phase. Resource Management: Deciding when to use a Bomb is a core strategic choice. Is it better to use a Bomb and save a life, or save the Bomb for a later, more difficult pattern? Essential and Advanced Techniques Beyond the basic controls, a player's skill is defined by their mastery of these techniques. Grazing: The act of intentionally flying very close to bullets without being hit. Each "graze" adds to a counter. In most games, grazing contributes to your score and can help charge up special meters or generate bomb pieces. It's a high-risk, high-reward strategy for advanced players. Pattern Recognition (Routing): Touhou is less about pure reflexes and more about pattern recognition and problem-solving. Each bullet pattern, especially from bosses, is a set piece. The key to survival is to learn the pattern and find a safe "route" or sequence of movements to navigate through it. Streaming: A common technique for handling streams of bullets. Instead of making frantic, jerky movements, you make a slow, steady movement in one direction, causing the bullets to "stream" past you safely. Micro-dodging: The opposite of streaming. This involves making the smallest possible movements while in Focus Mode to weave through extremely dense but slow-moving patterns. Deathbombing: An advanced and crucial survival technique. There is a very brief window of time (a fraction of a second) after your hitbox is struck but before you lose a life. If you press the Bomb button during this window, you will cancel your death at the cost of one Bomb. Mastering this can save you countless lives. By combining the use of items, character abilities, and these player techniques, Touhou's gameplay reveals itself to be an incredibly deep and rewarding experience, where every action is a calculated decision. The Protagonists' Arsenal: Reimu Hakurei: As the Hakurei Shrine Maiden, her tools are primarily for purification and youkai extermination. Purification Rod (Gohei - 御幣): This is her signature item, a wooden wand adorned with folded paper streamers (shide). While used in Shinto rituals, Reimu uses it for physical attacks and to channel her divine powers. Ofuda (お札): These are paper talismans inscribed with holy seals. Reimu can throw them in vast quantities as magical homing projectiles. The Yin-Yang Orbs (陰陽玉): These are powerful, semi-sentient magical artifacts passed down the Hakurei line. They are Reimu's greatest source of power, capable of harming any youkai and can even be used as blunt-force weapons. Marisa Kirisame: Her equipment reflects her status as a hardworking, research-oriented magician. Mini-Hakkero (ミニ八卦炉): This is her most powerful weapon. It's a small, octagonal magical furnace that she uses to generate immense magical energy. It is the source of her signature Spell Card, the "Master Spark," a massive laser beam of pure power. In lore, she claims she built it herself. Magical Broom: Primarily her method of flight, but she is not shy about using it to whack enemies over the head. It's a classic symbol of a Western-style witch. Weapons of Other Prominent Characters Sakuya Izayoi: The Head Maid of the Scarlet Devil Mansion wields a seemingly infinite supply of silver throwing knives. Combined with her ability to stop time, she can place thousands of them around a target and resume time for a devastating, inescapable attack. Youmu Konpaku: The half-ghost gardener of Hakugyokurou is a master swordswoman who wields two katanas: Roukanken (楼観剣): Her long katana, said to be forged by youkai and capable of killing ten phantoms in a single slash. Hakurouken (白楼剣): Her shorter sword (a wakizashi), passed down through the Konpaku family, which is said to be able to cut through the confusion of mortals. Alice Margatroid: The Puppeteer of the Seven Colors rarely fights directly. Her weapons are her magically-controlled marionette dolls. She can command dozens of them at once to fire lasers, use tiny lances, or even sacrifice themselves in explosions. Her most famous doll is the giant Goliath Doll. The Scarlet Sisters: Remilia Scarlet can conjure a magical red spear called Gungnir. Like its mythological namesake, this spear is said to always hit its target. Flandre Scarlet wields the mythical Lævateinn, which she manifests as a fiery, hook-shaped sword of immense destructive power. Komachi Onozuka: As a shinigami, she carries a massive scythe. Its primary purpose is to reap the souls of the dead and guide them, but it is also a formidable weapon in a danmaku duel. Tenshi Hinanawi: The celestial carries the Sword of Hisou (緋想の剣, Hisou no Tsurugi). This divine sword has the ability to expose a person's temperament or spirit and channel it as energy, which can take the form of weather phenomena. Yukari Yakumo: The Sage of Boundaries often carries a simple parasol. However, this is no ordinary umbrella. She uses it as a conduit for her powers, often firing lasers from its tip or using it to open gaps and portals into other dimensions. She can also transform into a large, fiery black cat. Personality: Rin, more commonly called Orin, is cheerful, talkative, and full of life—ironic for a youkai who manages corpses. She is fiercely loyal to her master, Satori, and diligently carries out her duties of regulating the spirits in the Fires of Former Hell. Parsee Mizuhashi (The Jealousy Beneath the Earth's Crust) Appearance: A hashihime, a bridge guardian youkai. She has long, flowing green hair and wears a tattered green and purple outfit, symbolizing her worn-down emotional state. Personality: Parsee is the living embodiment of jealousy. Her powers and entire being are centered around envy. She is constantly resentful of others for their happiness, success, or any perceived slight. Her dialogue is filled with bitter, passive-aggressive remarks, making her a pitiable but dangerous figure. Yamame Kurodani (The Bright Net in the Dark Cave) Appearance: A tsuchigumo, an earth spider youkai. She has short blonde hair and wears a yellow and black dress with web-like patterns. Personality: Despite her species being feared for their ability to inflict diseases, Yamame is surprisingly bright, cheerful, and enjoys a good fight. She is well-liked by her fellow underground residents and doesn't seem to hold any ill will towards surface dwellers, even if they are wary of her. Nazrin (The Little Dowser General) Appearance: A mouse youkai. She has short grey hair, large mouse ears, and a long mouse tail. She wears a small grey cape and is rarely seen without her dowsing rods or a pendulum, which she uses to find treasure. Personality: Nazrin is a serious and capable leader of the mice youkai. She serves as a loyal dowser for her master, Shou Toramaru. While generally focused on her mission, she can be a bit arrogant and is pragmatic enough to flee a battle she knows she can't win. Kogasa Tatara (The Cheery Forgotten Umbrella) Appearance: A karakasa obake, an old umbrella that has come to life as a youkai. She has long teal hair and heterochromia (one red eye, one blue eye). She carries her signature purple umbrella, which has a single large eye and a long, lolling tongue. Personality: Kogasa is a lonely youkai whose only purpose is to surprise people, a task at which she frequently fails. She craves attention and is constantly trying to improve her scare tactics. She is more pitiable and comical than she is frightening. Kisume (The Fearsome Well Spirit) Appearance: A tsurube-otoshi, a youkai known for dropping things (usually buckets) on people's heads from above. She is famously depicted as a small girl with short green hair, perpetually peeking out from within a large wooden bucket. Personality: Kisume is extremely shy and reclusive. She loves narrow, confined spaces like wells, caves, and, of course, her bucket. She is a youkai of very few words and is known for her sudden, startling appearances rather than any complex motivations. Yumemi Okazaki (The Fantasy-Knowing Professor) Appearance: (PC-98 Era) A human university professor from the "outside world." She has red hair in a neat braid and wears a white lab coat over a red dress, looking every bit the part of a scientist. Personality: Yumemi is a brilliant but arrogant physicist who traveled to Gensokyo to prove its existence and study magic. She firmly believes magic is just another branch of science that hasn't been explained yet and is determined to create a "Grand Unified Theory" to explain it all. Chiyuri Kitashirakawa (The Dimensional Ship's Sailor) Appearance: (PC-98 Era) Yumemi's young, energetic assistant. She has blonde hair in pigtails and wears a classic Japanese sailor school uniform. Her most notable feature is the futuristic handgun she wields. Personality: Loud, boisterous, and fiercely loyal to Professor Yumemi. She acts as Yumemi's hype-man and isn't afraid to use her advanced, non-magical weaponry to fight the residents of Gensokyo. She claims to be 15 but her actual origins are a mystery. Gengetsu and Mugetsu (The Double-World Phantasm) Appearance: (PC-98 Era) A powerful pair of demonic sisters who serve as the Extra Stage bosses of Lotus Land Story. Gengetsu, the older sister, has long blonde hair and a red dress. Mugetsu, the younger sister, has short blonde hair and a blue maid-like outfit. Personality: As extra bosses, they are exceptionally powerful and exist within a dream world. They are playful and attack in perfect tandem, creating beautiful but deadly bullet patterns. They don't seem particularly malicious, but they will ruthlessly attack any intruders who stumble into their realm. Keine Kamishirasawa (The History-Eating Half-Beast) Appearance: A were-hakutaku. In her human form, she is a dutiful teacher with blue hair, glasses, and a formal dress. When she transforms under a full moon, her hair turns white, she grows two small horns, and she wears a green and white traditional dress. Personality: As a human, Keine is a serious and devoted history teacher in the Human Village, fiercely protective of her students and all humans. Her power is to "eat" (hide or conceal) history. In her transformed hakutaku state, she gains the power to "create" history, and her personality becomes more instinctual and wild. Shizuha Aki (The Symbol of Autumn Leaves) Appearance: The older sister. She has long brown hair and wears an elegant red and orange dress adorned with autumn leaf patterns. Personality: Shizuha is somewhat melancholic and poetic. Her power over the beautiful dying leaves of autumn reminds her that winter is always approaching. She laments that her season's beauty is so fleeting. Minoriko Aki (The Symbol of Autumn's Bounty) Appearance: The younger sister. She has short blonde hair and wears a purple dress decorated with grape vines and other symbols of a good harvest. Personality: In contrast to her sister, Minoriko is cheerful, happy, and bountiful. As a harvest goddess, her season is one of celebration and abundance. She loves sweet potatoes and is worshipped by humans in the hope of a successful harvest. Sariel (The Angel of Death) Appearance: (PC-98 Era) An angelic being from a realm called the "Fallen Shrine." Sariel appears as a seraph-like figure with six large wings and long blonde hair, often holding a strange, mystical rod. Personality: As a being from the very first game, Sariel is completely enigmatic. They are a silent, powerful, and divine final trial for Reimu Hakurei, with no clear motives or dialogue. They are more of a heavenly force than a character in the modern sense. Konngara (The Astral Knight) Appearance: (PC-98 Era) The other potential final boss of the first game, hailing from Hell. Konngara appears as an imposing figure in red, samurai-like armor, wielding a massive sword and holding a large dish containing a red orb. Personality: Like Sariel, Konngara is a silent and intimidating final boss. As a being from Hell, they present a demonic and powerful challenge. Their existence established the "Heaven vs. Hell" dynamic that would appear throughout the series. Rikako Asakura (The Scientist Believing in Magic) Appearance: (PC-98 Era) A scientist with short white hair, wearing glasses and a lab coat. Personality: Rikako is one of the few characters who actively uses science. Unlike other scientists who dismiss magic, she believes in its power but approaches it with a rigorous, scientific methodology. She is arrogant and looks down on "primitive" magicians who don't understand the physics behind their own powers. Sara (The Gatekeeper of Makai) Appearance: (PC-98 Era) The Stage 1 boss of Mystic Square. She has short blue hair and wears a red and blue outfit with a cape. Personality: Sara is a serious and dutiful gatekeeper to the demon world of Makai. She takes her job very seriously, but as a first-stage boss, she is easily defeated, setting a trend for many gatekeepers to come. Luize (The Demon Dweller of Makai) Appearance: (PC-98 Era) The Stage 2 boss of Mystic Square. A demon with blonde hair and a purple dress. Personality: Luize is a fairly generic demon who seems to happily welcome "tourists" to the world of Makai. Her form of welcome, of course, is a danmaku battle. She appears friendly and less aggressive than Sara. Yuki and Mai (The Witch of the Crimson Dreams and The Witch of the Azure Dreams) Appearance: (PC-98 Era) A duo of witches who serve as the Stage 4 bosses of Mystic Square. Yuki, the fire-user, has red hair and a red dress. Mai, the ice-user, has blue hair and a blue dress. Personality: A classic elemental pair. Yuki is aggressive, reckless, and hot-headed, believing that overwhelming firepower is the best strategy. Mai is calm, collected, and more strategic, preferring to use precise, controlled attacks. They fight together, creating a beautiful and deadly crossfire of fire and ice. Sumireko Usami (The High School Student with a Pseudoscience Fetish) Appearance: A high school student from the Outside World (our world). She has brown hair, wears glasses, and is always seen in her school uniform. She carries a tablet and other gadgets, and often wears a purple occult-themed cape and hat. Personality: Sumireko is arrogant, intelligent, and obsessed with the occult and conspiracy theories. She discovered how to enter Gensokyo and initially caused trouble, believing it was all just a dream world she could manipulate. She has powerful psychic abilities (ESP) and represents the modern world clashing with the fantasy of Gensokyo. Mamizou Futatsuiwa (The Bake-danuki with a Ten-Transformation Disguise) Appearance: A bake-danuki (a mythical shapeshifting tanuki/racoon-dog). In her human form, she is a woman with brown hair and a prominent, leafy tail. She wears a kimono and carries a bottle of sake. Personality: Mamizou is a powerful and ancient youkai leader. She is sly, cheerful, and loves playing tricks on people, but she also has a strong sense of duty to her fellow tanuki. She speaks with a rustic accent and acts as a guardian and ally to the other youkai, often getting involved in incidents from behind the scenes. Watatsuki no Yorihime Appearance: A Lunarian princess and military leader. She has long, black hair and wears an elegant, armored battle dress. She is a master of all weapons and is often seen with a sword. Personality: Yorihime is serious, stern, and incredibly powerful. She is a prodigy capable of summoning the power of the gods to fight for her. She is fiercely protective of the Moon and its purity, and she views earthlings and their impurities with disdain. Watatsuki no Toyohime Appearance: The older sister and a fellow Lunarian princess. She has long, blonde hair and wears a beautiful, flowing dress. She carries a large fan that is said to be able to create hurricane-force winds. Personality: Toyohime is more carefree, gentle, and "air-headed" than her sister, but this demeanor hides an equally immense power and a sharp mind. She is friendly towards Eirin and Reisen but is just as dedicated to protecting the Lunarian way of life. Her power connects the "scientific" Moon with the "fantastical" Earth. Benben Tsukumo Appearance: A youkai born from a biwa (a Japanese lute). She has short brown hair and wears a green and black dress with patterns resembling her instrument. She carries her biwa with her. Personality: Benben is the more mature and calm of the two sisters. She is elegant and speaks in a more traditional manner. She seeks a paradise where tools like herself can live freely without being used by humans. Yatsuhashi Tsukumo Appearance: A youkai born from a koto (a Japanese zither). She has long, light purple hair and wears a purple and white dress. She is always with her koto. Personality: Yatsuhashi is more modern, energetic, and hot-headed than her sister. She is straightforward and determined to fight for their cause, leading the charge against the heroines. Yumeko (The Maid of the Devil's World) Appearance: (PC-98 Era) A powerful maid who serves Shinki, the creator of Makai. She has brown hair and wears a classic blue and white maid outfit. She is an expert swordswoman, wielding four swords at once. Personality: Yumeko is extremely loyal and devoted to her master. She is polite but deadly serious, acting as the final line of defense before anyone can reach Shinki. Her skill with a sword is considered among the best in Makai. Elly (The Gatekeeper of the Mansion of a Dream) Appearance: (PC-98 Era) The gatekeeper of the phantom mansion, Mugenkan. She has short red hair and wears a simple blue and white dress. Her signature weapon is a very large scythe. Personality: Elly is a dutiful and powerful gatekeeper who is easily angered when underestimated. She is frustrated that intruders keep getting past her and complains that she rarely gets to use her full power. Kurumi (The Vampire of the Lake of Blood) Appearance: (PC-98 Era) A vampire who guards the entrance to the phantom mansion, Mugenkan. She has long blonde hair, red eyes, and small bat wings. She wears a pink and white dress. Personality: As a guard, Kurumi takes her job seriously and will attack anyone trying to cross the Lake of Blood she protects. She is a fairly typical vampire youkai, confident in her abilities. Elis (The Innocent Devil) Appearance: (PC-98 Era) A devil child who lives in a "World of Fantasies." She has short blonde hair, red eyes, and bat wings. She carries a red staff with a star on it. Personality: Despite being a devil, Elis is portrayed as being quite innocent and childlike. She has a pet bat and seems more interested in playing than being truly evil. She has the ability to transform into a large, red bat. Maribel Hearn (Merry) Appearance: A university student with blonde hair. She wears a frilly purple dress and a matching mob cap, giving her an appearance that strangely mirrors Yukari Yakumo's. Personality: Maribel is a student of relativian psychology. She has the mysterious ability to see the boundaries of things, including the boundary of Gensokyo. She often has vivid dreams where she visits Gensokyo, and her accounts form the basis of the club's activities. She is terrified of youkai but endlessly fascinated by them. Renko Usami Appearance: A university student with short black hair. She wears a more modern and simple outfit, typically a black bowler hat and a coat. Personality: Renko is a student of superfluous physics. She is the more grounded and scientific of the two. She has the unique ability to tell the exact time just by looking at the moon and her exact location (longitude and latitude) just by looking at the stars. She is fascinated by Maribel's stories and tries to find a logical explanation for them. Joon Yorigami (The God of Pestilence) Appearance: A pestilence god and one of the final bosses of the fighting game Antinomy of Common Flowers. She has long, blonde, curly hair and wears an extremely flashy and gaudy outfit with lots of jewels and gold trim. Personality: Joon is extravagant, arrogant, and wasteful. Her ability is to bring financial ruin upon others, as she squanders wealth with no self-control. She is a freeloader who forces her "perfect possession" partner to do all the work while she enjoys a life of luxury. Tsukasa Kudamaki (The White-Tailed Pipe Fox) Appearance: A kuda-gitsune (pipe fox) youkai who serves Megumu Iizunamaru. She has white hair with fox ears and a white tail. She wears a formal, dark-colored suit. Personality: Tsukasa presents herself as an exceptionally loyal and trustworthy subordinate. However, she is a born manipulator who enjoys whispering sweet nothings and false reports into people's ears to cause misunderstandings and conflict. She secretly controls her superiors by feeding them the information she wants them to hear. Genjii Appearance: (PC-98 Era) An elderly, large turtle. He is often seen with a yin-yang symbol on his shell. Personality: Genjii was Reimu Hakurei's loyal servant and primary mode of transportation before she learned to fly on her own. As a wise old turtle, he would often give Reimu advice, though she rarely listened. He could fly freely through the air. Ellen Appearance: (PC-98 Era) A witch with long blonde hair who is perpetually young. She wears a classic pointy witch's hat and a blue dress. She is often seen with her cat, Sokrates. Personality: Ellen is a witch who has lived for a very long time thanks to magic, but a side effect is that she has a terrible memory and is constantly forgetting things. She is generally cheerful and a bit ditzy. Kotohime Appearance: (PC-98 Era) A princess with long blonde hair, wearing an elaborate kimono. Personality: Kotohime is extremely eccentric and unpredictable. She claims to be a police officer despite being a princess, and her motivations are nonsensical. She is a collector of things she finds interesting, and her behavior often leaves other characters completely bewildered. Kana Anaberal Appearance: (PC-98 Era) A poltergeist with short, unruly blonde hair and a simple white and purple dress. Personality: Kana was created by a lonely, mentally unstable girl living in a large mansion. As a poltergeist, she is unstable herself and cannot remain in one place for very long. She is fundamentally a sad and lonely spirit looking for attention. Orange Appearance: (PC-98 Era) A generic youkai from Lotus Land Story. She has orange hair and wears an orange dress. Personality: Orange is a very simple Stage 1 boss with no real defined personality. She is famous among fans primarily for her simple name and design. She attacks Reimu for trespassing but is, like most early bosses, easily defeated. Ruukoto Appearance: (PC-98 Era) A nuclear-powered robot maid built by Rikako Asakura. She has green hair and wears a standard maid outfit. Personality: Ruukoto only appears in Marisa's ending in Phantasmagoria of Dim.Dream, where Marisa "borrows" her. She is a loyal and powerful maid, but as a robot, she lacks any real personality beyond her programmed duties. Yuuka Kazami (The Flower Master of the Four Seasons) Appearance: A powerful and ancient youkai associated with flowers, particularly sunflowers. She has long green hair and typically wears a simple red plaid skirt and a white blouse. She is almost always seen carrying a pink parasol, which she can use to block projectiles or fire lasers. Personality: Yuuka is an elegant but terrifyingly powerful youkai. She is usually calm and polite, but has a sadistic and menacing side, especially if someone trespasses in her sunflower garden. She enjoys toying with her opponents and possesses immense magical power tied to nature. She is one of the oldest and strongest residents of Gensokyo. Shion Yorigami (The God of Poverty) Appearance: A poverty god and Joon's older sister. She has messy, dark blue hair and wears a tattered, patched-up blue dress. She has a gloomy, downtrodden expression and is often surrounded by a dark, miserable aura. Personality: Shion is the literal embodiment of misfortune and poverty. Her power causes both herself and anyone around her to lose their wealth, luck, and motivation. She is pessimistic, lethargic, and has completely given up on ever having a better life. Despite this, she is not malicious, just a walking disaster zone. Hatate Himekaidou (The Modern-Day Spirit Photographer) Appearance: A crow tengu and a rival reporter to Aya Shameimaru. She has long, purple-black hair and wears a purple outfit with a short skirt. Instead of a traditional camera, she uses a magical "spirit camera" that resembles a modern cell phone. Personality: Hatate is more of a modern journalist than Aya. She practices "thoughtography," taking pictures of things she thinks about rather than physically visiting them. This makes her seem lazy, and her articles are often less detailed than Aya's. She has a friendly rivalry with Aya and is fascinated by her competitor's more traditional methods. Kyouko Kasodani (The Mountain Echo Who Obeys the Precepts) Appearance: A yamabiko, an echo youkai. She has short, light brown hair and prominent, furry dog-like ears. She wears a simple, monastic-style outfit, reflecting her new life at Myouren Temple. Personality: Kyouko is a recent convert to Buddhism under Byakuren Hijiri. She is energetic, loud, and straightforward. As an echo youkai, she enjoys shouting and making noise, a habit she is trying to curb by instead reciting Buddhist sutras. She is now one of the diligent caretakers of the temple. Reimu Hakurei (PC-98 Version) Appearance: While still a shrine maiden, her original outfit was a single-piece purple dress with a large yellow bow, rather than the red-and-white separated top and skirt. Her hair was also purple. Personality: The original Reimu was more dutiful and less lazy than her modern incarnation. She took her duties seriously from the start and was often more easily angered by youkai causing trouble. She could not fly on her own and relied on her turtle, Genjii, for transport. Marisa Kirisame (PC-98 Version) Appearance: Marisa's most notable difference in the PC-98 era was her long, red hair, a stark contrast to her now-iconic blonde hair. Her witch's outfit was also purple. Personality: Originally introduced as an antagonist, this version of Marisa was a more straightforward rival to Reimu. While she still had a cheerful and somewhat arrogant streak, she lacked the "kleptomaniac" trait and her signature "Master Spark" attack until later in the classic era. She was a disciple of the powerful ghost, Mima. SinGyoku (The Gatekeeper) Appearance: (PC-98 Era) The very first boss of the very first Touhou game. SinGyoku has three distinct forms: a large, floating Yin-Yang orb; a female priestess in red robes; and a male priest in blue robes. Personality: As the gatekeeper of the passage to Hell and Makai, SinGyoku is a trial to be overcome. The character has no dialogue, but its three forms represent the fundamental duality that is a core theme of the entire Touhou series. Meira (The Samurai) Appearance: (PC-98 Era) A female samurai with long black hair, wearing traditional samurai armor. Personality: Meira is a serious and powerful warrior whose goal is to defeat Reimu and claim the legendary power of the Hakurei clan for herself. She is honorable but single-minded in her pursuit of strength. The Fortune Teller of the Human Village Appearance: An unnamed human man who is a recurring character in the official manga, Forbidden Scrollery. He is a typical village merchant. Personality: This character serves as a cautionary tale. He was a proud and successful fortune teller in the village, but his arrogance led him to challenge the power of youkai directly. He was eventually possessed and met a grim end, serving as a stark reminder of the fragile position of humans in Gensokyo. Tokiko (The Unnamed Book-Reading Youkai) Appearance: An unnamed youkai who appears briefly in the official book, Curiosities of Lotus Asia. She has short blonde hair and small wings. Personality: Tokiko is a minor youkai whose main trait is her love of reading. She hoards books she has stolen, but her low power level makes her no match for Reimu, who easily defeats her to retrieve a stolen book. Despite her single appearance, she has a small but dedicated fan following. Rinnosuke Morichika (The Curio Shop Owner) Appearance: The owner and sole employee of the curio shop Kourindou. He is a tall man with silver hair and glasses. He wears a blue and white outfit. As a half-human, half-youkai, his appearance doesn't age. Personality: Rinnosuke is intellectual, thoughtful, but somewhat aloof and bad at business. He is the first explicitly named male character introduced in the Windows era. His unique ability is to know the name and purpose of any object he sees, which is useful for identifying items from the Outside World that drift into Gensokyo. He has a long-standing friendship with Marisa. Komachi Onozuka (The Guide of the Sanzu River) Appearance: A shinigami (a death god/psychopomp). She has long, reddish-pink hair and wears a blue and white outfit. She carries a massive scythe, which she uses to ferry the souls of the dead across the Sanzu River. Personality: Komachi is very laid-back, chatty, and known for slacking off on the job, much to the annoyance of her boss. Her ability is the manipulation of distance, which she uses to adjust the width of the Sanzu River based on how much of a toll a spirit can pay. Shikieiki Yamaxanadu (The Highest Judge of Paradise) Appearance: A Yama, the highest authority and judge of the dead. She appears as a young girl with short green hair, wearing an elaborate blue and white dress with red accents. She carries a "Rod of Remorse," which lists a soul's sins, and a "Cleansed Crystal Mirror," which reflects their past deeds. Personality: Shikieiki is stern, preachy, and utterly devoted to her duty. She has a black-and-white view of morality and will lecture anyone she meets—friend or foe—on their character flaws in an attempt to get them to change their ways before their final judgment. Medicine Melancholy (The Little Sweet Poison) Appearance: A youkai born from a doll that was abandoned in a field of poisonous lily-of-the-valley flowers. She has blonde hair and wears a small red dress. Personality: Medicine has a deep-seated hatred for humans due to being abandoned. Her power is the manipulation of poison, and she wishes for a "doll liberation" where tools are freed from their human users. She is childish but also surprisingly cunning and dangerous. Lunasa Prismriver Appearance: The eldest sister. She has short black hair and wears a black dress. She is the violinist of the group. Personality: Lunasa is the most mature and mellow of the sisters. She is an honest and skilled performer who excels at somber and melancholic music. 6. Merlin Prismriver Appearance: The middle sister. She has short blonde hair and wears a white dress. She is the trumpeter of the group. Personality: Merlin is cheerful and magically powerful, but her music is somewhat chaotic and unrefined. She creates powerful, uplifting, and often frantic melodies. Lyrica Prismriver Appearance: The youngest sister. She has reddish-brown hair and wears a red dress. She plays the keyboard and provides percussion. Personality: Lyrica is clever, sly, and a bit of a freeloader. She often lets her sisters do most of the work during a performance. She is skilled at playing improvised and whimsical tunes. Layla Prismriver Appearance: Unknown. She has no official art. Personality: Layla was the fourth Prismriver sister, a human noblewoman living in a large mansion. Overcome with loneliness after her three older sisters left, she used a magical artifact to split her own soul and create the three poltergeist musicians—Lunasa, Merlin, and Lyrica—to keep her company. After creating them, she faded away, leaving the poltergeists to live on in her mansion. Alice Margatroid (PC-98 Version) Appearance: (PC-98 Era) In her original appearance as the Extra boss of Mystic Square, Alice had blonde hair and wore a pink dress with a blue ribbon. Instead of dolls, her power came from a powerful spellbook called "The Grimoire of Alice." Personality: This version of Alice was more of a stereotypical, power-hungry magician. She was arrogant and childish, throwing a tantrum when defeated. She had not yet developed her signature puppeteering skills and relied on raw magical power from her grimoire. Reisen (II) Appearance: Unknown. She has no official art but is presumably a moon rabbit similar to the original Reisen. Personality: After the original Reisen deserted the Moon, the Watatsuki sisters needed a new pet. This "Reisen II" is the moon rabbit who took her place. According to official profiles, she is much more subservient and less independent than the original Reisen, and is often bullied by her. She exists solely as a background character in the lore. Chang'e (The Lunarian Goddess) Appearance: Unknown. She has no official art and has never appeared in person. Personality: Chang'e is the goddess of the Moon. In the Touhou universe, she was punished for drinking the Hourai Elixir by being imprisoned on the Moon. Her husband, Houyi, shot down the suns. This act makes her the eternal sworn enemy of the goddess Junko, whose son was one of those suns. Chang'e's existence is the entire motivation behind the events of Legacy of Lunatic Kingdom. 2. The Dragon God (The God of Gods) Appearance: Unknown, but presumed to be a colossal dragon. Personality: The Dragon God is the most powerful and enigmatic being in Gensokyo's cosmology. It is a god of gods, ruling over the heavens and the sky, and is responsible for creating illusions like the aurora. It is a force of nature that rarely intervenes directly, but its will is absolute. Iku Nagae serves as one of its messengers. 3. Lord Tenma (The Great Tengu Leader) Appearance: Unknown. Personality: Lord Tenma is the supreme leader of the Tengu society on the Youkai Mountain. All other tengu, including the general Megumu Iizunamaru and the reporter Aya Shameimaru, ultimately answer to him. He is a powerful, unseen figure who maintains the strict social hierarchy of the tengu. Hisoutensoku (The Giant Robot) Appearance: A colossal, non-sentient humanoid robot that resembles a futuristic knight. It was built by the kappa to showcase their technology at a convention. Personality: As a machine, it has no personality. In the fighting game Touhou Hisoutensoku, it is mistaken for a giant monster. Cirno, believing she is strong enough to pilot it, "takes control" of it with the help of Alice Margatroid's magic, using it as her own personal mech suit in her story path. The Great Catfish (The Primal Fear) Appearance: A giant, shadowy catfish that lives beneath Gensokyo. Personality: This creature is the physical embodiment of fear and negative energy, particularly the fear of earthquakes. In Scarlet Weather Rhapsody, it goes on a rampage, but it is not acting on its own will. It is being controlled from afar by Tenshi Hinanawi as part of her bored scheme to cause an incident. The Otter Spirit Appearance: A generic, shadowy otter spirit. Personality: The otter spirit is cunning and tricky, reflecting its leader, Yachie. It advises the player to use clever tactics, focusing on speed and a narrow attack pattern to slip through enemy defenses. The Wolf Spirit Appearance: A generic, shadowy wolf spirit. Personality: The wolf spirit is aggressive and straightforward. It advises the player to focus on a powerful, head-on assault, using a wide shot type to overwhelm enemies with brute force. Tupai (The Cryptid) Appearance: Unknown, but described as being similar to a Chupacabra. Personality: Tupai is a cryptid mentioned only once by Marisa in Curiosities of Lotus Asia. She claims it's a blood-sucking youkai from the Outside World that has been spotted near the Scarlet Devil Mansion. It's a prime example of the strange creatures that can wander into Gensokyo. The Book-Lending Youkai Appearance: An unnamed youkai that appears in Forbidden Scrollery. It has long hair and wears a cloak, pulling a cart full of youma-bon (demonic books). Personality: This youkai runs a mobile library for other youkai. It is knowledgeable about the dangerous books it carries and is wary of humans like Kosuzu who show an interest in them, warning her of the dangers.