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Hong Meiling
Hong Meiling (紅 美鈴 Hon Meirin) is a youkai who serves as the gatekeeper of the Scarlet Devil Mansion and is known for her skill in martial arts. She first appeared as the Stage 3 boss of Embodiment of Scarlet Devil and later became a playable character through a downloadable patch in Immaterial and Missing Power, appearing as a versus mode character with no story involvement. She is also one of the three protagonists of Touhou Hisōtensoku.
| Hong Meiling | |
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| Origin | |
| Origin | Touhou |
| Creator | ZUN |
| First Appearance | Touhou 06: Embodiment of the Scarlet Devil |
| Actor | Fan-made Series: Japanese: Marina Inoue, Satomi Sato, Naomi Ōzora, Lynn, Sarah Emi Bridcutt, Sakura Nakamura, Shiori Mikami, Rika Tachibana, Machico, Kaori Maeda, Hina Suguta, Yuka Otsubo, Rena Hasegawa, Shion Wakayama, Akiho Suzumoto, Yumiri Hanamori, Yuri Fujimoto |
| Characteristics | |
| Species | Touhou Project/Youkai |
| Gender | Female |
| Pronouns | She/Her |
| Sexuality | Unknown |
| Age | Unknown |
| Birthday | Unknown |
| Height | Tall |
| Weight | Unknown |
| Ethnicity | Chinese |
| Status | Alive |
| Alignment | Neutral Good |
| Archetype | Protector/Guardian |
| Occupation | Gatekeeper |
| Time Period | Non-linear |
| Language | Japanese |
| Combat Style | Qigong |
| Homeworld | Gensokyo |
| Relationships | |
| Affiliations | Scarlet Devil Mansion: (Remilia Scarlet, Flandre Scarlet, Patchouli Knowledge, Sakuya Izayoi, Koakuma, Fairy Maids), Reimu Hakurei, Marisa Kirisame, Alice Margatroid, Aya Shameimaru |
| Enemies | Reimu Hakurei (Formerly), Marisa Kirisame (Formerly) |
Background
Name Meaning
Her full name is Hong Meiling (紅 美鈴 Hon Meirin). The character hong (紅) means "scarlet" or "crimson" in Japanese and "red" in Chinese. Meiling (美鈴) translates to "beauty bell" or "beauty chime", and is a common Chinese given name. Her full name references Hong Mei, a tai chi grandmaster. In Japanese, these characters can be read as Kurenai Misuzu, and are sometimes mispronounced or miswritten that way. Following English name order, her name would properly be "Meiling Hong", a convention typically used by Chinese diaspora or immigrants in Western countries. Some sources may read Chinese names using Japanese on'yomi, rendering her name as Kō Birei or Kō Mirin. Meiling's name is often presented in Mandarin Pinyin instead.
The character hong (紅) is read as kō in the on reading, Hóng in standard Chinese and Mandarin, and Ghon (pronounced "hong") in Shanghainese. It may reference the Red Guards (紅衛兵, Pinyin: Hóng Wèibīng), a youth movement during China's Cultural Revolution—a connection reinforced by her clothing. The word "guard" also carries the meaning of "gatekeeper", suggesting a pun where "guard of the family name Hong" equates to "Red Guard". The character hong also appears in the title Embodiment of Scarlet Devil (東方紅魔郷). However, the game's working title was 東方紅茶館, indicating a strong connection to the hong found in black tea (紅茶).
Her first name may also play on 虹, meaning "rainbow", which shares the same on reading as 紅 and the same pronunciation in Shanghainese and literary standard Chinese. In a Chinese context, this character is also synonymous with a two-headed dragon-like creature, whose rainbow associations may be reflected in Meiling's title "Colorful Rainbow Gatekeeper", the naming theme of several spell cards, and her typically rainbow-colored bullet patterns and attacks.
ZUN spelled her name as Hong Meirin in Immaterial and Missing Power and the corrected version of Sangetsusei. In Perfect Memento in Strict Sense, her name became Hoan Meirin. Although the pinyin spelling would be "Meiling", no official source within the Touhou Project confirms this rendering. Meiling's line "Geez, please remember my name~" appears as a win quote in Immaterial and Missing Power. When asked whether "Chuugoku's name" was forgotten, ZUN was uncertain how to respond, though this may simply be because "Chuugoku" (中国, "China") is a fan nickname unfamiliar to him at the time.
Appearance
General Description: Meiling is a figure with long scarlet or salmon-colored hair and aqua-blue eyes. Her hair color symbolizes both her name and the place she guards.
Facial Features: She has long hair in shades of scarlet or salmon. Her eyes are aqua-blue.
Clothing/Outfit:
- Primary Outfit: A green beret and dress styled as an avant-garde variant of traditional Chinese clothing. The beret features a gold star on the front containing the Traditional Chinese character "龍" (lóng), meaning dragon.
- Fighting Game Appearances: White pants are worn with her outfit.
Special Features: The dragon character on her beret is a notable detail connecting her to her role as a guardian. Her hair color directly ties to her name and the Scarlet Devil Mansion.
Alternate Forms/Disguises: She has several alternate color schemes with her alt costume options in Immaterial and Missing_Power & Touhou Hisoutensoku.
Personality
- Laid-Back: Meiling is very laid-back and known for sleeping on the job. This tendency sometimes gets her into trouble.
- Dutiful When Necessary: Despite her laid-back nature, Meiling does her job when needed. She regularly receives challengers and is a worthy opponent for the strong.
- Not Aggressive Toward Humans: Meiling is not outwardly aggressive toward humans except those who attempt to trespass on the Scarlet Devil Mansion grounds. She sometimes has conversations with passersby.
- Patriotic: Meiling frequently makes boastful statements expressing patriotism for China, referencing its 4000 years of history and comparing others unfavorably to it.
- Chinese Culture Fanatic: Meiling compares Yuyuko to a Jiang Shi and notes that Tenshi and the Celestials have read Chinese classics.
Goals
- Prevent Reimu and Marisa from entering the mansion (Failed).
- Stop the Giant Catfish (Succeeded).
Relationships
Remilia is Meiling's mistress. True to her nature, Remilia tends to tease all her subordinates, and Meiling is no exception. While she does become angered at times when things do not go her way, the two are generally on friendly terms. In Touhou Hisoutensoku, it is suggested that Remilia reads some of the same manga that Meiling does.
Sakuya is a fellow employee of the Scarlet Devil Mansion. Meiling's win quote against Sakuya in Touhou Hisoutensoku implies a friendly, if somewhat formal, relationship between the two. In these quotes, Meiling tells Sakuya that she always goes easy on her, suggesting they spar frequently. She also claims she would not hold back in a formal match, though it is unknown how much effort Sakuya puts into their spars or if Meiling's claims about her own strength are accurate. Sakuya is shown to care for Meiling's well-being—carrying her inside out of concern for heatstroke when she is found passed out asleep—while remaining strict about her not slacking off at the gate.
As a friend of her mistress, Patchouli sometimes berates Meiling for not thinking enough and spending too much time reading "senseless comics."
Fairy Maids and Other Staff
The fairy maids assist Meiling during the events of Embodiment of Scarlet Devil, but it is unknown what authority she holds over them within the mansion's hierarchy. Perfect Memento in Strict Sense implies that youkai also occasionally join in Meiling's battles on a whim, though they usually only point and laugh from the sidelines.
Flandre is Remilia's younger sister. The nature of Meiling and Flandre's relationship, if any, remains unknown.
Taisui Xingjun and the Giant Catfish
Taisui Xingjun is Meiling's sworn enemy, and the Giant Catfish serves as his avatar. Both have only appeared in Meiling's dream while she was reading a manga; any realistic communication or direct interaction with them has not been shown to date.
General Information
Name: Hong Meiling
Titles: Chinese Girl[2]
Origin: Touhou
Overall Series: Touhou Project
First Appearance: Touhou 06: Embodiment of the Scarlet Devil
Latest Appearance: Foul Detective Satori
Company: Team Shanghai Alice
Creator: ZUN
Actor: The following voice acted roles are all from fan-made series not apart of any canonical Touhou works.
- Japanese Voice Actors: Marina Inoue (Touhou Spell Bubble), Satomi Sato (Koumajou Remilia: Scarlet Symphony, Koumajou Remilia II: Stranger's Requiem), Naomi Ōzora (Touhou Azure Reflections), Lynn (Touhou LostWord Hong Meiling), Sarah Emi Bridcutt (Touhou LostWord Hong Meiling), Sakura Nakamura (Touhou LostWord Hong Meiling), Shiori Mikami (Touhou LostWord Hong Meiling (Scarlet), Touhou LostWord Hong Meiling (Immovable Demon's Gate)), Rika Tachibana (Touhou LostWord Hong Meiling (Scarlet)), Machico (Touhou LostWord Hong Meiling (Scarlet)), Kaori Maeda (Touhou LostWord Hong Meiling (Immovable Demon's Gate)), Hina Suguta (Touhou LostWord Hong Meiling (Immovable Demon's Gate)), Yuka Otsubo (Touhou LostWord Hong Meiling (Be the Change)), Rena Hasegawa (Touhou LostWord Hong Meiling (Be the Change)), Shion Wakayama (Touhou LostWord Hong Meiling (Be the Change)), Akiho Suzumoto (Touhou LostWord Hong Meiling (Law)), Yumiri Hanamori (Touhou LostWord Hong Meiling (Law)), Yuri Fujimoto (Touhou LostWord Hong Meiling (Law))
Gender: Female
Sexuality: Unknown
Pronouns: She/Her
Handedness: Right-Handed
Age: Unknown
Birthday: Unknown
Time Period: The world of Gensokyo itself is in a non-linear time period
Timeline: Main Timeline
Homeworld: Gensokyo
Residence: Scarlet Devil Mansion[3]
Story Role
- Embodiment of Scarlet Devil: Stage 5 Boss
Legacy: Local Legacy (Eyewitnesses note that Hong Meiling at times makes the mansion feel less scary as she is friendly[4])
Influence: Personal Influence
Language: Japanese
Religion: N/A (Youkais lack faith, not caring about religious related values[5])
Classification: Martial Artist
Species: Youkai
State of Being: Regular
Physiology: Humanoid Physiology
In-Universe Creator: Unknown
Occupation: Gatekeeper[3]
Affiliations: Scarlet Devil Mansion: (Remilia Scarlet, Flandre Scarlet, Patchouli Knowledge, Sakuya Izayoi, Koakuma, Fairy Maids), Reimu Hakurei, Marisa Kirisame, Alice Margatroid, Aya Shameimaru
Enemies: Reimu Hakurei (Formerly), Marisa Kirisame (Formerly)
Height: Tall (It's noted by ZUN that he does not have an official height listed for characters, though generally speaking they are about as tall as height of a human in her late teens or older)[7]
Weight: Unknown
Status: Alive
- Innate Youkai Nature: Neutral Evil (Youkai carry about one thing in common, that they attack and prey upon humans, they only think of themselves, and they are the most dangerous enemies to humans[8])
- Unique Nature: Neutral Good (Despite being the gatekeeper of the Devil Mansion, Meiling is often noted to be nice to humans passing by, making them feel safe despite being in front of the mansion of devils[4])
Protection Level: Street Protector
- Type(s) of Potential: Growth Potential
- Level of Potential: Growth
- Description: Meiling is considered unusually physically oriented in Gensokyo with the only other physical type being noted being her master Remilia[6].
- Limitations: Nothing notable.
Archetype: Protector/Guardian
Codex Statistics
Key: Embodiment of Scarlet Devil | Touhou Hisoutensoku
Key Information
- Embodiment of Scarlet Devil: This key covers all information from the game Embodiment of Scarlet Devil.
- Touhou Hisoutensoku: This key covers all information from the game Touhou Hisoutensoku.
Grade: A
Tier: At least 8-C, Far Higher with Spiritual Power | At least 8-C, Far Higher with Spiritual Power
Cardinality: Finite
Dimensionality: 3-D
Power Source: Qi & Magic
Attack Potency: At least Building level (Potency) (Meiling is considered unusually physically oriented in Gensokyo with the only other physical type being noted being her master Remilia[6], with it being seen as extremely difficult to exterminate her[9]. Along with this she was personally appointed as the gatekeeper for the Scarlet Devil Mansion by the vampire Remilia Scarlet due to her well-rounded strength[3]. This means she should be somewhat relative to vampire-level Youkai, where vampires are among the strongest of the youkai, strong enough to take part in the power-balance of Gensokyo[10], making them comparable if not superior to Oni who are able to cause nearby buildings collapse with just a step[11]. Youkais can easily kill humans[12], with it being noted that if it came to open conflict between humans and youkai, they would probably wipe out the village in the blink of an eye[13]. Youkai have stronger bodies than humans[8]. Youkai are noted to be physically stronger than humans[14]), Far Higher with Spiritual Power(Spiritual Power is the main power source for how characters are able to fight, all of their attacks normally drain spirit and even blocking attacks drains spirit[15], where if they're out of spirit they cannot use bullets, special moves, or spell cards[16], where spiritual power is in the same layer as magic[17]. Noted how even Yumemi Okazaki's scientific magic truly pales in comparison with the real thing[18], which Yumemi noted to not make light of the power of her science as she could blow up the planet at any moment[19]). Can ignore conventional durability with Magic (Magic exists outside of the Grand Unified Theory[20], a theory with any model that merges electromagnetic, weak, and strong forces into a single force at high energies, unifying gravity with the electronuclear interaction, providing a more comprehensive theory of everything. Yumemi explains that on her world, all power can be explained by the Grand Unified Theory, however she posits an existence of a power not covered by the Theory: the power of magic[21]. Yumemi also explains that in the world of Gensokyo, magic unifies everything[22]. Magic is noted by Yumemi to have close ties with religion[23]. The second layer of reality is spirit and magic, while the first layer is where all things within the laws of physics presides, putting attacks with magic outside of the conventional laws of physics[17]) | At least Building level (Potency) (Has fought[24] and defeated[25] the dream[26] versions of the characters[27] ( Reimu Hakurei, Marisa Kirisame, Patchouli Knowledge, & Alice Margatroid), and then proceeded to defeat the Supreme Cat Fish[28]), Far Higher with Spiritual Power. Can ignore conventional durability with Magic
Durability: At least Building level, Far Higher with Spiritual Power (Spiritual Power is what protects fighters from other spiritual attacks[29], where if they're out of spirit they cannot use bullets, special moves, spell cards or block attacks[30], where spiritual power is in the same layer as magic[17]. Characters with their spiritual powers[31] have survive minature[32] suns exploding[33]) | At least Building level, Far Higher with Spiritual Power
Striking Strength: At least Building Class (Potency) (Relative to vampires, where vampires are strong enough to crush boulders[34]) | At least Building Class (Potency)
Lifting Strength: At least Class 5 (Relative to vampires, where vampires have tremendous physical abilities, being able to uproot a thousand-year-old tree single-handedly[10]) | At least Class 5
Travel Speed: Massively Hypersonic+ (Relative to vampires, where vampires like Remilia are able to fly around the moon[35]. Vampires are able to run through the human village within the blink of an eye[10], reaching these speeds. Vampires are noted to be faster than the eye can follow[34]), likely Speed of Light | Massively Hypersonic+, likely Speed of Light
Attack Speed: Massively Hypersonic+, likely Speed of Light. Magic Attacks lack a defined speed (Magic exists outside of the Grand Unified Theory[36], a theory with any model that merges electromagnetic, weak, and strong forces into a single force at high energies, unifying gravity with the electronuclear interaction, providing a more comprehensive theory of everything. Yumemi explains that on her world, all power can be explained by the Grand Unified Theory, however she posits an existence of a power not covered by the Theory: the power of magic[37]. Yumemi also explains that in the world of Gensokyo, magic unifies everything[38]. Magic is noted by Yumemi to have close ties with religion[39]) | Massively Hypersonic+, likely Speed of Light. Magic Attacks lack a defined speed
Reaction Speed: Massively Hypersonic+, likely Speed of Light | Massively Hypersonic+, likely Speed of Light
Stamina: Superhuman (Youkai have stronger bodies than humans[8]. Youkais within Gensokyo do not have much demand for medicine for physical illnesses as they are comprised mostly of spirit, thus they are always fit and robust[40]. Has fought[41] and defeated[42] the dream[43] versions of the characters[44], and then proceeded to defeat the Supreme Cat Fish[45], where the Supreme Catfish's paln was to drain her energy in order to defeat her and it still didn't work)
Range: Standard Melee. At least Tens of Meters (Can fire dozens of bullets that cover the screen[46]. Shoots out hundreds of energy bullets in a continuous clockwise position covering the screen[47]), Cross-Dimensional with Battlefield Removal (Ordinary youkai[48], can send themself and their opponent to a different battlefield[49])
Intelligence: Average Intelligence
Knowledge: Grandmaster level (Hong Meiling is master of martial arts, being highly proficient in battle, where Hieda no Akyuu notes it is extremely difficult to attempt extermination on her as she doesn't have any apparent weak points[9]. Hong Meiling is noted to be skilled in martial arts, where she lacks any particular weak point[3])
- Air Dash (Can perform[50] dashes while in the air[51])
- Acrobatics (Every fighter has three high jumps they can use in combat to get around their opponent while fighting[52])
- Second Wind (All characters after their health bar is drained can recover with a second health bar for a second round[53])
- Counter (All characters have counter hits, which cause wall slams and ground slams[54])
- Guard Break (All characters have two Guard Crush attacks[55] that can break through guards if not blocked correctly[56], and cause the fighter to instantly lose all spirit[57])
- Aerial Recovery (Fighters can recover in the air while being combo'd in the air[58])
- Autopilot (All fighters can instantly bomb right after being time stopped by Sakuya to defend themselves[59])
- Invincibility Frames (Grazing allows the fighter to pass through all of the projectiles hitting them, taking no damage[60])
- Restoration (When a fighter loses spirit, they enter a state of Guard Crush where they need to wait for the spirit bar to refill[61])
- Transmutation (When fighters attack another fighter, they automatically turn all of their projectiles into points that refill their spirit bar[62])
- Invulnerability
- Spirit Manipulation (Special Attacks and techniques utilize the spirit bar[64])
- Vibration Manipulation (All fighters can use bombs in order to cause a massive shockwave that pushes the opponents back[66])
- Acrobatics (Fighters are able to jump high into the air and do somersaults and backflips[69]. Fights can also perform a super jump, to jump far higher into the air[70])
- Guard Break (Through Guard Crush, breaks the opponent's guard[71])
- Second Wind (Fighters can get back up and fight against for a second round even after their health has been depleted[72])
- Aerial Recovery (Fighters can recover from being launched through the air[73])
- Counter (Fighters can perform a Guard Reversal to parry an attack while guarding to send the opponent flying away[74])
- Invincibility Frames (Throgh grazing, allows fighters to dash through projectiles[75])
- Statistics Boost (With Spell Amplifier, grants 2 spell cards if uninterrupted[76])
- Healing (With Illness Recovery Charm, heals a small bit of health if uninterupted[77])
- Restoration (With Magic Potion, spirit recovers temporarily faster[78]. With Grimoire, spirit recovery is permanently faster[79])
- Damage Reduction (With Sacrificial Doll, a doll that absorbs some damage taken[80])
- Ability Optimization (With Ibuki Gourd, grants two cards if uninterupted[81])
- Nullification
- Statistics Boost (With Control Rod, deals more damage but also takes more damage[85])
- Super Armor (With Dragon Star, grants hyper-armour that breaks after 2 hits[86])
- Invulnerability
- Metaphysical Invulnerability: With Three Heavenly Drops, grants invulnerability after the third card[87].
- Summoning (With Catfish's Great Earthquake, summons a giant catfish to crash into the ground[88])
- Ice Manipulation (With Frozen Frog, creates an icy floor that causes anyone to trip over it by dashing or jumping into it[89])
- Air Manipulation
- Energy Manipulation
- Time Manipulation
- Forcefield Manipulation (With Custom Parasol, protects against most projectiles with a forcefield in front of the character[93])
- Spirit Manipulation
- Vibration Manipulation (All fighters can use bombs in order to cause a massive shockwave that pushes the opponents back[97])
- Weather Manipulation (With Temperment Manifestation, changes the weather[98]. With Sword of Scarlet Perception, changes the weather[99]. During story mode, all fighters have a mysterious mist around them and said mist changes the surrounding weather suited to each person's temperment[100]), which induces the following effects:
- Sunny: Statistics Boost & Ability Optimization (Let's one fly longer and turn quicker, Border Escapes also cost nothing[101])
- Drizzle: Statistics Boost (Spell Cards deal more damage[102])
- Cloudy: Ability Optimization (Spell Cards now cost 1 card less[103])
- Blue Sky: Ability Optimization (Special attacks can be cancelled into each other[104]. 4Special-Special cancels cost half an orb[105])
- Hail: Ability Optimization & Statistics Boost (Projectiles hurt more and spirit regenerates quicker[106])
- Spring Haze: Attack Nullification (Melee attacks are disabled[107]), Power Modification (In Hisoutensoku's Spring Haze, melee attacks can be used but now they can easily be grazed through[108]) Ability Optimization (Spirit regenerates faster[109])
- Heavy Fog: Damage Manipulation (Dealing damage gives health[110])
- Snow: Spell gauge decreases with damage taken[111]
- Sunshower: Guard Break (Incorrectly blocked melee attacks instantly guard crushes[112]. In Hisoutensoku's Sun Shower, no orbs are lost on guard breaks[113])
- Sprinkle: Statistics Boost (All special moves are upgraded to level 4[114])
- Tempest: Ability Optimization (Can fly 3 times in the air, all melee attacks can be jump cancelled[115]), Statistics Boost (Dash speed and distance increased[116])
- Mountain Vapor: Perception Manipulation (All spell cards are hidden[117]), Power Modification (The current deck is randomized[118])
- River Mist: Spatial Manipulation (Both fighters are kept a fixed distance from each other[119]. In Hisoutensoku's River Mist, the characters slide back and forth[120]), Space-Time Manipulation (Noted by ZUN that manipulating time also means manipulating space and vice versa[121])
- Typhoon: Nullification (Removes hitsun and removes the ability to block[122])
- Calm: Healing (A healing beacon on who hit last[123])
- Diamond Dust Technique Nullification (Disables the use of ground teching, damage is taken on wakeup[124])
- Dust Storm: Counter (Everything is a counter hit[125])
- Scorching Sun: Statistics Boost (More damage in the air but the air hurts[126])
- Monsoon: Wall and Ground bounce more[127]
- Aurora: Probability Manipulation (Any random weather effect can happen[128]).
- Resistance to
- Extreme Colds (Characters can fight while in a hail[129])
- Environmental Hazards (Characters can fight in Typhoons[130])
- Electricity Manipulation (Fighters can take electricity attacks and keep fighting[131])
- Energy Manipulation, Essence Manipulation, Soul Manipulation & Absorption (Fighters are unaffected by the scarlet mist of Tenshi, which are causing the number of phantoms to decrease, where those who died are not turning into ghost and seem to have simply vanished[132], with it being found out that the all living things temperaments are rising up and being sucked into the sky[133], with the scarlet mist being non-perceptive qi, the essence of living things' temperamnets[134])
- Superhuman Physical Characteristics
- Superhuman Strength (Youkais can easily kill humans[135], with it being noted that if it came to open conflict between humans and youkai, they would probably wipe out the village in the blink of an eye[136]. Youkai have stronger bodies than humans[8]. Youkai are noted to be physically stronger than humans[14])
- Superhuman Durability
- Superhuman Speed
- Superhuman Reaction
- Superhuman Lifting
- Superhuman Energy Efficiency
- Enhanced Senses (Unlike humans, youkai can see in the dark to the point that it's a way for them to spot a human[137])
- Extrasensory Perception (Youkai are able to see the human village that Keine made essentially invisible from history from humans[138])
- Longevity (Marisa notes that youkai live a really long time, beyond even human years[139]. Youkais have longer lifespans than humans[8])
- Aura (Noted that Youkai possess an aura[140][141], along with an energy source called "Youkai Energy"[142])
- Invisibility (Youkai are noted to be life-forms that are invisible to humans, appearing to them via fluctuations[143]. Noted that all objects within Gensokyo were all hidden in the invisible gaps of the quantum world[144])
- Non-Standard Damage (Youkai's attacks are spiritual based whereas having standard durability against them does not help. When a youkai has injured someone, they need special recovery from youkai practitioners otherwise they cannot recover normally[145])
- Non-Standard Defenses (Reimu realized that only the Yin-Yang Orb was effective against non-human creatures[146], with it being noted that Reimu using her ofuda, her spirit power, and her martial arts all prove to be useless against her enemies[147], meaning Youkai cannot really be harmed by regular or standard weaponry. It's noted that one cannot defeat spirits or devilish powers without a weapon with an unnatural amount of spiritual power such as the Yin-Yang Orb[148]. Physical attacks such as a whacking a sake bottle over the head are considered violent methods that wouldn't work on youkai[149], with it only being spiritual attacks that cause fatal wounds to youkai[8]. When attempting to exterminate a youkai, one does not use weapons that cause physical damage, instead weapons with an "origin" are more preferable[14]. In the world beyond (Gensokyo), physical form has no meaning for all non-human entities[150])
- Absorption
- Regeneration
- Types: Passive
- Source: Metaphysical Regeneration
- Capabilities: Youkai have stronger bodies than humans, thus even if they're torn limb from limb they can heal right away[8]. Youkai can heal wounds like tiger slashes in no time at all[154]. Non-Humans within Gensokyo do not have much demand for medicine for physical illnesses as they are comprised mostly of spirit, thus they can always regenerate from their spirit[40].
- Transformation
- Acausality
- For Their Physiology
- For their Magic
- Reliance
- True Sight (It's noted by ZUN[164] that Youkai can see through illusions that humans can't[165])
- Propagation (Youkai are able to sever their heads from their body and multiply them[166])
- Incorporeality (Youkai's bodies in truth are just their souls[167]. Youkai's do not possess DNA, with the concept being foreign to them, noting how humans for some reason are under the control of them[168])
- Empowerment (Youkai are amplified by the power of the moon[169], Mima specifically reqested Yumemi in an ending to stop the moon so that she could always be empowered by its light[170])
- Battlefield Removal
- Application Based: Ordinary youkai[171], can send themself and their opponent to a different battlefield[172].
- Magic (Youkais have developed a civilization of magic, making it a common ability used by them[173]. Magic exists outside of the Grand Unified Theory[174], a theory with any model that merges electromagnetic, weak, and strong forces into a single force at high energies, unifying gravity with the electronuclear interaction, providing a more comprehensive theory of everything. Yumemi also explains that in the world of Gensokyo, magic unifies everything[175]. Magic is noted by Yumemi to have close ties with religion[176])
- Extrasensory Perception (Noted by Patchouli that those who use magic are sensitive to changes in temperment[177])
- Transferal (Magic users can transfer their magic into a tool, having the tool change depending on the user[178])
- Acausality
- For their Magic
- Irregular Causality
- Unknown: A youkai's magical power exists outside of the Grand Unified Theory[179], a theory with any model that merges electromagnetic, weak, and strong forces into a single force at high energies, unifying gravity with the electronuclear interaction, providing a more comprehensive theory of everything. It's further explained that magic is a force that cannot be explained by the Grand Unified Theory, with Yumemi even proposing a "Non-Unified Magic World" theory[180]. Yumemi explains that on her world, all power can be explained by the Grand Unified Theory, however she posits an existence of a power not covered by the Theory: the power of magic[181]. Magic does not exist in Yumemi's world, which is a Probability World, a different world, but in the same dimension[182].
- Irregular Causality
- For their Magic
- Holy Manipulation (Magic is noted by Yumemi to have close ties with religion[183])
- Temperature Manipulation (Youkai being released caused the room to get more cold[184])
- Emotion Manipulation (A youkai's Noh is able to take away people's emotions[185])
- Portal Manipulation (The denizens of Makai found out about the human world and managed to obtain the power to make a hole in the barrier[186])
- Forcefield Manipulation (Youkais use their magic in order to strengthen and reinforce the great barrier with an ever stronger power to prevent invasion by humans[187])
- Curse Manipulation (Youkai energy naturally curses people[188])
- Quantum Manipulation (Youkai are naturally in a state of lurking within quantum gaps, were they can exist in both the human world and Gensokyo freely while not being noticed in the human world and passing through objects, being compared to the idea of Schrödinger's Cat[189]).
- Spirit Manipulation (The bombs used are referred to as spiritual attacks[190], being directly called spiritual attacks[191])
- Explosion Manipulation (When bomb users are cornered from attacks they cannot repel with regular attacks they can release a massive spirit explosive that destroys all objects on screen[192], along with killing all enemies on screen[193])
- Magnetism Manipulation (When using a bomb[194], all items on screen will be attracted towards the user[195])
- Perception Manipulation (When using a bomb the screen flashes white and an image of the bomb user can be seen[196])
- Logic Manipulation (The Great Hakurei Barrier is a boundary of common sense, which things with high spiritual power in the cause to waver[197])
- Nullification & Erasure
- Projectile Nullification & Physical Erasure: Bomb users can use a bomb to nullify & erase all projectiles on screen[198]. This makes the enemy incapable of[199] shooting out any further projectiles until the bomb's duration is done[200].
- Invulnerability
- Link Manipulation (Strong Emotions can be contained in objects that can connect between the main world and the netherworld[202]).
- Resistance to
- Extreme Temperatures (Youkai are unaffected by things such as heatstrokes[203])
- Sealing (Youkais can overtime break out of seals[204]. Youkais use their magic in order to strengthen and reinforce the great barrier with an ever stronger power to prevent invasion by humans[205])
- Observation & Subjective Reality (Once a youkai/non-human enters Gensokyo or if a youkai/non-human is a native, they are liberated from the spell of human imagination and obtain true freedom, being able to develop their own characteristics, though the observations of the humans from within Gensokyo can have some effect on them to a degree[206])
- Probability Manipulation (Yumemi explains that on her world, all power can be explained by the Grand Unified Theory, however she posits an existence of a power not covered by the Theory: the power of magic[207]. Magic does not exist in Yumemi's world, which is a Probability World, a different world, but in the same dimension[208])
- Madness Manipulation (Unaffected from the affects of the Lunarian Full Moon, a hypnosis that drove the humans who came to the Moon insane[209], further being noted by Reisen that the moon drives people insane[210])
- Illusion Manipulation (Youkai are unaffected by illusions[164] as they can easily see through them[165])
- Disease Manipulation (Non-Humans within Gensokyo do not have much demand for medicine for physical illnesses as they are comprised mostly of spirit, thus they are always fit and robust with no diseases[40])
- Matter Manipulation & Physics Manipulation (Youkai are noted to be fluctuations that exist in worlds which are not dominated by concepts such as photons, but instead other types of particles not explored by humans in the Outside World[143], with the grand unified theory being the reason for all pheneomna in the human world, which does not apply to Gensokyo[211]. Gensokyo is a brane world dominated by particles with different properties, not following the standard physics of the real world[144])
- Gravity Manipulation (Noted by Maribel that in the world of Gensokyo, they the gravitons likely have a different structure and the world's properties are likely different too, likening it to being one of the brane worlds[212])
- Information Manipulation, Biological Manipulation & Disease Manipulation (Youkai's do not possess DNA[168], the hereditary material and information of DNA that is stored as a code made up of all things that make an organism[213], unique through biological instructions[214] and controls all cells in one's body[215], where normally one that lacks DNA would have adominal pain, nausea dizziness, rapid immune system collapse into systemic infection and system-wide organ failure leading to death[216])
- Life Manipulation & Death Manipulation (Youkai cannot be affected by the Hourai Elixir[217], which removes death from part of one's existence[218], where being without death is being without life[219], being free from the boundaries of life and death[220])
- Chi Manipulation (Hong Meiling's ability is to manipulate qi[223])
- Statistics Boost (With Chi Sign "Fierce Tiger Energy Release", explosively raises the level of chi in the body, all first hits on all combos are treated as counterhits and gain an extremely large attack bonus[224])
- Invulnerability
- Super Armor (With Blazing Strike "Dapeng-Felling Fist", a three-tiered powerful attack, she can power through enemy attacks and still use this move[227])
- Nullification (With Flower Sign "Colorful Light Lotus Flower Palm", Meiling moves a large amount of chi directly into the enemy, then sparks the chi within them with a huge attack[228])
- Energy Manipulation (With Rainbow Sign "True Intense Rainbow Fist", a wild, chi-infused attack forwards[229])
- Color Manipulation (With Chi Sign "Earth Dragon Sky Dragon Kick", a flying, seven-colored, chi-filled kick[233])
- Air Manipulation (With Extreme Color "Vivid Chaotic Dance", whips up a storm using powerful chi from all over her body, having her fly into the sky[234])
- Wave Manipulation (With Colorful Chinese Flower "Rainbow Taijiquan", a special ranged attack that creates waves of chi that undulate like waves[235])
- Superhuman Physical Characteristics
- Martial Arts (Hong Meiling is noted to be skilled in martial arts, where she lacks any particular weak point[3], being noted to be a master of martial arts, being highly proficient in battle[9])
- Breaking the Fourth Wall (Touhou characters constantly acknowledge being a stage boss[236])
- Cartoon Physics (Gensokyo is a world that lacks and defies common sense[237], where characters can explode[238], this is even acknowledged with ZUN roleplaying as the characters in-universe that they explode upon defeat[239]. Despite this they will still come back, even human characters that do not have regeneration)
- Non-Standard Interaction
- Metaphysical Interaction: As a non-human that can only be truly harmed from powerful spiritual attacks, they should also be able to harm other non-humans.
- Flight (Can fly around and shoot out blasts while dodging from other flying opponents[240])
- Power Modification (Spell Card Rules allows someone to apply meaning and a name to an attack to form it[241], allowing for people to use abilities like Sakuya's time stop[242])
- Nullification
- Dormant Power Reservoir (The Giant Catfish used the energy taken from Hong Meiling to resurrect itself[244])
- Curtain Fire
- Multi-Directional & Rapid Fire: Shoots bullets sporadically in all directions[245]. Can shoot out bullets in all directions[246]. Can shoot out dozens of bullets that cover the screen making a flower-like symbol as they travel outwards[247]. Can shoot out bullets in a clockwise/counter-clockwise direction, covering the screen[248]. Shoots out hundreds of energy bullets in a continuous clockwise position covering the screen[249]. Can shoot out dozens of energy bullets sporadically that all home towards the nearest target[250].
- Resurrection
- Self-Resurrection
- Self-Resurrection
- Repeated Resurrection: With Phoenix's Tail, grants Fujiwara no Mokou's ability to increase the user's lives by 3[255].
- Power Manifestation (With Spell Card, gives one more Spell Card, essentially giving another ability[256]. With Fragmented Spell Card, a card that holds the most half-baked ability in the world[257])
- Supernatural Luck (With Money Comes and Goes on its Own[258], grants Nazrin's ability to give more money[259])
- Statistics Amplification (With Ringo-Brand Dango, grants Ringo's ability to increase the user's power[260])
- Transmutation (With No Problem for a Creator!, grants Keiki Haniyasushin's ability to convert funds into 3 times as much bullet money[261])
- Luck Manipulation (With Soot-covered Uchiwa, grants Shion Yorigami's ability to minimize the difficulty level from the next wave onward[262])
- Dream Manipulation (With Sheep You Want to Count, Doremy's ability to make everything a dream to instantly clear the stage[263])
- Throwing Objects (With Teacup Reimu, grants Reimu's ability to throw giant seat cushions[264]. With Teacup Marisa, grants Marisa's ability to throw giant star plushies[265])
- Body Control (With Stimulating Scales, grants Eternity Larva's ability to fling scales in all directions[266])
- Homing Attack (With Yin-Yang Orb, grants Reimu's ability to shoot homing bullets at enemies[267])
- Non-Standard Damage (With Yin-Yang Orb (Needle), grants Reimu's ability to shoot youkai-vanquishing needles[268])
- Penetration Damage
- Erasure
- Familiar Summoning (With Half-Half Ghost, grants one Youmu Konpaku's phantom to attack while following right behind the user[272]. With Shanghai Doll, grants Alice's dolls, which automatically seeks out the enemies to defeat, they move as if they have a mind of their own[273]. With Freewheeling Severed Head, grants Sekibanki's ability to give one a severed head that collects items for them[274])
- Summoning (With Annoying UFO, grants Nue Houjuu's ability to summon a flying UFO around oneself, with the UFO acting like a shield[275]. With Laid-Back Invertebrate, grants Eika Ebisu's ability to summon a bullet-eating jellyfish that floats around[276])
- Shielding
- Erasure
- Metaphysical Erasure: The UFO erases bullets around its user[277].
- Energy Manipulation
- Energy Projection (With Mini-Hakkero, grants Marisa's ability to fire a laser, holding one of the highest-firepower for Equipment Cards[278]. With Quiet Twinkling, grants Star Sapphire's ability to shoot towards each side. With Lunatic Silence, grants Luna Child's ability to shoot forwards and backwards. With Exuberant Powerlessness, grants Sunny Milk's ability to shoot diagonally. With The Rabbit That Landed, grants Seiran's ability to provide support fire from behind[279]. With Offensive Jewel Pagoda, grants Shou Toramaru's ability to shoot lasers diagonally[280])
- Explosion Manipulation (With Mini-Hakkero (Missile), grants Marisa's ability to shoot missiles[281]. With Safe Return Amulet, grants the Moriya Shrine's popular amulet which can shoot exploding frog shots[282])
- Ricochet Manipulation (With Maid Knife (Ricochet), grants Sakuya's ability to throw ricocheting knives[283])
- Animal Manipulation (With Shed Snakeskin Amulet, grants Sanae's ability to shoot snake bullets that bite at the enemies[284])
- Ice Manipulation (With Ice Fairy, grants Cirno's ability to scatter ice shards everywhere[285])
- Door Manipulation (With Back Door, grants Okina's ability to unlock the door in one's back[286])
- Erasure
- Metaphysical Erasure: This allows one to erase bullets that are behind them.
- Erasure
- Forcefield Manipulation (With Idol Defense Corps, grants Keiki Haniyasushin's ability to deploy a bullet-erasing barrier[287])
- Erasure
- Metaphysical Erasure
- Erasure
- Superhuman Physical Characteristics
- Superhuman Speed (With Gale Geta, grants Aya Shameimaru's ability to enable super-fast speed, greatly shrinking one's hitbox[288])
- Invulnerability
- Metaphysical Invulnerability: One is briefly invincible when beginning to move.
- Invulnerability
- Superhuman Speed (With Gale Geta, grants Aya Shameimaru's ability to enable super-fast speed, greatly shrinking one's hitbox[288])
- Social Influencing (With Lucky Cat with Good Business Skills, grants Mike Goutokuji's ability to improve product lineups, increasing the variety of cards one can by from bosses[289]. With Yamawaro Shopping Technique, grants Takane Yamashiro's ability, allowing one to buy cards for slightly cheaper[290]. With Capitalist's Dilemma, grants Nitori Kawashiro's ability to randomly change prices in a Black Market[291])
- Alternate Breathing (With Sky-Blue Magatama, a magic item that lets one breathe even in low oxygen areas[292])
- Body Control (With Scam Rabbit's Foot, grants Tewi Inaba's ability to increase one's grazing range)
- Resurrection
- Self-Resurrection
- Repeated Resurrection: With Physical Enhancement Jizo, grants Narumi Yatadera's ability to gradually gain lives over time[293]. With Dragon Pipe, grants Sannyo Komakusa's ability to slowly increase one's stock of lives[294]. With Phoenix's Tail, grants Fujiwara no Mokou's ability to increase one's lives by three[295].
- Self-Resurrection
- Resurrection of the Deceased: With Life Explosion Elixir, grants Eirin Yagokoro's ability to grant one extra life and make one explode upon getting hit, deploying a Spirit Strike that changes nearby bullets into bullet money[296]. With Bumper Crop of Life, grants Minoriko Aki's ability to grant one extra life[297].
- Self-Resurrection
- Supernatural Luck (With Lucky Rabbit's Foot, grants Tewi Inaba's ability to give one a tiny bit of good luck upon getting hit, their window to use a Spell Card upon death gets longer, they won't lose any money upon dying, and they won't lose a life upon dying[298]. With Pebble Hat, grants Koishi Komeiji's ability to prevent one from crashing into enemies and less power is lost when getting hit[299]. With Kiketsu Matriarch's Threat, grants Yachie Kicchou's ability to make enemies produce extra money[300]. With Princess Kaguya's Secret Stash, grants Kaguya Houraisan's ability to increase the amount of Bullet Money produced[301])
- Reactive Power Level (With Indominable Meathead, grants Saki's ability to gain 1 life and become stronger each time they're hit[302])
- Power Manifestation (With Blank Card, grants Chimata Tenkyuu's ability where in exchange for all of the user's money, they immediately obtain only the rare cards that are available in the next shop[303]. With Princess Kaguya's Secret Stash, grants Kaguya Houraisan's ability to produce a Spell Card item whenever one gets hit[304]. With Spell Before The Fall, grants Patchouli Knowledge's ability to gain more Spell Cards[305])
- Statistics Amplification (With Law of the Survival of the Fittest, grants Saki Kurokoma's ability to increase the power of one's regular shot and make one's shots larger[306]. With Sutra of Dharmatic Power, grants Byakuren Hijiri's ability to massively buff one's Spell Cards & it increases the radius of one's magic circle[307]. With Reliable Tanuki Apprentice, grants Mammizou Futatsuiwa's ability to constantly keep one's Power high, +1.0 Power is recieved upon aquiring the card and even when one dies, they can only lose Power down to 3.0 at minimum and can increase main shots by 3[308]. With Gluttonous Centipede, grants Momoyo Himemushi's ability to make one stronger if they don't die or bomb, gradually getting stronger each time they defeat an enemy[309]. With Ringo-Brand Dango, grants Ringo's ability to increase the amount of main shots one can fire[310]. With Physical Enhancement Jizo, grants Narumi Yatadera's ability to increase one's shot power[311]. With Magician's Basic Study, grants Patchouli Knowledge's ability to increase one's magic circle attack power[312]. With Dragon's Passage, grants Mononobe no Futo's ability to extend one's magic circle's duration[313]. With Gale Geta, grants Aya Shameimaru's ability to increase one's movement speed by 1 level, moving around faster and their magic circle also moves faster too[314]. With Drunkenly Whimsical Ibuki Gourd, grants Suika Ibuki's ability to drastically boost one's attack power with the power of alcohol[315])
- Teleportation (With Pristine Self-Confidence, grants Junko's ability to skip straight to the end portion of a stage[316])
- Ability Optimization (With Unleash the Guardian Hounds, grants Aunn Komano's ability to reduce one's magical circle cooldown time. With Life-Burning Tourch, grants Clownpiece's ability to reduce one's cooldown times)
- Summoned Power (With Hundreth Black Market, grants Takane Yamashiro's ability to summon cards that haven't been obtained[317])
- Destruction
- Metaphysical Destruction: With Beauty of Destruction, grants Flandre's ability to destroy enemy bullets with one's magic circle[318].
- Stasis (With Drenched Giant Snake, grants Urumi Ushizaki's ability to stop bullets within one's magic circle[319])
- Erasure
- Nullification
- Abstract Nullification: With Blank Card, grants Chimata Tenkyuu's ability to prevent Black Markets from being held[322].
- Magnetism Manipulation (With Misers Advice, grants Nitori Kawashiro's ability to dramatically expand one's item collection radius[323]. With Offerings to a Sacred Mountain, grants Kanako Yasaka's ability to collect every last thing offered to the mountain[324])
- Luck Manipulation (With Irresistible Julie Fan, grants Joon Yorigami's ability to maximize the difficulty level from the next wave onward[325])
- Mortality Manipulation (With Death Avoidance Elixir, grants Eirin Yagokoro's ability to negate death in exchange for two Spell Cards[326]. With Money Is The Best Lawyer In Hell, grants Eiki Shiki, Yamaxanadu's ability to spend 200 of one's money and pretend a death never happened or they nullify one's death by spending one's Bullet Money[327])
- Explosion Manipulation (With Bursting Red Frog, grants Suwako Moriya's ability to make one's shot sometimes explode[328])
- Natural Weaponry (With Vampire Fang, grants Remilia Scarlet's ability to deal fatal damage with a fang at short range[329])
- Aura
- Shielding (With Keystone of Endurance, grants Tenshi Hinanawi's ability to throw a keystone, which acts as a shield and erases bullets[331])
- Summoning (With Item Season, an ability card that summons Lily White when used[333])
- Invulnerability
- Metaphysical Invulnerability: With Smelt Scales, grants Wakasagihime's ability to become briefly invincible[334].
- Transmutation (With Miracle Mallet, grants Shinmyoumaru Sukuna's ability to change enemy bullets into money[335])
- Attack Reflection (With Psychokinesis, grants Sumireko Usami's ability to reflect enemy bullets[336])
- Transferal (With Spirit Power Sample Bottle, grants Tsukasa Kudamaki's ability to fire a spell card in exchange for power, it can also be used to fire a Spirit Strike in exchange for power[337])
- Nullification
- Projectile Nullifcation: With Heavy Bass Drum, grants Raiko Horikawa's ability to wipe away enemy bullets at close range[338].
- Erasure
- Statistics Amplification (With Great Tengu's Barley Rice, grants Megumu Iizunamaru's ability to increase one's power any number of times[341])
- Boundary Manipulation (With Screen Border, grants Yukari Yakumo's ability to let one freely warp between screen edges[342])
- Madness Manipulation (With Moon of Madness, grants Clownpiece's ability to hurl a fake moon straight forward[343]; where this is in reference to the hypnosis that drove the humans who came to the Moon insane[344], further being noted by Reisen that the moon drives people insane[345])
- Heat Manipulation (With Underground Sun, grants Utsuho Reiuji's ability to burn everything to ash[346])
- Cloth Manipulation (With Nimble Fabric, grants Seija Kijin's ability to avoid attacks by hiding behind a cloth)
- Preparation (With Useful & Dangerous Bear Trap, grants Enoko Mitsugashira's ability to throw additional traps)
- Animal Taming (With Make Peace With Cats, grants Orin's ability to safely pass through quelled spirits)
- Statistics Amplification (With Physical Enhancement Jizo, grants Narumi Yatedera's ability to increase shot power. With Hoarder's Advice, grants Marisa Kirisame's ability to increase the spirit power item collection radius. With Unleash the Guardian Hounds, grants Aunn Komano's ability to increase one's charge speed. With Pendulum, grants Nazrin's ability to increase the number of spirit strikes by two. With Otterly Excited, grants Yachie Kicchou's ability to strengthen the Otter Spirits sent over. With Keiga Family's Pressure, grants Saki Kurokoma's ability to strengthen the Wolf Spirits sent over. With Full-Bellied Beast Spirits, grants Yuuma Toutetsu's ability to strengthen the Eagle Spirits sent over. With 24/7 Drunken Fist, grants Suika Ibuki's ability to increase firepower against nearby enemies. With Heartless Land, grants Zanmu Nippaku's ability to fire extra oni shots. With Aggression is the Spice of Hell, grants Zanmu Nippaku's ability gain extra bombs via Gauge Attacks)
- Statistics Reduction (With Otterly Nervous, grants Yachie Kicchou's ability to weaken the Otter Spirits on one's screen. With Keiga Family's Harsh Hierarchy, grants Saki Kurokoma's ability to weaken the Wolf Spirits on one's screen. With Prey Animal's Terror, grants Yuuma Toutetsu's ability to weaken the Eagle Spirits on one's screen)
- Ability Optimization (With Nazrin Rods, grants Nazrin's ability to make spirit strikes last longer)
- Power Modification (With Accompanying Gourd, grants Suika Ibuki's ability to add extra offensive options. With Poles Are For Throwing, grants Son Biten's ability to throw tons of extra poles. With Curse-Soaked Blood, grants Chiyari Tenkajin's ability to throw additional syringes)
- Homing Attack (With Yin-Yang Orb, grants Reimu Hakurei's ability to shoot homing bullets at enemies. With Amur Grapes of Disgrace, grants Hisami Yomotsu's ability to have extra enemy-chasing options)
- Body Control (With Appreciated Talisman, grants Reimu Hakurei's ability to make one's hitbox smaller)
- Phasing Attacks (With Phantom Transport Cart, grants Orin's ability to fire penetrating phantom shots)
- Intangibility
- Phasing: With Kiketsu Family Title, grants Son Biten's ability to safely pass through Otter Spirits. With Keiga Family Member, grants Enoko Mitsugashira's ability to safely pass through Wolf Spirits. With Chupacabra Popularity, grants Chiyari Tenkajin's ability to safely pass through Eagle Spirits.
- Erasure
- Metaphysical Erasure: With Smoke Break, grants Mamizou Futatsuiwa's ability to erase enemy bullets when one's barrier is broken.
- Energy Manipulation
- Energy Projection (With Mini-Hakkero, grants Marisa Kirisame's ability to shoot a laser. With Fox-Filled Tube (Vertical), grants Tsukasa Kudamaki's ability to fire additional shots forward and back. With Fox-Filled Tube (Horizontal), grants Tsukasa Kudamaki's ability to fire additional shots left and right)
- Aura Manipulation (With Guardian Komainu, grants Aunn Komano's ability to increase one's exorcism aura size)
- Explosion Manipulation (With The Moon Rabbit That Landed, grants Seiran's ability to provide concentrated support fire from behind, with missile backup attacks. With The City Rabbit That Landed, grants Seiran's ability to provide wide-area support fire from behind, with missile backup attacks)
- Animal Manipulation (With Kanako Yasaka's Amulet, grants Sanae Kochiya's ability to fire snake shots that bite onto enemies)
- Spirit Manipulation (With Bakeneko's Shiki Paper (Front-Facing), grants Ran Yakumo's ability to set a shikigami on one's current position vertically. With Bakeneko's Shiki Paper (Side-Facing), grants Ran Yakumo's ability to set a shikigami on one's current position horizontally)
- Plant Manipulation (With Mobile Leaf, grants Mamizou Futatsuiwa's ability to fire additional leaf shots)
- Velocity Manipulation (With Loathsome Road to Yomi, grants Hisami Yomotsu's ability to slow down some enemy bullets)
| Name | Translated | Comments | Works | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 華符「芳華絢爛」 | Flower Sign "Gorgeous Sweet Flower" | Related: Flower Sign "Selaginella 9" | EoSD GoM |
St. 3: E/N — |
| 華符「セラギネラ9」 | Flower Sign "Selaginella 9" | EoSD | St. 3: H/L | |
| 虹符「彩虹の風鈴」 | Rainbow Sign "Colorful Rainbow Wind Chime" | Related: Colorful Sign "Colorful Light Wind Chime" | EoSD | St. 3: E/N/H/L |
| 幻符「華想夢葛」 | Illusion Sign "Imaginary Flower Yumekazura" | EoSD | St. 3: H/L | |
| 彩符「彩雨」 | Colorful Sign "Colorful Rain" | Related: Colorful Sign "Vivid Chaotic Dance" | EoSD | St. 3: E/N |
| 彩符「彩光乱舞」 | Colorful Sign "Vivid Chaotic Dance" | Related: Extreme Color "Vivid Chaotic Dance" | EoSD | St. 3: H/L |
| 彩符「極彩颱風」 | Colorful Sign "Dazzling Color Typhoon" | EoSD GoM |
St. 3: N/H/L — | |
| 彩符「彩光風鈴」 | Colorful Sign "Colorful Light Wind Chime" | IaMP Soku |
Use Use | |
| 極彩「彩光乱舞」 | Extreme Color "Vivid Chaotic Dance" | IaMP Soku |
Use Use | |
| 光符「華光玉」 | Light Sign "Blossoming Light Orb" | IaMP | Use | |
| 極光「華厳明星」 | Polar Light "Flower-Adorned Morning Star" | IaMP | Use | |
| 華符「破山砲」 | Flower Sign "Mountain-Breaking Cannon" | IaMP | Use | |
| 三華「崩山彩極砲」 | Three Blossoms "Colorful Ultimate Mountain-Breaking Cannon" | (三華/sange maybe has a double meaning, three flowery and powerful attacks and dying gracefully 散華/sange) | IaMP | Use |
| 華符「彩光蓮華掌」 | Flower Sign "Colorful Light Lotus Flower Palm" | StB Soku GoM |
St. 5 Use — | |
| 彩翔「飛花落葉」 | Colorful Flip "Fluttering Petals and Falling Leaves" | StB Soku |
St. 5 Story | |
| 彩華「虹色太極拳」 | Colorful Chinese Flower "Rainbow Taijiquan" | Taijiquan: a kind of traditional Chinese shadow boxing. | StB Soku |
St. 5 Use |
| 虹符「烈虹真拳」 | Rainbow Sign "Intense Rainbow Fist" | Soku | Use | |
| 気符「星脈弾」 | Chi Sign "Star-Pulse Shot" | Soku | Use | |
| 撃符「大鵬拳」 | Strike Sign "Dapeng Fist" | Soku | Use | |
| 気符「地龍天龍脚」 | Chi Sign "Earth Dragon Sky Dragon Kick" | Soku | Use | |
| 気符「猛虎内剄」 | Chi Sign "Fierce Tiger Energy Release" | Soku | Use | |
| 星気「星脈地転弾」 | Star Chi "Earth-Moving Star Pulse Shot" | Soku | Use | |
| 熾撃「大鵬墜撃拳」 | Blazing Strike "Dapeng-Felling Fist" | Soku | Use | |
| 彩符「極彩沛雨」 | Colorful Sign "Vivid Color Downpour" | Soku | Story |
{{#tag:Tabber|
|-|Scarlet Weather Rhapsody=
Temperament Manifestation
Bomb
Guard Reversal
Spell Amplifier
Life Regenerator
|-|Touhou Hisoutensoku=
Spiritual Strike Talisman
無敵時間が有り安定性が高い
Magic Potion
Stopwatch
一種の移動カードとなる
Hakurouken
使い方は多岐に渡る優秀カード
Sacrificial Doll
効果は微々たる物だが永続し 複数使うと防御が累積する
Grimoire
所持者の霊力を活性化し、使うと永続的に霊力回復速度が増加する複数の使用で効果が累積
Custom Parasol
使うと射撃を防ぐバリアを展開 実はもう一つ効果があるが…?
Soul Torch
本体が攻撃を受けても消滅しない
Left-Handed Folding Fan
防御側は食らえばノーダメージでやり過ごすことが出来る
Ibuki Gourd
使うと符力が漲りカードを二枚 引くことが出来る便利なアイテム
Tengu Fan
手に持つと風で体が身軽になり 永続的に移動速度がアップする 複数使うと効果が累積
Spell-Breaking Drug
Yesterday's Money
Divine Raiment of the Dragon Fish
押されて苦しい時は頼もしい
Sword of Scarlet Perception
使うと天候を発動させたり
現在の天候を終了させたり出来る
Illness Recovery Charm
使用すると体力が一定量回復する
Frozen Frog
Dragon Star
Control Rod
Three Heavenly Drops
|
命のカード |
Life Card | |
|
スペルのカード |
Spell Card | |
|
欠けた命のカード |
Fragmented Life Card | |
|
欠けたスペルのカード |
Fragmented Spell Card | |
|
勝手に天下の回り物 |
Money Comes and Goes On its Own[347] | |
|
鈴瑚印の団子 |
Ringo-Brand Dango | |
|
不死鳥の尾 |
Phoenix's Tail |
|
陰陽玉 |
Yin-Yang Orb | |
|
陰陽玉(針) |
Yin-Yang Orb (Needle) | |
|
ミニ八卦炉 |
Mini-Hakkero | |
|
ミニ八卦炉(ミサイル) |
Mini-Hakkero (Missile) ...There was a time when I thought as much, too. | |
|
メイドナイフ |
Maid Knife You are not qualified to be a maid | |
|
メイドナイフ(跳弾) |
Maid Knife (Ricochet) Your shot becomes flashier, which feels great. | |
|
無事かえるお守り |
Safe Return Amulet[353] | |
|
蛇の抜け殻入りお守り |
Shed Snakeskin Amulet | |
|
半霊の半分 |
Half-Half Ghost | |
|
上海人形 |
Shanghai Doll | |
|
アイスフェアリー |
Ice Fairy | |
|
背中の扉 |
Back Door | |
|
鬱陶しいUFO |
Annoying UFO | |
|
太古の勾玉 |
Ancient Magatama |
|
空白のカード |
Blank Card[356] | |
|
守銭奴の教訓 |
Miser's Advice | |
|
神山への供物 |
Offerings to a Sacred Mountain | |
|
死穢回避の薬 |
Death Avoidance Elixir | |
|
幸運うさぎの足 |
Lucky Rabbit's Foot | |
|
弱肉強食の理 |
Law of the Survival of the Fittest | |
|
法力経典 |
Sutra of Dharmatic Power | |
|
小石ころ帽子 |
Pebble Hat[361] | |
|
はじける赤蛙 |
Bursting Red Frog | |
|
疾風の下駄 |
Gale Geta | |
|
偶像防衛隊 |
Idol Defense Corps | |
|
かぐや姫の隠し箱 |
Princess Kaguya's Secret Stash | |
|
頼りになる弟子狸 |
Reliable Tanuki Apprentice | |
|
弾幕の亡霊 |
Danmaku Ghost | |
|
鬼傑組長の脅嚇 |
Kiketsu Matriarch's Threat | |
|
地獄の沙汰も金次第 |
Money Is The Best Lawyer In Hell[364] | |
|
肉体強化地蔵 |
Physical Enhancement Jizo | |
|
転ばぬ先のスペル[365] |
Spell Before The Fall | |
|
商売上手な招き猫 |
Lucky Cat with Good Business Skills | |
|
山童的買い物術 |
Yamawaro Shopping Technique | |
|
ドラゴンキセル |
Dragon Pipe | |
|
暴食のムカデ |
Gluttonous Centipede | |
|
空色の勾玉 |
Sky-Blue Magatama[372] |
|
画面の境界 |
Screen Border | |
|
打ち出の小槌 |
Miracle Mallet | |
|
忍耐の要石 |
Keystone of Endurance | |
|
狂気の月 |
Moon of Madness | |
|
やんごとなき威光 |
Esteemed Authority | |
|
ヴァンパイアファング |
Vampire Fang | |
|
地底の太陽 |
Underground Sun | |
|
アイテムの季節 |
Item Season | |
|
重低音バスドラム |
Heavy Bass Drum | |
|
サイコキネシス |
Psychokinesis | |
|
霊力の標本瓶 |
Spirit Power Sample Bottle | |
|
大天狗の麦飯 |
Great Tengu's Barley Rice |
|
勝手に天下の回り物 |
Money Comes and Goes On its Own | |
|
勝手に天下の回り物 |
Money Comes and Goes On its Own | |
|
命のカード |
Life Card | |
|
クリエイターなら容易な事 |
No Problem for a Creator! | |
|
煤けた団扇 |
Soot-covered Uchiwa | |
|
数えたくなる羊 |
Sheep You Want to Count |
|
陰陽玉 |
Yin-Yang Orb | |
|
陰陽玉(針) |
Yin-Yang Orb (Needle) | |
|
ミニ八卦炉 |
Mini-Hakkero | |
|
ミニ八卦炉(ミサイル) |
Mini-Hakkero (Missile) | |
|
メイドナイフ |
Maid Knife | |
|
メイドナイフ(跳弾) |
Maid Knife (Ricochet) | |
|
無事かえるお守り |
Safe Return Amulet[381] | |
|
蛇の抜け殻入りお守り |
Shed Snakeskin Amulet | |
|
半霊の半分 |
Half-Half Ghost | |
|
半霊のスペア |
Spare Half-Ghost | |
|
上海人形 |
Shanghai Doll | |
|
アイスフェアリー |
Ice Fairy | |
|
静かなる輝き |
Quiet Twinkling | |
|
狂おしい静寂 |
Lunatic Silence | |
|
賑やかな無力 |
Exuberant Powerlessness | |
|
刺激的な鱗粉 |
Stimulating Scales | |
|
山姥の包丁 |
Yamanba's Kitchen Knife | |
|
舞い降りた兎 |
The Rabbit That Landed[388] | |
|
背中の扉 |
Back Door | |
|
鬱陶しいUFO |
Annoying UFO | |
|
太古の勾玉 |
Ancient Magatama | |
|
偶像防衛隊 |
Idol Defense Corps | |
|
攻撃的な宝塔 |
Offensive Jeweled Pagoda | |
|
自由気ままな生首 |
Freewheeling Severed Head | |
|
気ままな無脊椎動物 |
Laid-Back Invertebrate | |
|
ゆのみ霊夢 |
Teacup Reimu
| |
|
ゆのみ魔理沙 |
Teacup Marisa
|
|
空白のカード |
Blank Card | |
|
資本主義のジレンマ |
Capitalist's Dilemma | |
|
鈴瑚印の団子 |
Ringo-Brand Dango | |
|
肉体強化地蔵 |
Physical Enhancement Jizo | |
|
魔法使いの基礎勉強 |
Magician's Basic Study | |
|
法力経典 |
Sutra of Dharmatic Power | |
|
破壊の美学 |
Beauty of Destruction | |
|
龍の通り道 |
Dragon's Passage | |
|
けしかける狛犬 |
Unleash the Guardian Hounds[399] | |
|
疾風の下駄 |
Gale Geta | |
|
生命爆発の薬 |
Life Explosion Elixir | |
|
生命の豊穣 |
Bumper Crop of Life | |
|
不屈の脳筋 |
Indominable Meathead | |
|
不死鳥の尾 |
Phoenix's Tail | |
|
地獄の沙汰も金次第 |
Money Is The Best Lawyer In Hell | |
|
濡れた大蛇 |
Drenched Giant Snake[403] | |
|
守銭奴の教訓 |
Miser's Advice | |
|
神山への供物 |
Offerings to a Sacred Mountain | |
|
鬼傑組長の脅嚇 |
Kiketsu Matriarch's Threat | |
|
かぐや姫の隠し箱 |
Princess Kaguya's Secret Stash | |
|
詐欺うさぎの足 |
Scam Rabbit's Foot | |
|
小石ころ帽子[406] |
Pebble Hat | |
|
弾幕の亡霊 |
Danmaku Ghost | |
|
弱肉強食の理 |
Law of the Survival of the Fittest | |
|
はじける赤蛙 |
Bursting Red Frog | |
|
頼りになる弟子狸 |
Reliable Tanuki Apprentice | |
|
ドラゴンキセル |
Dragon Pipe | |
|
暴食のムカデ |
Gluttonous Centipede | |
|
酔狂の伊吹瓢 |
Drunkenly Whimsical Ibuki Gourd | |
|
商売上手な招き猫 |
Maneki-neko with Good Business Skills | |
|
山童的買い物術 |
Yamawaro Shopping Technique | |
|
命を焚く松明 |
Life-Burning Torch | |
|
抗いがたきジュリ扇 |
Irresistible Julie Fan[412] | |
|
純粋な自己肯定感 |
Pristine Self-Confidence | |
|
百回目のブラックマーケット |
Hundredth Black Market |
|
画面の境界 |
Screen Border | |
|
打ち出の小槌 |
Miracle Mallet | |
|
忍耐の要石 |
Keystone of Endurance | |
|
要石ミサイル |
Keystone Missile | |
|
狂気の月 |
Moon of Madness | |
|
やんごとなき威光 |
Esteemed Authority | |
|
ヴァンパイアファング |
Vampire Fang | |
|
地底の太陽 |
Underground Sun | |
|
アイテムの季節 |
Item Season | |
|
重低音バスドラム |
Heavy Bass Drum | |
|
サイコキネシス |
Psychokinesis | |
|
霊力の標本瓶 |
Spirit Power Sample Bottle | |
|
大天狗の麦飯 |
Great Tengu's Barley Rice | |
|
わかさぎの鱗 |
Smelt's Scales | |
|
正直すぎる道しるべ |
Too-Honest Signpost
| |
|
急がば三途の回り道 |
Hasty Detour of the Three Crossings
| |
|
ひらり布 |
Nimble Fabric[418] |
|
肉体強化地蔵 |
Physical Enhancement Jizo | |
|
陰陽玉 |
Yin-Yang Orb | |
|
ありがたい御札 |
Appreciated Talisman | |
|
ミニ八卦炉 |
Mini-Hakkero | |
|
蒐集家の教訓 |
Hoarder's Advice | |
|
けしかける狛犬 |
Unleash the Guardian Hounds[419] | |
|
見守る狛犬 |
Guardian Komainu | |
|
ペンデュラム |
Pendulum | |
|
ナズーリンロッド |
Nazrin Rods | |
|
舞い降りた月の兎 |
The Moon Rabbit That Landed | |
|
舞い降りた都会の兎 |
The City Rabbit That Landed | |
|
八坂神奈子のお守り |
Kanako Yasaka's Amulet | |
|
洩矢諏訪子のお守り |
Suwako Moriya's Amulet | |
|
化猫の式紙(前向き) |
Bakeneko's Shiki Paper (Front-Facing) | |
|
化猫の式紙(横向き) |
Bakeneko's Shiki Paper (Side-Facing) | |
|
幽霊運搬車 |
Phantom Transport Cart | |
|
ネコと和解せよ |
Make Peace With Cats[420] | |
|
狐入りの管(縦) |
Fox-Filled Tube (Vertical) | |
|
狐入りの管(横) |
Fox-Filled Tube (Horizontal) | |
|
移動する葉っぱ |
Mobile Leaf | |
|
ちょっと一服 |
Smoke Break | |
|
カワウソ頑張る |
Otterly Excited | |
|
カワウソびびる |
Otterly Nervous | |
|
勁牙組の威圧 |
Keiga Family's Pressure | |
|
勁牙組の厳しい上下関係 |
Keiga Family's Harsh Hierarchy | |
|
満腹動物霊 |
Full-Bellied Beast Spirits | |
|
捕食者の恐怖 |
Prey Animal's Terror | |
|
付いてくる瓢箪 |
Accompanying Gourd | |
|
常時酔拳 |
24/7 Drunken Fist | |
|
棒は投げられるもの |
Poles Are For Throwing | |
|
鬼傑組の肩書き |
Kiketsu Family Title | |
|
便利で危険なトラバサミ |
Useful & Dangerous Bear Trap | |
|
勁牙の仲間 |
Keiga Family Member | |
|
呪い尽された血 |
Curse-Soaked Blood | |
|
チュパカブラの人気 |
Chupacabra Popularity | |
|
屈辱の山葡萄 |
Amur Grapes of Disgrace | |
|
忌々しい黄泉の道 |
Loathsome Road to Yomi | |
|
無情の地 |
Heartless Land | |
|
攻撃こそ地獄の華 |
Aggression Is the Spice of Hell |
}}
Notable Techniques
T'ai Chi Ch'uan Mastery
Meiling's primary combat ability is her mastery of t'ai chi ch'uan. She possesses no youkai-like abilities beyond this martial arts skill.
While not particularly strong as a youkai, she is described as well-rounded with no particular weak point when fighting humans. This versatility is likely why she was hired to guard the gate of the Scarlet Devil Mansion.
Qi Manipulation
Meiling can manipulate her life-breath, or qi. Her danmaku and flight involve projecting qi outward to attack foes or propel herself, similar to techniques seen in martial arts folklore and contemporary Japanese manga.
| Name | Translated | Comments | Games | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 連環撃 | Multistrike | IaMP | AA or AAB or AAAB or AAA2B or AAAA | |
| 螺光歩 | Spiral-Light Steps | IaMP Soku |
236A/B Default 214B/C | |
| 紅砲 | Crimson Cannon | IaMP Soku |
623A/B Default 623B/C | |
| 黄震脚 | Yellow Quake Kick | IaMP Soku |
214A/B Default 22B/C | |
| 降華蹴 | Kick of Showering Brilliance | IaMP Soku |
421A/B Alternate 214B/C | |
| 芳波 | Fragrant Wave | Soku | Default 236B/C | |
| 水形太極拳 | Water Taichi Fist | Soku | Alternate 236B/C | |
| 彩雨 | Colorful Rain | Related: Meiling's Colorful Sign "Colorful Rain" (EoSD) | Soku | Alternate 236B/C |
| 紅寸剄 | Crimson Energy Release | Soku | Alternate 623B/C | |
| 虎剄 | Tiger Chi Release | Related: Meiling's Chi Sign "Fierce Tiger Energy Release" (Soku) | Soku | Alternate 623B/C |
| 烈虹拳 | Intense Rainbow Fist | Soku | Alternate 214B/C | |
| 地龍波 | Earth Dragon Wave | Soku | Alternate 22B/C | |
| 天龍脚 | Sky Dragon Kick | Related: Meiling's Chi Sign "Earth Dragon Sky Dragon Kick" (Soku) | Soku | Alternate 22B/C |
Focused Movement
Moving while holding down the shift key will result in a decrease of the Alice movement speed to about half of what it is. There will be moments when there are too many enemy fire on the screen to the point where moving through them is impossible. In such cases, Alice uses this focused movement to make danmaku dodging easier.
Spirit Attack
Otherwise called "bomb", a spirit attack that counters projectiles and enemy attacks while also making Alice become invicible.
Stage 3 — Easy/Normal
Stage 3 — Hard/Lunatic
Stage 3 — Easy/Normal/Hard/Lunatic
Stage 3 — Hard/Lunatic
Colorful Sign "Colorful Rain"
Stage 3 — Easy/Normal
Colorful Sign "Vivid Chaotic Dance"
Stage 3 — Hard/Lunatic
Colorful Sign "Dazzling Color Typhoon"
Stage 3 — Normal/Hard/Lunatic
Level 5 — 1
もう、がさつな妖怪って嫌ですよね。
最速の私に当たるわけが無いじゃないの。
I really don't like violent youkai.
She has no chance of matching my speed.
Flower Sign "Colorful Light Lotus Flower Palm"
Level 5 — 3
虹色の蓮の花です。どういう記事を書こうかしら?
レンコンも虹色だった、とか付け足して……
These are rainbow-colored lotus flowers. What should I write?
I should also note the roots were rainbow too...
Colorful Flip "Fluttering Petals and Falling Leaves"
Level 5 — 5
たまに居るのよね、こういう無粋な妖怪。
もう、有ること無いこと記事にしようかしら?
Sometimes these rough-and-tumble youkai are just there.
Geez, should I just write an article about that?
Level 5 — 7
取材してみました。でも、本当に体に良いのか
信憑性が薄いのでお蔵入りかな?
I took some pictures. But should I really rely
on such unreliable information?
Colorful Flip "Fluttering Petals and Falling Leaves"
Sanae Stage 2, Cirno Stage 2
Colorful Sign "Vivid Color Downpour"
Sanae Stage 2, Cirno Stage 2
Fragrant Wave
Water Taijiquan
Colorful Rain
Red Cannon
Red Energy Release
Tiger Chi Release
Spiral-Light Steps
Intense Rainbow Fist
Kick of Showering Brilliance
Yellow Quake Kick
Earth Dragon Wave
Sky Dragon Kick
Colorful Sign "Colorful Light Wind Chime"
Rainbow Sign "True Intense Rainbow Fist"
Chi Sign "Star Pulse Bullets"
Chi Sign "Earth Dragon Sky Dragon Kick"
Extreme Color "Vivid Chaotic Dance"
Colorful Chinese Flower "Rainbow Taijiquan"
Chi Sign "Fierce Tiger Energy Release"
Star Chi "Earth-Moving Star Pulse Bullets"
Blazing Strike "Dapeng-Felling Fist"
Flower Sign "Colorful Light Lotus Flower Palm"
Other
Standard Tactics: Hong Meiling utilizes physical qi based attacks while flying around.
Weaknesses
- Standard Youkai Weaknesses: Youkai's bodies being destroyed by spiritual attacks[429], have them take a while to recover[430]. Youkai are more easily affected by belief than humans, and as a result spiritual damage can cause fatal wounds[8]. Youkai are weak to spiritual attacks such as names or legends[14]. Youkai and Ghost are weak to sunlight[431]. Mental Attacks can be lethal to youkai, in some cases one can repel them with a single phrase[432]. The human village acts as a lifeline for the Gensokyo Youkai, if the humans were to perish or if they stopped fearing the youkai, then they would cease to exist[433]. Youkai are weak against psychological attacks[434].
- Magic Weaknesses: Magic users taking too much damage will cancel out their attacks[435]. If a magic users spirit is depleted they enter a state of "Guard Crush" where they can't use bullets, special moves, or spell cards at all[436]. Repeatedly attacking red glyphs will break one's defenses[437].
- Unique Weaknesses: Meiling is considered unusually physically oriented in Gensokyo though she isn't as good at danmaku usage[6].
Note
- Any translations from en.tohouwiki.net are considered fine to use as they all fall under Project Translations, a fan translation team that have translation guuidelines and rulesets, along with moderators that directly overlook and proofread English translations to check for machine translations.
- Yumemi's statements can be taken with credibility, not only do the science from her world surpass the main one by 500 years[438] where she notes the science of the main world is much more primitive then hers[439], but her world has already fully proven the existence of Grand Unified Theory and Yumemi herself notes that her theory was proven right by seeing magic.
- Despite Gensou Narratograph being directly noted to be an "unofficial Touhou tabletop RPG", ZUN has directly participated in the RPG and noted the way Reimu acts during his session is how canon Reimu would act[440], thus character actions done by him and mechanics are fine to use.
- Even if characters have not showcased using a bomb, they should all be able to use bombs, as bombs are realistically just spiritual attacks[190] and to even be able to fight the non-human entities, requires a weapon with an unnatural amount of spiritual power such as the Yin-Yang Orb[441], meaning everyone that is non-human or is fighting non-humans is using spiritual energy.
Special Notes
- Many spell card images and descriptions along with translations are heavily helped by the Touhou Wiki.
Explanations
Canoncity of Touhou Project
The Touhou Project franchise canoncity mainly falls under any media worked on by ZUN are official and canon to the overall lineup.
There are various aspects constantly debated about within the canon:
PC-98
Media like PC-98, has been noted by ZUN to be ignored as one can ignore derivative works[442]. He has also said that anything prior to Embodiment of Scarlet Devil can for the most part be ignored and one can think of Embodiment of Scarlet Devil as the starting from a clean slate and starting a new series[443], he's also referred to Highly Responsive to Prayers as a study product[444]. With this in mind, one would assume that PC-98 is thus non-canon to the Windows continuity of games.
However, ZUN has also directly stated PC-98 games are the same world as the Windows Games, stating that any contradictions that exist from PC-98 can be ignored from the retcon in Windows Era[445]. While one argues ZUN noting the works are derivative works to be ignored and Embodiment of the Scarlet Devil should be seen as the starting point, these statements are moreso telling a fan to not worry about having to play PC-98 games or learn more about their stories.
It's also been noted in Embodiment of Scarlet Devil's おまけ.txt that the game chronologically is not too far from the previous title, which would be Mystic Square, the PC-98 title[446]. ZUN has also directly brought back characters from PC-98 games, noting he wanted to bring back characters from before Embodiment of Scarlet Devil and notes any of the other older characters that don't appear have probably retired by now and are warmly watching over things from various places nowadays[447]. When asked where Mima from PC-98 has gone, ZUN notes that he doesn't bring them back due to making things complicated and having potentially angry fans ask where she has been the entire time, he has also noted that there's not much use for characters like Genji as Reimu can fly now and also notes he is not dead[448]. ZUN has also made mention to Genji probably living in the lake in the back of the shrine[449]. In Touhou Sangetsusei ~ Strange and Bright Nature Deity, Reimu and Marisa were talking about glowing moss with Reimu saying it would be nice to transfer it to the pond in the back of the Hakurei Shrine and Marisa saying that she could make it grow there on the turtles' back, referencing Genji[450].
In Touhou 07 Perfect Cherry Blossom, when Alice meets Reimu, she tells her long time no see, noting that they've met before calling her "old friend"[451]. In Yuuka's mode in Touhou Project - Phantasmagoria of Flower View, Reimu directly references defeating Yuuka back in PC-98[452]. If Yuuka defeats Marisa in the same game, she will note that Marisa has grown up quite a bit, when the last time she's seen her has been in PC-98[453].
Seeing as ZUN himself has directly said both PC-98 and Windows are in the same world and that characters directly acknowledged PC-98 events and reference characters from it, PC-98 is completely canon and any contradictions PC-98 have can be ignored.
Side Games Time Placements
Touhou 7.5 - Immaterial and Missing Power takes place between Perfect Cherry Blossom and Imperishable Night[454].
Multiple Playable Routes
In the series, there are multiple playable character routes, including some where the characters fight Reimu herself and defeat her, calling question into what route is canon. ZUN has elaborated that canonically, anytime Reimu and the gang are defeated, they challenge again however many times they want, but on the youkai side, they do not challenge again after being defeated and are not attached to the results of winning or losing[455].
In terms of how playable routes have went, some examples of canonically noted routes:
- In Reimu's profile on Perfect Memento in Strict Sense, it's noted that Reimu resolved the Scarlet Devil Mansion Incident alone[456].
- Reimu is also acknowledged to have resolved the Spring Snow Incident in Perfect Cherry Blossom, though it is not noted if she did this alone[457].
- Reimu claims she solved the Eternal Night incident, however if one asks her about the cause or the perpetrator, she'll only respond with ambiguous answers, it is also not noted if she did this alone[458].
With some of these examples, it is normally assumed that in some way Reimu has some part in resolving every incident and other routes are dubiously canon depending on what transpired.
Spell Card Rules
There are many cases of weaker humans beating stronger Yokai or vice versa within the Touhou series, this has been elaborated on in Reimu's profile on Perfect Memento in Strict Sense. Reimu introduced the spell card rules as the youkai had no way to defeat the Hakurei shrine maiden, making many youkai feel that their meaning to exist have dissapeared[241]. The rules incoporate the following:
- Spell cards are techniques specially-named by the individual, and they must be declared upon use.
- The number of each party's spell cards must be determined in advance of a duel.
- The first party to have all of their spell cards beaten must admit defeat.
- The victor is entitled only to what was agreed upon before the duel. If they're not interested in what their opponent has to offer, they can refuse a duel.
- Winners should generally allow losers a rematch.
- Always prepare for the unexpected.
The original draft held these rules[459]:
- Combatants will give names and meanings to the duel for the benefit of beauty.
- Combatants will declare the number of named duels before beginning.
- Combatants may not repeat attacks by relying on stamina.
- Combatants may not deliver attacks that do not have meaning. The meaning itself becomes the attack's power.
- In the case that a combatant loses a named duel, that combatant will admit defeat, even if he or she has strength remaining. No combatant may kill a human, even upon victory.
- Combatants will write the duel's name on paper in the format of a contract. By doing so, the above-mentioned rules become absolute. These papers will be called spell cards.
These rules allows for duels that feel almost like sport rather then a match, and have allowed for weaker fighters to challenge stronger ones, due to this though, it also has become possible for youkai to freely defeat Reimu without worrying about the consequences.
Due to them being written into cards and essentially affecting the ability and power of an attack, the spell cards are likely the thing binding attacks to specific properties.
Parallel Worlds
Parallel Worlds is a topic brought up at some points in the Touhou Project franchise, they are worlds called "Probability Worlds" by Yumemi, stating that those and parallel worlds are one and the same[460]. This essentially means that parallel worlds in Touhou are based on the concept of probability. Yumemi and Chiyuri use a "Probability Space Hypervessel" in order to travel to alternate worlds and time periods[461], further showcasing that probabiliy serves an importance.
Magical vs. Physical Strength
There[462] are[463] multiple[464] occasions[465] of[466]characters[467] commenting[468] on[469] humans like[470] Reimu[471] being strong[472]. Despite this Reimu showcases physical strength that isn't superhuman, such as the fact that she cannot cut a bamboo stick while Fujiwara direclty does in front of her.
This is due to the difference between magical and physical strength.
In works like Symposium of Post-mysticism, Yuugi Hoshiguma's profile has Suika directly state that Yuugi is weaker then her in magical powers, but stronger than her physically[473], lining a clear difference between magical and physical strength.
While one can be physically stronger then another, such as how Onis are physically the strongest, magic users are still able to keep up with them due to using a different form of attack.
An example can be found with Yuugi herself, when Reimu fights against her in Subterranean Animism[474], with her acknolwedging her strength[475], something Yuugi only does to those who are truly strong[473]. This establishes even with spellcard rules, Yuugi considers Reimu a strong fighter. Reimu herself is very clearly not at an oni's physical strength, as she cannot do the things they can, however, her magical strength allows her to keep up with them.
To defend against magical based properties requires Non-Standard Defenses as it is acknowledged as not being something of standard physicality.
The Three Layers of Reality
In Chapter 27 of Curiosities of Lotus Asia, Reimu proceeds to explain how reality works to Rinnosuke and Marisa, where she explains in-depth the three layers of reality.
This conversation started from discussing the mechanism of fortune, where Rinnosuke attempted to posit that the future is predetermined and that Reimu's luck was her being able to calculate in an instant the predetermined future, however Reimu had a different explanation requiring her to lecture on the mechanisms of probability[476], in her explanation, the world is made up of three layers: the physical layer that moves in accuracy with the laws of physics, the second layer that moves with the spirit, and the third layer of memory which is the recollection of events that lies within all things[17]. The memory layer rejects the loop of the physical and mental layers, the two layers the youkai conceive of the world which is why they believe history repeats itself and the future is predetermined. Since it's only possible to add to the memory layer, it's possible to completely recreate the past.
While the physical layer follows the laws of physics, the mental layer interprets the outcomes and the memory layer alters the probability, essentially creating the future, since it's impossible for memories to raech the same state as a point in the past, the future is not predetermined, thus when Reimu is able to predict how the dice will fall, she's not predicting the fall of the dice, the dice members the fact that she predicted how the dice would fall, thus due to this, Reimu entering the memory of the die-face greatly skews the results in Reimu's favor, where the results side with Reimu[477].
Thus the memory layer is essentially the most important layer that rejects the notion of loops from the previous two layers.
Dream vs. Reality
In the Touhou Project series, it is made very apparent that dream and reality are in truth one and the same.
In Changeability of Strange Dream, Maribel Hearn has a conversation with Renko Usami about how she is bringing objects out of her dreams[478], which Maribel posits that truth exists within subjectivity, if one can see the same sights over and over again then that's the kind of place it is as such dreams are nothing like the antonym of reality[479], where much longer ago people did not draw a distinction between dreams and reality[480], with Maribel reiterating that dreams and reality are the same[481].
In Legacy of Lunatic Kingdom it is shown that the Dream World is a separate plane[482], that in games like Antinomy of Common Flower are shown to have influence[483] on reality[484].
In the Urban Legends in Limbo finale, Sumireko notes that she is able to travel between the human world and Gensokyo whenver she sleeps, where her dream self enters Gensokyo[485] making her innately unable to be interacted with[486].
Trivia
- In Touhou Hisoutensoku, if Meiling loses to Youmu, Youmu suggests that Meiling might consider using a weapon—specifically a "green dragon blade." This reference can cause confusion, as many would associate the term with the legendary Green Dragon Crescent Blade wielded by the famous Chinese general Guan Yu, yet women rarely use polearms in Chinese martial arts. In Japan, however, the phrase has become a common but inaccurate way to refer to liuyedao and other Chinese sabers. Given that Youmu admits she only knows of these weapons from stories, her use of the local, incorrect term is likely intentional.
- One of Meiling's normal bullet attacks in Touhou Hisoutensoku, along with several of her skill cards, resembles Krizalid's Typhoon/Tuhon Rage from The King of Fighters '99, 2000, and 2002: Unlimited Match.
- Meiling bears a strong visual resemblance to the character Orange.
- Meiling is one of the few characters who does not make a cameo appearance in Hopeless Masquerade.
- Her movement style in Touhou Hisoutensoku is based on Bajiquan, a Chinese martial art that translates well to fighting games because its routines typically involve moving in straight lines.
- In that same game, Meiling's idle stance is Liang Yi Zhuang, a well-known fighting stance from Bajiquan.
- Her spell card Fiery Attack "Roc-Killing Fist" resembles Yun's First Super Art from Street Fighter III: 2nd Impact.
- In chapter 4 of Foul Detective Satori, Meiling is shown performing a Gongfu tea ceremony. Sakuya remarks that Meiling always prepares her own tea.
- Masahiro Shibata's manga series Sarai, published from 1998 to 2007, appears to have been a major influence on many characters from Embodiment of Scarlet Devil. The series follows superpowered maids battling youkai and monsters in a dystopian future.
- The protagonist of Sarai, Kannagi Sarai (神薙サライ)—a red-haired maid—may have inspired Meiling's design. Given that Embodiment of Scarlet Devil heavily emphasizes a red motif, from the name "Scarlet" to Meiling's surname "Hong," which also means "red" or "scarlet" in Chinese and Japanese, this character likely influenced the game's central theme.
Profiles
Gallery
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Meiling cameo in Oriental Sacred Place
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Meiling as she appears in Foul Detective Satori
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Meiling greeting Sakuya at the gate in Strange and Bright Nature Deity
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Meiling's alternate colors from Touhou Hisoutensoku. Middle top refers to her 2P palette from Immaterial and Missing Power.
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Meiling's fortune slip in Whispered Oracle of Hakurei Shrine
Misconceptions
Characters Have Flown Through Outerspace
One example of this is believed to be in Touhou 02's Stage 3 Scarlet Dream ~ Scarlet Dream where it displays stars and a space-like effect in the background[487], however this is actually the World of Fantasies, the world that lies between Makai and the human world, with Genji confirming this is definetely not outerspace as Reimu can breathe just fine there[488].
All Characters are Children
This is an argument that spawns from how small the characters look in different works, though this is moreso due to the "moe" artstyle Touhou tries to capture, in many of the manga characters look far older.
Majority of characters in the series are outright shown to drink alcohol on a daily basis[489], where one needs to be at least 20 years old under Japanese law to drink, where Japanese law requires no underaged characters to be shown drinking. This is even acknowledged in the series itself with a note saying alcohol is only for those over 20 years old[490]. Thus if a character is ever seen drinking alcohol in the series, they are an adult.
The only direct non-adults in the series are Sumireko Usami, Chiyuri Kitashirakawa, and Hieda no Akyuu in her first appearance.
Youkai Control the world through both the mental and physical layer
This statement comes from a fan translation that says this in Curiosities of Lotus Asia[491].
While the statement seems clear cut, there is another translation used instead that makes more sense with the sentence.
It instead notes that most youkai concieve of the world through these two layers, which is why they believe the future is pre-determined and history repeats itself[492]. This falls in line with the earlier disucssion of Rinnosuke claiming that he believes the future to be predetermined and Reimu needing to explain to him why that's not the case[476].
Battle Records
5 - 3 - 0
The events of this story mode are all a dream Meiling is having[493], which the Dream World, is a separate plane[494], that has influence[495] on reality[496], thus the battle records can be recorded for Hong Meiling, but as it's the dream version of th echaracters it goes on none of their pages:
- Patchouli Knowledge - Fight[497]
- Conditions: None.
- Location: Stage 1 - The Legendary Titan
- Alice Margatroid - Fight[498]
- Conditions: None.
- Location: Stage 2 - Ambush the Shadow of the Evil Star
- Marisa Kirisame - Fight[499]
- Conditions: None.
- Location: Stage 3 - Demons Disguised as Humans
- Reimu Hakurei - Fight[500]
- Conditions: None.
- Location: Stage 4 - Reimu Fears Not Exorcism
- Supreme Catfish - Fight[501]
- Conditions: None.
- Location: Stage Final - Does the Story End That Way?
- Reimu Hakurei - Fight[502]
- Conditions: None.
- Location: Stage 3 Scarlet Border ~ Scarlet Land
- Marisa Kirisame - Fight[503]
- Conditions: None.
- Location: Stage 3 Scarlet Border ~ Scarlet Land
None.
References
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