History YMMV / ShirenTheWanderer

** Completing the postgame arc of ''Shiren 3'' also allowed challenging the postgame dungeons as any one of the trio ''without the other two as mandatory allies''. The closest this has gotten to a reappearance is a post-launch update in ''Shiren 6'' that allows you to play as a Bored Kappa or a Porky, since Himakichi of ''Shiren 2'' and Porko of the Red Orcas in this game are mechanically identical as Companions.

** Completing the postgame arc of ''Shiren 3'' also allowed challenging the postgame dungeons as any one of the trio ''without the other two as mandatory allies''. The closest this has gotten to a reappearance is a post-launch update in ''Shiren 6'' that allows you to play as a Porky, since Porko of the Red Orcas is mechanically identical as a Companion.

** Completing the postgame arc of ''Shiren 3'' also allowed challenging the postgame dungeons solo as any one of the trio, ''without the other two as mandatory allies'' (which effectively made Sensei a SecretCharacter). The closest this has gotten to a reappearance is a post-launch update in ''Shiren 6'' that allows you to play as a Porky, since Porko of the Red Orcas is mechanically identical as a Companion.

** ''Shiren 3'' introduced the mechanic of any scroll becoming a Wet Scroll if it's exposed to water (from either using the Water Jar on it or placing it in a water tile). If that Scroll is left in the inventory but outside a Pot when you move to the next floor, it can become a Blank Scroll, which can be written into ''any other Scroll you've read''. With just one water tile and either a Waterwalk Armband or a Water Jar (which can be refilled at any water tile), you can farm Blank Scrolls from the very start of the game in relative safety (most likely using one as an Escape Scroll). Naturally, the second mechanic was removed from later games.

** ''Shiren 3'' introduced the mechanic of any scroll becoming a Wet Scroll if it's exposed to water (from either using the Water Jar on it or placing it in a water tile). If that Scroll is left in the inventory but outside a Pot when you move to the next floor, it can become a Blank Scroll, which can be written into ''any other Scroll you've read''. With just one water tile and either a Waterwalk Armband or a Water Jar (which can be refilled at any water tile), you can create Blank Scrolls from the very start of the game. Naturally, the second mechanic was removed from later games.

** Completing the postgame arc of ''Shiren 3'' also allowed challenging the postgame dungeons solo as any one of the trio, ''without the other two as mandatory allies' (which effectively made Sensei a SecretCharacter). The closest this has gotten to a reappearance is a post-launch update in ''Shiren 6'' that allows you to play as a Porky, since Porko of the Red Orcas is mechanically identical as a Companion.

** Completing the postgame arc of ''Shiren 3'' also allowed challenging the postgame dungeons solo as any one of the trio, ''without the other two as mandatory allies''. The closest this has gotten to a reappearance is a post-launch update in ''Shiren 6'' that allows you to play as a Porky, since Porko of the Red Orcas is mechanically identical as a Companion.

** Completing the postgame arc of ''Shiren 3'' also allowed challenging the postgame dungeons solo as any one of the trio, ''without the other two as mandatory allies''. This also has yet to make a reappearance.

** ''Shiren 3'' and ''Anime/ZombieLandSaga'' have different takes on the same historical person: [[spoiler:Jofuku, who's also known in real life as Xu Fu. The former has him as a major antagonist, while the latter reveals him to be the BigGood]].
*** Said person also has more than a few similarities to Pious Augustus of ''VideoGame/EternalDarkness'': [[spoiler:both were loyal subordinates to the first emperor of their respective empires (UsefulNotes/QinShiHuangdi, and UsefulNotes/{{Augustus}}) who interacted with higher powers (Izanami, and one of three Ancients), gained power as [[TheDragon Dragons]], and became [[TheChessmaster Chessmasters]] with plans spanning two millennia. The only difference is that Jofuku already had powers ''before'' he became a Dragon, whereas Pious used to be a BadassNormal. Their plans' timeframes even overlap significantly (specifically, 26 BCE to 1790 CE); one can only wonder if they interfered in each other's plans to doom humanity]].

** ''Shiren 3'' introduced the Full Control mechanic, which allowed the player full control over Shiren, Asuka, and Sensei at any time (except when stealing from dungeon shops). Later games didn't bring it back, not even as a 100% completion reward (since by then there'd be no challenges left).

** You need to put in some effort to unlock the AI-controlled allies in ''Shiren 6'', but they are extremely broken and can almost singlehandedly carry you through any dungeon that you're fortunate enough to find them in. Because they are found randomly and do not have their own equipment slots, they have far superior stat scaling with levels compared to Shiren, who must rely on upgraded equipment to keep pace. Allies also require minimal management to upkeep due to health regen mechanics and do not trigger traps. Each ally also has a unique specialty that makes them very busted; Seki has ''inherent'' Swift 1 and her melee attacks cause her to retreat 1 tile, Hibiki has unlimited Pellets with which she can assail foes with statuses and can heal Shiren every few actions, Tugai deals a crapload of damage and has a skill that inflicts a guaranteed CriticalHit, Porko has an unlimited supply of Porky's Rocks and can fight even in corridors, and so forth.

** In the ending of ''Shiren 5'', [[spoiler:Shiren has earned the right to ask Great Reeva for a wish, just as he helped Jirokichi get his wish to undo Oyu's death. Considering the disappearance and reported death of his dad, Gimensha, that was mentioned in ''3'', it's a mystery why Shiren doesn't use his wish on anything related to that (such as revealing the reason his dad disappeared in the first place, undoing his death, or reviving him). It's implied that Sensei left Shiren and his mom when he "knew Gimensha wouldn't be coming back", which is presumably when Gimensha's death was reported. Did Shiren not make a wish out of respect for his dad's choices, or another reason entirely? There's also the fact that he didn't wish for anything ''period'', which only raises more questions about his relationships with his mom (who became a widow) and Pekeji (whose claim of being Shiren's brother isn't mentioned in ''3'').]]

** In the ending of ''Shiren 5'', [[spoiler:Shiren has earned the right to ask Great Reeva for a wish, just as he helped Jirokichi get his wish to undo Oyu's death. Considering the disappearance and reported death of his dad, Gimensha, that was mentioned in ''3'', it's a mystery why Shiren doesn't use his wish on anything related to that (such as revealing the reason his dad disappeared in the first place, undoing his death, or reviving him). It's implied that Sensei left Shiren and his mom when he "knew Gimensha wouldn't be coming back", which is presumably when Gimensha's death was reported. Did Shiren not make a wish out of respect for his dad's choices, or another reason entirely? There's also the fact that he didn't wish for anything ''period'', which only raises more questions about his relationships with his mom (who became a widow) and Pekeji (why may or may not be Shiren's brother).]]

** In the ending of ''Shiren 5'', [[spoiler:Shiren has earned the right to ask Great Reeva for a wish, just as he helped Jirokichi get his wish to undo Oyu's death. Considering the disappearance and reported death of his dad, Gimensha, that was mentioned in ''3'', it's a mystery why Shiren doesn't use his wish on anything related to that (such as revealing the reason his dad disappeared in the first place, undoing his death, or reviving him). It's implied that Sensei left Shiren and his mom when he "knew Gimensha wouldn't be coming back", which is presumably when Gimensha's death was reported. Did Shiren not make a wish out of respect for his dad's choices, or another reason entirely? There's also the fact that he didn't wish for anything ''period'', considering he got his kasa and cape from his deceased friend.]]

** In the ending of ''Shiren 5'', [[spoiler:Shiren has earned the right to ask Great Reeva for a wish, just as Jirokichi used his wish to undo Oyu's death. Considering the disappearance and reported death of his dad, Gimensha, that was mentioned in ''3'', it's a mystery why Shiren doesn't use his wish on anything related to that (such as revealing the reason his dad disappeared in the first place, undoing his death, or reviving him). It's implied that Sensei left Shiren and his mom when he "knew Gimensha wouldn't be coming back", which is presumably when Gimensha's death was reported. Did Shiren not make a wish out of respect for his dad's choices, or another reason entirely?]]

* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: After knowing the full story of ''Shiren 3'', one major antagonist's motives could be seen in a different light: [[spoiler:Jofuku (aka Xu Fu) was a fortune-teller ''before'' Izanami contacted him, and by the end of his 2,000-year plan to destroy the moon Izanami's soul has been returned to her, all thanks to him teaching Kaguya the Tamafuri. One possible interpretation is that he saw the outcome of his scheme from the very start, and '''''stuck to it to his dying breath''''' since it will save a goddess and humanity in the end]].

*** Said major antagonist has more than a few similarities to Pious Augustus of ''VideoGame/EternalDarkness'': [[spoiler:both were loyal subordinates to the first emperor of their respective empires (UsefulNotes/QinShiHuangdi, and UsefulNotes/{{Augustus}}) who interacted with higher powers (Izanami, and one of three Ancients), gained power as [[TheDragon Dragons]], and became [[TheChessmaster Chessmasters]] with plans spanning two millennia. The only difference is that Jofuku already had powers ''before'' he became a Dragon, whereas Pious used to be a BadassNormal. Their plans' timeframes even overlap significantly (specifically, 26 BCE to 1790 CE); one can only wonder if they interfered in each other's plans to doom humanity]].

** One major antagonist of ''Shiren 3'' is revealed to be [[spoiler:Jofuku, who's also known in real life as Xu Fu. ''Anime/ZombieLandSaga'' also has Jofuku/Xu Fu as a major character, but in that series he's the BigGood]].

* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: After knowing the full story of ''Shiren 3'', one major antagonist's motives could be seen in a different light: [[spoiler:Jofuku (aka Xu Fu) was a fortune-teller ''before'' Izanami contacted him, and by the end of his 2,000-year plan to destroy the moon Izanami's soul has been returned to her, all thanks to him teaching Kaguya the Tamafuri. One possible interpretation is that he saw the outcome of his scheme from the very start, and '''''stuck to it to his dying breath''''' since it will save a goddess and humanity in the end]].

*** Said major antagonist has more than a few similarities to Pious Augustus of ''VideoGame/EternalDarkness'': [[spoiler:both were loyal subordinates to the first emperor of their respective empires (UsefulNotes/QinShiHuangdi, and UsefulNotes/Augustus) who interacted with higher powers (Izanami, and one of three Ancients), gained power as [[TheDragon Dragons]], and became [[TheChessmaster Chessmasters]] with plans spanning two millennia. The only difference is that Jofuku already had powers ''before'' he became a Dragon, whereas Pious used to be a BadassNormal. Their plans' timeframes even overlap significantly (specifically, 26 BCE to 1790 CE); one can only wonder if they interfered in each other's plans to doom humanity]].

*** Said major antagonist has more than a few similarities to Pious Augustus of ''VideoGame/EternalDarkness'': [[spoiler:both were loyal subordinates to the first emperor of their respective empires (UsefulNotes/QinShiHuangdi, and UsefulNotes/Augustus) who interacted with higher powers (Izanami, and one of three Ancients), gained power as [[TheDragon Dragons]], and became [[TheChessmaster Chessmasters]] with plans spanning two millennia. The only difference is that Jofuku already had powers ''before'' he became a Dragon, whereas Pious used to be a BadassNormal]].