The Wanderer
Maybe it was part of the deal of her youkai transformation.
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
She doesn't have pink eyes, either.
Formerly G.G.
She doesn't have red eyes as well?
"We are just like Irregular Data. And that applies to you too, Ri CO. And as for you, Player... your job is to correct Irregular Data."
I interpret that as brown eyes,
◊ but I could see them being reddish.
Though it's come to my attention that not all white rabbits are albinos, so maybe that doesn't mean anything.
This. Cannot. Continue
Maybe the white fur of their rabbit forms and bunny ears is a mark of status like a kitsune's golden fur, a way of showing that we're dealing with a mystical animal with the skills and savvy to stay alive without the aid of natural camouflage.
Maybe there's also rabbits with brown fur, and we just don't see them... but they're still out there, watching, listening.
Contrast maybe
Yeah, fluffy white ears coming out of messy white hair would just look... weird. Like, Miko's hair weird.
Current earworm: "A New Journey"
Formerly G.G.
Could be as the white fured rabbits would have to be great survivors.
"We are just like Irregular Data. And that applies to you too, Ri CO. And as for you, Player... your job is to correct Irregular Data."
Rainy Echoes
This little bunny considers pranks an art form. Watch yourself!
Reflect, Refract, Reverberate: Mirror Wall
Challenge Your Fate, Cinderella!
Smash Your Cage, Cinderella!
Vengeful Shards
Hazy Mirrors
Lady In The Mirror
Trick or Jest!
White Rabbit's Tea Break
Hah, couldn't find much Usa Shrine remixes that I liked... Heck, seems like it wasn't remixed often.
edited 18th Jan '17 10:13:40 PM by Diamite
The Wanderer
![[up]](https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/smiles/arrow_up.png "[up]"){kind=icon}
Well, any rabbit that manages to survive for a while in the wild looking like that is definitely pretty tough.
edited 18th Jan '17 10:37:26 PM by rmctagg09
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
Formerly G.G.
Indeed Tewi is a survivor and you don't become an old trickster rabbit like her without learning survival skills.
edited 20th Jan '17 12:20:03 AM by GAP
"We are just like Irregular Data. And that applies to you too, Ri CO. And as for you, Player... your job is to correct Irregular Data."
This. Cannot. Continue
Welp, I'd say Tewi's had a pretty good run, but we should probably voice any last thoughts on her before we move on to the Prismrivers soon.
Here's mine - I like Tewi, she's a character with a lot of potential and range to her, but I'm having trouble differentiating her from Suwako. 'cause they're both seemingly childish supernatural entities that are actually much older than they appear, they both enjoy acting their apparent age rather than their actual age, they both hide a darker side beneath their cutesy appearance, and they're both schemers who work behind the scenes while others serve as the faces for their organizations. It's an appealing character type, but I don't want either of them to feel redundant.
I guess the difference is... hmm. Well, Suwako's at the end of her character arc. She ruled, fell from power, entered a weird partnership with her vanquisher, and went into a long decline, before winding up in Gensokyo and for the most part enjoying her retirement with a side of scheming. With Tewi, though, there's not really a sense that she's doing anything different these days from what she was doing back in the time when Ōkuninushi was mortal. Which would ironically make her more timeless than a native god, and certainly helps her fit in with Eientei's current tenants.
And of course, Suwako is a team player even when she's up to something, like helping the kappa with a giant advertisement for fusion power. Tewi's more of a wild card, someone whose scheming may not necessarily serve Eientei's front ladies, or even anyone else at all. At least we know Suwako's agenda of supporting the Moriya Shrine, but Tewi's more inscrutable even when she isn't scamming or pranking others for her own amusement.
So I guess that's it - Suwako is mostly retired but still trying to help out the old firm, while Tewi is still in her prime and even more inscrutable than the apparent child with the frog hat.
Current earworm: "A New Journey"
This. Cannot. Continue
Right then, Tewi can step out of the spotlight and back into where she works best. Up next will be Kisume, followed by Seija Kijin and a totally dead guy. But first,
Stage: The Cherry Blossom Barrier from Above the Clouds
Cherry petals have been falling from above the clouds.
Does "Reishouden", the legendary place, really exist?
BGM: "The Capital City of Flowers in the Sky"note
Theme: "Ghostly Band ~ Phantom Ensemble"note
Spellcard Motif: Supernatural Music
Sample Spellcards: PCB, GoM, PoFV
Fake Strings "Pseudo Stradivarius," Noise Sign "Noise Melancholy," Trumpet Spirit "Hino Phantasm," Noise Sign "Soul Go Happy," Key Spirit "Bösendorfer Divine Performance," Noise Sign "Soul Noise Flow," Noisy Sign "Live Poltergeist," Funeral Concert "Prism Concerto"''
Write-up:
A trio of poltergeists that have learned to make more than noise with their powers, which isn't to say they can't cause a ruckus. From oldest to youngest, they are Lunasa the pessimistic violinist, Merlin the spastic trumpeter, and Lyrica the lazy pianist. Their magic not only allows them to play their instruments without physically touching them, but gives their music the power to invoke emotions such as depression and manic energy. This combined with the surprising synergy of their respective instruments makes the Prismrivers popular among Netherworld residents, and that land's ghostly princess has been known to hire the ghostly trio for parties.
When they aren't helping the dead kill time before their next reincarnation or performing elsewhere, the Prismrivers can be found in a ruined Western mansion somewhere near the Misty Lake. Explorers might find references to a Count Prismriver and his four daughters, a tragic accident that parted them, and the steps the youngest sibling took to make facsimiles of her sisters. Or, if a visitor can stand the sounds of the poltergeists' practicing, they might be able to secure a performance.
Relationships:
- Layla Prismriver (creator, little sister)
- Yuyuko Saigyouji (music fan)
See also the previous two compendiums.
edited 24th Jan '17 8:48:30 AM by Tacitus
Current earworm: "A New Journey"
This. Cannot. Continue
Right, I'm having trouble verifying something. I was under the impression that Layla created the Phantom Ensemble with the help of a magical doodad, which may or may not have been the same doodad that sent the family mansion to Gensokyo. Which is what the wiki's page for Layla suggests. Except the source it cites for that information is the Perfect Cherry Blossom profile for the Prismrivers, and the most that says about the poltergeists' creation is that Layla used "her strongest power" to make them, which is vague enough to be interpreted in several ways.
So is this a translation error that got corrected, only for the misunderstanding to remain as 'fact' afterward? Or are people taking "You May No 'Dream'" for canon or something?
The most important point is that, while the game treats both Poltergeists and Ghosts like they're the same, Ghosts are actually different than Poltergeists. (I think I wrote something like this down somewhere, but I can't seem to find exactly where... ^^;)
So... the three Sisters that show up in the game are entirely different beings than the original, four, human Prismriver Sisters. (And from Perfect Cherry Blossom, they run around from the Netherworld, where they live, to the Living World. At least, I wanted people to picked up that implication, so that's how I wrote it.)
Putting all that aside, Layla was a lonely little girl. She lived in her merchant family's wealthy home, along with the three Sisters.
At the time, the four girls lived without ever knowing anything about the outside world. Of course, they probably really liked their violins and pianos and everything else instrumental, but they weren't a performing troupe (and they definitely weren't anything like what they are now). They didn't dress up all weird like they do now. (They did that after they got to Gensokyo.)
There was some accident (the cause of which was the Count of the mansion getting some special item from an eastern country. You could probably guess, but this was a magic item from Gensokyo, and related to the origin of Layla's powers) which happened and caused the collapse of Prismriver Mansion.
After the collapse, what sort of lifestyle Layla and her three sisters had is entirely unknown. Not only is it not related at all to Gensokyo and quite a bit of time passed, so no one really knows about it.
So, who are the three Sisters who appeared in the game? They're what Layla, Layla's power (and the item) gave birth to: Poltergeists (beings like raw, spiritual energy).
Those poltergeists from the beginning were nothing more than imitations of how her Sisters looked like and sounded like. After a while, they became able to converse with Layla, and after longer, they started living together like regular Sisters. It was hard for Layla to live in Gensokyo, but the illusionary Sisters were able to help with that and give her some sort of normal life. The three Sisters didn't ever age or grow old, so as you'd expect, they Layla lived out her life and eventually passed on.
But the weird thing about all this was, even after's Layla's passing, the three Sisters never disappeared for some reason. Just like poltergeists, they wanted to keep causing a ruckus (and they thought of a lot of ways), and when they got a hold of some instruments and performed, they eventually became performers quite naturally.
After this, for whatever reason, while they were on their way to the Netherworld, the Prismrivers started to become known around Ghosts and other spirits. Or, around Ghosts who just wanted to spend every day having fun. They're normally in the Netherworld, but can pass between it and the Living World as they want.
And everyone was happy.
... Er, why'd we go off to the Netherworld to begin with? (Lyrica asked.)
edited 27th Jan '17 10:10:12 AM by Prime32
Rainy Echoes
The Prismriver Sisters:
A trio of poltergeist musicians "related by ectoplasm". Using their phantasmal music, they bring excitement mainly to souls of the dearly departed.
Prism Concerto:
Lunasa, the oldest, plays the violin with stirring precision. Her music brings tears to people’s eyes. It may also bring out the worst in people. Her expressions are clearly communicated through her music.
Merlin, the middle, plays the trumpet with unrestrained excitement. The festive feel of the masses is on full display whenever she’s around.
Lyrica, the youngest, plays the keyboard with such finesse and skill. She is effectively the centerpiece that gives their performances its truest emotions.
Just don't ask for solo performances. Lunasa would make people unmovable messes, Merlin would make mad people out of them, and people wouldn't think too deeply about Lyrica's keyboard recital.
The music of the Prismrivers really is harmonious. That was kind of balance Layla was hoping for when she created them. With their varied playstyles and her melodious voice, the perfect musical flavor was complete…is what she thought while realizing she was hopelessly tone-deaf. And as much as she enjoyed the classical arts, her hands weren’t made for instrumental conquest. Thus, she created Lunasa, Merlin and Lyrica to fulfill her unattainable ambitions.
Maybe the Prismrivers are proficient in other instruments in their respective classes and are just at their best with the violin, trumpet and keyboard.
This. Cannot. Continue
Ah, thanks for that. Wonder why there's no link to that as a source in the wiki pages I visited?
Also, it's interesting that the poltergeists became musicians after Layla's passing. Most fanon assumes the four of them played together.
Visiting someone?
But she doesn't have the emotion-manipulating powers like Lunasa and Merlin. Akyuu seems to put it down to the synthesized tunes coming out of Lyrica's keyboard, but given how the sounds coming out of her siblings' instruments are "the phantoms of notes" that doesn't sound right. Maybe Lyrica's ability lets her negate her sisters'? Merlin seems to imply as much in her interview with Aya.
If the notes aren't actually coming from the instruments, they might be able to make similar music while "playing" potatoes. Maybe they stick with those specific instruments out of sentimentality?
Current earworm: "A New Journey"
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Since putting together a picdump for the trio is a right pain with only two search terms, here's some comic portrayals of the Prismrivers I've come across in the process of putting one together:
Setz did a Prismrivers comic that takes some departures from canon, in that Layla is depicted as the oldest sister and the story is set in Finland, but it's an interesting read. The sisters also appear in "Echoes in Front of the Temple," which has a fun take on them. And I guess there's "Poltergiest Radio" for more 4koma.
Aaaand that may be it, sadly. Nothing else is coming up when I search Danbooru pools. Kinda sad. I guess the problem with the Prismrivers is that they are, if you'll pardon the expression, pretty one-note characters. They were made with a specific purpose in mind and fulfill that purpose well, so there's not much chance for character development or them growing in new roles or anything.
It'd still be fun to see a "Battle of the Bands" scenario with the Prismrivers, Tsukumos and Raiko, and Choujuu Gigaku, though.
edited 31st Jan '17 6:13:31 PM by Tacitus
Current earworm: "A New Journey"
This. Cannot. Continue
Sure hate to triple-post, but nobody else seems to have anything to say. Poor Prismrivers. You're fairly distinct and have a clearly-defined purpose, and you're active in the background, but you're not all that important to the setting.
First up, Lunasa, who I think gets the most art of the sisters...
Pretty good portrait
Can a stare be deadpan?
Less deadpan stare
Inhumanly pale, and that's okay
Inhumanly thin, and that's okay
A warm color for her instrument's power
Ride the red wave
Song of entropy
One causes depression, the other cures it
The Aki sandwich
Serious business
Everyone loves big sis
Merlin gets just a bit more fanart than Lyrica...
Another decent portrait
Toying with a pigtail
Eyyyyyy!
Merlin kick!
Time to rock n' roll
Vibrating with excitement
Cute smile, weird eyes
2 spooky 4 me
That's not a trumpet
That's not brass
That's not even an instrument
As good a reason as any
Loves her sisters
And poor Lyrica brings up the rear.
Alternative instrument
More alternate hairstyle
She also does vocals
Maybe they both spend all day tapping at keys?
That might be too many
Get caught up in the music
Girl's got it together
That's not where your hat goes
Then you put 'em all together...
I said ALL together
There we go
Think that's their stage behind them
Profile pic
Very thin, very pale
Not quite human
A little concert all to themselves
Confronting a witch
In an actual prism?
Contemporary and cozy
Hopefully Reimu knows they're throwing a concert there
Thrash the set
Inevitable conflict
If you can't beat 'em...
Toon Prismrivers?
Maybe add Kana for a fourth, but that still leaves them one short
If I'm reading this right, an atompsheric depression is going to move in on some high-energy cells
How to defeat a Finnish rock band
Sometimes a new sound can save an old song
Ladies and gentlemen, the Tamiflu Sisters (animated)
Quiet time
But we're forgetting someone, aren't we?
Once upon a time
Wonder how fans arrived at the green hair
Just wisps at first
Call it a regenensis
Yeah, they could use a flute
Las Hermanas del Rio Prisma?
When you see it
The symbolism is accurate but still squicky
And of course, koto inari has their own take on them
Nearing the end
But the show must go on
Formerly G.G.
Still, I wonder how Layla was able to create the Prismriver sisters? Are they an extension of herslef or did they always exist?
"We are just like Irregular Data. And that applies to you too, Ri CO. And as for you, Player... your job is to correct Irregular Data."
This. Cannot. Continue
Guess it depends which source you lean towards. The PCB profiles suggest that Layla had some innate supernatural ability, so you could interpret that to mean that she was the type of girl who'd naturally cause poltergeist activity, who then consciously harnessed those powers to create phantoms of her lost sisters. But ZUN's email seems to suggest that a magical artifact is what gave Layla her supernatural ability, and thus the means to create the ghostly trio. Guess you could combine the two, say that Layla had some latent powers that created poltergeists, then she used the magical duck statue or whatever and shaped them into the Prismrivers we know.
'cause I mean, why would the simulacrums turn out as poltergeists otherwise? Does the magical duck statue only create poltergeists? If it could do more than that, why would you choose to recreate your lost family members in the form of noisy "ghosts?" Or did they start as something different and turn into poltergeists over time, or after Layla passed?
Current earworm: "A New Journey"
Rainy Echoes
Hm, I think it's less negating and more readjusting the 'noise' they make to allow for easier listening. Hence, Lyrica's the centerpiece!
But enough of that. Time for a concert only spirits can enjoy to the fullest!
Ghastly Elegy
Prism Rondo
Emotional Serenade
Concert at the World's End
Symphonic Kaleidoscope
Ecto Waltz
Prism Rhythm
Soothing Chills
Memoirs of a Lost Sonata
Eternal Last Song
The Wanderer
This. Cannot. Continue
Welp, any final (or first) thoughts on the Prismrivers before we figure out what's the deal with the girl in the bucket?
Current earworm: "A New Journey"
This. Cannot. Continue
Alright, let's give the ghostly band a round of applause and wish them well on their next performance. Coming up will be Seija Kijin, and...
Well, have to ask - I included Myouren on the character list for completeness' sake, but I'm very skeptical we'll have much to say about him. So I motion that we move on to someone who actually appeared in a game, but I don't want to act without others' imput.
Anyway, it'll be Seija, Myouren question mark, and someone who will definitely appear in the next Touhou game. But first,
Stage: The Wind Blowing From the Thankless Land ~ Fantastic Blowhole
BGM: "The Dark Blowhole"note
Spellcard Motif: Horrible Bucket-Monsters that Live in Your Well
Spellcards: SA, GoM, DS
Horror "Tsurube-Otoshi Apparition," Well Bucket "Flying in a Well," Well Bucket "Well Destructor"
Write-up:
One of the fearsome and shunned youkai who were exiled to the underground, Kisume is... an apparent little girl who likes to hide in a bucket. She's not entirely harmless, however - she attacks the protagonist without warning, and she can drop will-o-wisps on her victims. But still, she's the girl in the bucket.
This may be why Kisume's subsequent appearances seemed intended to subvert fan conceptions of her as the cute "bucket loli," by making it clear that Kisume can in fact "go berserk," and is the type of youkai who cackles while throwing bones at children (unless they were birch branches). That said, she didn't appear as part of the background crowds during Hopeless Masquerade, so however dangerous or aggressive she is, you're probably safe if you use the buddy system.
See also the previous two compendiums.
edited 7th Feb '17 6:30:10 PM by Tacitus
Current earworm: "A New Journey"
Formerly G.G.
It is almost interesting that Kisume who was portrayed as moeblob is actually a something serial killer in canon.
"We are just like Irregular Data. And that applies to you too, Ri CO. And as for you, Player... your job is to correct Irregular Data."
Contrast maybe
It's not like white hair is unheard of in touhou
Forever liveblogging the Avengers