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The New New Touhou Character Alternate Interpretation Compendium

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TrueShadow1 Since: Dec, 2012
#1601: Aug 25th 2014 at 9:14:39 AM

[up]I think she made several cameos in the manga, so yeah, she probably did come back for minor trips. I for sure remember her at Wa HH's chapter where Reimu made a 3-day celebration.

Tacitus Since: Jan, 2001
#1602: Aug 25th 2014 at 10:12:07 PM

She may look like a teenager, but for all we know her mental age may be much younger. I do believe she is a good person at heart, she just need some positive attention.

Well, where does maturity come from? Most would say overcoming obstacles, learning to fend for yourself, being given responsibilities. Tenshi doesn't really have the opportunity for any of that, and... I'm not sure where I got the impression she's from a well-to-do family, but I have it.

At any rate, she didn't need to be a mature person to get into Heaven, and she has had little reason to become one afterward. This doesn't necessarily make her evil any more than a given kid is evil. But a good child can still be selfish, short-sighted, and deserving of an occasional scolding. Or danmaku to the face, as the case may be.

From what I hear, celestials who get in the hard way are pretty rare - most just get sponsorship like Tenshi's family did. The "promoted hermit" kind are really powerful though due to their extra experience.

God dammit, even in the afterlife it's all about networking. Does hell at least have a functional meritocracy?

I wonder if her family got into trouble because of her tendency to go against the flow of celestialdom...

Good question. How do you punish a bunch of enlightened Celestials? If you kick them back to Earth they'll eventually die, get judged as enlightened, and end up back in Heaven. Is it even possible to demote someone from enlightened status? Can Celestials "fall?"

In ways that don't involve riding keystones down to earth, I mean.

Why did Tenshi lend a hand in the pursuit of Seija?

'cause she got her peach bruised last time she played Incident Culprit, and decided to play Incident Resolver instead? I don't care if she's doing it out of simple boredom, at least she's putting her power to good this time.

That might be cool, actually. Tenshi plays the hero long enough to actually become one, gets an awesome moment where after getting trounced by the Big Bad while trying to save others, her desire to act selflessly awakens her true power. Or something. It'd be a scene with some great music, let me tell you.

Otherarrow Since: Jul, 2010
#1603: Aug 26th 2014 at 6:38:11 AM

I am still pretty sure that Tenshi's family getting in on a favor is not a common thing, since they are considered "bad Celestials" and all, according to Tenshi's bio.

I can see a "incident resolver" Tenshi be kinda like Hercule Satan (abit one with actual powers): Someone who loudly declares that they are going to solve the incident and constantly gloats about how great they are, only to be completely outclassed. However, instead of being humbled, they keep trying to prove themselves, ironically learning some degree of humility and decency in the process.

I dunno. It's been a while.

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GAP Formerly G.G. from Who Knows? Since: May, 2011 Relationship Status: In love with love
Formerly G.G.
#1604: Aug 26th 2014 at 1:10:55 PM

Tenshi keeps reminding of kids have Preacher's kid syndrome however seeing this thread I know that Tenshi's problem is far different than I thought.

"Fan, a Mega Man character."
Grounder Main Character Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: All is for my lord
Main Character
#1605: Aug 26th 2014 at 2:00:37 PM

I'd like Tenshi to meet a Jackass Genie (a really pissed Yukari?) to give her enough "excitement" to break her a bit.

She's a spoiled brat Jerk with a Heart of Jerk who needs badly needs a reality check.

Tacitus Since: Jan, 2001
#1606: Aug 27th 2014 at 10:18:26 PM

I can see a "incident resolver" Tenshi be kinda like Hercule Satan (albeit one with actual powers): someone who loudly declares that they are going to solve the incident and constantly gloats about how great they are, only to be completely outclassed.

Even though I've got a couple dozen great Tenshi arts for the picdump, I think her ponification in this image really captures how she'd come across as a white hat - sparkling, charismatic, and oooh I wanna smack her.

Incidentally, Modern Warmare's stuff is great even if you don't like MLP, really captures the characters even in such a radical redesign.

I'd like Tenshi to meet a Jackass Genie (a really pissed Yukari?) to give her enough "excitement" to break her a bit.

Hmm, so something like this? That ends like this? But you better watch out for Foe Yay, or else you'll end up with an unlikely couple, Tenshi getting adopted into the family, the two going on trips and raising hell.

Guess this counts as a teaser picdump?

edited 27th Aug '14 10:18:56 PM by Tacitus

GAP Formerly G.G. from Who Knows? Since: May, 2011 Relationship Status: In love with love
Formerly G.G.
#1607: Aug 28th 2014 at 12:49:15 AM

Wasn't a comic where Tenshi was dispensing the wisdom of the celestials meanwhile being annoying at the same time?

"Fan, a Mega Man character."
Otherarrow Since: Jul, 2010
#1608: Aug 28th 2014 at 12:28:02 PM

Having played SWR at last, I now know that Tenshi can shoot rock rockets.

I hate to admit it, but that is really cool.

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Tacitus Since: Jan, 2001
#1609: Aug 28th 2014 at 11:25:31 PM

[up][up] This 'un?

Hmm. Trying for a Tenshi write-up, but I can't think of much to say beyond that I don't like her very much. The comparison to Remilia came up a few times last compendium since they're both brats, immortal, and parasitic.

Here's the key difference, I think: Remilia is undead ("devil" notwithstanding). Her flesh will neither grow nor decay, and yet, she moves. She plans an Incident, gets beat up, solves some Incidents, throws parties, indulges her whimsies. Her personality hasn't changed through any of this, but she has at least reacted to her circumstances and surroundings and altered her behavior to fit in. She has learned and adapted even if she hasn't grown.

Tenshi isn't dead either, but she's been stuffed in a grave. She will keep living so long as she can fend off shinigami hitwomen, but she's been removed from the land of the living. Her surroundings are static and supposedly restful, a reward for her life of introspection and sacrifice - or at least they would be if she'd earned this rest. She can't learn and adapt because there's nothing to adapt to, and if she'd been inclined toward the lessons Heaven had to offer she'd have earned her place there legitimately. She's been buried alive in some sparkly, wonderful tomb.

Miko may want to reconsider her current path toward immortality is what I'm saying. It might be distressingly similar to her thousand-year "sleep."

Otherarrow Since: Jul, 2010
#1610: Aug 29th 2014 at 7:16:34 AM

That actually makes a lot of sense. Tenshi is trapped in what is basically what is a stagnant pleasantry. The other Celestials don't care because, well, they've earned a peaceful life where nothing happens. For Tenshi though, it might as well be hell.

I don't think Miko would like it either, yeah.

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Antimatter625 Baring hearts for years from my secret place Since: Jan, 2012
Baring hearts for years
#1611: Aug 29th 2014 at 9:35:23 AM

Of course Miko wouldn't like it. She's no more a celestial now than Reimu is. Miko's en route to become a celestial, and part of that involves shedding all those silly thoughts that would make you bored in a stagnant world like heaven.

So while Miko might not be real keen on heaven now, if she actually is interested in becoming a hermit, she'll become more suited for heaven. I don't think that's really the path she'll end up walking, but who knows?

And Tenshi... well, you pretty much hit the nail on the head, I feel.

Though as another thought, it might be that heaven actually is extremely active and busy, and Tenshi just can't 'see' the activity because she isn't enlightened enough. I can't think of an easy analogy... kinda like watching a deep and complicated drama that wins critical acclaim... in it's native tongue which she doesn't speak or know at all. And it was never translated and/or can't be.

I write some fanfiction. Satori's Tale is done... but I'm not.
Grounder Main Character Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: All is for my lord
Main Character
#1612: Aug 29th 2014 at 11:37:53 AM

The one thing I will give Tenshi is that Heaven/Celestia/Nirvana/Shangri-La/Bar Mitzvah sounds like a hella boring and pretentious place the higher up the ladder you go.

Tacitus Since: Jan, 2001
#1613: Aug 30th 2014 at 10:46:46 PM

So hey, this big ass picdump? All from the top 50 pages (out of 382) of Tenshi fanart. She's a lucky girl - Tenshi has a typically appealing ZUN character design, a flaming weapon that means there's lots of badass pics of her, and she lives in an extremely picturesque environment. Not bad for what would be a one-game wonder were it not for ISC.





Watercolor
God bless you, Terajin
Casual contemporary
Hair goin' everywhere
Pastoral
At least wash them first
Snack time
Waiting
Bored
At rest
Surprised
Cold shoulder
Angry face
Remorse?
Unamused
Sassy
Workin' the viewer
Toying with hair
Objectively speaking, I think that's a well-drawn female
A skirt is not winter clothing
She packs like my grandma
Color wheel
Ridin' the rock
Laser sword, lawl
We can only speculate how she "earned" those wings
Sunrise
Ready to go
The challenger appears
At war and lovin' it
Who needs swords?
Crash 'n slash
Somewhat limited blade works
Tenshi the Red
Someone with a working Danbooru account needs to tag this as a fusion
Flamberge
Skyward Strike dual tech
vs Sakuya
vs Moriyas
vs Yakumo
vs Everyone
vs Cirno
vs Sheep
At least the bifrost leaves a cool mark instead of cracks
By a brook
Target acquired
Rice rice baby
City view
White night
Towering clouds
Full of stars
Milky way
Sparkles
The lights come out beneath
Earthly sunset
High altitude sunrise
Greetings from heaven
Celestial city
Cutting the pillars?
Yggdrasil was there too
Crumbling floating rocks
Trees, clouds, rocks
Kingdom of Zeal
Looks roomy enough to me
Heavenly cyclones
Sea of clouds
Lofty contemplation
Always someplace higher
About to get wyverned
Tenshi's world
In space!
Bastard's trying to guilt-trip me into getting on an airplane
Stars above, light below
The Tenshi dome
Arriving at sunset
Looks like a mid-20th century magazine ad
Backlit
She's got the touch
Crystals, castle
Hope the music lives up to the cover
Nap's over
She will rock you
Beautiful
Little pink butts
Fabulous-ing from above
Queen of the skies
The tears
The even more tears
Stop making it hard to hate you
Damn cuteness
Unsanitary
Neither is this

Kept the links under a hundred at least. That's good, right?

edited 30th Aug '14 10:47:27 PM by Tacitus

joergenjetsam from The city of constant rain Since: Dec, 2012 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
#1614: Aug 31st 2014 at 12:06:47 AM

What about Double Spoiler?

Conception is sin Birth is pain Life is toil Death is inevitable
Otherarrow Since: Jul, 2010
#1615: Aug 31st 2014 at 4:45:07 AM

I am pretty sure Tenshi is in GQ.

Technically.

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GAP Formerly G.G. from Who Knows? Since: May, 2011 Relationship Status: In love with love
Formerly G.G.
#1617: Aug 31st 2014 at 10:14:07 PM

•Tenshi's theme and apparent origin both reference Bhava-Agra, also known as Naivasaṃjñānāsaṃjñāyatana. Here's the wiki entry: Naivasaṃjñānāsaṃjñāyatana or Nevasaññānāsaññāyatana (Tib: 'du shes med 'du shes med min) "Sphere of neither perception nor non-perception". In this sphere the formless beings have gone beyond a mere negation of perception and have attained a liminal state where they do not engage in "perception" (saṃjñā, recognition of particulars by their marks) but are not wholly unconscious. This was the sphere reached by Udraka Rāmaputra (Pāli: Uddaka Rāmaputta), the second of the Buddha's two teachers, who considered it equivalent to enlightenment. ◦ZUN has been merciful. The place is clearly at least physical. But it's still a place where everyone around her doesn't notice her at all. Or not notice her, but they certainly aren't giving her attention. That is no place for a child. ■Well that would certainly explain her desire for attention.

I got this formt he Fridge Horror page and it explans a lot. There was also something on Tenshi going someplace that wasn't meant for anyone yet alone a child but I cannot it. Do you think it gives insight into Tenshi's character?

edited 31st Aug '14 10:17:34 PM by GAP

"Fan, a Mega Man character."
Tacitus Since: Jan, 2001
#1618: Aug 31st 2014 at 10:44:16 PM

That would certainly explain her attention whorish tendencies beyond the "I'm so bored I could start an Incident" angle from not enjoying Heaven. Also, that is just horrifying. If the whole point of the family's ascension is to keep them together, why bring them to a place they would stop noticing each other?

At this rate I'm gonna emigrate to Makai, see if their heavenly bureaucracy is any better.

What about Double Spoiler?

I am pretty sure Tenshi is in GQ. Technically.

Nah, I wouldn't embarrass myself by losing track which games a character appeared in, especially if I'd already listed them in their profile.

So bored.... Well, a nice set of tunes will ameliorate Tenshi. ...Hopefully.

Oooh, lovely. Jazz was excellent, "Heaven on the Rocks" is just what I'm looking for in a vocal "Catastrophe" remix, and that bagpipey folk remix would have been perfect were it not for the theremin.

That Misuzu Kamio remix was interesting, though mainly for the visuals that went with the song. Certainly stood out form all that Pixiv and Danbooru art.

edited 31st Aug '14 10:44:43 PM by Tacitus

Tacitus Since: Jan, 2001
#1619: Sep 1st 2014 at 8:25:54 PM

Well, doesn't look like anyone's found time for any last Tenshi thoughts this Labor Day. Any objection to moving on to Iku tomorrow?

Otherarrow Since: Jul, 2010
#1620: Sep 1st 2014 at 8:27:43 PM

I will say, I actually warmed up to Tenshi a bit.

She is still a self absorbed spoiled brat, but it's like...I understand how she ended up that way.

If that makes sense.

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Tacitus Since: Jan, 2001
#1621: Sep 1st 2014 at 10:35:43 PM

Well, the context is important. If you can only see Tenshi as a child throwing a tantrum, it's going to be hard to relate to her, much less like her. If you get a better feel for the sort of situation she's in, if you can understand what sort of desperation drove her to act the way she did, it's harder to hate her as much.

Who's to say any of us would have turned out better after spending a small eternity in somebody else's heaven? Especially if we'd been taken there as a child, plucked from the world just when it was getting interesting?

edited 1st Sep '14 10:36:00 PM by Tacitus

Otherarrow Since: Jul, 2010
#1622: Sep 2nd 2014 at 6:47:56 AM

I wonder if Tenshi had any friends down there, who suddenly disappeared from her life.

I bet she was first like "no problem, I will make new ANGEL friends!" and then...that didn't happen, since the Celestials don't strike me as the friend making types. So she lost her friends and is left in a place that is just unexciting and hellishly boring to her, at the time of her life where, yeah, things were just getting interesting.

edited 2nd Sep '14 6:48:41 AM by Otherarrow

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Tacitus Since: Jan, 2001
#1623: Sep 2nd 2014 at 8:48:36 PM

Speaking of people you meet in heaven...






Beautiful Scarlet Cloth
Iku Nagae

Appearance:

Stage: Clouds over Gensokyo
Themes: "Skies Beyond the Clouds", "Crimson in the Black Sea ~ Legendary Fish"*

Spellcard Motif: I'm a heavenly lightning fish who works for a dragon
Notable spellcards: SWR, DS, 'soku
Fish Sign "Dragonfish Drill," Star Light "Light Dragon's Sigh," Angel's Raiment "Veils Like Sky," Angel's Raiment "Veils like Time," Thorn Sign "Thundercloud Stickleback," Spine Sign "Acanthodii of the Thunder Clouds," Dragon Fish "Dragon Palace Messenger's Swimming Shot," Light Orb "Dragon's Gleaming Eyes," Cloud Realm "The Thunder Court in the Sea of Abstruse Clouds," Jewel Sign "Pearl of the Five-Clawed Dragon," Dragon Palace "Dance of Sea Breams and Flounders"

Write-up:
A messenger of the Dragon Palace, which is to say she's an oarfish. Iku is encountered during Scarlet Weather Rhapsody in the process of warning everyone about a terrible earthquake. Uh, not the earthquake that just destroyed the Hakurei Shrine, a second one. The good people of Gensokyo reacted to this with the expected amount of violence.

Evidence suggests that Iku's duties involve some interaction with the Hinanawi clan, and the fish herself says she's often complained of Tenshi's behavior to the girl's father. The fandom has run with this, casting Iku as a older sister figure for "Elder Daughter" Tenshi, to varying degrees of success and willingness. Other than that, well, she's got that disco pose... and some fans have tried portraying her a slob at home for whatever reason... look, she's just a courier, right? It's not like a mere messenger could ever be an interesting character.

Relations

  • Tenshi Hinanawi (pain)
  • Suika Ibuki (drinking buddy)
  • The Dragon God (boss)

See also the first two compendiums.

edited 2nd Sep '14 8:48:42 PM by Tacitus

Clarste One Winged Egret Since: Jun, 2009 Relationship Status: Non-Canon
One Winged Egret
#1624: Sep 2nd 2014 at 9:01:27 PM

You missed a spellcard theme: the "Angel's Raiment" (hagoromo). Which is probably her most important theme in general. Her title is "the Beautiful Scarlet Clothing", her weapon is her hagoromo, and even her name is written with the same word for "clothing" in it (衣). Also her article in SOPM was all about the hagoromo. She's all about her swishy clothes, all day every day.

To that end, her most interesting spellcard theme is "Hagoromo Like Wind", "Hagoromo Like Water", "Hagoromo Like Sky", "Hagoromo Like Time". In other words, she flows. She reads the atmosphere, drifts on the winds, and has cool clothes.

Incidentally, hagoromo is also the "Lunar Veil" from Touhou Bougetsushou, which ties into the idea that the Dragon Palace and the Lunar Capital are the same place.

edited 2nd Sep '14 9:08:33 PM by Clarste

Prime32 Since: Jan, 2001
#1625: Sep 3rd 2014 at 6:59:53 AM

Incidentally, hagoromo is also the "Lunar Veil" from Touhou Bougetsushou, which ties into the idea that the Dragon Palace and the Lunar Capital are the same place.
Don't be ridiculous, Clarste. Why would Lunarians make clothes out of antimatter? tongue


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