The Touhou Character Alternate Interpretation Compendium

Less sitting, more surfing! And less swimsuit! Though it's not on her... but it's still too much!

That's not really much of a "potential secret origin" for Ichi... her profile implies that she follows Byakuren at least in part because she was kind even to her pardner.

Hmmmmmmmmm, thinking of Ichirin as the "Cloud Girl" has quite a lot of potential, though, I like where that train of thought is headed. There might not be a lot known about her, but that only adds to the mystery. Some characters can survive on just having a really badass motif, and a calm and collected (or less so) action girl persona combined with the cloud motif could be quite effective...

Or maybe less action girl and more Iku... Or both!

Edit: For the record, if I could ignore the swimsuits, that would've been a nice video. And Nue's appearance made me smile. And Kogasa's made me laugh.

edited 12th Oct '10 2:45:22 PM by Fawriel

...heh. I just imagined a scenario where Iku flies up to check on the red clouds (sign of earthquakes), only for it to turn out to be Unzan.

Iku: "Something's not quite right in this here cloud..."
Ichirin: "Uhm, lady. Would you be so kind as to leave my friend's cerebral cortex? It's rather embarrassing for him."
Iku: "Oh. Of... course."

Which do you prefer?

Bonus question: which do you think would happen in a completely different way than Littleshrimp's depiction?

Ichirin/Murasa because Littleshrimp's Murasa is so very awesome.

Littleshrimp tends to use Ichirin as the Straight Man if the Namusan/Powerthirst comic is any indication.

Oh, sweet. More non-insane 'Shrimp stuff! I wonder what the deal is with Kogasa here...

Which do I think would play out differently? ... Like, all of them. I do like Shrimp's style, but his characterization is still weird.

I'm gonna have to draw Ichirin in the clouds. Yes.

Ichirin is my favorite UFO character. That shouldn't have happened, but it did.

Anyway, a few notes, and other folklorish things about Ichirin to consider. She seems to be based on a few things. You all may already know this stuff, but here it is anyway.

First, the one that appears before the Emperor in Myouren's story also wields a sword and is called a guardian deity — or gohou douji. This◊ is the classic version, and here's Ichirin wearing the same. Befitting of Ichirin, her role, and title.

Her ring seems to come from Nataku/Nezha. That's a character in Taoism and Chinese Buddhism which bears a lot of similarities to the character in Myouren's story, at least as far as flying around in the sky on wheels and that they're both protectors. But the most important aspect is Nezha's ring.

Finally, a tsukumogami named Ichiren Nyuudou, which is... too obvious, really. A tsukumogami is a youkai born of old, often discarded or forgotten objects. Ichiren Nyuudou, it turns out, was born of a Buddhist rosary.

Unfortunately, there's really not much to say about Ichirin. I mostly see her as stubborn, hot headed, serious, and rough around the edges, but immensely loyal. Like the others, she likely owes a great debt to Byakuren. And unlike Shou, who's torn between her duties to Byakuren and Bishamonten, I figure she (and Minamitsu) have nothing but Byakuren... so they're the ones most willing to fight for her. She sees nothing but Byakuren and the Temple of Myouren inhabitants and puts them above all others. She's the temple's fierce guardian, as she should be. She might simply be similar to Meiling, all in all... just much less easy going.

I've mostly seen others turning the lack of attention on her into a character trait, which is fine, I guess. Every group needs a Woobie. Or she's drawn or described as being very beautiful and graceful, rivaling even Byakuren, or cute, at the least. Is this because of her Stylish Girl song title? However, that, or carelessly flying in the sky with Unzan, may just be another unknown side to her.

Naturally, what's most interesting about her is her relationship with Unzan. Father-Daughter vibe there, I think... not literally, of course, but they're The Wheel Who Guards and is Guarded, after all.

I have no idea how they would have met or why Unzan would ever come under her control. But I imagine Unzan as a great, fearsome cloud, once. Roaming the world and blackening the sky wherever he goes, bringing fear to everyone and tricking them all into thinking he's some sort of bad omen in ancient times. But really, he's just a nice, shy guy who would rather not be troubled or bring trouble and just wants to take it easy and be left alone. At least until he meets Ichirin and later Byakuren.

edited 13th Oct '10 12:55:00 PM by UTW

And butting in solely to say that, Littleshrimp-wise, I'm riding that Ichirin x Nue, Ichirin x Shou images.

And unlike Shou, who's torn between her duties to Byakuren and Bishamonten, I figure she (and Minamitsu) have nothing but Byakuren... so they're the ones most willing to fight for her.

Hmmmm... It might be interesting to characterize the Byakuren-dan based on their relationship to her... The following is entirely my own views:

Shou: Owes her current life and status to her, religiously devoted, torn between her and Bishamonten. Nazrin's her follower and is mainly interested in Byakuren via proxy.
The Captain: Saved from the unlife as a vengeful ghost consisting of nothing but anger and envy.
Ichirin and Unzan: Adventurers and free spirits who see in Byakuren the safe haven they can return to.

... So yeah, I disagree with your conclusion in so far as I think they'd be the least devoted to Byakuren. Strongly devoted, still, but not as unconditionally. Then again, it can't hurt to have powerful minio- err, followers who have a mind of their own, who can and will act without input from above.

I've mostly seen others turning the lack of attention on her into a character trait, which is fine, I guess. Every group needs a Woobie.

Hmm, again, I see the Cap'n as a better recipient for that sort of treatment. I mean, not the "unpopular" treatment, the "Woobie" one.

Or she's drawn or described as being very beautiful and graceful, rivaling even Byakuren, or cute, at the least.

Ooh, I can definitely see the appeal there, given how conservatively she dresses. With that headdress and everything, it'd be interesting to imagine how ravishing she might look when she takes it off.

I have no idea how they would have met or why Unzan would ever come under her control. But I imagine Unzan as a great, fearsome cloud, once. Roaming the world and blackening the sky wherever he goes, bringing fear to everyone and tricking them all into thinking he's some sort of bad omen in ancient times. But really, he's just a nice, shy guy who would rather not be troubled or bring trouble and just wants to take it easy and be left alone. At least until he meets Ichirin and later Byakuren.

I approve!

In news unrelated to UTW's post, I talked with Sparky and he brought forth the theory that Unzan is a sort of symbiote who sort of draws on her personality, absorbing her gentler side, thus leaving her as a steadfast and headstrong action girl. That's definitely a new one.

edited 14th Oct '10 12:51:57 PM by Fawriel

Ichirin captures and commands Nyuudo via that circular thing she carries with her, but also befriends them and fights ALONGSIDE them.

Her listed power is to control Nyuudo. She's the Ash Ketchum of Gensokyo. With a much more limited choice of fauna.

Sparky is not allowed to look at this, but MY GOD it's so fitting.

I'M SO TEMPTED BUT I MUSTN'T

...holy crap. It's even more fitting than I first thought, looking at what he learns.

Now if he was only pink...

Well, to commerate my new tablet and my favorite UFO I submit this piece, I call it "Ichirin Kumoi and the Maidens of the Palanquin Ship".

Oooh!

... Wait, what's up with her outfit and- where are the maidens...?

Welp! Pretty good job for something drawn on a new tablet!

Uuunfortunately I'm afraid that the discussion is pretty much dead, despite my efforts to keep it going. ._.

So, next, I guess.

edited 17th Oct '10 2:20:26 AM by Fawriel

Well the previous conversation was talking about Adventure!Ichirin so I decided to base it off the Raiders of the Lost Ark poster, hence the name.

... Aaaaaa~ sou desu ka~

So, we done here?

Well, yes. Regrettably. That's what I was saying before.

So, get to voting!

Banana, banana, banana, banana, banana, banana, banana, banana, banana, banana, banana, banana, banana, banana, banana, banana, banana, banana, banana, banana, banana, banana, banana, banana, banana, banana, banana, banana, banana, banana, banana, banana...

Orange you glad you I vote consistently?

Akyuu. I think she's the only character left I care about.

I'd vote, but the OP doesn't seem to have everyone that has a profile done listed (such as Eirin and Komachi), and I don't want to give a redundant vote. Even though I've sporadically looked at this topic, I'd rather not scan over 4500 posts to find out who's been done (not that I wouldn't do it).

I've recently been reading Silent Sinner in Blue, so maybe the Lunarian Princesses could get a spotlight? The most I've heard about them is that they're hated by the fandom for being overpowered, but that's about it. I don't even think I've seen much fanart of them.

If we're sticking with just the games, I'll have to get back to you on that...

I'm going to be completely random and vote for Rinnosuke.