Hmm, I don't really have the time to read all that, I'm afraid. Why don't you tell us a bit about that version of Kana?
Court Dragon
Also singlehandedly provideds a good argument for the PC-98 games being non-canon, as you'd think a princess that liked getting involved would be notable enough for Akyuu to mention if she still existed. I offer the existence of Earth Light Ray as a counterpoint. I have other stuff, but I figured it'd be best to use something else introduced in PODD.
I have a message from another time...
The Big PC-98 Showdown!! Round 5
Lotus Land Story
All seems peaceful and boring in Gensokyo, when one day, the Hakurei shrine is once again under attack from youkai! The endless torrent appears to originate from a lake filled with blood. Reimu goes to investigate to protect her shrine. Marisa ventures forth to gain the powers of this magical source of youkai for herself. Both are unaware of the other's similar destination. They fight their way through one hapless Orange, two guardians, one Marisa/Reimu, one final boss and two extra-stage bosses – in classic danmaku style!
Kurumi
Themes:
Break the Sabbath
, Scarlet Phoneme
Traits:
- tenacious
Relationships/Shipping:
- Scarlet sisters (rumored to be related somehow)
Write-up:
Kurumi is a vampire who guards the lake of blood. It's not known why she does this, but given that she's a vampire, maybe she just wants all that blood for herself. Whatever the case may be, she's quite determined to defend it, being the only PC-98 boss to serve as her own midboss!
Does her boss theme's title hint towards a connection to the Scarlet Sisters...?
Yuuka
Theme:
Lotus Love, Sleeping Terror, Dream Land, Faint Dream ~ Inanimate Dream
Traits:
- somewhat creepy~ ♥
Relationships/Shipping:
- Elly (her mansion's guardian)
Write-up:
Yuuka is the youkai sleeping in the mansion in the middle of the lake of blood... and a certain magical heroine woke her up. While her demeanor at first barely suggests danger – not to mention that she's still in her nighty – she wields tremendously powerful magic that shows why a force of nature like her should better be left sleeping...
While she's defeated by the heroine, Yuuka then lures her into a dream world, where she's not only changed into the outfit of the fearsome Yuuka we know now, but she also acts the part~ ♥
All things considered, this Yuuka is rather different from the one we know and fear now, but did provide an excuse for posting a picture of her in a nighty! ♥
Mugetsu
Theme:
The Inevitably Forbidden Game (shared with Gengetsu), Illusion of a Maid ~ Icemilk Magic
Traits:
- youkai-like
Relationships/Shipping:
- Gengetsu (her older sister)
Write-up:
In the extra stage, Reimu or Marisa apparently stumbles into yet another dreamworld. After fighting her way through hordes of enemies, the heroine stumbles upon Mugetsu, who claims it to be her own world. Apparently, dream worlds are created by certain youkai as a special ability... or maybe she just claimed this one as her territory? If it's a special ability, is she related to Yuuka somehow...?
Mugetsu is, of course, not pleased to see a human intruding on her world. She would like you to know that she does not care for the life of a mere human!
Gengetsu
Theme:
The Inevitably Forbidden Game (shared with Mugetsu), Cute Devil ~ Innocence
Traits:
- youkai-like
Relationships/Shipping:
- Mugetsu (her little sister)
Write-up:
This rather more angelic-seeming lady is Mugetsu's big sister. In spite of the difference, Mugetsu claims that they are one.
Gengetsu appears to fight the heroine after Mugetsu was defeated. Quite possibly the only pair of siblings in Gensokyo in which the elder is actually stronger than the younger.
Nothing is known about her or her sister.
edited 20th Nov '10 1:06:17 PM by Fawriel
Court Dragon
On the subject of LLS Yuuka, Marisa's stated goal for fighting her way to Yuuka's mansion in that game was to steal her magical power.
Anyone else think it's safe to say that she succeeded, considering Marisa's rampant use of Master Spark in later games, and Yuuka's conspicuous lack of use of it?
I have a message from another time...
So Marisa is... a Spellthief?
... I have no idea why that would surprise me.
Either that, or Yuka decided just not to use it anymore, replacing it with more practical spells.
I have to admit, it managed to kill me instantly the first time I faced it, but that was mostly because I was too slow in noticing it.
...We need to replace that Kurumi picture.
Don't have much to say here. Kurumi and the devil twins don't have much personality, we already covered Yuuka, and I don't particularly feel like getting into another canonicity fight.
Though Kurumi is the only PC-98 character to midboss for their own stage. That's something.
Yeah, I've gotta say I'm not particularly interested in this bunch. I read the dialogue of both scenarios to get an idea of the characters' personalities, and all I remember is a lot of sweatdrops. ZUN's writing... improved a lot since then, let's put it that way.
The idea of Mugetsu and Gengetsu, flying around in some little dream dimension they created, actually has some potential, but nothing's really done with it.
... wait, "dream dimension"? Like, "dimensional dream"? Like, "Dim.Dream"?
THESE TITLES THEY MAKE NO SENSE
...why is she a maid, anyway? Is it an attempt to represent her stewardship of the dream world? Does she see herself a servant of her world's inhabitants?
In the wondrous world of Gensokyo, maids are practically a species.
It's because she maid the dream world oh god please kill me
Well there really isn't much to their personalities. I've always liked Kurumi though. Shes also the only other vampire in Touhou (if you don't believe Elis is too) which makes a nice break from the Scarlet sisters.
I like Mugetsu and Gengetsu too. Mostly Gengetsu though. She doesn't have much to go on from her dialogue, but I always think of her for that impossible danmaku shower in the last parts of her battle. Her theme is nice too, and oddly it steals a part of Sleeping Terror in it. I guess everyone likes to rip off Yuuka.
The 'impossible' danmaku shower only shows up if you try to time out her final attack phase. Seeing as most final and EX bosses do that, I don't know why she's so famous.
As far as Kurumi goes, it's not that much a stretch of the imagination to think there are common vampires in Gensokyo, since she's an early boss. Even if they existed in the same continuity, Remilia would probably just ignore a lowly vampire.
I think the idea of a lake of blood is kind of cool, even though it raises all kinds of questions. Perhaps it isn't human blood? Ooh, maybe it's the blood of a mighty... underground... being of some kind. Perhaps... gasp... Taisui Xingjun!?
Akyuu certainly seems to believe that vampires are universally quite powerful.
On a different note, Elly. I'm starting to form an image of her in my head based on her "head over heels crazy for Yuuka" and "melancholic because Bad Apple!!" takes... I'm not sure how to describe it, though.
I see her as this slightly mentally unstable lady born into a rich family who just doesn't get people and their phoniness, and much rather spends time with trees and flowers. I don't know how she meets or learns of Yuuka, but she's fascinated by her beauty *, as well as her uncompromising ruthlessness when it comes to defending flowers against those who would harm them. So she desperately tries to become like Yuuka... and... things happen, I guess! I don't know, this idea looks a lot more interesting in my head.
The 'impossible' danmaku shower only shows up if you try to time out her final attack phase. Seeing as most final and EX bosses do that, I don't know why she's so famous. They merely switch to the hard part of the spell (that which normally occurs when they're at low health), don't they?
And that's how I ended up in the wardrobe. It Just Bugs Me!
Well this is the danmaku in question Youtube link
From the comments I think it's made her so 'famous' because no one seems to be able to survive it without bombing. But yes, you do have to time her out first to even get it.
"Justice!"
... wait, "dream dimension"? Like, "dimensional dream"? Like, "Dim.Dream"?
THESE TITLES THEY MAKE NO SENSE
Nonsense. Next you'll be saying that it's strange that there's a game called "Touhougensoukyou" from before the setting had a name.
This. Cannot. Continue
I might as well just change my avatar to a Slowpoke in a hooded robe.
Meira: She wants "the" Hakurei? Easy to mistake that for propositioning Reimu, I guess. Reading her dialogue I can imagine her declaring her intentions in a formal, dignified manner, but getting increasingly exasperated as Reimu doesn't stick to the "script" the samurai was expecting. Wonder what she wanted the power for, or even if it's possible to steal a shrine maiden's mystical energy by beating her up.
I'm kinda in favor of gluing a horn to her forehead/driving a spike through her skull to make her the same person as Konngara. Maybe she followed Reimu home after the last game's battle and wanted a rematch and chance to get that power for herself. But then again it's hard to imagine a disciplined oni samurai.
Meira should totally see a resurgence as a cameo running joke character who keeps running and hiding out of embarrassment before Reimu can spot her. And now we know why she hasn't made a reappearance in the Windows games.
Meira is Reimu's cousin or possibly even sister.I could dig this, Meira as a jealous big sister who was passed over by the Hakurei miko tradition, swearing to take back her "birthright" by force. But of course Reimu didn't recognize her... then again, she was barely paying attention to that fight.
Marisa: She's so... bubbly. An eager little trooper happy to follow Mima's orders and attack trespassers. And then by EoSD she's a snarky smartass.
My theory is that Marisa's defeat at Reimu's hands was a profound shock that made Marisa question her own powers and the infallibility and strength of her Mima-sama. It's enough to make her strike out on her own afterward and try to figure out her place in the world (and maybe dye her hair a new color). She's naturally curious about the girl who defeated her, but the more she learns, the more shocked she becomes - despite all the time and effort Marisa put into her magic, Reimu pantsed her relying on nothing more than intuition and natural talent that she's too lazy to actively cultivate. Marisa's sweat and tears were meaningless.
So she became a bit caustic. She's still friends with Reimu due to the fact that everyone becomes friends with Reimu, but she isn't the same person she was before they met.
Ellen: (thick Tennessean drawl) Missie, you don't look like you belong 'round these here parts.
Kotohime: If she isn't mentioned as nobility elsewhere, she probably isn't a real princess. So that'd make her a person who thinks she's a princess who thinks she's a police officer. Or maybe she's from a place outside Gensokyo?
Since her name translates into "little rabbit princess," I'm tempted to label her the former ruler of the Gensokyo rabbits who Tewi deposed, stole her ears, and drove bonkers. But there's something so appealing about a crazy self-proclaimed princess that I'd prefer to have Kotohime be Gensokyo's version of Emperor Norton.
Kana: She's got nice music, even if she isn't a musician like the Prismrivers There's something a bit tragic about her too; an echo of someone who once was, trying to find a reason to exist. The bratty behavior is likely a cover for some serious existential anxiety. I like to think she went off with Ellen somewhere, since it sounds like a good match - Kana keeps surprising the witch, and Ellen forgets soon afterward, so the routine never gets old.
Rikako: A self-hating sorceress who wants logic and reason to reign in a world where shrine maidens ride turtles to dogfight shrimp-tailed ghosts. She's a bit like Rincewind in that respect, but I guess she's also like a reverse Spark too, being a magic user who's breaking into science. What does she wish for if she wins? Cause I kinda want her to wish to go home with Yumemi and Chiyuri.
No, not that way.
Ruukoto: I can't help but wonder if this was a roundabout attempt by the extradimensional scientists to cover their tracks with a atomic explosion. If she hasn't been seen since then it may be for the best, though it raises the question of someone like Cirno getting their hands on a nuclear device. Hopefully Yukari gapped her somewhere she'd be harmless.
Art dump!
Meira:
- That's not a katana.
- I have a boyfriend!
- Not gonna win this fight either.
- Eh, why not.
- Reimu again.
- With bunny-princess.
- Once upon a time, I was canon...
- Vessel of Stars ~ Casket of Star.
- Yukari did it.
- :P
- Waiting.
- Slacking.
- Jim Henson's Touhou Babies.
- For some reason she has a fang and pointy ears.
- Pout.
- Not sure what she's doing here.
- "I am a princess and these stars are my friends and loyal subjects."
- "I am a princess and I can fly if I want to."
- "Now I am chibi but still possess the gravitas of true royalty."
- "I am a tiger and this is my stately castle home."
- "Because I am a princess I am unconcerned by the giant flowers surrounding me."
- "I am a princess and a police officer but I am also Santa."
- "I will drink this, but only because I want to."
- "Your princess decrees that today is No Pants Day!"
- Ghost and gray skies.
- Colors.
- You're wasting your time.
- Her birth?
- More colors.
- Rectangular aurorae?
- Hat and huge head.
- Happy.
- Anxious.
- Heartbroken.
- What?
- Studying.
- Legs.
- That is a dangerous look.
- Often pictured with Yumemi.
- I really want to read the rest of this comic.
- Together we shall rule Gensokyo!
- I can't work with you looming over my shoulder!
- Advising the Gensokyan space program.
edited 20th Nov '10 10:56:26 PM by Tacitus
Current earworm: "Time of Death"
"Justice!"
Ruukoto: I can't help but wonder if this was a roundabout attempt by the extradimensional scientists to cover their tracks with a atomic explosion. If she hasn't been seen since then it may be for the best, though it raises the question of someone like Cirno getting their hands on a nuclear device. Hopefully Yukari gapped her somewhere she'd be harmless.I bet she would get along with Marisa's ICBM like a house on fire.
edited 21st Nov '10 1:26:14 AM by SuperDimensionman
Reading her dialogue I can imagine her declaring her intentions in a formal, dignified manner, but getting increasingly exasperated as Reimu doesn't stick to the "script" the samurai was expecting. A good call. Calling it a "script" is probably pretty close to the truth. Guess she kinda reminds me of Youmu in that sense, in that she expects formal duels against worthy adversaries, but keeps getting thrown off by nobody acting like she wants them to...
I'm kinda in favor of gluing a horn to her forehead/driving a spike through her skull to make her the same person as Konngara. Maybe she followed Reimu home after the last game's battle and wanted a rematch and chance to get that power for herself. But then again it's hard to imagine a disciplined oni samurai. ... That would be quite the level-down after being the final boss of the previous game, if she turned into Meira.
My theory is that Marisa's defeat at Reimu's hands was a profound shock that made Marisa question her own powers and the infallibility and strength of her Mima-sama.[...]That said, that interpretation actually makes a good lot of sense. I'm impressed!
But there's something so appealing about a crazy self-proclaimed princess that I'd prefer to have Kotohime be Gensokyo's version of Emperor Norton. Kana: She's got nice music, even if she isn't a musician like the Prismrivers There's something a bit tragic about her too; an echo of someone who once was, trying to find a reason to exist. The bratty behavior is likely a cover for some serious existential anxiety. I like to think she went off with Ellen somewhere, since it sounds like a good match - Kana keeps surprising the witch, and Ellen forgets soon afterward, so the routine never gets old. The Meira art dump was pretty impressive, too! I downloaded all those pictures but one. I only downloaded a couple of the Kotohime ones, but I loved the captions. And the very first one was so adorable.
I need more Kotohime art!
Look! Cute pretty! But we had that already... Strangely calm pretty but we had that one, too... Uncharacteristically pretty! Huzzah?
"Justice!"
Driving a spike through her skull? That sounds mildly dangerous!
... That would be quite the level-down after being the final boss of the previous game, if she turned into Meira.
Loony theory time: what if Highly Responsive to Prayers is chronologically the last PC-98 game, and all the others are prequels? That's why Mima is missing from the later games; sometime between Mystic Square and then, she got exorcised and sent back to Jigoku, and sometime between Story of Eastern Wonderland and then, Meira fell victim to an unfortunate accident involving a railroad spike and decided to continue trying to claim the power of the Hakurei from beyond the grave. Maybe she can't leave Jigoku herself, so luring Reimu there was all part of her plan.
edited 21st Nov '10 4:24:17 AM by SuperDimensionman
Hey, you guys know that Touhou CYOA imageboard? You know, the one linked to on the Fanfic Recommendations list? One of the stories there, "Border House", is PC-98 centric, and has some pretty good characterizations. The entire reason Kana's my second favorite character after Mokou? Entirely due to this story.
Just a warning though, the board's kind of hostile right now due to a recent influx of 4Chan newfags, so it'd probably be best to lurk a bit and learn what standard procedure there is. Reading this
would probably be a really good idea though.