Touhou 17: Wily Beast and Weakest Creature

Moogs here! This Touhou game is about ZUN’s anxieties about becoming a parent! Also about the yakuza! Let’s hope those aren’t related…

First in WBaWC (wubbawk? dubbawk?) is the freaking ghost of a stillborn baby. The Stillborn Idol of the Riverbed, Ebisu Eika, is one of those characters who is playing a minigame while bullets fly overhead. Her stone pile gives her a range and distance bonuses, and can go all the way up to 5. Her Spell Card, “Children’s Limbo”, allows her to beat her opponents over the head with said pile.

Second in this set is a demonic-spider-cow who saddles you with a burden so great that you drown. Ushizaki Urumi has had some revisions over her time as a patreon card. It used to be that the Stone Baby was a death sentence. It’s easier to get rid of now. Interestingly this is a comeback of the defunct Curse mechanic of yore. It’s nice we were able to make one work. And don’t worry, ZUN, the fact that you’re worried about whether you can live up to the task means you’re up to it.

One day, your child will go to school. That means they’ll need to cross the road. Why did the chicken cross the road? To help out some grade schoolers ofc! Niwatari Kutaka is here to help out little demons cross, and is all about reacting to losing life. True to her role as a guide, Kutaka gives players options(cards) whenever this life loss happens. Learning our lesson from Gift of Yatagarasu, Kutaka also gets a benefit for doing this, encouraging players to help their allies rather than be selfish. 

In your life, you may encounter dangerous people. Matriarch of the Kiketsu Family, Kicchou Yachie, is one you definitely don’t want to encounter. Though she’s full of courtesy, you can’t help but feel like she’s looking down on you. It doesn’t matter though, because you’ll soon find yourself doing what she wants regardless. Defying her is impossible, she counters all attacks, and her will even extends to the cards you play. Just give it up.

When discussing characters from Wily Beast and Weakest Creature, we must talk about Haniyasushin Keiki and Joutouguu Mayumi together. Keiki is a creator god, and even in Danmaku!! she has the ability to create life(Haniwa). She gave life to Mayumi, and she can give it to you! Mayumi uses the life she’s given to protect. Her loyalty is her strength, allowing her to take the life(Haniwa) she’s given and turn it directly into power. We were careful to make these two work separately, but together is where they really shine. 

Representing muscle-mommies everywhere, Kurokoma Saki is the matriarch of the Keiga Family. When Marisa says “Danmaku is power!!” Saki gives her funny looks and says “No? Power is Power.” Saki’s unmatched leg strength allows her to pick up Power cards two at a time, repeatedly. Put her incredible horsepower to good use and destroy all of your rivals!

Does your family have a matriarch? If you’re unsure, ask yourself if you go to the same older woman’s house for every holiday. If the answer is yes, you’ve got a matriarch!