I should clarify this since I forgot to in this video (and will do so in a later video): Eastern and Little Nature Deity isn't the first print work to be serialized. That goes to Curiosities of Lotus Asia. But, EaLND was the first to be compiled and given a physical release and that's what I refer to by "the first print work" and is the order I will be going with.
LND had my favourite artsyle out of any Touhou manga. In fact, it's my favourite artistic rendition of the characters besides pre-UFO ZUN. On a related note, the Gensokyian bubble-world of 2002-2007 was a mysterious setting that ZUN has never managed to recreate. The chromatic cast of characters had simple interactions and lead simple lives energized by disconnected incidents. There were hints at deeper machinations, but they were relegated to text blurbs in print works or the banter between adversaries. It was a world in flux, fanciful dressing for ZUN's experiments in fashion, music, and storytelling. He was free to create without the expectations of a worldwide franchise. Thus, the franchise itself became an impressionist piece loosely connected by its recurring characters. And only in a few short years, Touhou managed to capture the whimsical esthetic of dreams. Eventually, the setting had to expand with the surge of growth Touhou underwent. The relationship between humans and youkai solidified, motives became defined, incidents became consequential. MoF began the second Windows Era in which the world became more concrete and thematically focused. A large part of the unknown was explored-- continuing to be defined until today. Unfortunately, much of the surreal atmosphere was lost over the years. I find myself wishing quite often that ZUN kept the background cryptic while expanding the setting through other means. I don't dislike MoF, SA, and the games that followed either, but there was something special about the mist-veiled expanse of Gensokyo which hasn't been seen in nearly two decades.
I should clarify this since I forgot to in this video (and will do so in a later video): Eastern and Little Nature Deity isn't the first print work to be serialized. That goes to Curiosities of Lotus Asia. But, EaLND was the first to be compiled and given a physical release and that's what I refer to by "the first print work" and is the order I will be going with.
LND had my favourite artsyle out of any Touhou manga. In fact, it's my favourite artistic rendition of the characters besides pre-UFO ZUN.
On a related note, the Gensokyian bubble-world of 2002-2007 was a mysterious setting that ZUN has never managed to recreate. The chromatic cast of characters had simple interactions and lead simple lives energized by disconnected incidents. There were hints at deeper machinations, but they were relegated to text blurbs in print works or the banter between adversaries. It was a world in flux, fanciful dressing for ZUN's experiments in fashion, music, and storytelling. He was free to create without the expectations of a worldwide franchise. Thus, the franchise itself became an impressionist piece loosely connected by its recurring characters. And only in a few short years, Touhou managed to capture the whimsical esthetic of dreams.
Eventually, the setting had to expand with the surge of growth Touhou underwent. The relationship between humans and youkai solidified, motives became defined, incidents became consequential. MoF began the second Windows Era in which the world became more concrete and thematically focused. A large part of the unknown was explored-- continuing to be defined until today. Unfortunately, much of the surreal atmosphere was lost over the years.
I find myself wishing quite often that ZUN kept the background cryptic while expanding the setting through other means. I don't dislike MoF, SA, and the games that followed either, but there was something special about the mist-veiled expanse of Gensokyo which hasn't been seen in nearly two decades.
found a hidden gem on youtube pog
your vocal delivery is great man, i enjoy listening to you talking about a series i genuinely don't give a shit about.
HE'S BACK
I NEVER LEFT
Nice video
What’s the deal with that?!
ها ؟
i’m completely clueless when it comes to tohou so the main thing i got out of this video is that i wanna try milk with sunny d🫡🫡🫡