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{{Infobox Person
{{Infobox Person
| nameEn = ZUN
| nameEn = ZUN
| other_name = Jun'ya Ota ({{ruby-ja|太田順也|おたじゅんや}})
| other_name = Jun'ya Ōta ({{ruby-ja|太田順也|おおたじゅんや}})
| image = [[File:ZUNPlayDoujin.jpg|275px|ZUN]]
| image = [[File:ZUNPlayDoujin.jpg|275px|ZUN]]
| caption = ZUN during the PlayDoujin! Meeting (2015)
| caption = ZUN during the PlayDoujin! Meeting (2015)
| title = Hakurei [[wikipedia:Kannushi|Kannushi]], Team Shanghai Alice Leader
| title = Hakurei [[wikipedia:Kannushi|Kannushi]], Team Shanghai Alice Leader
| born = {{Birth date and age|1977|3|18|mf=yes}} [[wikipedia:Hakuba, Nagano|Hakuba]], [[wikipedia:Nagano|Nagano]], Japan
| born = {{Birth date and age|1977|3|18|mf=yes}} [[wikipedia:Hakuba, Nagano|Hakuba]], [[wikipedia:Nagano|Nagano]], Japan
| location = Formally [[wikipedia:Ebina, Kanagawa|Ebina]], [[wikipedia:Kanagawa Prefecture|Kanagawa]], Japan, currently unknown
| location = Formerly [[wikipedia:Ebina, Kanagawa|Ebina]], [[wikipedia:Kanagawa Prefecture|Kanagawa]], Japan, currently unknown
| gender = Male
| gender = Male
| notable_from = [[Touhou Project]]
| notable_from = [[Touhou Project]]
Line 12: Line 12:
| occupation = Programmer, Game Director, Game Producer, Character Designer, Illustrator, Game Designer, Music Composer, Novelist, Comic Writer
| occupation = Programmer, Game Director, Game Producer, Character Designer, Illustrator, Game Designer, Music Composer, Novelist, Comic Writer
| MusicThemes = Kid's Festival ~ Innocent Treasures ([[Changeability of Strange Dream]])
| MusicThemes = Kid's Festival ~ Innocent Treasures ([[Changeability of Strange Dream]])
| art_ex = [[File:Th04Reimu.png|150px|Reimu Hakurei]]<br/>[[Reimu Hakurei]] in ''[[Lotus Land Story]]''.<br/>[[File:Th15Reimu.png|200px|Reimu Hakurei]]<br/>[[Reimu Hakurei]] in ''[[Legacy of Lunatic Kingdom]]''.
| website = *https://www16.big.or.jp/~zun/
| music_ex = Composed [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ie06WIvssnw UFO Romance in the Night Sky] from ''[[Undefined Fantastic Object]]''.
*https://kourindou.exblog.jp
| website = *http://www16.big.or.jp/~zun/
*[http://www.kt.rim.or.jp/~aotaka/am/index.htm Amusement Makers (Former) Official Site]
*http://kourindou.exblog.jp
*[https://touhou-project.news/ Touhou Yomoyama News]
*http://twitter.com/korindo
*[https://twitter.com/korindo Twitter]
*[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRslviI58g0iRunL7z4LG7A/ YouTube Channel]
*[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRslviI58g0iRunL7z4LG7A/ YouTube Channel]
*[https://youtube.com/channel/UCYiYZYbDlyy17QiX5CxCTeQ YouTube Channel Autogenerated by Google]
*[https://youtube.com/channel/UCubcllQS84CnazS77lY_SJQ Nikenme Radio YouTube channel]
}}
}}
{{nihongo|'''Jun'ya Ota'''|太田順也|Ohta Jun'ya}}, [[wikipedia:Pen name|pen-name]] '''ZUN''', is the sole known member of [[Team Shanghai Alice]], and is the designer, programmer, script writer, and composer of the extremely popular ''[[Touhou Project]]''. He's seen to be rather reclusive and it's known that he's very fond of beer. He was employed by [http://www.taito.co.jp/ Taito Corporation],<ref>He is currently not employed by Taito. It was stated in [http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv493280 Nico Nico Live] ''(Association of Victims of [[wikipedia:Takeshi no Chōsenjō|Takeshi's Challenge]] -Come Out, Developers! Special-)'' broadcast on 3/31/2009.</ref> and had been involved in the production of various Taito titles as a programmer.
{{nihongo|'''Jun'ya Ōta'''|太田順也|Oota Jun'ya}}, [[wikipedia:Pen name|pen-name]] '''ZUN''', is the sole member of [[Team Shanghai Alice]] and is the designer, programmer, script writer, and composer of ''[[Touhou Project]]''.


==Works==
==Works==
===Games===
===Games===
*{{HRtP}} (ZUN Soft 1996)
====Made under "ZUN Soft"====
*{{SoEW}} (ZUN Soft 1997)
*{{HRtP}}  
*{{PoDD}} (ZUN Soft 1997)
*{{SoEW}}  
*{{LLS}} (ZUN Soft 1998)
*{{PoDD}}  
*{{MS}} (ZUN Soft 1998)
*{{LLS}}  
*{{EoSD}} ([[Team Shanghai Alice]] 2002)
*{{MS}}  
*{{PCB}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2003)
;Made under [[Team Shanghai Alice]]
*{{IaMP}} (Collaboration between Team Shanghai Alice & [[Twilight Frontier]] 2004)
*{{EoSD}}  
*{{IN}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2004)
*{{PCB}}  
*{{PoFV}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2005)
*{{IN}}  
*{{StB}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2005)
*{{PoFV}}  
*{{MoF}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2007)
*{{StB}}  
*{{SWR}} (Collaboration between Team Shanghai Alice & Twilight Frontier 2007)
*{{MoF}}  
*{{SA}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2008)
*{{SA}}
*{{UFO}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2009)
*{{UFO}}
*{{HSTS}} (Collaboration between Team Shanghai Alice & Twilight Frontier 2009)
*{{DS}}
*{{DS}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2010)
*{{FW}}
*{{FW}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2010)
*{{TD}}
*{{TD}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2011)
*{{DDC}}
*{{HM}} (Collaboration between Team Shanghai Alice & Twilight Frontier 2013)
*{{ISC}}
*{{DDC}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2013)
*{{GR}}  
*{{ISC}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2014)
*{{LoLK}}  
*{{GR}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2014)
*{{HSiFS}}  
*{{ULiL}} (Collaboration between Team Shanghai Alice & Twilight Frontier 2015)
*{{VD}}  
*{{LoLK}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2015)
*{{WBaWC}}  
*{{UM}}  
*{{100thBM}}
*{{UDoALG}}
;Collaboration with [[Twilight Frontier]]
*{{IaMP}}
*{{SWR}}
*{{HSTS}}
*{{HM}}  
*{{ULiL}}  
*{{AoCF}}
*{{GYIB}}


===Music Soundtracks===
===Music Soundtracks===
*{{DiPP}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2002)
;[[ZUN's Music Collection]]
*{{GFC}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2003)
*{{DiPP}}  
*{{CoSD}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2004)
*{{GFC}}  
*[[Immaterial and Missing Power/Music/OST|{{lang|ja|幻想曲抜萃 東方萃夢想}} ORIGINAL SOUND TRACK]] (Collaboration between Team Shanghai Alice & Twilight Frontier 2005)
*{{CoSD}}  
*{{R53m}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2006)
*{{R53m}}
*{{Akyu|1}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2006)
*{{MA}}
*{{MA}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2006)
*{{UFMJ}}
*{{Akyu|2}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2006)
*{{TGA}}
*{{Akyu|3}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2006)
*{{NtoJ}}
*{{Akyu|4}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2007)
*{{DrLFR}}  
*{{Akyu|5}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2007)
*{{DBOA}}  
*[[Scarlet Weather Rhapsody OST|{{lang|ja|全人類ノ天楽録 東方緋想天}} ORIGINAL SOUND TRACK]] (Collaboration between Team Shanghai Alice & Twilight Frontier 2008)
*{{RCS}}  
*[[Touhou Hisoutensoku OST|{{lang|ja|核熱造神ヒソウテンソク 東方非想天則}} ORIGINAL SOUND TRACK]] (Collaboration between Team Shanghai Alice & Twilight Frontier 2009)
;[[Akyu's Untouched Score]]
*{{UFMJ}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2011)
*{{Akyu|1}}  
*{{TGA}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2012)
*{{Akyu|2}}  
*{{NtoJ}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2012)
*{{Akyu|3}}  
*[[Hopeless Masquerade OST|暗黒能楽集・心綺楼 東方心綺楼 ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK]] (Collaboration between Team Shanghai Alice & Twilight Frontier 2013)
*{{Akyu|4}}  
*[[Urban Legend in Limbo OST|深秘的楽曲集 宇佐見菫子と秘密の部室]] (Collaboration between Team Shanghai Alice & Twilight Frontier 2015)
*{{Akyu|5}}  
*{{DrLFR}} (Team Shanghai Alice 2016)
;In Collaboration with [[Twilight Frontier]]
*{{IaMP OST}}
*{{SWR OST}}
*{{HSTS OST}}
*{{HM OST}}
*{{ULiL OST}}
*{{ULiL OST 2}}
*{{AoCF OST}}
*{{GYIB OST}}


===Print===
===Print===
*{{CoLA}} (Colorful PUREGIRL 2003-2004; Magazine ELFICS 2004-2005; Elnavi 2005-2006; Dengeki MOE-OH 2006-2007)
;[[Touhou Sangetsusei]]
*{{EaLND}} (CompAce 2005-2006)
*{{EaLND}}
**{{SaBND}} (CompAce 2006-2009)
*{{SaBND}}
**{{OSP}} (CompAce 2009-2012)
*{{OSP}}
*{{BAiJR}} ([[Ichijinsha]] August 2005)
*{{VFiS}}
*{{SDV}} (Tora no Ana October 2005)
;[[Touhou Bougetsushou]]
*{{SSiB}}
*{{CiLR}}
*{{IoM&IoE}}
;Manga
*{{WaHH}}
*{{FS}}
*{{FDS}}  
*{{LE}}
;Fiction
*{{CoLA}}
;Magazines
*{{SCoOW}}
*{{SAoOW}}
;Artbook
*{{BAiJR}}
*{{SDV}} <ref>not an official print work but ZUN got involved</ref>
**[[A Beautiful Flower Blooming Violet Every Sixty Years|{{lang|ja|六十年ぶりに紫に香る花}} (A Beautiful Flower Blooming Violet Every Sixty Years)]]
**[[A Beautiful Flower Blooming Violet Every Sixty Years|{{lang|ja|六十年ぶりに紫に香る花}} (A Beautiful Flower Blooming Violet Every Sixty Years)]]
*{{PMiSS}} (Ichijinsha December 2006)
*{{PMiSS}}  
**[[Perfect Memento in Strict Sense/Memorizable Gensokyo|{{lang|ja|東方求聞史紀 記憶する幻想郷}} (Memorizable Gensokyo)]] (Comic REX December 2006)
**[[Perfect Memento in Strict Sense/Memorizable Gensokyo|{{lang|ja|東方求聞史紀 記憶する幻想郷}} (Memorizable Gensokyo)]]
*{{SSiB}} (Comic REX 2007-2009)
*{{GoM}}  
*{{CiLR}} ([[Chara☆Mel‎]] 2007-2009)
*{{SoPm}}  
*{{IoM&IoE}} (Inaba of Moon & Inaba of Earth) (Manga 4Koma KINGS Palette 2007-2009)
*{{AFiEU}}
*{{GoM}} (Ichijinsha July 2009)
*{{GoU}}
*{{WaHH}} ([[Chara☆Mel‎ Febri]] 2010-Present)
 
*{{SoPm}} (Ichijinsha April 2012)
===Games unrelated to Touhou===
*{{FS}} (Comp Ace October 2012―Present)
*{{SG}} ([[Seihou]] Shuusou Gyoku) ([[Shunsatsu sare do?]])
*{{KG}} (Seihou Kioh Gyoku) (Shunsatsu sare do?)
*{{torte}} (Torte Le Magic) ([[Pietoro]])
*{{UB}} ([[The Drinking Party]])


===Works with Taito Corporation===
===Works with Taito Corporation===
[[File:ZUN-EXIT-staffroll.jpg|thumb|right|ZUN in the credits of ''EXIT''.]]
[[File:ZUN-EXIT-staffroll.jpg|thumb|right|230px|ZUN in the credits of ''EXIT''.]]
*''[[wikipedia:International League Soccer|International League Soccer]]'' (2000) (Known as ''Greatest Striker'' in Japan)
*''[[w:International League Soccer|International League Soccer]]'' (Known as ''Greatest Striker'' in Japan)
*''[[wikipedia:Magic Pengel|Magic Pengel]]'' (2002)
*''[[w:Magic Pengel|Magic Pengel]]''  
*''[[wikipedia:Bujingai|Bujingai]]'' (2003)
*''[[w:Bujingai|Bujingai]]''  
*''[[wikipedia:Graffiti Kingdom|Graffiti Kingdom]]'' (2004)
*''[[w:Graffiti Kingdom|Graffiti Kingdom]]''  
*''[[wikipedia:Exit (video game)|EXIT]]'' (2005)
*''[[w:Exit (video game)|EXIT]]''
 
===Games unrelated to Touhou===
*{{SG}} ([[Shunsatsu sare do?]] 1998-2000)
*{{KG}} (Shunsatsu sare do? 2001)
*{{torte}} ([[Pietoro]] 2001)
*{{UB}} ([[The Drinking Party]] 2007)


===Doujin Games===
===Doujin Games===
*{{MiMG}} ([[D.N.A. Softwares]] 2008)
*{{MiMG}} ([[D.N.A. Softwares]])
*{{TUM}} (D.N.A. Softwares 2009)
*{{TUM}} (D.N.A. Softwares)


===Doujin Print Works===
===Doujin Print Works===
*[[DOUJIN GAME × PACKAGE DESIGN]] ([[RebRank]] 2013)
*{{SDV}} (Tora no Ana)
*[[DOUJIN GAME × PACKAGE DESIGN]] ([[RebRank]])


===Doujin Albums===
===Doujin Albums===
*[[Cradle -東方幻樂祀典-]] ([[sound sepher]] 2004)
*[[Cradle -東方幻樂祀典-]] ([[sound sepher]])
*[[Seasonal Dream Vision (CD)]] (Tora no Ana 2005)
*[[Seasonal Dream Vision (CD)]] (Tora no Ana)
*[[Touhou Unreal Mahjong OST|{{lang|ja|東方幻想麻雀オリジナルサウンドトラック}}]] (Disaster/D.N.A. Softwares 2009)
*[[Touhou Unreal Mahjong OST|{{lang|ja|東方幻想麻雀オリジナルサウンドトラック}}]] (Disaster/D.N.A. Softwares)
*[[8Bit Music Power Final|8ビットミュージックパワーファイナル]] (Columbus Circle)


===Columns & Reviews===
===Columns & Reviews===
*[[Which Came First, Hakurei Kannushi's Games or Beer?]] (Comptiq 2009-2013; Comp Ace 2013-Present)
*[[Which Came First, Hakurei Kannushi's Games or Beer?]]


==Biography==
==Biography==
A limited biography of ZUN could be written based upon the lengthy texts included within his games (letters to the player) and interviews for various publications. Unfortunately, a large majority of these remain untranslated for the [[Touhou Wiki]]. Despite the current massive lack of information known or comprehensible, a good amount of relevant information is known about him.
A limited biography of ZUN could be written based upon the lengthy texts included within his games (letters to the player) and interviews for various publications. Unfortunately, a large majority of these remain untranslated for the [[Touhou Wiki]]. Despite this, a good amount of relevant information is known about him.


===Name===
===Name===
[[File:PoDDCreditsJun'yaOta.png|thumb|right|250px|ZUN's real name was first shown in the third ''[[Touhou Project]]'' game, ''[[Phantasmagoria of Dim.Dream]]''.]]
[[File:PoDDCreditsJun'yaOta.png|thumb|right|230px|ZUN's real name was first shown in the third ''[[Touhou Project]]'' game, ''[[Phantasmagoria of Dim.Dream]]''.]]
ZUN has used the nickname "ZUN" since his childhood, since it is a short form of his real name; in the arcade word, such manner was quite common for many players since most games had a three letter limit for the names to be input on the high score screen. He states that it's a "cultural thing", and that it sounds closely to "Jun" in his real name.<ref name=UHoJI>[[The Untold History of Japanese Game Developers Interview]]: interview between John Szczepaniak and ZUN</ref> The name is also (only coincidentally): (a) the leading alphabets for "[[wikipedia:Zuntata|ZUNTATA]]"<ref name=UHoJI />, the sound team at [[wikipedia:Taito Corporation|Taito Corporation]] where he worked; and (b) a [[wikipedia:Zun|Chinese bronze vessel]] used to store alcohol.
ZUN has used the nickname "ZUN" since his childhood, since it is a short form of his real name; in arcades, a three-character nickname was common for many players since most games had a three character limit for their leaderboards. ZUN notes that it sounds similar to the "Jun" sound in his real name.<ref name=UHoJI>[[The Untold History of Japanese Game Developers Interview]]: interview between John Szczepaniak and ZUN</ref>  


ZUN's real name is {{nihongo|''Jun'ya Ota''|太田順也}}, seen in the documentation of the five [[PC-98]] games, as well as the credits of ''[[Phantasmagoria of Dim.Dream]]'', ''[[Lotus Land Story]]'' and ''[[Mystic Square]]'' in 1997 and 1998; the name has also been listed in archives of [http://web.archive.org/web/20020605005006/http://www16.big.or.jp/~zun/html/profile.html ZUN's profile page on his website] up to June 2002. Additionally, not mentioned officially but the same name has been shown in the number of Taito games ZUN had involved in. His name was also used on official documents.<ref>White Canvas Case: [[White Canvas Case/White Canvas Comment|comment]]</ref>
ZUN's real name is {{nihongo|''Jun'ya Ota''|太田順也}}, seen in the documentation of the five [[PC-98]] games, as well as the credits of ''[[Phantasmagoria of Dim.Dream]]'', ''[[Lotus Land Story]]'' and ''[[Mystic Square]]'' in 1997 and 1998; the name has also been listed in archives of [http://web.archive.org/web/20020605005006/http://www16.big.or.jp/~zun/html/profile.html ZUN's profile page on his website] until June 2002. Additionally, ZUN is credited by his real name in Taito games that he contributed to. His real name is also used on official documents.<ref>White Canvas Case: [[White Canvas Case/White Canvas Comment|comment]]</ref>


ZUN also refers to himself as the {{nihongo|''Hakurei [[wikipedia:Kannushi|Kannushi]]''|博麗神主}}, or the head priest of the [[Hakurei Shrine]], used as his byline on some Touhou print works and the name shown on his [[wikipedia:Twitter|Twitter]] account. He has stated he "secretly works in the Hakurei Shrine as the shrine master" in ''[[Changeability of Strange Dream]]''. In [[canon]], the Hakurei Shrine in [[Gensokyo]] has received sake from the [[Outside World|outside world]] as an offering on several occasions, which may be a joking reference to how well-known ZUN is for drinking more than an [[oni]].
ZUN also refers to himself as the {{nihongo|''Hakurei [[wikipedia:Kannushi|Kannushi]]''|博麗神主}}, or the head priest of the [[Hakurei Shrine]], used as his byline on some Touhou print works and on his [[wikipedia:Twitter|Twitter]] account. He has stated he "secretly works in the Hakurei Shrine as the shrine master" in ''[[Changeability of Strange Dream]]''. In [[canon]], the Hakurei Shrine in [[Gensokyo]] has received sake from the [[Outside World|outside world]] as an offering on several occasions, which may be a joking reference to how well-known ZUN is for drinking more than an [[oni]].


===History===
===History===
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ZUN was born on {{Birth date and age|1977|3|18|mf=yes}}, in [[wikipedia:Hakuba, Nagano|Hakuba]], [[wikipedia:Nagano|Nagano]], and graduated from [[wikipedia:Tokyo Denki University|Tokyo Denki University]], the home of [[Amusement Makers]]. The MAG-Net episode shows that at the time, he lived in [[wikipedia:Ebina, Kanagawa|Ebina]], [[wikipedia:Kanagawa Prefecture|Kanagawa]]. His current residence is unknown.
ZUN was born on {{Birth date and age|1977|3|18|mf=yes}}, in [[wikipedia:Hakuba, Nagano|Hakuba]], [[wikipedia:Nagano|Nagano]], and graduated from [[wikipedia:Tokyo Denki University|Tokyo Denki University]], the home of [[Amusement Makers]]. The MAG-Net episode shows that at the time, he lived in [[wikipedia:Ebina, Kanagawa|Ebina]], [[wikipedia:Kanagawa Prefecture|Kanagawa]]. His current residence is unknown.


He has confirmed in an interview that he had started composing his own pieces of music since junior high school, and had learned how to play the [[wikipedia:Electone|Electone]] – which his parents had bought – and the trumpet as part of a wind instruments ensemble – since elementary school.
In an interview, ZUN claims that he started composing his own pieces of music in junior high school, and learned how to play the [[wikipedia:Electone|Electone]] after his parents bought him one. He also learned how to play the trumpet as part of a wind instruments ensemble in elementary school.


ZUN started working at Taito in 1998, and left in 2007 due to disenchantment and disappointments with the job; meanwhile, due to Touhou's success he no longer had a need to stay.<ref name=UHoJI /><ref>November 2012 Nikenme Radio 3D event</ref> He said in his interview with MAG-Net that his fondest ambition in life is to open a brewpub.
ZUN started working at Taito in 1998, and left in 2007 due to disappointment and a lack of interest in the job; he also no longer needed to work at Taito due to the success of Touhou Project.<ref name=UHoJI /><ref>November 2012 Nikenme Radio 3D event</ref> In his interview with MAG-Net, ZUN says that his fondest ambition in life is to open a brewpub.


In a February 2012 radio interview, ZUN announced that he had recently married, with the formal ceremony held on May 27 (the day of [[Reitaisai 9]]). It's known that his wife is a game programmer working on smartphone games<ref name=UHoJI /> and that they originally met in 2004. On June 13, 2014, ZUN became a father to a healthy baby boy.<ref>https://twitter.com/korindo/status/477666648661319680</ref>
In a February 2012 radio interview, ZUN announced that he had recently married, with the formal ceremony held on May 27 (the day of [[Reitaisai 9]]). His wife is a game programmer who programs smartphone games.<ref name=UHoJI /> They met in 2004. ZUN became a father to a boy on June 13, 2014,<ref>https://twitter.com/korindo/status/477666648661319680</ref> and a girl on December 5, 2016.<ref>https://twitter.com/korindo/status/206496584773537793</ref>


===Appearance===
===Appearance===
ZUN appears to always wear a [[wikipedia:Flat cap|flat cap]]. He mainly wears a green, flower-patterned ascot and a black one with a gold and red design around it. He also wears glasses. He generally gets his flat caps by looking around normal shops, flea markets or nearby events.<ref name="ZUN's AWA">[[ZUN's AWA Q&A Panel]]</ref>
ZUN appears to always wear a [[wikipedia:Flat cap|flat cap]]. He typically wears a green, flower-patterned ascot or a black one with a red and gold design lining it. He generally finds his flat caps by looking around normal shops, flea markets or nearby events.<ref name="ZUN's AWA">[[ZUN's AWA Q&A Panel]]</ref> He also wears glasses.


ZUN has stated in an interview that he weighs only 50kg – roughly 110lbs, around about 7.8st. Whether this is really accurate is impossible to truly confirm, but it's clear that he's very thin. His height is 173cm (1.73 meters)<ref>Double Dealing Character Staff roll</ref>.
ZUN has stated in an interview that he weighs only 50kg (110lbs). It is impossible to confirm the accuracy of this measurement, but he is visually very thin.  
 
ZUN is 173cm tall (1.73 meters).<ref>Double Dealing Character Staff roll</ref>


===Personality===
===Personality===
ZUN appears to be a rather cheerful person, as seen in most of his interviews as he rather laughs at a lot of things. However, he can be rather quiet when talking. An example of him been quiet when talking is at the [http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm14404306 after-party of Hakurei Jinjya Reitaisai 8]. He also can be [[wiktionary:nostalgic|nostalgic]] at times. He takes beer as one of his greatest passions, but for the true reason why he does and when he had his first beer is unknown. He'll feel uncomfortable if he hasn't got beer or a mobile phone near him.<ref name="ZUN's Genyou Denshou Lecture">[http://www.gensokyo.org/archives/92#more-92 Notes on ZUN's Genyou Denshou Lecture]</ref> His personal favourite beer is [[Wikipedia:Kirin Brewery Company|Kirin]]<ref name="ZUN's AWA" />, brewed in Japan.
ZUN is a relatively cheerful person, as seen in most of his public appearances and interviews as he laughs very often. However, he is rather quiet when talking, demonstrated at the [http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm14404306 after-party of Hakurei Jinjya Reitaisai 8]. He is [[wiktionary:nostalgic|nostalgic]] at times. He considers beer to be one of his greatest passions, but the history behind this is unknown. ZUN is often uncomfortable if he does not have a beer or a mobile phone nearby.<ref name="ZUN's Genyou Denshou Lecture">[http://www.gensokyo.org/archives/92#more-92 Notes on ZUN's Genyou Denshou Lecture]</ref> His favourite beer is [[Wikipedia:Kirin Brewery Company|Kirin]]<ref name="ZUN's AWA" />, brewed in Japan.


It is known that ZUN is a fan of music that uses [[wikipedia:Frequency modulation synthesis|FM (Frequency Modulation) Synthesis]], as most of the non-[[wikipedia:MIDI|MIDI]] music in the [[PC-98]] games were created using FM Synthesis. He also states in a note in the Akyu's Untouched Score albums that he resents the gradual phasing out of FM Synthesis that's occurring today.
ZUN is a fan of music that uses [[wikipedia:Frequency modulation synthesis|FM (Frequency Modulation) Synthesis]]. He composed a number of FM Synthesis tracks for the [[PC-98]] Touhou Project games, as well as for some print work CDs. ZUN states in a note in the Akyu's Untouched Score albums that he resents the gradual phasing out of FM Synthesis that's occurring today.


===Relationship to Touhou===
===Relationship to Touhou===
ZUN tends to find a lot of nostalgia towards the ''[[Touhou Project]]'', like for example when at one point he was playing ''[[Highly Responsive to Prayers]]'' on the MAG-Net Documentary. He likes to put a lot of ideas and planning into creating Touhou games, and doesn't care if all he generally does is either working on Touhou or drinking beer.
ZUN has a lot of nostalgia towards ''[[Touhou Project]]'', evident when he played ''[[Highly Responsive to Prayers]]'' in the MAG-Net documentary. He puts a lot of effort and creativity into creating Touhou games, and is content with his life even if all he generally does is either working on Touhou or drinking beer.
 
In the composer's comments for the theme ''[[Eternal Shrine Maiden]]'', ZUN says that it was one of the most important tracks during the [[PC-98]] era, but also says that his favourite songs are generally his recent creations. He has also admitted that [[Reimu Hakurei]] holds a special place in his heart.<ref name="ZUN's AWA" />


He's stated on the comments of the theme ''[[Eternal Shrine Maiden]]'' from the same game mentioned that this song was one of the most important songs during the [[PC-98]] era, but also stated that his favourite songs are generally his recent creations. He's also admitted that [[Reimu Hakurei]] holds a special place in his heart.<ref name="ZUN's AWA" />
ZUN jokingly stated in [[ZUN's E-mails|an e-mail]] that he continues to make ''[[Touhou Project]]'' games because some part of him lacks common sense. However, he has stated that the actual reason why he made the game series and [[Team Shanghai Alice]] is because he couldn't find any games he liked himself, so he decided to make them himself. In the [[Interview in Swedish Player1 Magazine|Swedish Magazine Interview]], when asked what games he will make in the future, he says he will continue to make "games that stand out, so if all [his] fans disappear [he is] still happy [that he] can keep doing the games [he] want[s]." Even to this day, he admits that he cannot create anything other than Touhou<ref name="ZUN's AWA" />.


Years ago, ZUN has jokingly states in [[ZUN's E-mails|an e-mail]] that he's been working on – and will continue to work on – the ''[[Touhou Project]]'' games since a part of him lacks common sense. However, he has stated that the actual reason why he originally made the game series and [[Team Shanghai Alice]] is because he couldn't find any games he liked himself, so he decided to make games he liked entirely by himself. In the [[Interview in Swedish Player1 Magazine|Swedish Magazine Interview]], he replies to the last question with, "I'm going to keep making games that stand out, so if all my fans disappear I'm still happy I can keep doing the games I want." Even to this day, he honestly admits that he couldn't create anything other than Touhou and still holds true to this statement<ref name="ZUN's AWA" />. Also, Taito created the game ''[[wikipedia:Darius Gaiden|Darius Gaiden]]'' – which is one of ZUN's favorite [[wikipedia:shoot'em up|shoot'em up]] games – that makes another known reason for him to start the ''Touhou Project''.
The Taito game ''[[wikipedia:Darius Gaiden|Darius Gaiden]]'' – which is one of ZUN's favorite [[wikipedia:shoot'em up|shoot'em up]] games – is considered another known inspiration for him to create ''Touhou Project''.


ZUN is very proud that the fanbase for the ''Touhou Project'' is very large, where he may take a look at a few fan-made works himself. He's admitted that may get jealous depending on how much quality is put into a fan-made Touhou work, but doesn't wish to choose a favourite to keep things fair with the whole fanbase. He doesn't wish to get influenced by fan-made Touhou works, but he states that the fanbase has influenced on how he works in life.<ref name="ZUN's AWA" />
ZUN is very proud that the fanbase for ''Touhou Project'' is very large, and frequently enjoys its doujin works. He admitted that he occasionally gets jealous when a lot of effort and quality is put into a fan-made Touhou work, but refuses to choose a favourite. He initially did not want to be influenced by fan-made Touhou works, but he has stated that the fanbase has an influence on how he works.<ref name="ZUN's AWA" />


==Additional Information==
==Additional Information==
[[File:TUMZUN.jpg|thumb|ZUN in the fangame ''[[Touhou Unreal Mahjong]]''.]]
[[File:TUMZUN.jpg|thumb|200px|ZUN in the fangame ''[[Touhou Unreal Mahjong]]''.]]
*ZUN appears as a playable character in the fangame ''[[Touhou Unreal Mahjong]]''. Due to ZUN having involvment in the game, and that the in-game image is a real photo of ZUN, its [[canon|canonicity]] is debatable.
*ZUN appears as a playable character in the fangame ''[[Touhou Unreal Mahjong]]''.
*In his interview on ''[[Bohemian Archive in Japanese Red]]'', ZUN said that he develops his games with [[wikipedia:Visual Studio|Visual Studio]], [[wikipedia:Adobe Photoshop|Adobe Photoshop]] and [[wikipedia:Steinberg Cubase|Cubase SX]].
*In his interview on ''[[Bohemian Archive in Japanese Red]]'', ZUN said that he develops his games with [[wikipedia:Visual Studio|Visual Studio]], [[wikipedia:Adobe Photoshop|Adobe Photoshop]] and [[wikipedia:Steinberg Cubase|Steinberg Cubase]] (Cubase SX 3 at the time). In more recent interviews, he has been seen using the latest version of Cubase Pro.
*ZUN currently holds the [[wikipedia:Guinness World Records|world records]] for the ''Touhou Project'' as the "worlds most prolific fan-made shooter series".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20130424041751/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records-8000/most-prolific-fan-made-shooter-series/|title=Most prolific fan-made shooter series|publisher=Guinness World Records|accessdate=22 August 2011}}</ref>
*ZUN currently holds the [[wikipedia:Guinness World Records|world record]] for ''Touhou Project'' as the "world's most prolific fan-made shooter series".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20130424041751/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records-8000/most-prolific-fan-made-shooter-series/|title=Most prolific fan-made shooter series|publisher=Guinness World Records|accessdate=22 August 2011}}</ref>
*The theme song "[[Lyrics: 童祭 ~ Innocent Treasures (ZUN)|Kid's Festival ~ Innocent Treasures]]" in ''[[Changeability of Strange Dream]]'' is ZUN's official theme. He has stated in ''Bohemian Archive in Japanese Red'' that writing this song was somewhat embarrassing and that "It's like the theme song that plays when you make your entrance on a talk show". This has happened twice or more when ZUN entered a talk show.
*The track "[[Lyrics: 童祭 ~ Innocent Treasures (ZUN)|Kid's Festival ~ Innocent Treasures]]" in ''[[Changeability of Strange Dream]]'' is ZUN's official theme. He has stated in ''Bohemian Archive in Japanese Red'' that writing it was somewhat embarrassing, calling it "the theme song that plays when you make your entrance on a talk show". This exact scenario has occured at least twice when ZUN appeared on talk shows.
**This theme seems to be the only one that ZUN wrote lyrics for. However, he either couldn't or didn't get anyone to sing the vocal part, so the theme was left as a non-vocal.
**This theme seems to be the only one that ZUN wrote lyrics for. However, he either could not or did not get anyone to sing them.  
*It has been theorised that ZUN might've had trouble designing [[:Category:Males|male characters]] due to the number of female characters – such as statements like "it would be weird to have an old man as the last boss in Touhou" for [[Myouren Hijiri]] been originally the final boss of ''[[Undefined Fantastic Object]]'' – but later confirmed that he feels that "boys get in the way of the game" and that "boys would just ruin the balance of the series."<ref name="ZUN's AWA" />
*ZUN has trouble designing [[:Category:Males|male characters]] due to the abundance of female characters in Touhou. In response to a question regarding male characters and the possibility of [[Myouren Hijiri]] being the original final boss of ''[[Undefined Fantastic Object]]'', ZUN said "it would be weird to have an old man as the last boss in Touhou". He later stated that "boys get in the way of the game" and that "boys would just ruin the balance of the series."<ref name="ZUN's AWA" />
*About whether the [[PC-98]] games are [[canon]] or not, he states that both [[PC-98]] and [[Windows]] games are set in the same world. He recognizes that there are contradictions and for those, we should refer to the latest games for canon.<ref name="ZUN's AWA" />
*When asked if the [[PC-98]] games are [[canon]], ZUN states that the PC-98 and [[Windows]] games are set in the same world. He acknowledges that this causes contradictions, stating that the latest games are the most canon.<ref name="ZUN's AWA" />
*He has mentioned in the same Swedish Magazine Interview that the company he worked for didn't like his work on the ''Touhou Project'' very much since it meant that he was working two parts.
*In the Swedish Magazine Interview, ZUN claims that Taito did not like that he developed ''Touhou Project'' at the same time as their games.
**Coincidentally, ZUN and "[[wikipedia:Zuntata|ZUNTATA]]"<ref name=UHoJI />, the sound team at [[wikipedia:Taito Corporation|Taito Corporation]], share the same first three characters. Zun is also the name given to the [[wikipedia:Zun|Chinese bronze vessel]] that was used to store alcohol during the [[w: Northern Song Dynasty|Northern Song period]] of [[w:Song Dynasty|Song Dynasty]].


==Fandom==
==Fandom==
[[Image:1255964955188.jpg|thumb|right|Not even ZUN himself is safe from derivative works.]]
[[Image:1255964955188.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Not even ZUN himself is safe from derivative works.]]
*As it's his title, the word {{nihongo|"Kannushi"|神主}} is often seen synonymously with "ZUN".
*As one of his titles, the word {{nihongo|"Kannushi"|神主}} is often seen synonymously with "ZUN".
*ZUN has been generally treated as a regular Touhou character with the rest of the ''[[Touhou Project]]'' characters, where he appears in fan-made fictions and games – such as ''[[Touhou Soccer Moushuuden]]'' – and fanart.
*ZUN is typically treated as a character alongside the rest of the ''[[Touhou Project]]'' characters, where he appears in doujin works – such as ''[[Touhou Soccer Moushuuden]]'' – and fanart.
*A figure creator called Moge Koubou made an [https://archive.is/20110909165547/http://zepy.momotato.com/2009/12/16/zun-action-figure-to-be-sold-at-winter-comiket/ action figure of ZUN]. With his permission, it was sold at the 2009 Winter Comiket.
*Moge Koubou, a figurine creator, made an [https://archive.is/20110909165547/http://zepy.momotato.com/2009/12/16/zun-action-figure-to-be-sold-at-winter-comiket/ action figure of ZUN]. With his permission, it was sold at the 2009 Winter Comiket.
*It's common for fans to jokingly state that what created Touhou and [[Gensokyo]] was beer, not ZUN.
*A common joke among fans is that Touhou and [[Gensokyo]] was created by beer, rather than ZUN.
*In fanart and doujinshi, the unsound effect, "ZUUUU~N!", is sometimes used.
*In fanart and doujinshi, "ZUUUU~N!" is occasionally depicted as a sound effect.
*The trumpets heard in his music have often been referred to as {{nihongo|"ZUNpets"|ZUNペット}} by fans.
*The Edirol SD-90's Romantic Tp (the synth trumpet heard in ZUN's music) is colloquially referred to as {{nihongo|"ZUNpets"|ZUNペット}} by fans.
*Because ZUN has been seen wearing [[:File:1035334-zun and his beer super.jpg|this]], he has been compared to [[Aya Shameimaru]] due to the similarity of their clothes. Aya has also been referred to as "ZUN's girlfriend" because of her recurring appearance in the games.
*ZUN has been compared to [[Aya Shameimaru]] after being seen wearing [[:File:1035334-zun and his beer super.jpg|this shirt]], which resembles the one worn by Aya in [[Double Spoiler]].


==ZUN Speaks==
==ZUN Speaks==
Line 185: Line 227:
===Fully translated===
===Fully translated===
*[[Doujin Barrier: The Work Called Touhou and the Fantasy of Game Creation]], ZUN's lecture, February 2005
*[[Doujin Barrier: The Work Called Touhou and the Fantasy of Game Creation]], ZUN's lecture, February 2005
*[[Interview in Swedish Player1 Magazine]], ~March 2006
*[[Interview in Swedish Player1 Magazine]], ~ March 2006
*[[Bohemian Archive in Japanese Red/Interview]]
*[[Bohemian Archive in Japanese Red/Interview]]
*[[/ZUN's E-mails|ZUN's E-mails]]
*[[/ZUN's E-mails|ZUN's E-mails]]
Line 199: Line 241:
*[http://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php/topic,13935.0.html Nikenme Radio 3D event, and the birth of EoSD]
*[http://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php/topic,13935.0.html Nikenme Radio 3D event, and the birth of EoSD]
*[[Summary Record of a Chat Between ZUN and a Korean Touhou Fan at Comiket76]]
*[[Summary Record of a Chat Between ZUN and a Korean Touhou Fan at Comiket76]]
*[http://otakumode.com/news/52adc1a3f21de80b0e000232/Interview-with-Touhou-Project-Founder-and-Creator-ZUN-Part-1 Interview with ZUN in a bar at Tokyo, part 1]
*[https://otakumode.com/news/52adc1a3f21de80b0e000232/Interview-with-Touhou-Project-Founder-and-Creator-ZUN-Part-1 Interview with ZUN in a bar at Tokyo, part 1]
*[http://otakumode.com/news/52ae46f5ff943d707900009d/Interview-with-Touhou-Project-Founder-and-Creator-ZUN-Part-2 Interview with ZUN in a bar at Tokyo, part 2]
*[https://otakumode.com/news/52ae46f5ff943d707900009d/Interview-with-Touhou-Project-Founder-and-Creator-ZUN-Part-2 Interview with ZUN in a bar at Tokyo, part 2]
*[http://otakumode.com/news/52ae477434d3d66a7900008f/Interview-with-Touhou-Project-Founder-and-Creator-ZUN-Part-3 Interview with ZUN in a bar at Tokyo, part 3]
*[https://otakumode.com/news/52ae477434d3d66a7900008f/Interview-with-Touhou-Project-Founder-and-Creator-ZUN-Part-3 Interview with ZUN in a bar at Tokyo, part 3]
*[http://shmuplations.com/doujin/ Doujin Round Table Discussion]
*[https://shmuplations.com/doujin/ Doujin Round Table Discussion]
*[http://blog.livedoor.jp/tohomemory/archives/42190251.html NHK's "imagine-nation" talks to ZUN]
*[http://blog.livedoor.jp/tohomemory/archives/42190251.html NHK's "imagine-nation" talks to ZUN](deadlink)
*[[Interview on Creative Train]]
*[[ASCII Magazine Double Dealing Character Interview]] ~ August 2013


===Partially translated===
===Partially translated===
Line 210: Line 254:
*[[ZUN's Gensou Denshou Lecture]] (summary available [http://www.gensokyo.org/archives/92#more-92 on gensokyo.org])
*[[ZUN's Gensou Denshou Lecture]] (summary available [http://www.gensokyo.org/archives/92#more-92 on gensokyo.org])
*[[Invisible Games and Japanese]], ZUN's blog
*[[Invisible Games and Japanese]], ZUN's blog
*[[Strange Articles of the Outer World/ZUN long interview]] [https://touhougarakuta.com/index_interview/zun_long_interview]


===Untranslated===
===Untranslated===
Line 229: Line 274:
*[[ZUN's former blog "Touhou Shofu" 14]]
*[[ZUN's former blog "Touhou Shofu" 14]]
*[[ZUN's former blog "Touhou Shofu" 15]]
*[[ZUN's former blog "Touhou Shofu" 15]]
*[http://www.4gamer.net/specials/shanghai_alice/zone_k.shtml Interview at 4gamer.net, December 2005]
*[https://www.4gamer.net/specials/shanghai_alice/zone_k.shtml Interview at 4gamer.net, December 2005]
*[http://www.4gamer.net/specials/shanghai_alice/zone_z.shtml ZUN talks about The Highly Responsive to Prayer at 4gamer.net]
*[https://www.4gamer.net/specials/shanghai_alice/zone_z.shtml ZUN talks about The Highly Responsive to Prayer at 4gamer.net]
*[http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm10398257 Introduction to Touhou and brief interview with ZUN on "The Net Star" TV show] (Niconico, sound only)
*[https://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm10398257 Introduction to Touhou and brief interview with ZUN on "The Net Star" TV show] (Niconico, sound only)
*[http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm5903008 ZUN talks about Subterranean Animism, part 1] (Niconico)
*[https://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm5903008 ZUN talks about Subterranean Animism, part 1] (Niconico)
*[http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/1233738891 ZUN gets drunk and rambles about stuff] (Niconico)
*[https://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/1233738891 ZUN gets drunk and rambles about stuff] (Niconico)
*[http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm6556964 ZUN talks about Subterranean Animism, part 2] (Niconico)
*[https://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm6556964 ZUN talks about Subterranean Animism, part 2] (Niconico)
*[http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm10036946 ZUN at the after-party of Hakurei Jinjya Reitaisai 7 on March 14, 2010] (Niconico)
*[https://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm10036946 ZUN at the after-party of Hakurei Jinjya Reitaisai 7 on March 14, 2010] (Niconico)
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNZk2P94mps ZUN was on live cam!] (YouTube)
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNZk2P94mps ZUN was on live cam!] (YouTube)
*[http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm14404306 ZUN at the after-party of Hakurei Jinjya Reitaisai 8 on May 8, 2011] (Niconico)
*[https://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm14404306 ZUN at the after-party of Hakurei Jinjya Reitaisai 8 on May 8, 2011] (Niconico)
*[http://ch.nicovideo.jp/indies-game/blomaga/ar172115 ZUN interview for Niconico Indies Game Fes 2013]
*[https://ch.nicovideo.jp/indies-game/blomaga/ar172115 ZUN interview for Niconico Indies Game Fes 2013]
*[https://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/interview/181019 Denfaminico Gamer interview featuring ZUN and Toby Fox]


====Recovered====
====Dead links====
These videos were originally available and translated, but the uploader was forced to set them to private after several copyright claims.<br>
These videos were originally available and translated, but the uploader was forced to set them to private after several copyright claims.<br>
They are now re-uploaded, though untranslated.
They are now re-uploaded, though untranslated.
Line 248: Line 294:


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<center><gallery perrow="5" widths="180">
<gallery widths=180>
Image:Zun.jpg|Another picture of ZUN, from 2005.
Image:Zun.jpg|Another picture of ZUN, from 2005.
Image:4-gamer ZUN2.jpg|ZUN in his interview with 4gamer.net.
Image:4-gamer ZUN2.jpg|ZUN in his interview with 4gamer.net.
Line 266: Line 312:
File:ZUNTokyoGameShow.jpg|ZUN on Tokyo Game Show 2013
File:ZUNTokyoGameShow.jpg|ZUN on Tokyo Game Show 2013
File:ZUN playing Mystic Square.jpg|ZUN playing the fifth Touhou game ''[[Mystic Square]]''.
File:ZUN playing Mystic Square.jpg|ZUN playing the fifth Touhou game ''[[Mystic Square]]''.
</gallery></center>
</gallery>


==External Links==
==See Also==
*[http://www16.big.or.jp/~zun/ Team Shanghai Alice]<br/>
*[[wikipedia:ZUN (video game developer)|Wikipedia entry]] on ZUN
*[http://kourindou.exblog.jp 博麗幻想書譜 (ZUN's Blog)]<br/>
*[http://twitter.com/korindo ZUN's Twitter]
*[http://www.kt.rim.or.jp/~aotaka/am/index.htm Amusement Makers (Former) Official Site]<br/>


==References==
==References==
<references/>
{{smallrefs|2}}


{{Navbox Touhou}}
{{Navbox Touhou}}
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[[pl:ZUN]]
[[pl:ZUN]]
[[ru:ZUN]]
[[ru:ZUN]]
[[uk:ZUN]]
[[zh:ZUN]]
[[zh:ZUN]]

Latest revision as of 12:47, 19 January 2024

ZUN
Also known as Jun'ya Ōta (太田順也 (おおたじゅんや) )
ZUN
ZUN during the PlayDoujin! Meeting (2015)
Title

Hakurei Kannushi, Team Shanghai Alice Leader

Born

March 18, 1977 (1977-03-18) (age 47) Hakuba, Nagano, Japan

Location

Formerly Ebina, Kanagawa, Japan, currently unknown

Gender

Male

Notable from

Touhou Project

Circle(s)

Team Shanghai Alice

Occupation

Programmer, Game Director, Game Producer, Character Designer, Illustrator, Game Designer, Music Composer, Novelist, Comic Writer

Music Themes

Kid's Festival ~ Innocent Treasures (Changeability of Strange Dream)

Websites

Jun'ya Ōta (太田順也 Oota Jun'ya), pen-name ZUN, is the sole member of Team Shanghai Alice and is the designer, programmer, script writer, and composer of Touhou Project.

Works

Games

Made under "ZUN Soft"

Made under Team Shanghai Alice
Collaboration with Twilight Frontier

Music Soundtracks

ZUN's Music Collection
Akyu's Untouched Score
In Collaboration with Twilight Frontier

Print

Touhou Sangetsusei
Touhou Bougetsushou
Manga
Fiction
Magazines
Artbook

Games unrelated to Touhou

Works with Taito Corporation

ZUN in the credits of EXIT.

Doujin Games

Doujin Print Works

Doujin Albums

Columns & Reviews

Biography

A limited biography of ZUN could be written based upon the lengthy texts included within his games (letters to the player) and interviews for various publications. Unfortunately, a large majority of these remain untranslated for the Touhou Wiki. Despite this, a good amount of relevant information is known about him.

Name

ZUN's real name was first shown in the third Touhou Project game, Phantasmagoria of Dim.Dream.

ZUN has used the nickname "ZUN" since his childhood, since it is a short form of his real name; in arcades, a three-character nickname was common for many players since most games had a three character limit for their leaderboards. ZUN notes that it sounds similar to the "Jun" sound in his real name.[2]

ZUN's real name is Jun'ya Ota (太田順也), seen in the documentation of the five PC-98 games, as well as the credits of Phantasmagoria of Dim.Dream, Lotus Land Story and Mystic Square in 1997 and 1998; the name has also been listed in archives of ZUN's profile page on his website until June 2002. Additionally, ZUN is credited by his real name in Taito games that he contributed to. His real name is also used on official documents.[3]

ZUN also refers to himself as the Hakurei Kannushi (博麗神主), or the head priest of the Hakurei Shrine, used as his byline on some Touhou print works and on his Twitter account. He has stated he "secretly works in the Hakurei Shrine as the shrine master" in Changeability of Strange Dream. In canon, the Hakurei Shrine in Gensokyo has received sake from the outside world as an offering on several occasions, which may be a joking reference to how well-known ZUN is for drinking more than an oni.

History

ZUN's signature

ZUN was born on March 18, 1977 (1977-03-18) (age 47), in Hakuba, Nagano, and graduated from Tokyo Denki University, the home of Amusement Makers. The MAG-Net episode shows that at the time, he lived in Ebina, Kanagawa. His current residence is unknown.

In an interview, ZUN claims that he started composing his own pieces of music in junior high school, and learned how to play the Electone after his parents bought him one. He also learned how to play the trumpet as part of a wind instruments ensemble in elementary school.

ZUN started working at Taito in 1998, and left in 2007 due to disappointment and a lack of interest in the job; he also no longer needed to work at Taito due to the success of Touhou Project.[2][4] In his interview with MAG-Net, ZUN says that his fondest ambition in life is to open a brewpub.

In a February 2012 radio interview, ZUN announced that he had recently married, with the formal ceremony held on May 27 (the day of Reitaisai 9). His wife is a game programmer who programs smartphone games.[2] They met in 2004. ZUN became a father to a boy on June 13, 2014,[5] and a girl on December 5, 2016.[6]

Appearance

ZUN appears to always wear a flat cap. He typically wears a green, flower-patterned ascot or a black one with a red and gold design lining it. He generally finds his flat caps by looking around normal shops, flea markets or nearby events.[7] He also wears glasses.

ZUN has stated in an interview that he weighs only 50kg (110lbs). It is impossible to confirm the accuracy of this measurement, but he is visually very thin.

ZUN is 173cm tall (1.73 meters).[8]

Personality

ZUN is a relatively cheerful person, as seen in most of his public appearances and interviews as he laughs very often. However, he is rather quiet when talking, demonstrated at the after-party of Hakurei Jinjya Reitaisai 8. He is nostalgic at times. He considers beer to be one of his greatest passions, but the history behind this is unknown. ZUN is often uncomfortable if he does not have a beer or a mobile phone nearby.[9] His favourite beer is Kirin[7], brewed in Japan.

ZUN is a fan of music that uses FM (Frequency Modulation) Synthesis. He composed a number of FM Synthesis tracks for the PC-98 Touhou Project games, as well as for some print work CDs. ZUN states in a note in the Akyu's Untouched Score albums that he resents the gradual phasing out of FM Synthesis that's occurring today.

Relationship to Touhou

ZUN has a lot of nostalgia towards Touhou Project, evident when he played Highly Responsive to Prayers in the MAG-Net documentary. He puts a lot of effort and creativity into creating Touhou games, and is content with his life even if all he generally does is either working on Touhou or drinking beer.

In the composer's comments for the theme Eternal Shrine Maiden, ZUN says that it was one of the most important tracks during the PC-98 era, but also says that his favourite songs are generally his recent creations. He has also admitted that Reimu Hakurei holds a special place in his heart.[7]

ZUN jokingly stated in an e-mail that he continues to make Touhou Project games because some part of him lacks common sense. However, he has stated that the actual reason why he made the game series and Team Shanghai Alice is because he couldn't find any games he liked himself, so he decided to make them himself. In the Swedish Magazine Interview, when asked what games he will make in the future, he says he will continue to make "games that stand out, so if all [his] fans disappear [he is] still happy [that he] can keep doing the games [he] want[s]." Even to this day, he admits that he cannot create anything other than Touhou[7].

The Taito game Darius Gaiden – which is one of ZUN's favorite shoot'em up games – is considered another known inspiration for him to create Touhou Project.

ZUN is very proud that the fanbase for Touhou Project is very large, and frequently enjoys its doujin works. He admitted that he occasionally gets jealous when a lot of effort and quality is put into a fan-made Touhou work, but refuses to choose a favourite. He initially did not want to be influenced by fan-made Touhou works, but he has stated that the fanbase has an influence on how he works.[7]

Additional Information

ZUN in the fangame Touhou Unreal Mahjong.
  • ZUN appears as a playable character in the fangame Touhou Unreal Mahjong.
  • In his interview on Bohemian Archive in Japanese Red, ZUN said that he develops his games with Visual Studio, Adobe Photoshop and Steinberg Cubase (Cubase SX 3 at the time). In more recent interviews, he has been seen using the latest version of Cubase Pro.
  • ZUN currently holds the world record for Touhou Project as the "world's most prolific fan-made shooter series".[10]
  • The track "Kid's Festival ~ Innocent Treasures" in Changeability of Strange Dream is ZUN's official theme. He has stated in Bohemian Archive in Japanese Red that writing it was somewhat embarrassing, calling it "the theme song that plays when you make your entrance on a talk show". This exact scenario has occured at least twice when ZUN appeared on talk shows.
    • This theme seems to be the only one that ZUN wrote lyrics for. However, he either could not or did not get anyone to sing them.
  • ZUN has trouble designing male characters due to the abundance of female characters in Touhou. In response to a question regarding male characters and the possibility of Myouren Hijiri being the original final boss of Undefined Fantastic Object, ZUN said "it would be weird to have an old man as the last boss in Touhou". He later stated that "boys get in the way of the game" and that "boys would just ruin the balance of the series."[7]
  • When asked if the PC-98 games are canon, ZUN states that the PC-98 and Windows games are set in the same world. He acknowledges that this causes contradictions, stating that the latest games are the most canon.[7]
  • In the Swedish Magazine Interview, ZUN claims that Taito did not like that he developed Touhou Project at the same time as their games.

Fandom

Not even ZUN himself is safe from derivative works.
  • As one of his titles, the word "Kannushi" (神主) is often seen synonymously with "ZUN".
  • ZUN is typically treated as a character alongside the rest of the Touhou Project characters, where he appears in doujin works – such as Touhou Soccer Moushuuden – and fanart.
  • Moge Koubou, a figurine creator, made an action figure of ZUN. With his permission, it was sold at the 2009 Winter Comiket.
  • A common joke among fans is that Touhou and Gensokyo was created by beer, rather than ZUN.
  • In fanart and doujinshi, "ZUUUU~N!" is occasionally depicted as a sound effect.
  • The Edirol SD-90's Romantic Tp (the synth trumpet heard in ZUN's music) is colloquially referred to as "ZUNpets" (ZUNペット) by fans.
  • ZUN has been compared to Aya Shameimaru after being seen wearing this shirt, which resembles the one worn by Aya in Double Spoiler.

ZUN Speaks

English

Fully translated

Partially translated

Untranslated

Dead links

These videos were originally available and translated, but the uploader was forced to set them to private after several copyright claims.
They are now re-uploaded, though untranslated.

Gallery

See Also

References

  1. not an official print work but ZUN got involved
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 The Untold History of Japanese Game Developers Interview: interview between John Szczepaniak and ZUN
  3. White Canvas Case: comment
  4. November 2012 Nikenme Radio 3D event
  5. https://twitter.com/korindo/status/477666648661319680
  6. https://twitter.com/korindo/status/206496584773537793
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 ZUN's AWA Q&A Panel
  8. Double Dealing Character Staff roll
  9. Notes on ZUN's Genyou Denshou Lecture
  10. "Most prolific fan-made shooter series". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 22 August 2011.