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{{Infobox Print Work
{{Infobox Print Work
| title        ={{ruby-ja|東方文果真報|とうほうぶんかしんぽう}}<br />''Alternative Facts in Eastern Utopia''
| title        ={{ruby-ja|東方文果真報|とうほぶんかしんぽう}}<br />''Alternative Facts in Eastern Utopia''
| image        = [[File:AFiEUcover.jpg|250px|Alternative Facts in Eastern Utopia]]
| image        = [[File:AFiEUcover.jpg|250px|Alternative Facts in Eastern Utopia]]
| developer    =Team Shanghai Alice
| developer    =Team Shanghai Alice
Line 7: Line 7:
| genre        =Official Book
| genre        =Official Book
| writers      =[[ZUN]]
| writers      =[[ZUN]]
| illustrators =[[Genji Asai]]<br />[[Masakichi]]<br />
| illustrators =[[Aoi Aioi]]<br />[[Genji Asai]]<br />[[Aya Azuma]]<br />[[Toshihira Arata]]<br />[[ALISON]]<br />[[Amamiya Tokuhisa]]<br />[[Suichuu Hanabi]]<br />[[TOKIAME]]<br />[[nyanya]]<br />[[Haniwa]]<br />[[Hiiragi Akio]]<br />[[Hitori]]<br />[[Masakichi]]<br />[[Mizutaki]]
| pages        =
| pages        =
| comes with  =
| comes with  =
| ISBN        = 9784048928625
| ISBN        = 9784048928625
}}
}}
{{thtitle|Touhou |Bunka Shinpou|ruby=Word's End True Report|&nbsp;~ Alternative Facts in Eastern Utopia|東方文果真報 ~ Alternative Facts in Eastern Utopia}} is an official Touhou book released on March 30, 2017. It is presented as [[Aya Shameimaru]]'s attempt to create a tabloid magazine in the style of those from the [[Outside World]],<ref>''[[Curiosities of Lotus Asia]]'' - [[Curiosities of Lotus Asia/Chapter 30|Chapter 30]]</ref> which she eventually cancelled and left unpublished.<ref>''[[Forbidden Scrollery]]'' - Chapter 49</ref> The book features in-universe articles, interviews and advertisements similar to the earlier ''[[Bohemian Archive in Japanese Red]]'', but in a significantly more chaotic and haphazard format. In fact, the magazine "{{nihongo|文々春新報|Bunbunshun Shinpou|lit. "Aya's Periodical News Report"}} follows the name and design of {{nihongo|週刊文春|Shuukan Bunshun|lit. "Weekly Magazine of Literature Periodical"}}, a notorious high-circulation tabloid published weekly in Japan.
{{thtitle|Touhou |Bunka Shinpou|ruby=Word's End True Report|&nbsp;~ Alternative Facts in Eastern Utopia|東方文果真報 ~ Alternative Facts in Eastern Utopia}} is an official Touhou book released on March 30, 2017. It is presented as [[Aya Shameimaru]]'s attempt to create a tabloid magazine in the style of those from the [[Outside World]],<ref>''[[Curiosities of Lotus Asia]]'' - [[Curiosities of Lotus Asia/Chapter 30|Chapter 30]]</ref> which she eventually cancelled and left unpublished.<ref>''[[Forbidden Scrollery]]'' - Chapter 49</ref> The book features in-universe articles, interviews and advertisements similar to the earlier ''[[Bohemian Archive in Japanese Red]]'', but in a significantly more chaotic and haphazard format. In fact, the magazine ''Bunbunharu Weekly'' or "{{nihongo|文々春新報|Bunbunharu Shinpou|lit. "Aya's Periodical News Report"}} follows the name and design of {{nihongo|週刊文春|Shuukan Bunshun|lit. "Weekly Magazine of Literature Periodical"}}, a notorious high-circulation tabloid published weekly in Japan.
 
==Plot==
[[Aya Shameimaru]], a [[tengu]] reporter, decides to change her reporting style to more closely match examples of [[Wikipedia:Clickbait|clickbait]] magazines from the [[Outside World]] in an attempt to further her publication's appeal. To that end, she imports the topical rhetoric of the [[Wikipedia:2016_United_States_presidential_election|2016 United States Presidential Election]], and other hot-button political, social, and "[[Wikipedia:moral panic|moral panic]]" issues into her newspaper.<ref>[[Alternative Facts in Eastern Utopia]] - [[Alternative_Facts_in_Eastern_Utopia/Afterword|ZUN's Afterword]]</ref> Additionally, there are several advertisements for local businesses present within the newspaper, such as [[Kourindou]] and the [[Marisa_Kirisame#Occupation|Kirisame Magic Shop]].
 
In keeping with the 'tabloid' theme, she relies heavily on [[Wikipedia:loaded_questions|loaded questions]] to manufacture a narrative that [[Gensokyo]] is at risk of invasion from "foreign threats", going so far as to imply [[Yukari Yakumo]] and [[Reimu Hakurei]] are collaborators with these alleged conspiring outsiders, such as [[Clownpiece]] and [[Sumireko Usami]], as well as painting "immigrants" such as the residents of [[Eientei]] as "foreign drug dealers."<ref>''[[Alternative Facts in Eastern Utopia]]'' - [[Alternative_Facts_in_Eastern_Utopia/Article_and_Interview/Reisen_Udongein_Inaba#Article_2|Reisen Udongein Inaba Article]]</ref> Despite Aya's determination to steer various conversations to that end, neither of Reimu nor Yukari appear concerned about the new "immigrants", with Reimu rejecting the idea that she "defends" the [[Hakurei Barrier]] from outsiders,<ref>''[[Alternative Facts in Eastern Utopia]]'' - [[Alternative_Facts_in_Eastern_Utopia/Article_and_Interview/Sumireko_Usami|Sumireko Usami's Interview]]</ref> and Yukari stating that Gensokyo is "accepting of everyone."<ref>''[[Alternative Facts in Eastern Utopia]]'' - [[Alternative_Facts_in_Eastern_Utopia/Article_and_Interview/Yukari_Yakumo|Yukari Yakumo's Interview]]</ref>
 
During a particularly in-depth and intense conversation with [[Hecatia Lapislazuli]], in which the Goddess harshly chides Aya for her [[Wikipedia:Yellow_journalism|yellow journalism]], Hecatia warns Aya that [[Wikipedia:Isolationism|isolationism]] would result in the stagnation and eventual decay of Gensokyo, comparing such an ideology to one held by the antagonistic and elitist [[Lunar Kingdom]]. Hecatia also suggests that the surge in isolationist attitudes that might result from Aya's publication would be advantageous to the [[Lunarians]] by limiting Gensokyo's cultural evolution. This interview in particular seems to convince Aya to ultimately not publish the current iteration of ''Bunbunharu Shinpou'', becoming similarly concerned about aiding the Lunarians.<ref>''[[Alternative Facts in Eastern Utopia]]'' - [[Alternative Facts in Eastern Utopia/Article and Interview/Clownpiece and Hecatia Lapislazuli|Hecatia Lapislazuli's Interview]]</ref>
 
In a journal-style afterword, Aya explains the rationale for many of her loaded questions and outright fabrications, viewing it as a way to make her publication "more exciting and attractive" for potential readers rather than being a true believer of any specific ideology herself. Additionally, she felt pressure to compete with [[Hatate Himekaidou]]'s ''Kakashi Spirit News'' publication, or face irrelevance in Gensokyo's sphere of journalism.


==Press==
==Press==
Details regarding the book, including its release date, were announced in the 3rd volume of [[Strange Creators of Outer World]]. Preorders opened shortly after.  
Details regarding the book, including its release date, were announced in the 3rd volume of [[Strange Creators of Outer World]]. Preorders opened shortly after.  
==Read online (complete)==
MangaDex: '''[https://mangadex.org/title/841524ee-2a99-47a6-a71c-1fc61236812f Touhou Bunka Shinpou ~ Alternative Facts in Eastern Utopia.]'''
Released by '''Reality Dreamers'''.
==Direct Download==
{{Comic
| n = AFiEU complete book
| l = http://www.mediafire.com/file/27lwg2fy0ycdbd4/
}}


==Contents==
==Contents==
Line 21: Line 41:
*pg. 3: [[/Foreword|Foreword]]
*pg. 3: [[/Foreword|Foreword]]


===Bunbunshun News Report===
===Bunbunharu Weekly===
*pg. 5: Cover
*pg. 5: Cover
*pg. 7-9: [[/Article and Interview/Sumireko Usami#Article|Article: Sumireko Usami (with Kasen Ibaraki)]] &mdash; A female student who can cross over the barrier!
*pg. 7-9: [[/Article and Interview/Sumireko Usami#Article|Article: Sumireko Usami (with Kasen Ibaraki)]] &mdash; A female student who can cross over the barrier!
Line 29: Line 49:
*pg. 16: [[/Article and Interview/Shinmyoumaru Sukuna#Article_1|Article: Shinmyoumaru Sukuna 1]] &mdash; A Small Challenger to White-Water Rafting!
*pg. 16: [[/Article and Interview/Shinmyoumaru Sukuna#Article_1|Article: Shinmyoumaru Sukuna 1]] &mdash; A Small Challenger to White-Water Rafting!
*pg. 17: [[/Index|Index]]
*pg. 17: [[/Index|Index]]
*pg. 18-21: [[/Article and Interview/Yukari Yakumo|Article: Yukari Yakumo]] &mdash; Gensokyo is already under attack!? '''[todo]'''
*pg. 18-21: [[/Article and Interview/Yukari Yakumo|Article: Yukari Yakumo]] &mdash; Gensokyo's crisis was calculated!?
*pg. 22-25: [[/Article and Interview/Reimu Hakurei|Article: Reimu Hakurei]] &mdash; The Hakurei Shrine: Ally to the Outside World<ref>On the book, the number of page is misprinted as it starts from pg. 20.</ref> '''[todo]'''
*pg. 22-25: [[/Article and Interview/Reimu Hakurei|Article: Reimu Hakurei]] &mdash; The Hakurei Shrine: Ally to the Outside World<ref>On the book, the number of page is misprinted as it starts from pg. 20.</ref>
*pg. 26-27: [[/Article and Interview/Rinnosuke Morichika|Article: Rinnosuke Morichika]] &mdash; Kourindou's Junk in Full Restock
*pg. 26-27: [[/Article and Interview/Rinnosuke Morichika|Article: Rinnosuke Morichika]] &mdash; Kourindou's Junk Restocked
*pg. 28-29: [[/Article and Interview/Tsukumo Sisters|Article: Tsukumo Sisters]] &mdash; The Birth of Future Stars! The healing "Two Girls Band"
*pg. 28-29: [[/Article and Interview/Tsukumo Sisters|Article: Tsukumo Sisters]] &mdash; The Birth of Future Stars! The healing "Two Girls Band"
*pg. 30-31: [[/Article and Interview/Dangerous Things#Front_Pages|Dangerous Things]] &mdash; DANGEROUS Things Keep Eating Away at Gensokyo!
*pg. 30-31: [[/Article and Interview/Dangerous Things#Front_Pages|Dangerous Things]] &mdash; DANGEROUS Things Keep Eating Away at Gensokyo!
**pg. 32-33: [[/Article and Interview/Dangerous Things#Article_1|Article: Eirin Yagokoro]] &mdash; The inconvenient “true effects” of overly effective medicine
**pg. 32-33: [[/Article and Interview/Dangerous Things#Article_1|Article: Eirin Yagokoro]] &mdash; The inconvenient “true effects” of overly effective medicine
**pg. 34-35: [[/Article and Interview/Dangerous Things#Article_2|Article: Nitori Kawashiro]] &mdash; "Kappa-Approved Hydrogenous Spring Water” and the Maximum Danger that Lurks Within!
**pg. 34-35: [[/Article and Interview/Dangerous Things#Article_2|Article: Nitori Kawashiro]] &mdash; "Kappa-Approved Hydrogenous Spring Water” and the Maximum Danger that Lurks Within!
*pg. 36-37: [[/Article and Interview/Sekibanki|Article: Sekibanki]] &mdash; Stange "Smartphone Neck"-Disease in Gensokyo!
*pg. 36-37: [[/Article and Interview/Sekibanki|Article: Sekibanki]] &mdash; Stange "Smartphone Neck" Disease in Gensokyo!
* Exclusive Bamboo Forest Scoops
* Exclusive Bamboo Forest Scoops
**pg. 38-39: [[/Article and Interview/Reisen Udongein Inaba#Article_1|Article: Reisen Udongein Inaba 1]] &mdash; The dangerous "addictiveness" of the moon's dango and their terrifying "side effects"!"<ref>On the book, the number of page is misprinted as it starts from pg. 36.</ref>
**pg. 38-39: [[/Article and Interview/Reisen Udongein Inaba#Article_1|Article: Reisen Udongein Inaba 1]] &mdash; The dangerous "addictiveness" of the moon's dango and their terrifying "side effects"!"<ref>On the book, the number of page is misprinted as it starts from pg. 36.</ref>
Line 45: Line 65:
*pg. 48-49: [[/Article and Interview/Various Youkai|Article: Various Youkai]] &mdash; A serious food supply issue is inevitable
*pg. 48-49: [[/Article and Interview/Various Youkai|Article: Various Youkai]] &mdash; A serious food supply issue is inevitable
*pg. 50-51: [[/Article and Interview/Prismriver Sisters and Raiko Horikawa#Article_2|Article: Prismriver Sisters 2 (featuring Raiko Horikawa)]] &mdash; From break-up to reformation in just three days
*pg. 50-51: [[/Article and Interview/Prismriver Sisters and Raiko Horikawa#Article_2|Article: Prismriver Sisters 2 (featuring Raiko Horikawa)]] &mdash; From break-up to reformation in just three days
*pg. 52: [[/Article and Interview/Prismriver Sisters and Raiko Horikawa#Interview|Interview: Raiko Horikawa]] &mdash; Becoming the Horismriver Ensemble for their time as four
*pg. 52: [[/Article and Interview/Prismriver Sisters and Raiko Horikawa#Interview|Interview: Raiko Horikawa]] &mdash; Becoming the Horismriver Ensemble while as a group of four
*pg. 54-55: [[/Article and Interview/Hatate Himekaidou#Article_2|Article: Hatate Himekaidou 2 (about Seija Kijin)]] &mdash; The impossible "Discovery of the Real Miracle Mallet" '''[todo]'''
*pg. 54-55: [[/Article and Interview/Hatate Himekaidou#Article_2|Article: Hatate Himekaidou 2 (about Seija Kijin)]] &mdash; The impossible "Discovery of the Real Miracle Mallet"
*pg. 56-57: Tengu Zokuron - Toshihira Arata
*pg. 56-57: Tengu Quarrel - Toshihira Arata
*pg. 58-63: [[/Novel/Hieda no Akyuu|Novel: Hieda no Akyuu]] &mdash; "M Dies of M" by Agatha Chris Q
*pg. 58-63: [[/Novel/Hieda no Akyuu|Novel: Hieda no Akyuu]] &mdash; "M Dies of M" by Agatha Chris Q
*pg. 65-72: Double Page: "The Tengu Rest Their Wings"
*pg. 65-72: Double Page: "When the Tengu Rest Their Wings"
**pg. 66-69: Illustration by nyanya
**pg. 66-69: Illustration by nyanya
**pg. 70-71: [[/Article and Interview/Three Tengu|Meeting: Three Tengu]] &mdash; Urgent Meeting! Tengu in disguise hold a Symposium
**pg. 70-71: [[/Article and Interview/Three Tengu|Meeting: Three Tengu]] &mdash; Urgent Meeting! Anonymous Tengu hold a Symposium
*pg. 73-80: Newbie Tengu Shinmyoumaru - Haniwa
*pg. 73-80: Newbie Tengu Shinmyoumaru - Haniwa
*pg. 82-83: [[/Article and Interview/Doremy Sweet|Article: Doremy Sweet]] &mdash; The Ominous “Rumors” Surrounding a Popular Pillow
*pg. 82-83: [[/Article and Interview/Doremy Sweet|Article: Doremy Sweet]] &mdash; The Ominous “Rumors” Surrounding a Popular Pillow
Line 57: Line 77:
*pg. 86-87: [[/Article and Interview/Sagume Kishin#Article_2|Article: Sagume Kishin 2 (with Tewi Inaba, Reisen Udongein Inaba, and Eirin Yagokoro)]] &mdash; A Secret Conversation Sending The World Into Panic - Is this the "Yagokoro Incident"!?
*pg. 86-87: [[/Article and Interview/Sagume Kishin#Article_2|Article: Sagume Kishin 2 (with Tewi Inaba, Reisen Udongein Inaba, and Eirin Yagokoro)]] &mdash; A Secret Conversation Sending The World Into Panic - Is this the "Yagokoro Incident"!?
*pg. 88-89: [[/Article and Interview/Seiran and Ringo|Article: Seiran and Ringo]] &mdash; Even the dango business isn't always cushy?
*pg. 88-89: [[/Article and Interview/Seiran and Ringo|Article: Seiran and Ringo]] &mdash; Even the dango business isn't always cushy?
*pg. 90-91: [[/Article and Interview/Shinmyoumaru Sukuna#Article_2|Article: Shinmyoumaru Sukuna 2 (with Wakasagihime)]] &mdash; Shinmyoumaru's Big Win!
*pg. 90-91: [[/Article and Interview/Shinmyoumaru Sukuna#Article_2|Article: Shinmyoumaru Sukuna 2 (with Wakasagihime)]] &mdash; Shinmyoumaru's Still At It!
*pg. 92-93: [[/Article and Interview/Kagerou Imaizumi|Article: Kagerou Imaizumi]] &mdash; A "guess the human" game has started
*pg. 92-93: [[/Article and Interview/Kagerou Imaizumi|Article: Kagerou Imaizumi]] &mdash; A "guess the human" game has started
*pg. 94-95: [[/Article and Interview/Hata no Kokoro|Article: Hata no Kokoro]] &mdash; "Ningo-yaki In Love" is published♪
*pg. 94-95: [[/Article and Interview/Hata no Kokoro|Article: Hata no Kokoro]] &mdash; "Ningyo-yaki In Love" is published
*pg. 96-97: [[/Article and Interview/Momiji Inubashiri|Article: Momiji Inubashiri]] &mdash; At last: The countdown to the Aerial Ropeway
*pg. 96-97: [[/Article and Interview/Momiji Inubashiri|Article: Momiji Inubashiri]] &mdash; At last: The countdown to the Aerial Ropeway
*pg. 98: [[/Essay/Tenshi Hinanawi|Essay: Tenshi Hinanawi]] &mdash; Plentiful Cooking for the Needy - Tenshi Hinanawi '''[todo]'''
*pg. 98: [[/Essay/Tenshi Hinanawi|Essay: Tenshi Hinanawi]] &mdash; Luxurious Heavenly Cuisine for the Needy - Tenshi Hinanawi
*pg. 99: [[/Essay/Komachi Onozuka|Essay: Komachi Onozuka]] &mdash; Next Week's Deaths - Komachi Onozuka '''[todo]'''
*pg. 99: [[/Essay/Komachi Onozuka|Essay: Komachi Onozuka]] &mdash; Next Week's Deaths - Komachi Onozuka
*pg. 100-101: [[/Essay/Marisa Kirisame|Essay: Marisa Kirisame]] &mdash; Marisa's Lucky Danmaku Horoscope - Marisa Kirisame
*pg. 100-101: [[/Essay/Marisa Kirisame|Essay: Marisa Kirisame]] &mdash; Marisa's Lucky Danmaku Horoscope - Marisa Kirisame
*pg. 104-105: [[/Article and Interview/Kyouko Kasodani|Article: Kyouko Kasodani]] &mdash; The Reality of the Sweatshop World of Religion
*pg. 104-105: [[/Article and Interview/Kyouko Kasodani|Article: Kyouko Kasodani]] &mdash; The Reality of the Sweatshop World of Religion
Line 69: Line 89:
*pg. 112-117: [[/Article and Interview/Clownpiece and Hecatia Lapislazuli#Interview|Interview: Hecatia Lapislazuli]] &mdash; World-Crossing Discourse - Hecatia Lapislazuli
*pg. 112-117: [[/Article and Interview/Clownpiece and Hecatia Lapislazuli#Interview|Interview: Hecatia Lapislazuli]] &mdash; World-Crossing Discourse - Hecatia Lapislazuli
*pg. 118: [[/Colophon|Colophon]]
*pg. 118: [[/Colophon|Colophon]]
*pg. 120-121: [[/Essay/Aya Shameimaru#Essay_1|Essay: Aya Shameimaru 1]] &mdash; Gensokyo's Most Famous Hot Springs - Aya Shameimaru<ref>The drawn characters are so-called Yakumo Family, but they're just the reporters according to the main text, and Aya's name is printed as writer on the index.</ref>
*pg. 120-121: [[/Essay/Aya Shameimaru#Essay_1|Essay: Aya Shameimaru 1]] &mdash; Top 100 Famous Hot Springs of Gensokyo - Aya Shameimaru
*pg. 122-123: [[/Essay/Yuyuko Saigyouji|Essay: Yuyuko Saigyouji]] &mdash; Yuyuko's One Dish and a Mouthful - Yuyuko Saigyouji
*pg. 122-123: [[/Essay/Yuyuko Saigyouji|Essay: Yuyuko Saigyouji]] &mdash; Yuyuko's One Dish One Bite - Yuyuko Saigyouji
*pg. 124-125: [[/Essay/Rinnosuke Morichika|Essay: Rinnosuke Morichika]] &mdash; Useless Modern Tools - Rinnosuke Morichika '''[todo]'''
*pg. 124-125: [[/Essay/Rinnosuke Morichika|Essay: Rinnosuke Morichika]] &mdash; Useless Modern Tools - Rinnosuke Morichika
*pg. 126: [[/Essay/Aya Shameimaru#Essay_2|Essay: Aya Shameimaru 2]] &mdash; The secret stores that only Tengu know of - Aya Shameimaru
*pg. 126: [[/Essay/Aya Shameimaru#Essay_2|Essay: Aya Shameimaru 2]] &mdash; The secret stores that only Tengu know of - Aya Shameimaru


Line 82: Line 102:
*pg. 103: [[/Advertisement#Sakuya Izayoi|Sakuya Izayoi]]
*pg. 103: [[/Advertisement#Sakuya Izayoi|Sakuya Izayoi]]
*pg. 119: [[/Advertisement#Rin Kaenbyou|Rin Kaenbyou]]
*pg. 119: [[/Advertisement#Rin Kaenbyou|Rin Kaenbyou]]
*pg. 127: [[/Advertisement#Bunbunshun News Report|Bunbunshun News Report]]
*pg. 127: [[/Advertisement#Bunbunshun News Report|Bunbunharu Weekly]]
*pg. 128: [[/Advertisement#Bunbunmaru Newspaper|Bunbunmaru Newspaper]]
*pg. 128: [[/Advertisement#Bunbunmaru Newspaper|Bunbunmaru Newspaper]]


Line 89: Line 109:
*pg. 132-133: [[/Article and Interview/Toyosatomimi no Miko#Fact_Check_to_Article_1|Fact Check: Toyosatomimi no Miko 1 (with Yoshika Miyako, Soga no Tojiko, and Mononobe no Futo)]] &mdash; 44-45  
*pg. 132-133: [[/Article and Interview/Toyosatomimi no Miko#Fact_Check_to_Article_1|Fact Check: Toyosatomimi no Miko 1 (with Yoshika Miyako, Soga no Tojiko, and Mononobe no Futo)]] &mdash; 44-45  
*pg. 134-135: [[/Article and Interview/Dangerous Things#Fact_Check_to_Article_2|Fact Check: Nitori Kawashiro]] &mdash; 34-35
*pg. 134-135: [[/Article and Interview/Dangerous Things#Fact_Check_to_Article_2|Fact Check: Nitori Kawashiro]] &mdash; 34-35
*pg. 136-137: [[/Article and Interview/Hatate Himekaidou#Fact_Check_to_Article_1|Fact Check: Hatate Himekaidou 1 (about Sumireko Usami)]] &mdash; 14-15 '''[todo]'''
*pg. 136-137: [[/Article and Interview/Hatate Himekaidou#Fact_Check_to_Article_1|Fact Check: Hatate Himekaidou 1 (about Sumireko Usami)]] &mdash; 14-15
*pg. 138-140: [[/Report of Release Cancel|Report that Bunbunshun News Report Is Released to Be Cancelled]] &mdash;
*pg. 138-140: [[/Report of Release Cancel|Report that Bunbunharu Weekly Is Released to Be Cancelled]] &mdash;


===Afterword by ZUN===
===Afterword by ZUN===

Revision as of 21:30, 14 July 2021

東方文果真報 (とうほぶんかしんぽう)
Alternative Facts in Eastern Utopia
Alternative Facts in Eastern Utopia
Developer

Team Shanghai Alice

Publisher

Kadokawa

Released

2017-03-30

Genre

Official Book

Writers

ZUN

Illustrators

Aoi Aioi
Genji Asai
Aya Azuma
Toshihira Arata
ALISON
Amamiya Tokuhisa
Suichuu Hanabi
TOKIAME
nyanya
Haniwa
Hiiragi Akio
Hitori
Masakichi
Mizutaki

ISBN

9784048928625


Touhou Bunka Shinpou(Word's End True Report) ~ Alternative Facts in Eastern Utopia (東方文果真報 ~ Alternative Facts in Eastern Utopia) is an official Touhou book released on March 30, 2017. It is presented as Aya Shameimaru's attempt to create a tabloid magazine in the style of those from the Outside World,[1] which she eventually cancelled and left unpublished.[2] The book features in-universe articles, interviews and advertisements similar to the earlier Bohemian Archive in Japanese Red, but in a significantly more chaotic and haphazard format. In fact, the magazine Bunbunharu Weekly or "文々春新報 (Bunbunharu Shinpou lit. "Aya's Periodical News Report") follows the name and design of 週刊文春 (Shuukan Bunshun lit. "Weekly Magazine of Literature Periodical"), a notorious high-circulation tabloid published weekly in Japan.

Plot

Aya Shameimaru, a tengu reporter, decides to change her reporting style to more closely match examples of clickbait magazines from the Outside World in an attempt to further her publication's appeal. To that end, she imports the topical rhetoric of the 2016 United States Presidential Election, and other hot-button political, social, and "moral panic" issues into her newspaper.[3] Additionally, there are several advertisements for local businesses present within the newspaper, such as Kourindou and the Kirisame Magic Shop.

In keeping with the 'tabloid' theme, she relies heavily on loaded questions to manufacture a narrative that Gensokyo is at risk of invasion from "foreign threats", going so far as to imply Yukari Yakumo and Reimu Hakurei are collaborators with these alleged conspiring outsiders, such as Clownpiece and Sumireko Usami, as well as painting "immigrants" such as the residents of Eientei as "foreign drug dealers."[4] Despite Aya's determination to steer various conversations to that end, neither of Reimu nor Yukari appear concerned about the new "immigrants", with Reimu rejecting the idea that she "defends" the Hakurei Barrier from outsiders,[5] and Yukari stating that Gensokyo is "accepting of everyone."[6]

During a particularly in-depth and intense conversation with Hecatia Lapislazuli, in which the Goddess harshly chides Aya for her yellow journalism, Hecatia warns Aya that isolationism would result in the stagnation and eventual decay of Gensokyo, comparing such an ideology to one held by the antagonistic and elitist Lunar Kingdom. Hecatia also suggests that the surge in isolationist attitudes that might result from Aya's publication would be advantageous to the Lunarians by limiting Gensokyo's cultural evolution. This interview in particular seems to convince Aya to ultimately not publish the current iteration of Bunbunharu Shinpou, becoming similarly concerned about aiding the Lunarians.[7]

In a journal-style afterword, Aya explains the rationale for many of her loaded questions and outright fabrications, viewing it as a way to make her publication "more exciting and attractive" for potential readers rather than being a true believer of any specific ideology herself. Additionally, she felt pressure to compete with Hatate Himekaidou's Kakashi Spirit News publication, or face irrelevance in Gensokyo's sphere of journalism.

Press

Details regarding the book, including its release date, were announced in the 3rd volume of Strange Creators of Outer World. Preorders opened shortly after.

Read online (complete)

MangaDex: Touhou Bunka Shinpou ~ Alternative Facts in Eastern Utopia.

Released by Reality Dreamers.

Direct Download

AFiEU complete book

Download

Contents

Bunbunharu Weekly

Self Reflection

Afterword by ZUN

Gallery

References