As various games of the same genre influence each other, Touhou series is no exception. This page collects evidences of notable inspirations seen in Touhou games, as well as touhouisms appearing in other doujins, barring generic elements that have appeared since the dawn of shoot-em-ups.
Note: the tables only list earliest chronological appearance of evidences.
Influences on Touhou
Evidence
|
Seen in
|
Likely origin
|
Reimu's character |
Entire game |
Sayo-chan, protagonist of KiKi KaiKai (Taito, 1986)
|
Music: Angel's Legend (YuugenMagan's and Mima's theme) |
Level 10 |
'Heart of Fire' from Castlevania (Konami, 1987)
|
Evidence
|
Seen in
|
Likely origin
|
Player interaction mechanics |
Entire game |
Twinkle Star Sprites (ADK, 1996)
|
Evidence
|
Seen in
|
Likely origin
|
Grazing mechanic used for scoring |
Entire game |
Raiden Fighters (Seibu Kaihatsu, 1996)
|
Focused shot that slows down the character |
Entire game |
DonPachi (Cave, 1995), or Cybattler (Jaleco, 1993)
|
Boss invincible to bombs (entire time or during last attack) |
Extra |
True last boss of ChoRenSha 68k (Famibe no Yosshin, 1995)
|
Evidence
|
Seen in
|
Likely origin
|
Marisa's bomb |
Entire Game |
Fighter B from Dangun Feveron (Cave, 1998)
|
Louise's first pattern |
Stage 2 |
Double Dealer from Darius Gaiden (Taito, 1994)
|
Homing lasers |
Stage 4, 6 and Extra |
Several bosses from Darius Gaiden and G-Darius (Taito, 1994/1997)
|
Yumeko's third pattern |
Stage 5 |
Fatty Glutton (Zone O) from Darius Gaiden (Taito, 1994)
|
Shinki character |
Stage 6 |
Last boss from ESP Ra.De. (Cave, 1998)
|
Alice's second pattern |
Extra |
Last boss of DoDonPachi (Cave, 1997)
|
Alice's sixth pattern |
Extra |
Several bosses from G-Darius (Taito, 1997)
|
Alice's last pattern and arrowhead bullets |
Extra |
True last boss of DoDonPachi (Cave, 1997)
|
Music: Maple Wise (Stage 4 theme) |
Stage 4 |
'The Final Decisive Battle' from Lufia (Estpolis) Series (Neverland Co., 1993)
|
Evidence
|
Seen in
|
Likely origin
|
Youmu's bullet-canceling sword attack |
Entire game |
Radiant Silvergun (Treasure, 1998)
|
Medicine's extra attack (slowdown field) |
Entire game |
Metal Black (Taito, 1991)
|
Evidence
|
Seen in
|
Likely origin
|
Using shot power for bombing |
Entire game |
Metal Black (Taito, 1991)
|
Marisa-A's "shadow" options |
Entire game |
Gradius (Konami, 1985)
|
Evidence
|
Seen in
|
Likely origin
|
Reimu-A's options |
Entire game |
Thunder Force II (Technosoft, 1989)
|
Reimu-C's speed-up ability |
Entire game |
Dogyuun!! (Toaplan, 1992)
|
Reimu-C's options |
Entire game |
Air Gallet (Gazelle, 1996)
|
Marisa-B's switchable option formations |
Entire game |
Battle Garegga (8ing/Raizing, 1996)
|
Communication gauge mechanics |
Entire game |
Shikigami no Shiro II (Alfa System, 2003)
|
Falling rocks that shoot revenge bullets |
Stage 1 |
Stage 1 of Mushihimesama Futari (Cave, 2006)
|
Large red round bullets |
Stage 6 |
Mushihimesama Futari (Cave, 2006)
|
Utsuho's spell card #147 |
Stage 6 |
Last boss from ESP Ra.De. (Cave, 1998)
|
Utsuho's spell card #155 |
Stage 6 |
DeathSmiles (Cave, 2007)
|
Koishi's clockwise-rotating bullet sprays |
Extra |
Stage 1 boss from Pink Sweets – Ibara Sorekara (Cave, 2006)
|
Music: Green-Eyed Jealousy (Parsee's theme) |
Stage 2 |
Greensleeves (traditional)
|
Music: Lullaby of Deserted Hell (Stage 5 theme) |
Stage 5 |
Bieito Romero's and Mike Oldfield's The Song of the Sun (1996)
|
Evidence
|
Seen in
|
Likely origin
|
Marisa-B's shot style |
Entire game |
Star Soldier (Hudson, 1986)
|
Sanae-A's shot style |
Entire game |
Image Fight (Irem, 1988)
|
Sanae-B's shot style |
Entire game |
Mahou Daisakusen (8ing/Raizing, 1993)
|
Various Space Invaders cameos |
Stage 6 and Extra |
Space Invaders (Taito, 1978)
|
Evidence
|
Seen in
|
Likely origin
|
Spirit Realm System (Trance) |
Entire game |
Hyper System from Dodonpachi Daioujou (Cave, 2002)
|
See Also