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Ran Yakumo
Ran Yakumo jakɯmo ɽaɴ (♫) | |
|---|---|
 Ran Yakumo in Perfect Cherry Blossom Shikigami of the Gap YoukaiMore Character Titles | |
| Species | |
| Abilities |
Using Shikigami |
| Age |
At least 800 years.[1] |
| Occupation |
Yukari's servant |
| Location |
Boundary of Gensokyo |
Music Themes | |
| |
Appearances | |
| Official Games | |
| |
| Print Works | |
| |
"Chen is my shikigami. She has recovered, and grown stronger than before." "... She was supposed to be strong? Wait, she's your shikigami? Aren't you a shikigami yourself?" — Ran Yakumo and Reimu Hakurei (Perfect Cherry Blossom Extra Stage.)
Ran Yakumo (八雲 藍 Yakumo Ran) is the kitsune shikigami of Yukari Yakumo and the master of the bakeneko shikigami Chen.
General Information
Ran first appeared as the extra stage boss of Perfect Cherry Blossom and then as the Phantasm stage midboss in the same game. She has a strong midboss image, but even as an extra boss, she demonstrated abilities that were nothing to be ashamed of through a long and difficult battle.
She frequently appears as an attack option in the fighting games for Yukari, and appeared in Imperishable Night as part of Yukari's shot.
Personality
Ran is described as being a gentle youkai who won't start a fight unless provoked. Although Ran is a shikigami, she sometimes "forgets" her position as a servant and acts of her own volition, such as deciding to attack the heroine in Perfect Cherry Blossom to avenge Chen. Because of this, Yukari punished Ran to remind her who the master is.
Abilities
- Using Shikigami
She has the privilege of strong youkai being able to use shikigami while also being a shikigami herself. However, Chen has the same level of wisdom that a child does, perhaps because Ran does not have the level of power that Yukari has, or perhaps because Ran's own power of turning youkai into a medium wasn't enough. Also, although she's not able to go against what Yukari says, this doesn't mean that Chen perfectly listens to what Ran says. Because of this, she sometimes has to lure Chen with catnip to make her listen.
- Clear intellect
She has super-human intellect equal to Yukari's, and excels at mathematics. According to Bohemian Archive in Japanese Red, she was somehow able to formulate and prove an equation for figuring out the width of the Sanzu River. It seems to be her specialty to process formulated calculations than invent new things through her intellect. At this point, the shikigami of Gensokyo have been often likened to the PCs of the outside world.
- Miscellaneous
One of her spellcards shows that she is capable of quickly increasing her physical capabilities, but other than this, nothing else about her other abilities have really come to light. She's likely able to use various other kinds of sorcery as a strong youkai, but since she pretty much never acts alone, this too is unclear.
Ran usually appears as a means for Yukari to attack, so when she flies, she often spins around. Perhaps the way Chen also spins around is related to this.
Occupation
As Yukari's shikigami, Ran must do whatever Yukari commands her to do, such as doing Yukari's chores or checking the Great Hakurei Barrier around Gensokyo for problems. Apparently, Ran's own shikigami, Chen, is too unreliable to be entrusted with doing chores.
In her spare time, Ran often calculates various things such as the width of the Sanzu River. She may also be seen in the Human Village shopping for tofu.
Species
- Shikigami
Ran's true identity is that of a shikigami possessing a youkai fox, or youko (妖狐, "mystic fox"). The fox she is possessing is an entirely separate being, but since it never comes to surface, there's no problem in thinking of Ran as a nine-tailed fox herself.[2] Because she is a shikigami herself, it's highly unusual that Ran has a shikigami of her own.
- Youkai fox
Ran's body is that of a youkai fox with nine large tails, which is a clear sign of great power and intelligence, as described by Akyuu[3].
Character Design
Name
Ran Yakumo (八雲 藍) is her name. The characters for Yakumo (八雲) literally mean "eight clouds", and Ran (藍) literally means "indigo". All of the Yakumo family are named after colors.
Ran Yakumo is apparently not her real name; according to Perfect Memento in Strict Sense, her name was given to by Yukari Yakumo. Her real name is unknown.
Design
In Perfect Cherry Blossom, Ran has yellow eyes, short blonde hair, and nine fox tails. She wears a white dress with purple cuffs and collar, an indigo tabard with a white print, white and blue footwear, and a light pink two-tailed hat with many amulets that hide her fox ears. According to ZUN, she is fairly tall.[4]
Story
- Perfect Cherry Blossom
During Perfect Cherry Blossom, Ran is busy preparing for a banquet for her master Yukari Yakumo, who was still asleep as usual, when Ran was suddenly interrupted by the heroine.
- Imperishable Night
Ran makes a return in Imperishable Night, somewhat as a playable character. Instead, she appears as a familiar of Yukari, where if the player chooses to focus, then Ran will appear in front of Yukari at a distance. She'll search for enemies and spin around on them until they're defeated. She'll act the same way if Yukari is unfocused while playing solo.
Spin-offs
- Fighters
Ran appeared in Immaterial and Missing Power, Scarlet Weather Rhapsody, and Touhou Hisoutensoku as a projectile in Yukari's spell card Shikigami "Ran Yakumo". In Antinomy of Common Flowers she gets used in the same way, this time in a combined move with her servant Chen.
- Shoot the Bullet
In Shoot the Bullet, Aya Shameimaru encountered Ran on stage 8 and took photos of her danmaku.
- Hopeless Masquerade
Ran made a background cameo appearance in Hopeless Masquerade on the Hakurei Shrine stage. She is seen standing with Chen watching the fights.
Literature
- Bohemian Archive in Japanese Red
Ran gets interviewed by Aya Shameimaru after she managed to determine the actual width of the Sanzu River. Ran also explains how equations and shikigami are related, and how Yukari's equations, which she uses to increase Ran's power indefinitely, are too much even for her to understand.
In Yukari's article, Aya confronts Yukari after the latter smacked Ran with an umbrella as a punishment for having fought humans without Yukari's permission. Although Aya is outraged by an animal being abused like that, Yukari insists that Ran is not an animal, but a shikigami that sometimes forgets that she is a servant.
- Silent Sinner in Blue
Yukari requests Ran to search for allies to take revenge for her defeat in the 1st Lunar War. After asking various people, like Remilia Scarlet, Yuyuko Saigyouji, Youmu Konpaku or Suika Ibuki, Ran explains that apparently the only interested person is Remilia, but that she doubts she will cooperate. Yukari tells her not to worry, as she has everything she needs, confusing Ran. After asking about her true intentions, Yukari will claim that only when she could do more than just mathematical calculus and could "add single digits" she could understand her plan [5]
The Full Moon day arrives and Ran follows Yukari in her journey to the Lunar Capital. However, they fall in Eirin Yagokoro's trap, they are apprehended and they are taken to the Capital to be judged thanks to Watatsuki no Toyohime. After being released and surprised her master was so happy after seeing her plan failed, Ran asks for an explanation. Yukari then tells her the true nature of her plan and they celebrate their success at the Scarlet Devil Mansion.
- Alternative Facts in Eastern Utopia
Ran was one of the visitors of the geyser hot springs right above Former Hell. When Aya asked her why she was keeping her hat in the bath, Ran said that it was because Aya was taking a picture of her.
- Cheating Detective Satori
Tired of the slowness and the supposed incompetency of Satori Komeiji, Yukari orders both Ran and Chen to search for the vengeful spirit that was possessing a lot of youkais and humans in Gensokyo between all the Netherworld phantoms. They do so, and in chapter 8 Chen contacts Satori, Rin and Reimu to inform them that they had captured it. However, in chapter 10 Marisa Kirisame tells to both of them not only that they didn't captured it, but that it possessed their master Yukari. Surprised and worried about her, they leave Marisa and Satori to find her.
Relationships
- Yukari Yakumo (Master)
Yukari is Ran's Master. As a shikigami, Ran must do whatever Yukari commands, but since Yukari is asleep most of the time, Ran has a lot of free time. When Ran follows Yukari's will, she can obtain power equal to Yukari's level, becoming much stronger than she usually is. However, Ran sometimes forgets that she is a shikigami, and Yukari scolds her as a result.
- Chen (Shikigami)
Ran's shikigami. Since their relationship is the same as Ran's relationship with Yukari, one would expect Chen to follow anything that Ran commands, but Chen is unreliable and it's difficult for Ran to depend on her.
Gallery
Sprites
Ran's different color palettes from Antinomy of Common Flowers, followed by Yukari Yakumo's palettes. The last two palettes were added in v1.10
Illustrations
Illustration of Ran in Bohemian Archive in Japanese Red
Another illustration of Ran from Bohemian Archive in Japanese Red
Another illustration of Ran in Yukari's article from Bohemian Archive in Japanese Red
Ran in Cage in Lunatic Runagate
Ran with Yukari and Chen from Who's Who of Humans & Youkai - Dusk Edition
Screenshots
Ran and Chen cameo in Extra of the Wind
Ran in Silent Sinner in Blue
Ran in Cheating Detective Satori
Others
Ran's Sigil in the Grimoire of Marisa
Spell Cards
| Name | Translated | Comments | Games | Stage | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total: 18 | ||||||
| 式神「仙狐思念」 | Shikigami "Senko Thoughtful Meditation" | PCB | St. Ex | |||
| 式神「十二神将の宴」 | Shikigami "Banquet of the Twelve General Gods" | PCB GoM |
St. Ex — | |||
| 式輝「狐狸妖怪レーザー」 | Shiki Brilliance "Kitsune-Tanuki Youkai Laser" | PCB | St. Ex | |||
| 式輝「四面楚歌チャーミング」 | Shiki Brilliance "Charming Siege from All Sides" | PCB | St. Ex | |||
| 式輝「プリンセス天狐 -Illusion-」 | Shiki Brilliance "Princess Tenko -Illusion-" | PCB | St. Ex | |||
| 式弾「アルティメットブディスト」 | Shiki Shot "Ultimate Buddhist" | PCB GoM |
St. Ex — | |||
| 式弾「ユーニラタルコンタクト」 | Shiki Shot "Unilateral Contact" | PCB | St. Ex | |||
| 式神「橙」 | Shikigami "Chen" | PCB | St. Ex | |||
| 「狐狗狸さんの契約」 | "Kokkuri-san's Contract" | PCB GoM |
St. Ex — | |||
| 幻神「飯綱権現降臨」 | Illusion God "Descent of Izuna-Gongen" | PCB | St. Ex | |||
| 式神「前鬼後鬼の守護」 | Shikigami "The Protection of Zenki and Goki" | PCB GoM |
St. Ph — | |||
| 式神「憑依荼吉尼天」 | Shikigami "Channeling Dakiniten" | PCB | St. Ph | |||
| 密符「御大師様の秘鍵」 | Esoteric Sign "Odaishi-sama's Secret Key" | StB | St. 8 | |||
| 行符「八千万枚護摩」 | Ascetic Sign "Eighty Million Goma Boards" | StB | St. 8 | |||
| 超人「飛翔役小角」 | Superhuman "Soaring En no Ozunu" | StB GoM |
St. 8 — | |||
| 地妖符「イドの式神」 | Earth Ghostly Sign "Shikigami of the Id" | Co-owner with Koishi | VD | Nightmare Wednesday - 2 | ||
| 地妖符「式神大星」 | Earth Ghostly Sign "Shikigami Giant Star" | Co-owner with Utsuho | VD | Nightmare Wednesday - 4 | ||
| 地妖符「エゴの式神」 | Earth Ghostly Sign "Shikigami of the Ego" | Co-owner with Satori | VD | Nightmare Wednesday - 5 | ||
Trivia
- The name of one of her Spell Cards, "Princess Tenko," is likely a reference to a famous Japanese illusionist of the same name, considering how foxes are known for their tricks and illusions in folklore.
- Ran is the only stage mid-boss in any Touhou Project game that is immune to bombs.
- Since her master is the only Phantasm boss, Ran is also the only Phantasm stage mid-boss.
- Both Ran and Yukari's surname was "Suzukaze" in the trial version ver. 0.09a of PCB.[6]
Fandom
Official Profiles
|
|
○すきま妖怪の式 八雲 藍（やくも・らん） |
Shikigami of the Gap Youkai Ran Yakumo Extra Boss, and Yukari's shikigami. She does Yukari's work for her while her master sleeps. She has the ability to mainly use shikigami. Yukari sleeps 12 hours per day and is only awake from sunset to midnight. On top of that, she hibernates through winter. Because of that, Ran takes care of Yukari's work while she's asleep. Ran has been a shikigami for quite long time, so she's more powerful than ordinary youkai. For that matter, she has enough power to possess her own shikigami. Perhaps she has already forgotten that she herself is a shikigami. Every year, when cherry blossoms are about to bloom, she visits the Netherworld for flower viewing. The cherry blossoms this year feels very pleasant. Just as she was considering that, some living humans dropped in. She watched them with interest for a few moments. She later heard that her shikigami had been defeated by them, so she plotted a little revenge. Her true form is a fox-turned youkai. Like Chen, her shape is unchanged and she has a well-sociable personality. Even without looking closely, it's obvious that she has several tails. As a matter of fact, when it matters, she has plenty of power ever since she uses her true form. Through all these events, her master continues to sleep. |
Official Sources
- 2003/08/17 Perfect Cherry Blossom - Extra Stage dialogue; Phantasm Stage dialogue; キャラ設定.txt (official profile)
- 2005/08/11 Bohemian Archive in Japanese Red - Article and Interview: Ran
- 2006/12/27 Perfect Memento in Strict Sense - Ran Yakumo
- 2007/06/08 ~ 2009/04/09 Silent Sinner in Blue
- 2008/06/25 Cage in Lunatic Runagate - Chapter 5
- 2009/07/28 The Grimoire of Marisa - Ran Yakumo's Spell Cards
References
- ↑ Kitsune grow one tail every 100 years, putting her minimum age at 800 years.
- ↑ Strange Creators of Outer World - Who's Who of Humans & Youkai in Gensokyo: Yukari Yakumo, Ran Yakumo, and Chen
- ↑ Perfect Memento in Strict Sense/Ran Yakumo
- ↑ ZUN's E-mails
- ↑ Chapter 5 Cage in Lunatic Runagate
- ↑ https://twitter.com/agagasoso/status/631132995148066817
 | This page is part of Project Characters, a Touhou Wiki project that aims to write proper descriptions for all official characters of Touhou Project. Please keep the character page guidelines in mind when contributing. |
