The Most Popular Touhou Character, Ranked

Choose the character you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Jul 14, 2024 08:00
Fans of Touhou know that each character brings a unique charm and story, making them beloved in different ways. As the franchise has grown, so has the diversity of its characters, leading to lively debates about which one stands out the most. Establishing a ranking helps to see which characters resonate the most within the community. By participating in the voting process, users have the opportunity to express their preferences and see how their favorites stack up against the broader community opinion. The dynamic nature of the rankings means no two visits are the same, offering fresh insight each time the page is refreshed. This communal effort not only enhances engagement but also enriches the fan experience.

Who Is the Most Popular Touhou Character?

  1. 1
    45
    points

    Reimu Hakurei

    The main protagonist of the Touhou Project series, serving as a shrine maiden who manages the Hakurei Border of Gensokyo and resolves incidents.
    • First Appearance: Highly Responsive to Prayers (1996)
    • Abilities: Manipulation of Auras, Flying
  2. 2
    27
    points

    Remilia Scarlet

    The vampiric mistress of the Scarlet Devil Mansion with the ability to manipulate fate, known for her charisma and leadership.
    • First Appearance: Embodiment of Scarlet Devil (2002)
    • Abilities: Manipulation of fate
  3. 3
    27
    points

    Sakuya Izayoi

    The chief maid of the Scarlet Devil Mansion with the ability to manipulate time, known for her loyalty to Remilia Scarlet and her knife-throwing skills.
    • First Appearance: Embodiment of Scarlet Devil (2002)
    • Abilities: Time manipulation, Knife proficiency
  4. 4
    22
    points

    Cirno

    An ice fairy known for her childish and confident nature, often claiming to be the strongest despite her actual power level.
    • First Appearance: Embodiment of Scarlet Devil (2002)
    • Abilities: Manipulation of cold and ice
  5. 5
    18
    points

    Marisa Kirisame

    A human magician known for her powerful magic and being a self-proclaimed rival of Reimu. She is one of the most iconic characters in the series.
    • First Appearance: Story of Eastern Wonderland (1997)
    • Abilities: High magical power, especially with love-themed and star-themed magic
  6. 6
    17
    points

    Patchouli Knowledge

    A magician with vast knowledge and the ability to control the elements, residing in the Scarlet Devil Mansion.
    • First Appearance: Embodiment of Scarlet Devil (2002)
    • Abilities: Elemental magic
  7. 7
    10
    points

    Yukari Yakumo

    A powerful and enigmatic youkai with the ability to manipulate boundaries. She is known for her wisdom and mysterious nature.
    • First Appearance: Perfect Cherry Blossom (2003)
    • Abilities: Manipulation of boundaries
  8. 8
    10
    points

    Youmu Konpaku

    The half-human, half-phantom gardener of Hakugyokurou, known for her swordsmanship and dual nature.
    • First Appearance: Perfect Cherry Blossom (2003)
    • Abilities: Swordsmanship, Speed
  9. 9
    3
    points

    Sanae Kochiya

    A human wind priestess who moved to Gensokyo, known for her ability to cause miracles. She serves the Moriya Shrine.
    • First Appearance: Mountain of Faith (2007)
    • Abilities: Causing miracles
  10. 10
    0
    points

    Alice Margatroid

    A magician known for her skill with dolls and magic, seeking to understand the heart. She is Marisa's friend and occasional rival.
    • First Appearance: Mystic Square (1998)
    • Abilities: Magic, especially involving dolls

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About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Touhou character. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or character is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 4338 views
  • 179 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Movers & Shakers

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each character once every 24 hours. The rank of each character is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

Additional Information

More about the Most Popular Touhou Character

The Touhou Project is a series of Japanese bullet hell shooter games. It has gained a large fan base over the years. The games are known for their challenging gameplay and rich story. Each character in the series has a unique background, abilities, and personality. Fans often discuss and debate which character is the most popular.

The characters in Touhou come from Japanese folklore and mythology. They include humans, youkai (supernatural creatures), fairies, and gods. Each character has a distinct design and backstory, which adds depth to the game. The creator, ZUN, designs all the characters, writes the music, and develops the games. His vision shapes the world of Touhou and its inhabitants.

Popularity among Touhou characters varies. Fans often base their preferences on character design, abilities, and roles in the story. Some characters appear in multiple games, while others have a more limited presence. This recurring presence can influence their popularity. Fans also create fan art, music, and stories, further boosting certain characters' fame.

The characters' abilities often tie into their mythological origins. For example, some can control elements like fire or water. Others may have powers related to time, space, or even dreams. These abilities make the characters interesting and add layers to the gameplay. Players must learn to navigate these powers to succeed in the games.

The story of Touhou is set in a world called Gensokyo. It is a land where humans and youkai coexist. The characters often have roles that reflect their origins. Some are shrine maidens, tasked with maintaining balance. Others may be magicians, warriors, or even ordinary villagers. This diverse cast of characters creates a rich tapestry that draws players in.

The music in Touhou is another factor in the characters' popularity. Each game features a unique soundtrack, with themes for each character. These themes often become iconic and are beloved by fans. The music helps to define the characters and their roles in the story. Fans often create remixes and covers, further cementing the characters' status.

Fan communities play a big role in shaping which characters are popular. Online forums, social media, and fan conventions allow fans to share their love for the series. They discuss their favorite characters, share fan art, and create fan fiction. This community-driven aspect keeps the series alive and thriving.

Merchandise also reflects the popularity of certain characters. Popular characters often appear on posters, figures, and other items. This helps to spread their image and make them more recognizable. Fans often collect these items, showing their support for their favorite characters.

In conclusion, the popularity of Touhou characters is a mix of design, abilities, story roles, and fan engagement. The series offers a rich world with diverse characters, each with their own appeal. Fans' passion and creativity keep the series vibrant and ensure that certain characters remain in the spotlight.

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