【Touhou Lyrics】 The Concealed Four Seasons
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Okina's theme. ...Sort of. I'm so sorry. This was something I absolutely couldn't resist.
Let me explain this one. Immediately when HSiFS was released, this lady made a very bad impression on me. I was not impressed with her Junko-esque design, and I was disappointed by the lack of a second new character for the Extra stage. Soon, her information was translated... and apparently... she's got some sort of knockoff gap powers, and is suddenly revealed to have been someone super important in Gensokyo’s history? Um, excuse me?
I don't put stock in technical arguments about "power levels," as it usually doesn't matter in subjective danmaku fights. But there is one character who obviously and irreplaceably feels to me like the most imposing and important presence in the series, by a purely conceptual interpretation. Of course, I believe that the ability to "manipulate boundaries" is the most powerful thing that can exist. That ideal is a huge thing that makes Touhou meaningful to me as a series. Yukari has long been credited with leading the original creation of Gensokyo and managing its existence. She represents the most youkai-like of all youkai, born from a concept which affects everything in the entire universe and which grants her unchallenged mastery of Touhou’s borderland. I believe in Yukari as someone who can do absolutely anything. No one is above Yukari.
So... when this "mediocre" new character was suddenly introduced as if she were Yukari's equal... I reacted like a little brat, refused to accept this, and resented her like crazy.
Since then, I truly have come to appreciate Okina’s character and personality for what it is -- especially through the process of trying to write this, as is a huge purpose for me in writing anything. I don’t genuinely hate her. She didn't, and it looks like she is not going to, actually take away any attention from Yukari. Her battle is really cool, and her self-important sass in her dialogue is really delightful. Being granted the lovely voice of my partner Lori ( http://lori-hime.tumblr.com ) also doesn't hurt her case.
Furthermore, her role in Violet Detector was very interesting; it made her stand out and feel as if she could hold her own, even while teaming with the original sage for an iconic spell card. If the two were to interact more, distinguishing themselves more like rivals in their ideals and revealing some unique motives for Okina, I would enjoy it.
Still... in my heart of hearts, I don't think she'll ever stop being "the one that dared to try and replace Yukari." That's just the biggest impact she had on me. So I had to make her "lyrics" about that, or else I would not have been motivated to work with her theme at all. Besides, recalling again her "self-important sass," you can't argue that this kind of rap battle isn't totally something that she’d do. Even if the insults traded are largely fanon-esque, I feel like these two are some of the canonically best candidates for making references beyond the fourth wall.
...*complains for hours about the appearance of a second sage* Huh? Kasen who?
Don't bother telling me how silly I am about this! Latching onto very specific concepts in a series is indulgent fun. Lori, for one, is great at indulging me. The two of us were actually struck with the concept for this "rap battle" at nearly the same moment. She then came up with the idea for a "last word" reference, as well as the tongue-in-cheek headcanon that Okina was more like an apprentice to Yukari during Gensokyo's creation and only likes to play herself up as more important than she is. Ah... you know you have a true soulmate when they're willing to bend reality with you to glorify your favorite gap hag.
This "rap battle" is sort of in the spirit of a "Touhou Hijack," so if you like that kind of thing, maybe try the following:
(Marisa/Reimu) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiWOMXmf75Y
(Sekibanki/Kagerou) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVGlVpbSZiA
And to read the full lyrics, which I can't fit here, please see on my blog: http://asa-turney.tumblr.com/post/181994538552
DOWNLOAD ON MY BLOG: http://asa-turney.tumblr.com/lyrics
Touhou Project 16, Hidden Star in Four Seasons
Okina Matara: "The Concealed Four Seasons"
Original music by ZUN.
English lyrics and fandub vocals by me and Lori.
Art assets ripped from the official games, edits by Lori.