Rating the official Print Works

[Anonymous No.]

Touhou has a wealth of official lorebooks and manga, but what do you think of them? It wasn't until the other day I thought about it, but I never really see these get recommended on their own. That is, I don't really see anyone go "Even if you aren't a Touhou fan you should read this book". Are these all tailored to a specific audience, or are there some that you think could stand on their own? Is that even an issue for it to be something that only appeals to Touhou fans?

What are your thoughts of the print works, which do you think is the best and the weakest, and any additional thoughts on them besides just ranking them.

[Anonymous No.]

>>43311622
In last year's /jp/ poll there was a guy who started reading WaHH and didn't know it was a part of a larger series until the end. Apart from WaHH, I don't think any of the other manga can be enjoyed by non-fans, and even then for non-fans WaHH isn't top-tier. Perhaps low-middle would best describe.

[Anonymous No.]

[Anonymous No.]

>>43311622
I think as a fan you should read all of them for a full scope on Touhou, but that SSiB is kinda bland and so is most of CiLR. The best parts of CiLR are absolutely fantastic, though (Mokou, final chapter, and Reisen chapter imo)

The Fairies manga (Sangetsusei) are the best in ZUN's written work oeuvre, unironically. They weave cuteness and lore very well. Until its ending I would've rated Forbidden Scrollery highest, but it really fumbled its landing. Lotus Eaters and Foul Detective Satori are both "aight", with good moments but generally feeling a bit aimless. WaHH was a pretty strong work as a whole, but soooorrta had a bit of a weak ending. I wouldn't say "ZUN is bad at ending things", but it's definitely clear that he's inconsistent about making GOOD endings.

All of the "database" style books are great. I really appreciate how they're written from the perspective of in-universe characters. Akyuu's are the best of the lot.

CoLA is often forgotten but it's quite nice, even after Sumireko stole the main character role. They're charming and they aren't exactly "lore filled", but they're a nice insight into Rinnosuke and a nice second sight on familiar characters.

[Anonymous No.]

CoLA is the best of all of the fanworks.

[Anonymous No.]

I'd vote for CoLA too. I also think Hifuu can be mentioned when talking about print works. I really like ZUN's writing when it has narration and stuff. His writing is actually quite charming.
I don't think I'd recommend anything to someone unfamiliar with Touhou though, although it's hard for me to imagine what they would be like read without any prior knowledge.
>>43311931
>SSiB is kinda bland
This surprises me. Also seconding Mokou's part of CiLR being good.

[Anonymous No.]

>>43311931
>>43312232
oh right Hifuu...

I like it but it feels the most easily skippable given how disconnected it is from greater canon.

As for my SSiB take, it just feels like a weird manga. Definitely there are things I like about it, but also things I don't like aplenty.

[Anonymous No.]

>>43312262
Is hifuu really something that counts? They're more music

[Anonymous No.]

Also I'd like to say Inaba is the best comedy touhou print work. Amd it is canon.

[Anonymous No.]

the best written thing Zun did is DiPP unironically and its sad CDS didnt go in a similar direction

[Anonymous No.]

The best was Forbidden Scrollery

Actually a good story for the most part. Great art, loved Moe Harukawa's drawings. It felt cohesive and expanded the established world from the perspective of a villager instead of another supernatural being.

The only bad part about it is the ending. Everything else was pretty good about it

[Anonymous No.]

>>43319399
FS definetly has the better art of the written works but Kosuzu was an insufferable cunt desu

[Anonymous No.]

>>43324039
Don't you dare insult Kosuzu thank you

[Anonymous No.]

>>43329884
Did you force him to delete it?

[Anonymous No.]

>>43311931
>>43312262
Minor gripes aside, SSiB is a good intro to the series' core concepts and tone. Best as a primer for people who've at least reached IN, not so much for absolute newcomers.

[Anonymous No.]

>>43330034
NONE of the mangos are for newcomers, they are only for the most autistic lorefag otaku who drink, eat and breathe 2hu trivia, especially FS.

[Anonymous No.]

>>43330082
Really depends on the newcomer. I'd argue someone with no knowledge of touhou but invested in nip mythology could use FS as a starting point.

[Anonymous No.]

>>43317095
I wouldn't say they're "more music". There's loads of story to each.