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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[]

Highly Responsive to Prayers (1996)[]

Evidence Seen in Likely origin
Reimu character Entire game Sayo-chan, protagonist of KiKi KaiKai (Taito, 1986)

Story of Eastern Wonderland (1997)[]

Evidence Seen in Likely origin
Himorogi, Burn in Violet Stage 4 The Decisive Battle from Final Fantasy VI (Squaresoft, 1994)

Phantasmagoria of Dim.Dream (1997)[]

Evidence Seen in Likely origin
Player interaction mechanics Entire game Twinkle Star Sprites (ADK, 1996)

Lotus Land Story (1998)[]

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 Batsugun (Toaplan, 1993), 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)

Mystic Square (1998)[]

Evidence Seen in Likely origin
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 last pattern and arrowhead bullets Extra True last boss of DoDonPachi (Cave, 1997)
Maple Wise Stage 4 'The Final Decisive Battle' from Lufia (Estpolis) Series (Neverland Co., 1993)

Embodiment of Scarlet Devil (2002)[]

Evidence Seen in Likely origin
Patchouli's Theme Stage 4 Seiken Densetsu Series (Squaresoft, 1991,1993,1995)
Remilia's Theme Stage 6 Beethoven's Sonata Pathetique 3rd movement (1798)
Remilia's Second Non-Spell pattern Stage 6 Last boss from ESP Ra.De. (Cave, 1998)
Flandre's final spell card Extra Last boss of Progear (Cave, 2001)

Perfect Cherry Blossom (2003)[]

Evidence Seen in Likely origin
Sakuya-B's shot style Entire game Hyper Duel (Techno Soft, 1993/1996)
Yuyuko's fan Stage 6 Last boss from ESP Ra.De. (Cave, 1998)
Dodge-only last pattern Stage 6 Last boss in Radiant Silvergun (Treasure, 1998)

Imperishable Night (2004)[]

Evidence Seen in Likely origin
Yukari's homing option Entire game Battle Garegga (8ing/Raizing, 1996)
Remilia's "sticky" options Entire game Armed Police BatRider (8ing/Raizing, 1998)
Youmu's option Entire game Battle Garegga (8ing/Raizing, 1996)

Phantasmagoria of Flower View (2005)[]

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)

Shoot the Bullet (2005)[]

Evidence Seen in Likely origin
Spell card 8-3 Scene 8-3 Stage 4 boss of Ketsui (Cave, 2003)
Spell Card Ex-4 Scene Ex-4 Stage 3 boss of Mushihimesama (Cave, 2004)

Mountain of Faith (2007)[]

Evidence Seen in Likely origin
Using shot power for bombing Entire game Metal Black (Taito, 1991)
Marisa-A "shadow" options Entire game Gradius (Konami, 1985)

Subterranean Animism (2008)[]

Evidence Seen in Likely origin
Reimu-A's options Entire game Gradius V (Treasure/G.rev, 2004) (Rotate Multiples)
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)
Lullaby of Deserted Hell Stage 5 [Bieito Romero]'s and Mike Oldfield's The Song of the Sun (1996)

Undefined Fantastic Object (2009)[]

Evidence Seen in Likely origin
Marisa-B's shot style Entire game Star Soldier (Hudson, 1986)
Sanae-A shot style Entire game Super R-Type (Irem, 1991), or Mahou Daisakusen (8ing/Raizing, 1993)
Sanae-B shot style Entire game Mahou Daisakusen (8ing/Raizing, 1993)
Various Space Invaders cameos Stage 6 and Extra Space Invaders (Taito, 1978)
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