Cherry Playthrough: Yuyuko Saigyouji (PCB Final Stage Lunatic)

"Return under the flowers, ghost of spring!"
"Sleep under the flowers, red-white butterfly!"
-Reimu Hakurei and Yuyuko Saigyouji, respectively, simultaneously.
A video of me fighting the beautiful butterfly of death, Yuyuko Saigyouji.
Yuyuko (such a gentle name!) is the Final boss of the game Perfect Cherry Blossom, the 7th installment of the Touhou Project. The Touhou Project is a series of danmaku games where dichromatic maidens fight against being of legends for the ultimate fate of Paradise, in battles of unrivaled beauty and unquestioned complexity. The creator of this magnificent testament to mankind imagination is a humble man known only as ZUN.
Yo, sorry I'm late. You see, I study computer science and everything after that is self-explainable. I have lot to say, but not enough space. so let's sum up.
The phrases I normally put above each description are there out of tradition more than anything. I've been having trouble finding what to put, mainly because I erased my mental doujin folder to make space for SCIENCE! But every now and then, jewels like this appeared. I think this is the first instance in the Touhou series Reimu is referred as a dichromatic (red-white) butterfly. If you know me, you know Dichromatic Lotus Butterfly-Ancients is my favorite of Reimu's theme, first heard in Seihou (three years before PCB, but not part of the Touhou series). Nevertheless, I figuratively squealed like a little girl when I took notice (I tend to filter dialogue). The fact both characters refer to each other at the same time like this just makes it...wait for it... legendary. Yuyuko does the same against Marisa and Sakuya, but in my opinion Reimu just takes the cake.
Yuyuko is without doubt the most beautiful character in the series. Being the ghost of a girl so terrified with her ability that she was driven suicide, yet gleefully "living" her death, Yuyuko is at the same time one of the most tragic and happy characters in the series. She's one of the ultimate Pollyana, if there ever was a character like that. It's even hinted that her father was a famous poet, who ironically wrote a poem about wishing to die below a cherry tree and died at the shadows of the very demon cherry tree her body seals.
I once mentioned (I think) that I like to think that a great part of Yuyuko's personality is a mask. Yuyuko, despite her apparent silliness, is one of the few characters verified to be able to keep up with Yukari train of thought and has shown more than once that her intellect is not limited to understanding Yukari. I believe a mad Yuyuko can be terrifying. If I thought Youmu was unsettling, Yuyuko is downright frightening. But, she's mostly happy even if in my mind she still holds a little grudge towards life.
Speaking of grudges and Yukari, "Two By This Side, Three By The Other Side" by Personal Color. A three part manga, this is hands down the best comic exploring the relationship between the cast of the Netherworld, particularly Yukari and Yuyuko. But more importantly, it has one of the most priceless reaction shot (and by extension BSOD) of Yukari. If only to see Yukari's face, I recommend it.
Another thing I recommend is seeing the... short animated film? Anyways, a video titled Memories of Phantasm. The original doesn't have voices and all dialog is given via subtitles. There are fan-made dubs if you want. On a tangential note, the trailer for the second chapter, featuring the SA cast, is also out and is awesome. The highlights are Yuugi vs Reimu, anything with Utsuho and Rin (particularly Reimu vs Utsuho and Marisa vs Rin), Parsee short appearance, and Kanako. And of course, Last Remote.
Artwork wise, I chose the ending because it was the best I could find. And I chose the title because it was rather stunning and it had both ghost and human Yuyuko on it. Music wise, I ended with the metal arranges because although the competition was fierce, I preferred build-up over characterization.
Story and gameplay wise, Yuyuko's battle is plain beautiful. The sense of melancholy is tangible and it has up to now the most awesome ending of any final boss, rivaled only by Kaguya tearing your time spell to pieces long after she lost. As well as having one of the most awesome lines in the series:
"Remembering the melancholy of human existence... Even ghosts stray from the path of righteousness."
Music:
Circle : 黒夜葬
Album : ∞UroboroS∞
Original :Ultimate Truth
Circle: Sonic Hispeed Omega
Album: THE BEST OF TOHO TEMPEST
Originals:
Bloom Nobly, Cherry Blossom of Sumizome ~ Border of Life
Border of Life
Artwork:
Title: T-RAy＠C81 A62a (www.pixiv.net/m...)
Ending: eltnage (www.pixiv.net/m...)

[@TheHeavyModd]

In Japanese culture, butterflies often symbolize the soul.

[@Mr.Capgras]

The What

[@alexyz9430]

@@Mr.Capgras amongus

[@Mr.Capgras]

@@alexyz9430 why would you reply to my old cringy comment? I don't even remember I write that comment

[@alexyz9430]

@@Mr.Capgras because i love you guy 💕

[@WatatsukiNoToyohime]

@@Mr.Capgras Soul

[@helfire14]

Hey, Raak. Remember that video I sent you about the 3D battle between Flandre and Marisa? The same guy has made a 3D version of Reimu vs. Yuyuko, too. You seen it? ;D

[@youkaichicken7208]

and now the same guy is working on reimu,yukari,marisa,alice,sakuya,remilia,youmu,yuyuko vs wriggle, mystia, keine, reisen, tewi, kaguya and eirin

[@Danomnomnom]

Pre-Youmu, I prefer Sakuya's quote the most. :3 "Shut up, deceased one."

[@xpoppy8745]

Yuyuko probably has my favourite fight in the series, I mean, THE BUTTERFLIES THE LOVELY COLOURS and her theme! I've only ever reached her second spell... on easy... I'm a fail.

[@awe862]

Touhou and Sailor Moon Lover When I started out, I was like that too. Now I can 1cc hard on PCB, even when rusty... Keep trying! You'll get there, trust me.

[@xpoppy8745]

Thanks! Maybe if I practise stage 4 and 5 (Mainly Youmu's non-spells) it will help!

[@Bravidunno]

Venus The Lunarian You mean the BUTTERFLY SPAM WHEEEEE !

[@xpoppy8745]

YEAH, THAT.

[@awe862]

Braviaggron WHEEEEEEEE! Hahahaha.... Yuyuko is fun. Clip dying on Buttefly Delusion and losing a run because of it is not. :V

[@latiaos11]

I just love how at 1:08 Youmu smiles when she casts the spellcard, it's her last stand and she fights smiling to protect her mistress

[@Lulu-ex7fc]

Damn, that last spell was beautiful.

[@wiganalberto]

Dat song suits perfectly in the final spellcard!

[@kirbyizlife]

I love the cherry blossom effect you added in the background.

[@FujiTobi]

Raak, I must say, you did not disappoint with witty comments. And now to the subterranean playthrough. x)

[@doomdesire6668]

That epic timing when the guitar started playing at the exact moment Yuyuko opened up her fan though...

[@RadiationBee]

Just learnt about the annotations restored addon. First thing I did was come back to watch these old runs how they were meant to be watched

[@Awalys]

trampek991 What? No eating? You're kidding!

[@TrampekTheShoe]

Hina Face and then a few years later I come back with more Touhou knowledge and facepalm infinitely upon reading that comment. x3

[@Bravidunno]

Hina Face You remind me of Xemnas... And this i43.photobucket.com/albums/e393/Devileve/Xemnas.png

[@ReginaRicaeMortis]

Yuyuko's power being butterflies is due mainly to symbolism. in Japan, butterflies are a symbol of maidens, which is what Yuyuko is. however, they also believed that the soul appears as butterflies, hence why her inviting someone to death usually involves glowing butterflies.

[@uuuuuuuuuuuuuuu5323]

aiaiai I'M YOUR LITTLE BUTTERFLY -yuyuko saigyouji

[@mstrswrd]

What you like to think happens (Yuyuko reviving) is kind of canon. I do believe in canon she partially revives. Her body isn't totally alive again, but she isn't wholly dead anymore either. A trance, (or, rather, blindly lashing out at everything around her) is also a good way of describing her "Last word" here. I also like how, technically, that really is her last word (clever use of existing terms, Raak) Well, the 100% version is, which has a different name (as we see in Imperishable Night).

[@spawnxiv]

Pretty neato how you started out with falling snow and ended with falling petals. 4:34 Just imagine that the butterflies are made of cherry blossom petals and it's pretty. 5:07 I like having an easy way out of a spell. Lets you choose how you want to play it. 6:54 I see it as Yuyuko does coma back to life accidentally and then YOU PROCEED TO KILL HER, meaning our heroines have indeed committed murder. Most people defy death. Yuyuko defied resurrection.

[@royarkes7539]

This video is Cherry Nice :D

[@KrystalizedArtist14]

lovely playthrough of PCB (the whole thing). i always have to pause ur vids just to read the annotations :L they're fun to read. black night funeral and SHO was a really good choice for this (love their music) though i too would really like to know who did the ending theme. just beautiful

[@lorador21]

So far as I know, during last attack it was Yuyuko's soul, that was trapped inside of Saigyo Ayakashi (Youkai Cherry Blossom). And, since Reimu/Marisa/Sakuya prevented breaking the seal, that was holding Yuyuko's soul, it's still trapped inside. So that was kinda powers of Yuyuko's soul, I guess. (Because of silhoette :3)

[@Encephelonify]

I love Yuyuko. Definately the most elegant Touhou ever~

[@ReginaRicaeMortis]

There's a retexture patch available for 06. If you look at his first video against Flandre, you can see the original textures for that game. (He uses Marisa instead of Reimu, but it'll still be noticeable.)

[@sentrosi606]

I literally shouted "HELL YEAH" when i heard ∞UroboroS∞'s Ultimate Truth. Fantastic job on fighting Yuyuko, but do you know if shooting her fan does less damage than shooting Yuyuko herself? It always felt like that to me. I look forward to Ran Yakumo.

[@InumiDarkness]

How do you modify the songs on the games? Here some epic I wanna listen when I battle specific characters...

[@raak1010]

I didn't. I simply recorded without music, then added the arranges

[@InumiDarkness]

Ok.. Than you ^_^

[@Bravidunno]

+Inumi Lord of the Castle in Yuyuko's boss battle then The Eye of Darkness for her revival spell...

[@Mettalus]

+BraviJNEP Whats the song called for Yuyuko's revival spell? I keep trying to find out, but I always get led to her normal theme...

[@Bravidunno]

CFW Trick Border of Life. Just add "revival" when you search it.

[@xwiller6]

Imagine playing this game on LSD

[@HiroariHourai]

Lunatic-LSD Mode

[@Soldaraku]

Something I find rather interesting during the battle with Yuyuko is the background. Throughout most stages, it's moving from top to bottom. During most Final Boss fights that I've seen, it's stationary or very slightly moving from top to bottom. When Yuyuko brings out her fan, the background starts moving from bottom to top. I can only see this as Yuyuko being powerful/difficult enough to push back the Heroine. Which just makes her that much more awesome.

[@Alstar]

But Yuyuko is a ghost. How can you kill a ghost?

[@JustOneMoreChild]

Had she unsealed her tree, much of Gensokyo would be doomed. She was really just trying to resurrect the tree, not herself.

[@Frolaire]

And she does sleep. Can't forget that one.

[@TheForgottenCherish]

Beating the game without continues I presume xS and ah thank you for your help

[@RankoHoshino]

You are actually allowed to use Easy mode to unlock Extra for this game, Imperishable Night, Phantasmagoria of Flower View, and Great Fairy Wars.

[@BBsgalore]

(ignore the last comment) But yeah, I am really grateful for the special thanks, Raak. Good luck on your next playthough!

[@mstrswrd]

@mstrswrd Anyway, great playthrough, as always. I can't wait for your Extra and Phantasm playthroughs.

[@WishMakers]

Finished PCB for the first time where I actually saw an ending. My best run now is using 2 continues...it's the Primsrivers and Yuyuko's Last Spell, I tell you.

[@desgreyskry8792]

Didn't notice Konpaku's icecle fall.. I used one bomb on that

[@ruthless933]

and the essence of the ghostbusters.

[@TheForgottenCherish]

Oh all right, thanks for the reply

[@iiiVysoniii]

Quick question. Do you play the game without the music on when you are recording these wonderfully awesome videos?

[@Satsuku]

if only i could have the pictures that were on the credits.....they are so awesome

[@KageTheAwesome]

Gee, this stage is beautiful, but...DEADLY. O_O Think the next Touhou game I buy is gonna be PCB.

[@CameronCaseywoop]

beautiful playthrough (:

[@TheForgottenCherish]

You know...I heard it was the saigyou akashi(sorry if I misspelled that) that was attacking you during the revival spell by using Yuyuko, or just the tree itself.

[@utsuhoreiuji9850]

It seems yuyuko has an addiction with layered bullet lasers

[@latiaos11]

If im not wrong is her ghost, when the Tree atacked the ghost os Yuyuko's corpse was there

[@Zsaver3]

I think, from what I'm seeing in this, that to capture Deadly "Mortality - Demon World", you need to really cut corners to misdirect the bubble danmaku.

[@Ivanka514]

Do you use keyboard to play? It's look like you use a mouse or something. Sorry for my english.

[@Airmanshead]

Yes, I uploaded it in December. PCB was the first Touhou I 1cc in lunatic :)

[@TheForgottenCherish]

Raak sorry to bother you so much but one question, how do you unlock Extra(Phantasm) Mode?

[@chocolatehoney15]

So if had Yuyuko succeeded, she either would have rested in peace (gone to the after life) or have been brought back to life?

[@Frolaire]

Your statement was a paradox though...

[@Torokard]

It's just a matter of practice. With time you'll be able to see the patterns a bit clearer and evaluate your dodging paths. I used to play EOSD on easy, and boy, was I proud when I did it with the three continues. And now I'm able to 1cc IN and I'm working to win against Mokou :3

[@JustOneMoreChild]

No eating?! What is this! She could eat a village out of house and home and still be hungry; she's worse than Ilyana from Fire Emblem.

[@Zsaver3]

somehow... I've always thought that would be 0cc, haha... guess I've misunderstood that term all this time. Time to figure out Wine, I'd finally be able to play touhou.

[@TheForgottenCherish]

Raak I need your bellow, I've been a touhou fan for awhile, but I've never played any of the games, but everytime I try to patch a game in it never let's me, it says that there was an error patching the game and three file's were affected, do you know what's going on?

[@Airmanshead]

You inspired me to 1cc PCB in lunatic :3

[@mothman3781]

AFTER AN ENTIRE YEAR, I FOUND OUT THAT THE ARRANGER OF JAPANIZE DREAM (USED AT THE END OF THE VIDEO) IS MONOCHROME-COAT

[@leafyxcrowy4eva]

Nice, especially your dodging on Flowery Soul. I've been failing too often at that recently (on Hard and Normal since Lunatic is too hard for me right now). Thanks for mentioning me, also you might want to edit the annotation because I'm a she, not a he :P

[@benjy3233]

Aw.... If only ultimate truth can be better

[@floofzykitten5236]

On Hard mode you can avoid the red butterflies easily by rushing up and past them before they split. I wonder if you can do it on Lunatic... Hmm...

[@hjt091]

Why'd you run for the powerups during Resurrection Butterfly? You weren't gonna need them for anything? :P

[@Puddincess]

I literally need 10 lives to beat just lunatic yuyuko. you're hax, man. fucking hax

[@GarryDumblowski]

...Or he's practiced and played up to this point repeatedly to find the best strategy for each attack possible.

[@Puddincess]

same thing

[@Puddincess]

but that's cheating, and cheating isn't fun

[@GarryDumblowski]

Flandre Scarlet Actually, the player can lose a life from touching the enemy. Thus, you could defeat someone in a Danmaku battle solely by ramming them.

[@benjaminbeneventi1154]

Can you upload gameplays of TH11:Subterranean Animism please???

[@chocolatehoney15]

So the tree would have like destroyed Gensokyo? (I can't really play the game to be sure for myself because I don't want a virus on my computer from downloading it.)

[@rarhzach]

who does the editing for these videos cause the cherry blossoms look really pretty :D?

[@MrTrickysticks]

Well, shorter in game translations are somewhat justified due to lack of space?

[@TheShootingStarKing]

You're the first person I've ever heard think that SA is harder than UFO on Lunatic ;P

[@YakitateYum]

yuyuko is my favorite... of all the battles you've done, who are the top 5 most difficult? (be it EX, last boss, any stage w/e)

[@mildsheep]

will you make a walkthrough of Ten Desire soon?

[@ArebsYakumo]

@Raak1010 Are you working on another new project?

[@yuuka7960]

Where you downloaded the effect of Cherry Blossom?? e,e

[@ArceusShaymin]

I find UFO harder; to the point where I actually 1cc'd SA on Normal AND beat Koishi months before beating Byakuren on Normal.

[@KokoTehWitch]

You should do ether Shoot The Bullet LP or SA Lunatic LP owo

[@Kilesfactor]

8:33 Well, I didn't see that coming.

[@WishMakers]

Speaking of hard bosses (sorta), why do I find Flandre easier than Remilia on Normal. I think I never captured one of Remi's spells, and I almost captured "Lavatein" before (I don't know the alt code >.>)

[@KokoTehWitch]

I wonder what next LP you gonna try?

[@Scuffed_Cirno]

Oh my god, Where can i find both of yuyuko's themes that are used in this vid?

[@sonicsuperhiper]

Where i can find this cherry Blossom effect?

[@rarhzach]

i wish i was good at editing, im starting a web show but im totally shit at editing

[@MagicalGirlContractor]

well she's half ghost D: Ghosts cant die... (Except on Touhou stages O_o;)

[@tommylullaby7321]

I'll waiting "subterranean playthrough" >w

[@MagicalGirlContractor]

Oh,... true I guess o.o

[@LittleIkaMusume]

I cleared only 84% of pcb on normal. But, thank god I did not get to yuyuko's revival part :D

[@por0snax]

what's the name of this remix... or where can I find it

[@raak1010]

*Points at description*

[@por0snax]

***** took me a while to find the actual one, thank you XD

[@CameronCaseywoop]

@raak1010 i meant the whole thing lol X)

[@EpicgamerandLugia]

What’s the music during the fight with Youmu?

[@EpicgamerandLugia]

Nvm, found out.

[@zaea1082]

You found it? what's the name?

[@EpicgamerandLugia]

Eudaldo Alberto Zamora Apac it’s Ultimate Truth Gothic Metal Arrange. Here’s the link to the song. The part that plays in the video doesn’t start right away, so be patient. kzbin.info/www/bejne/inPJgpdrht6XjdU

[@zaea1082]

@@EpicgamerandLugia Thanks, I've got it in lossless format just now (the kanji in english means "Ultimate Falsehood")

[@EpicgamerandLugia]

Eudaldo Alberto Zamora Apac Huh, I didn’t know that. I’ll be sure to keep that in mind!

[@Airmanshead]

I managed to do it!

[@EverestBlizzard]

what exactly is 1cc?

[@Frolaire]

Are you trying to break logic with that false statement?

[@SistinaChan]

But isn't she already dead...? o u o

[@TheForgottenCherish]

Oh thanks, time to do Mokou I guess xD

[@user-zy5sy5jm1f]

well

[@TTerkoiZZ]

Did you ever pull it off?

[@EverestBlizzard]

ouch....

[@TheForgottenCherish]

*help

[@doratoma1743]

ウーンこのアレンジかなり単調過ぎて好みではないんだが…原曲聞かせて