Seems like it needs to be made clear soon, since it will be funny if Mamizou's Transformation Spellcard shows Kasen's true form in ULiL. And more characters probably will take note of it in their win quotes against her.
Has Kasen's true persona ever been ambiguous in canon? I mean, no one made a fuss over Suika or Yuugi being oni, because it was obvious. I think Kasen's bun coverings aren't to actually hide her horns, ZUN just thought they'd look cute.
Has Kasen's true persona ever been ambiguous in canon? I mean, no one made a fuss over Suika or Yuugi being oni, because it was obvious. I think Kasen's bun coverings aren't to actually hide her horns, ZUN just thought they'd look cute.
Her true identity was a mystery in the manga. People naturally assumed she was one of the four devas based on her name and the numerous hints dropped in the series, but there are other things that point to the contrary. Notably the healing water that turns people into oni.
My theory is that Kasen is a hermit/human that lost her arm and in order to preserve it despite not being attached, she drank the oni water, since it would keep her arm alive, even if it weren't attached. Once she recovers her arm though, the water will finish it's work and turn her into an oni every bit as rowdy and unhermit like as Suika and Yuugi.
The title of the manga refers to what Kasen will one day become, not what she currently is.
Her true identity was a mystery in the manga. People naturally assumed she was one of the four devas based on her name and the numerous hints dropped in the series, but there are other things that point to the contrary. Notably the healing water that turns people into oni.
My theory is that Kasen is a hermit/human that lost her arm and in order to preserve it despite not being attached, she drank the oni water, since it would keep her arm alive, even if it weren't attached. Once she recovers her arm though, the water will finish it's work and turn her into an oni every bit as rowdy and unhermit like as Suika and Yuugi.
The title of the manga refers to what Kasen will one day become, not what she currently is.
If that's the case, then why in the world is she still trying to get her arm back? It's not like her bandaged arm, served as a horrific handicap, and she seems to be doing just fine, without it. Furthermore, she knows who Suika, and Yuugi is, for a long time now, so it's pretty much a given, that with her legend, she is an Oni, who was basically neutered, and has to live the life of a hermit, until she get's her arm back.
Her true identity was a mystery in the manga. People naturally assumed she was one of the four devas based on her name and the numerous hints dropped in the series, but there are other things that point to the contrary. Notably the healing water that turns people into oni.
My theory is that Kasen is a hermit/human that lost her arm and in order to preserve it despite not being attached, she drank the oni water, since it would keep her arm alive, even if it weren't attached. Once she recovers her arm though, the water will finish it's work and turn her into an oni every bit as rowdy and unhermit like as Suika and Yuugi.
The title of the manga refers to what Kasen will one day become, not what she currently is.
she's totally an oni many hints already shown up in the manga, especially chapter 21 she was really scared when Reimu held setsubun, and the last punchline said "It takes an oni to know an oni"
There is a thing pointing towards her not quite being a real hermit: Eating actual food, usually meat. (something Hermits are said not to do as they no longer need it)
I think Kasen's not-quite-hermit-ness isn't even a matter of debate anymore. First, Suika knows she's just posing as a hermit, Komachi also is of the same idea. Then, she has oni's weaknesses (and also their alcoholic prowess). Even Mamizou, which isn't exactly the dumbest character around, thinks Kasen is obviously a oni (WaHH 32). Well, she also thinks she is trying to to get the control of the shrine. And now,
Yukari herself calls Kasen one of the friggin' sages of Gensokyo.
(WaHH 35)
Also, here and here are a couple of interesting reads by the translator (spoiler). Gotta love the guy.
Touhou 16: Kasen tries to remove the Barrier from existence.
