Spirit Manipulation (Touhou Project)

==Summary==
Spirit, also referred to as Spirit Power, Spirit Energy, Temperament, and so on, is a power source commonly found throughout the Touhou Project series. It functions as the power-up system in the bullet hell titles, while it is a character's special meter in the fighting games.
Spirit does not have a set explanation or definition in-universe; Rather, it is likened to a number of other concepts introduced in the series. As such, this page will explain just what 'Spirit' is within the context of Touhou Project.
Spirit is often treated as synonymous with Temperament (the emotionsDouble Spoiler, Level 10 Spell Card CommentsScarlet Weather Rhapsody, Komachi's Scenario and subconsciousScarlet Weather Rhapsody, Youmu's Ending of all living things); For example, Aya and Hatate consider one of Tenshi's spell cards that fires a concentrated beam of Spirit to be utilizing Spirit and Temperament simultaneously.Double Spoiler, Level 10 Spell Card Comments Corroborating this is Marisa stating the attack is made of Spirit,The Grimoire of Marisa, Tenshi Hinanawi's Spell Cards while the in-game description refers to it as Temperament. One of Kokoro's spell cards that weaponizes her emotions is also said to be utilizing Spirit. Finally, Yuyuko says that the mist being emitted from everyone's bodies in Scarlet Weather Rhapsody is Spirit, yet also calls it Temperament.Scarlet Weather Rhapsody, Youmu's Ending Said mist is also repeatedly referred to as Temperament.Scarlet Weather Rhapsody, omake.txtScarlet Weather Rhapsody, Marisa's ScenarioScarlet Weather Rhapsody, Reimu's ScenarioScarlet Weather Rhapsody, Patchouli's ScenarioScarlet Weather Rhapsody, Youmu's Scenario
Temperament may then be equalized to Phantoms, as Komachi directly states that the two are one and the same.Scarlet Weather Rhapsody, Komachi's Scenario Sakuya states that the mist of Temperament is made of Phantoms,Scarlet Weather Rhapsody, Sakuya's Scenario with Youmu also stating the same.Scarlet Weather Rhapsody, Youmu's Scenario
From there, Phantoms can be considered equivalent to souls, as Perfect Memento in Strict Sense refers to them as the spirits of living things.Perfect Memento in Strict Sense, Phantoms The Soul Torch, an item designed to attract souls, is said to function on Phantoms.Curiosities of Lotus Asia, Chapter 13 Finally, Komachi is said to ferry Phantoms, yet said Phantoms are also considered souls.Strange Creators of Outer World, Who's Who of Humans and Youkai in Gensokyo, Komachi OnozukaWild and Horned Hermit, Official WebsitePhantasmagoria of Flower View, Youmu's Scenario
Last but not least, Spirit is also Chi due to Sakuya referring to it as such,Scarlet Weather Rhapsody, Sakuya's Scenario as well as Stamina due to the manual for Touhou Gouyoku Ibun referring to Spirit Power as Stamina.Touhou Gouyoku Ibun, Manual
In conclusion, Spirit in Touhou Project is equivalent to Temperament (emotions and the subconscious), Phantoms (the souls of living things), Chi, and Stamina.
Note that due to how the verse commonly uses multiple terms to refer to the same concept, all synonyms for Spirit will be referred to as such (eg; Scans mentioning Temperament will be treated as though they were talking about Spirit, due to the two being the same thing as one another).
==Uses==
Characters who can manipulate Spirit gain the following abilities:
Soul Manipulation & Absorption: Within all games in the Touhou Project series, Spirit may be reduced or absorbed in a variety of methods. In the bullet hell games, Spirit can be absorbed from enemies just by attacking them, and getting hit will result in a loss of spirit. In the fighting games, striking an opponent will cause their available Spirit to deplete, allowing one to continually reduce their Spirit through repeated attacks.
Statistics Reduction & Amplification: Spirit in the bullet hell games directly correlates to the power of one's shot, increasing as the amount of Spirit available increases. Conversely, lessening one's Spirit will weaken them greatly.
Stamina Reduction & Absorption: As Spirit is also equivalent to one's stamina, reducing or absorbing Spirit is equivalent to reducing or absorbing stamina.
Empathic Manipulation, Mind Manipulation, & Chi Manipulation: Spirit is equivalent to Temperament, the emotions of living beings and their subconscious, and Chi, so manipulating Spirit allows one to manipulate these concepts as well.
Attack Nullification & Transmutation: Striking an opponent will cause their projectile attacks to be converted to Spirit and be automatically absorbed by the attacker.
Status Effect Inducement: By reducing an opponent's Spirit enough, one may induce a 'guard crush' that leaves the enemy briefly stunned.
Power Nullification: Spirit is required to utilize many supernatural techniques, such as skill cards and flight. Due to this, draining an opponent's Spirit will render them unable to use their abilities. Spirit is also considered a fundamental component in the usage of magic,Curiosities of Lotus Asia, Chapter 18 and due to the mental layer of reality, is directly tied to magic itself.Curiosities of Lotus Asia, Chapter 27
Soul Regeneration (Mid-Godly): Spirit can be regenerated in a matter of seconds.
Regeneration Reduction: By fully depleting an opponent's Spirit, one can reduce the rate at which their Spirit naturally regenerates.
Supernatural Willpower: Via the natural regeneration of Spirit, allowing one to regain their stamina or recover from mental attacks in a short period of time.
Resistance to Soul Manipulation: All characters can survive having their Spirit damaged or absorbed, even to the point of lacking Spirit entirely. The vast majority of characters in the series were also capable of surviving Tenshi absorbing the Spirit of all living things across the cosmology.
==References==
Category:Verse-specific Powers and Abilities
Category:Touhou Project