Some Danmaku patterns from Touhou Project
Introduction
Danmaku (弾幕, literally bullet curtain or curtain fire) is a Japanese term for "barrage" or "bullet curtain" in English.
The ability to produce a great amount of projectiles at once, in order to overwhelm the target by the sheer number of shots. Some users also add complex patterns to make dodging difficult.
In the real world, the term originates from the shoot 'em up (also referred to as "shmup") arcade game genre. These games are also known as "bullet hell" or "manic shooters", and are designed to test the player's dodging skills and recognition to safely navigate through complex patterns that fill the screen.
The term is commonly associated with arcade-style bullet hell games such as: Batsugun, DoDonPachi, Ikaruga, Mushihimesama, and Touhou Project.
Modern games and media have put a unique spin on this ability by design and are not limited to the traditional genre conventions of arcade-style bullet hell games. Examples include media such as: Enter the Gungeon, Vampire Survivors, Armored Core, Realm of the Mad God, Undertale, Macross and many others.
Opponents who fight danmaku users may find it very difficult to counter without sufficient speed, intelligence, mobility, and stamina.
Requirements
- To qualify for Danmaku, the user has to be shown to create tens or dozens of projectiles in a very short timeframe (i.e., at least 20 to 24 minimum). The projectiles don't need to be created simultaneously but they should all be shown in motion at roughly the same time.
Important Notes: Anything below a machine gun (SMGs, pistols, assault rifles, shotguns, etc) will not receive a rating, for reasons of lack of sufficient ammo, and ability to maintain fire. Weaponry akin to Rotary Auto-cannons (such as the M61 Vulcan, Phalanx-type Auto Cannons, and Miniguns) would qualify.
Possible Uses
Directional: Danmaku that is produced from one origin point. This type of danmaku is generally aimed in a single direction (wide, narrow, etc.) with concentrated streams, or complex pattern of linear projectiles. Devices by which to produce danmaku through, such as magical weapons, space ships, etc., are potentially applicable.
- Examples: Gogeta (Dragon Ball Super), Marisa Kirisame (Touhou Project), Uryū Ishida (Bleach), Killia (Disgaea 5)
Multi-directional: Danmaku that is produced from at least more than one origin point. Users who employ multi-directional danmaku may be able to create overlapping or curved projectile attacks designed to trap their opponents or take advantage of blind-spots. Some danmaku users can also create more origin points called "options", that are controlled by the user.
- Examples: Gilgamesh (Fate Series), Sans (Undertale), Alice Margatroid (Touhou Project), Iowa-class Battleship (Real World)
Omnidirectional: Danmaku that produces a complex pattern of projectiles, with origin points that fire bullets in, or from all directions (such as a cage of projectiles); from a singular point of origin or many points of origin. This type of danmaku is usually generated in shapes, waves, or unpredictable intervals of fire that can pose as a obstacle of many projectiles.
- Examples: Kizaru (One Piece), Millia Rage (Guilty Gear), Xemnas (Kingdom Hearts), Otiluke (Dungeons and Dragons)
Seeking and Tracking: Danmaku that produces projectiles capable of manual control or automatic tracking, similar to Homing Attacks in principle. These projectiles travel in a non-linear fashion to effectively reach a target. They may navigate around obstacles that would otherwise block their path to a designated target, follow the target by replicating its current trajectory, or employ a combination of these tactics.
- Examples: Majin Buu (Dragon Ball), Empress of Light (Terraria), Rimuru Tempest (Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken)
Important Notes: Characters do not need to have these applications mentioned. Danmaku doesn't have "types" like immortality or various other abilities. A character can satisfy any of these criteria and still have the ability. The different sections here are not something that is required in "powers and abilities" sections, but can be added optionally.
Possible Applications
- Various different kinds of projectiles can be used.
- Linear projectile trajectories or curving shots.
- One directional, multi-directional or omni-directional.
- From one origin point or multiple origin points.
- Creating a cage or maze of many oncoming bullets.
Possible Limitations
- Firing for extended periods of time might be exhausting.
- Might be incapable of controlling the trajectory of each individual bullet or be limited to patterns.
- Some bullets and patterns may be limited by power, resources, a time limit, or some of these.
Gallery
Users
- Asriel Dreemurr (Flowey) and many others (Undertale)
- Bahamut and many others (Final Fantasy)
- Borsalino (Kizaru) (One Piece)
- Characters from Touhou Project
- Iowa-class Battleship (The Real World)
- Madoka Kaname (Puella Magi Verse)
- Majin Buu and many others (Dragon Ball)
- NoLegs The Cat and many others (Epic Battle Fantasy)
- Otiluke (Dungeons and Dragons)
- Qin Mu (Tales of Herding Gods)
- Super Galaxy Gurren Lagann (Gurren Lagann)
- Shin Godzilla (Godzilla)
- Tsubakura Enraku and many others (Len'en Project)
- Xemnas (Kingdom Hearts)
Discussions
| Discussion threads involving Danmaku |