Genjii
Genjii is a flying turtle character featured in the PC-98 era of the Touhou Project series. Serving as a loyal familiar and aerial mount for the protagonist Hakurei Reimu back when she was unable to fly under her own power, he assisted her throughout her early journeys. As one of the extremely rare male characters in the franchise, he appeared from the second game, Story of Eastern Wonderland, through the fifth installment, Mystic Square, acting as Reimu's vital transport.
Overview
Genjii is a flying turtle character featured in the PC-98 era of the Touhou Project series. Serving as a loyal familiar and aerial mount for the protagonist Hakurei Reimu back when she was unable to fly under her own power, he assisted her throughout her early journeys. As one of the extremely rare male characters in the franchise, he appeared from the second game, Story of Eastern Wonderland, through the fifth installment, Mystic Square, acting as Reimu's vital transport.
Appearance
Genjii has the physical appearance of a turtle distinguished by prominent gray eyebrows, a beard, and black eyes. In the alternate 2P color scheme featured in Phantasmagoria of Dim.Dream, his overall body color shifts to red, directly swapping shades with Hakurei Reimu's traditional shrine maiden apparel.
Personality
Despite being captured and used as a convenient vehicle by Hakurei Reimu, Genjii remains unfailingly polite, consistently addressing her as his master. He functions as a sensible voice of reason during their travels, often coaxing or gently scolding the impulsive priestess to keep her moving forward. His temperament combines comical pragmatism with enduring patience and devotion, remaining loyal even under less-than-ideal working conditions.
Abilities
Genjii possesses the natural capability of aerial flight while transporting a passenger. He can carry a rider lying on his shell across the sky, functioning as an effective flying mount for Hakurei Reimu during her battles and journeys before she gained the power to fly on her own.
Background
Genjii was captured by Hakurei Reimu during her training period to serve as her primary airborne transportation. He debuted with active dialogue in Story of Eastern Wonderland and continued to appear throughout the remaining PC-98 entries. After Reimu learned to fly independently in later games, Genjii retired from active service. According to creator ZUN, he currently resides peacefully in a pond near the Hakurei Shrine, though indirect references to his existence continue to appear in later games.
Relationships
Genjii serves as the loyal familiar and mount for Hakurei Reimu. Though Reimu treats him somewhat roughly as a simple ride, Genjii addresses her as his master and remains devoted to assisting her. Their dynamic is rooted in their early adventures together, and Reimu still retains faint memories of her time riding a flying turtle when encountering creatures like Yachie Kicchou in later titles.
Trivia
His name is thought to originate from Genbu, the Black Tortoise of the Four Symbols. In-game text never officially provided furigana to confirm the reading of his name. As one of the few confirmed male figures in the overwhelmingly female cast of the Touhou Project, he holds a unique distinction. Additionally, while he had speaking lines in Story of Eastern Wonderland, he remained completely silent during his appearances in subsequent games.