Horikawa Raiko
Horikawa Raiko is a character who first appeared as the Extra Stage boss in Touhou Kishinjou ~ Double Dealing Character., the fourteenth main installment of the Touhou Project series. Originally a tsukumogami born from a traditional Japanese taiko drum, she secured her independent existence by abandoning her original body and adopting a modern drum kit from the Outside World. Serving as the leader and drummer of the Horismriver Ensemble, she works to create a sanctuary where tool-born spirits can express themselves freely through music.
Overview
Horikawa Raiko is a character who first appeared as the Extra Stage boss in Touhou Kishinjou ~ Double Dealing Character., the fourteenth main installment of the Touhou Project series. Originally a tsukumogami born from a traditional Japanese taiko drum, she secured her independent existence by abandoning her original body and adopting a modern drum kit from the Outside World. Serving as the leader and drummer of the Horismriver Ensemble, she works to create a sanctuary where tool-born spirits can express themselves freely through music.
Appearance
Raiko features short red hair and red eyes. She wears an open white jacket with sleeve garters over a black-and-red plaid collared shirt, paired with a pale purple necktie displaying an inverted cross pattern and a white wrap skirt. Her footwear consists of distinct purple round-toed boots equipped with bass drum beaters attached to the heels. She holds a pair of drumsticks and is seated atop a bass drum adorned with floral motifs, encircled by a ring of red hexagonal electronic drum pads.
Personality
Raiko is exceptionally observant, intelligent, and decisive. Rather than being swept away by sudden power, she quickly realized the risks of relying on the Miracle Mallet and boldly sought an alternative source of magic. She possesses a natural gift for leadership and demonstrates genuine care for fellow tsukumogami by sharing her survival methods. At the same time, she is pragmatically resourceful, even orchestrating media attention through local newspapers to promote her band. Her overall demeanor is relaxed, confident, and approachable.
Abilities
Raiko possesses the ability to make anything keep to a rhythm. In battle, she utilizes soundwaves, electrical discharges, and drums to construct bullet patterns, often deploying V-shaped projectile spreads and taiko-shaped familiars. Certain spell cards synchronize their firing cadence directly with the BPM of her background music. Mechanically, she leverages the beaters attached to her boot heels to operate her bass drum while striking surrounding electronic drum pads to blend rhythmic performance with direct offensive techniques.
Background
Raiko spent generations as a taiko drum tsukumogami, deriving fulfillment from being played by humans. When the Miracle Mallet's magic suddenly filled her with raw power and aggressive impulses, she discerned that the energy was controlled by an oni's spell. Refusing to remain a puppet, she took an immense risk: discarding her wooden drum body, she ventured toward the Outside World to claim a modern drum set and an independent source of power. After successfully establishing her autonomy, she taught this conversion method to Tsukumo Benben and Tsukumo Yatsuhashi. Driven by a vision of freedom for tool-born beings, she later partnered with the Prismriver Sisters to form a modern musical ensemble.
Relationships
Raiko acts as a mentor to fellow tsukumogami Tsukumo Benben and Tsukumo Yatsuhashi, having taught them how to maintain their physical forms without relying on the Miracle Mallet; the trio later teamed up in bullet-craft competitions. Recognizing the musical talent of the Prismriver Sisters—Lunasa Prismriver, Merlin Prismriver, and Lyrica Prismriver—Raiko negotiated a partnership with them to establish the Horismriver Ensemble, serving as its leader and percussionist. She has also interacted with the reporter Shameimaru Aya to generate press publicity for her band, and joined other pursuers against Seija Kijin during the events of Impossible Spell Card.
Trivia
Her surname, Horikawa, draws inspiration from traditional cultural references such as Chikamatsu Monzaemon's joruri play Horikawa Nami no Tsuzumi, the title Horikawa Shosho associated with the Issun-boshi legend, and regional festivals featuring taiko drumming. Her given name, Raiko, literally references the drums carried by thunder deities as well as the sound of thunder itself. The hexagonal electronic drum pads hovering around her are modeled after classic SIMMONS synth drums famously played by Koji Kasa of the band C-C-B. Furthermore, the inverted cross motif on her necktie is a direct nod to classic visual elements seen in heavy metal and death metal music culture.
