Aoji Shitodo
Aoji Shitodo ɕito̞do̞ a̠o̞d͡ʑi | |
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![]() Aoji in Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle | |
Character Titles | |
Weak-Willed Youngest Child | |
Information | |
Other Names | Aoi (あおい), Aoki (あおき), Aoshi (アオシ), Aon (あおん), Aoni (あおに) |
Species | Human |
Abilities | Creating whirlpools |
Birthday | 4 January |
Location | Shitodo House |
Music Themes | |
Appearances | |
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Aoji Shitodo (鵐 蒿雀 Shitodo Aoji) is the youngest of the Shitodo siblings. They are fairly shy and meek and often follow their siblings around.
General Information[edit | edit source]
Aoji is the second stage boss of Evanescent Existence and Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle, the first and fourth game of the Len'en Project respectively. They are also a playable character in the latter game.
Personality[edit | edit source]
Aoji is shown as being gentle at heart, but also rather shy and withdrawn. They're friendly and respectful towards everyone, but they don't have a very proactive personality. As of Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle, they've become somewhat bolder - for example, taking after Kuroji and their money-making schemes, they're willing to extort money from the Preschool Team.[1]
Abilities[edit | edit source]
Aoji already had various magical abilities before being spirited away to Mugenri.[2], but awakened to the ability to create whirlpools via the Curtain of Awakening and to shoot bullets without danmaku weapons after entering Mugenri.[3]
- Creating whirlpools
Aoji can create whirlpools out of liquids, gases and even solids should the need arise.
- Summoning
Aoji is also capable of summoning various beasts. This could potentially be tied to some of their spell cards (such as "Leviathan"), but whether those actually invoke another being's power or are just simply themed after them is unknown. Summoned animals like Aoji because of their tasty soul.[3]
Background Information[edit | edit source]
Name[edit | edit source]
Their full name is Aoji Shitodo (鵐 蒿雀). Their given name Aoji (蒿雀) is a possible rendering of the Japanese word for the black-faced bunting, a kind of bird, in which Ao (蒿) is used to mean "blue/green", fitting their appearance and affinity for water. However, the kanji itself actually refers to the mugwort plant, as it refers to yomogi-iro (蓬色), "the colour of mugwort", the same colour the black-faced bunting is. Their family name Shitodo (鵐) is an archaic way to refer to meadow buntings in general.
There's a running gag where nobody seems to remember their name, save for Kuroji. Yabusame Houlen calls them Aoi (あおい) and Hooaka Shitodo calls them Aoki (あおき). They were even called Aon (あおん) and Aoni (あおに) by Tom C. Zemlja and NiLU respectively. Apparently this is an actual phenomenon, where even people like NiLU who knows how to pronounce Aoji's name will mispronounce it if not careful.[4]
Design[edit | edit source]
They have short wavy green hair and green eyes. They wear the characteristic Shitodo outfit: a black necktie and puffy shorts with a long, hooded, blue jacket. Their hood has a glowing triskelion in the front, which is significantly more visible in Aoji's Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle appearance.
Appearances[edit | edit source]
- Evanescent Existence
Like everyone else, Aoji and their siblings are spirited away to Mugenri and end up at the Spacetime Whirpool.
While trapped in the whirlpool, they run into Tsurubami Senri disguised as Tsubakura Enraku. At first glance, they realize that Aoji is weak and is disappointed. Out of frustration, they ask Aoji to attack them, much to Aoji's confusion. After Aoji is defeated, the fake Tsubakura explains that whoever makes it to the goal first gets to leave this place.
After being defeated by Tsubakura, they run into Yabusame Houlen who messes up Aoji's name, even after being corrected. Aoji apologizes for having a tough name to remember and asks if Yabusame was spirited away as well. They then remember that everyone has been convinced that if they defeat Yabusame, they'll find a way to escape and get a prize. Reluctantly, they attack Yabusame, only to be defeated again. After that, Aoji gives Tsubakura's location. Eventually the Shitodo siblings reunite and set up in Mugenri.
- Earthen Miraculous Sword
Aoji, along with Hooaka Shitodo, are only mentioned in the prologue. Apparently, the Shitodo siblings are having problems adjusting to Mugenri. Aoji, because of their shy personality, doesn't do anything and was expecting Kuroji to do all the work, much to the latter's chagrin. In order to advertise their family and have some funds, Kuroji decides to resolve the incident.
- Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle
Suzumi Kuzu barges into the Shitodo House and attacks the Shitodo siblings, resulting in Hooaka's arm being severed. With their ability to rewrite memories, the Shitodo siblings forget about the encounter, but for some reason they remember the words "The mirror of Heaven shall split". The siblings go to the Senri Shrine to treat Hooaka's injury and inform Yabusame and Tsubakura about the words. Since Saragimaru ran away from the Shitodo House to assist Yaorochi, Kuroji goes with Aoji and Hooaka to find more ways to gain easy money.
In all routes, Aoji and their siblings deal with a few youkai and some of their human aquitances, trying to steal valuable things in the process (such as the Harujion or Yaorochi's Tasouken). At the end of the Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle routes, Aoji and their siblings find out about the war sides and the motives of the Imperial Military and the Dragonfly Army, but Kuroji decides to stay out of it, stating that they only care about their own wellbeing doesn't care about what happens to Mugenri, while Aoji and Hooaka express their interest to return to the Outside World. In the end, they meet Suzumi again, forcing the Shitodo siblings to remember they were attacked by Suzumi earlier that day. Suzumi reveals their intention to make Tsubakura's life a living hell and after a hard fight, Suzumi erases their memories again (with Aoji being the only one who vaguely remembers).
Relationships[edit | edit source]
- The Shitodo Family (Hoojiro, Kuroji & Hooaka)
Being the youngest of the siblings, Aoji is often left with menial tasks and chores by Hooaka and Kuroji. Being the weakest as well, Aoji occasionally feels insecure about whether they are a burden to their older siblings.[5]
Notably, Aoji is the only one of their siblings to mention Hoojiro thus far (aside from Hoojiro herself).
- Sukune Katano
Aoji is one of Sukune's patrons, purchasing Sukune's pottery for use at home.[6]
Additional Information[edit | edit source]
- Their sudden disappearance to Mugenri along with the rest of the Evanescent Existence cast is known to have made a huge news story in the Outside World.[7]
Gallery[edit | edit source]
Aoji in Book of the Cafe
The "Memory Device" used for "Evanescent Existence Gacha (Increased Aoji Rates!)" in Book of the Cafe
Acrylic Figure of Aoji Shitodo
Spell Cards[edit | edit source]
Name | Translated | Comments | Games | Stage | ||
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Total: 13 | ||||||
流波「クレントブラスト」 | Current Wave "Current Blast" | Flash bomb (BPoHC) | EE BPoHC BPoHC BotC |
St. 2: E/N St. 2: E/N Use Use | ||
流衝「クレントブラストフル」 | Current Rush "Current Blast Full" | EE BPoHC |
St. 2: H/U St. 2: H/U | |||
曲牌「オクトスパイラル」 | Curve Card "Octo Spiral" | EE BPoHC |
St. 2: E/N St. 2: E/N | |||
歪牌「スパイラルクラーク」 | Distortion Card "Spiral Krake"[a] | EE BPoHC |
St. 2: H/U St. 2: H/U | |||
鵐牌「青風」 | Shitodo Card "Blue Wind"[b] | Bomb (BotC) | EE BotC |
St. 2: E/N Use | ||
鵐牌「青嵐」 | Shitodo Card "Blue Storm"[b] | Bomb (BPoHC) | EE BPoHC |
St. 2: H/U Use | ||
「リヴァイアサン」 | "Leviathan"[c] | EE | St. 2: E/N/H/U | |||
渦牌「プラスチックボルテックス」 | Whirlpool Card "Plastic Vortex"[d] | EE BPoHC |
St. 2: E/N St. 2: E/N | |||
旋牌「イースタンガーベッジパッテ」 | Rotation Card "Eastern Garbage Patch"[d] | EE BPoHC |
St. 2: H/U St. 2: H/U | |||
極上の魂 | First-rate Soul | BPoHC | Upgrade | |||
保険ボム | Insurance Bomb | BPoHC | Upgrade | |||
予約された命 | Reserved Life | BPoHC | Upgrade | |||
深きものからの加護 | Protection by the Deep Ones | BotC | Inherent Trait |
Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ A reference to the Kraken, the mythical cephalopod-like sea monster.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 A reference to kazeaoshi (風青し) and aoarashi (青嵐), both which refers to "slightly strong winds that blow over where young leaves grow luxuriantly". They belong to a group of phrases used in traditional Japanese poetry to establish the season, called kigo (季語), here invoking the image of summer.
In addition, 青嵐 is also rarely read as seiran, to mean "mountain air". - ↑ A reference to the Biblical Book of Job, where Job witnesses what appears to be a giant creature breaching from the ocean, and names it "Leviathan".
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 A reference to the Great Pacific garbage patch, of which the Eastern Garbage Patch belongs to, it is also someimtes called the "Pacific trash vortex".
Official Profiles[edit | edit source]
〇2面ボス 意志薄弱な末っ子 鵐 蒿雀(しとど あおじ) |
〇 Stage 2 Boss — Weak-Willed Youngest Child Aoji Shitodo |
意志薄弱な末っ子 鵐 蒿雀 |
Weak-Willed Youngest Child Aoji Shitodo |
意志薄弱な末っ子 鵐 蒿雀 |
Weak-Willed Youngest Child Aoji Shitodo |
Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ A type of Japanese fish cake famous for its spiral pattern meant to resemble the whirlpools in the Naruto Strait, a reference to Aoji's ability to create whirlpools.
Official Sources[edit | edit source]
- 2013/11/18 Evanescent Existence - Official Profiles, Stage 2 Boss
- 2013/11/18 Earthen Miraculous Sword - Prologue
- 2016/12/01 Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle - Official Profiles, Prologue, Scoundrel Team scenarios, Possible Stage 2 Boss
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle: Preschool Team's Neutral Scenario - Aoji Shitodo
- ↑ Interview with JynX (2015): Question 18
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle: Official Profiles - Aoji Shitodo
- ↑ Book of the Cafe: Back Issue EE Yabusame's Route - Stage 5
- ↑ Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle: Secret Team's Neutral Scenario - Aoji Shitodo
- ↑ Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle: Scoundrel Team's Neutral Scenario - Sukune Katano
- ↑ Interview with JynX (2017): Len'en Miscellaneous, Question 77
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