Rhythm Game Touhou Danmaku Kagura to End Service

Touhou Danmaku Kagura, a rhythm game based on the popular Touhou series, is shutting down. Developer UnknownX announced the shutdown during a livestream event on July 18, 2022. The game itself will shut down on October 28, 2022, about fourteen months after its August 4, 2021 launch. It never received an international release.

You can see the announcement itself here at about the 1:22 timestamp.

Twitter user @DanmakuEN, a fan-run news account focused on Touhou Danmaku Kagura, posted translated screenshots of the announcement. These included messages from UnknownX Vice-President Tomohiro Ueda, and Commander-in-Chief Jyunya. The messages thanked players for their support, and explained some of the reasoning behind the decision. Though over 5 million players downloaded the game since its launch, sales ended up “far below” forecasted levels. Despite attempts to boost sales via promotions and updates, things didn’t turn around. A plan to continue service at a “greatly reduced” level was ultimately rejected, as it would not match the level of service desired. UnknownX also thanked Touhou Project creator ZUN.

Here's a message from Vice President of UnknownX, Ueda Tomohiro. pic.twitter.com/RRsnBl4ygh

— Touhou Danmaku Kagura EN (@DanmakuEN) July 18, 2022

In the meantime, players can continue to enjoy Touhou Danmaku Kagura until its end. UnknownX will continue to add new songs, characters and cards, and run scheduled events.

Danmaku Kagura is a rhythm game in the vein of mobile rhythm titles like BanG Dream! Girls Band Party. Gameplay consists of queuing up songs selected from Touhou Project titles and licensed music and hit notes in time with the music. Players acquire new characters through a gacha system to form their parties. Parties confer score benefits and other effects when triggered while in play.

Check out some sample gameplay from YouTube user Cryx23.

Touhou Danmaku Kagura will be available from the Japanese iOS and Android stores until October 28, 2022. Another mobile spin-off of the franchise, Touhou LostWord, received an international release in 2021.