Danmaku

Danmaku, written in Japanese as 弾幕 and often translated as "bullet curtain" or "barrage," is a term used in shoot ’em up video games to describe the dense patterns of projectiles that fill the screen. In practice, danmaku refers to the design and navigation of these bullet formations, which are a defining feature of the bullet hell subgenre. Games emphasizing danmaku challenge players to weave through complex, multi-directional streams while returning fire or advancing toward a goal. The emphasis is on precision, timing, and memorization of patterns, rather than brute speed alone.

Origin and development of danmaku patterns occurred in the late 1980s and 1990s within arcade and console shooters. The genre was popularized by Cave with titles such as DonPachi (1997) and its successors, which showcased exceptionally dense and varied formations. The term gained broader cultural prominence through the Touhou Project, a series created by ZUN starting in 1996, which centers on intricate, highly recognizable bullet patterns and has cultivated a large doujin (indie) community around pattern design, practice, and analysis. Modern danmaku games continue to explore density, color, and timing, ranging from meticulously arranged arrays to procedurally generated patterns.

Common mechanics associated with danmaku include small hitboxes relative to player sprites, the use of bombs or countermeasures to clear screens, and dedicated practice modes to memorize and master patterns. While the genre remains niche, danmaku has influenced game design and player culture worldwide, highlighting the aesthetic and skill of navigating through elaborate bullet trajectories.