okuu

Okū, commonly romanized as Okuu, is a nickname used by fans to refer to Utsuho Reiuji, a fictional character in the Touhou Project, a series of bullet hell shooter games created by ZUN of Team Shanghai Alice. The name Okuu is rooted in the character’s phoenix motif, and it is widely used in fan communities to identify the character outside her formal in-game name.

In the canon material, Utsuho Reiuji is a youkai associated with the Sun and with the control of nuclear energy, often depicted with a phoenix-inspired design and imagery. She is portrayed as a powerful, energetic figure whose abilities center on energy manipulation and destruction. The character appears across multiple Touhou titles, where she is presented in roles ranging from antagonist to playable character, depending on the game and storyline.

Cultural significance and reception: Okuu is one of the better-known Touhou characters outside the core cast, frequently appearing in fan art, music remixes, and cosplay. The nickname is widely recognized within the Touhou community, and the character’s distinctive phoenix motif contributes to her enduring familiarity.

See also: Touhou Project; Utsuho Reiuji; Phoenix motif in Touhou design.