ZUN Q&A at Anime Weekend Atlanta, Sept. 27, 2013, 1900 EST
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Notation as follows.
“ ” = exact translated words
[ ] = my personal thoughts
Everything else will be approximations that fit the nature of the question.
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[Today marks the day that ZUN interacts with the Western Touhou fandom. Needless to say, it was hard not to stare at the man that made Touhou possible. Well, Q&A questions for now. Some of the questions will be approximations of the nature of the question. Some fans were overwhelmed to even ask something and stumbled on their choice of words. Myself included. Questions are from the fans. Answers are from ZUN with the help of an interpreter and written in 3rd person as part of a narrative. Unless there is a “ ” around the words, the answer is my best interpretation based on what the translator said. The transcript will be very rough, so please bear with me.]

Edit (9-28-13): Please refer to this link for a more thorough coverage of the Q&A. Some things got lost in translation through the interpreter which was my source for this transcript. http://www.wordofthenerdonline.com/zun-awa-panel-recap/

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Q: How are youkai chosen for the games?
A: Depends on the theme of the game.

Q: There is a rumor that the games will be available on Steam. Is it true? [This is my question as well a friend’s.]
A: “There are talks.” There is no agreement and it is difficult to release something on Steam. It’s not just an okay and go thing.

Q: How much personal time do you devote to making the game?
A: It takes many months for ideas. It takes 4 months to make the games. It was also said that ZUN sleeps less during those times he makes the games and consumes more beer. We expected that to be the case.

Q: What is your inspiration for the music?
A: “That is difficult to answer.” ZUN is influenced mainly by game music from the 80s-90s. More specifically, during the era when there was no voice acting in the games.

Q: What is your inspiration for the games? [The actual question was more convoluted.]
A: The games are based on ZUN’s personal experience from any time he was a kid, to something recent, etc.

Q: Have you tried the beer in America?
A: “I have tried many beers. The beer in America is quite good. <However, the> meals are too big, <and the> beers, not big enough.”

Q: Will Rin Satsuki ever be added?
A: “<ZUN pauses in confusion>…OH!” Basically, ZUN goes into saying that he had to cut her from Embodiment of the Scarlet Devil because there wasn’t enough time. [In other words, she’s gone forever it seems like.] “You know a lot about these games, don’t you?” <laughs>

Q: Will there be another Phantasmagoria of Flower View type game again?
A: “If the timing is right.” Basically, he says, “needs inspiration”.

Q: What is your favorite JoJo line?
A: [I could not hear this one, nor was it translated.]

Q: It was said that you originally wanted to make a male character in UFO, will there be one?
A: “Boys get in the way when making a game.” [I really didn’t quite understand this question.]

Q: What software do you use for music?
A: “Roland SD 90.”

Q: What is your favorite Touhou fanwork? …some of it anyway.
A: ZUN feels jealous whenever he finds fanwork that is really good. However, he doesn’t say anything in public <good or bad> because it would be problematic. [Fair enough.]

Q: Will midi/WAV files be released for future/current games like in previous games?
A: ZUN feels that midi is behind the times. They were originally added in the days when PC specs were lower. These days, it’s easier to just make the WAV files. But no, they will not be released separately again.

Q: Will you continue to make the games even if Touhou’s popularity decreases?
A: “I can’t make anything but Touhou.” It’s not about popularity for ZUN. He just does it because he wants to. <huge clap from the audience>

Q: Are the PC-98 games separate canonically from the Windows series?
A: It’s the same world, and ZUN realizes there are contradictions. He then tells us to refer to the most recent games <for canon>.

Q: What is your favorite brand of beer?
A: “I get this question a lot. It’s Kirin.”

Q: Was there a reason the Moriya Shrine didn’t appear in Hopeless Masquerade?
A: “No particular reason.” They are still there.

Q: Which music are you most proud of?
A: “I made a lot of music. You know that, right?” ZUN has no personal favorite. The newest one is the new favorite.

Q: Is there any date for localization?
A: There are no particular plans and nothing is in the works. ZUN did notice there were English patches out. [You caught us.]

Q: How do you come up with the insane bullet patterns?
A: ZUN makes the patterns visually then tries to make it “flamboyant”. He personally tries the patterns repeatedly to see if he can clear it. If he doesn’t, he tones it down a bit and balances the danmaku that way.

Q: Are there any characters special to you?
A: “Reimu Hakurei.”

Q: What are the challenges to independant game making?
A: <Indie> game makers don’t look at the past when making their own games. [My guess here is that some things in the past work. It’s up to the game maker to take what works and improve on it.]

Q: Where do you buy your hats?
A: “A lot of places.” Flea markets, normal stores, etc. If he likes it, he buys it.

Q: Would you incorporate a fan character into Touhou canon?
A: ZUN doesn’t look at fan characters because he doesn’t want to be influenced by them.

Q: Do you have any advice to an aspiring game designer?
A: “That’s a simple answer. Just do it.”

Q: How has Touhou changed or influenced you?
A: “It’s my life work. It embodies me.”

Q: What are your feelings on returning old characters? [Meaning characters from pre-MoF and PC-98.]
A: “I won’t say no. There’s your answer.”

Q: Have you ever thought about putting your music into other formats like bands or orchestra?
A: “I don’t need to. The fans do it.”

Q: If you’re trapped in a hot springs with two of your characters, who would it be?
A: <ZUN thinks> “I need to think about that.” <drinks some beer> [Marisa was mentioned, but the crowd got a little loud to hear the other answer.]

Epilogue from ZUN:
ZUN didn’t know what to expect in America since there was no Touhou here. He was surprised to see a lot of cosplay (mostly male though) and an active fandom.

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ZUN is still scheduled for two more panels, one on Saturday and one Sunday. I will try to attend the Saturday one, seats willing. I can’t attend Sunday, so someone else will have to pick that up. In the meantime, ZUN will be casually attending the con and he encourages people to say hi to him when they see him.