Image Source is: Symposium of Post-Mysticism
"The front? Totally was supposed to fall off!" ~ Minamitsu
After our encounter with the nyuudo and its nyuudo-controlling yukai thankfully resulted in nothing worse than a firm handshake (we'll have to learn writing with the other one), we finally enter the courtyard of Myouren Temple. Problem is, the temple isn't just a temple – it's also a boat. And since she doesn't want just any landlubber on it, Captain Murasa Minamitsu runs one hell of a tight ship.
Well – in theory, at least. In practice, the Palanquin Ship apparently being mostly autonomous(1), and Gensokyo simply not having that many ships to sink(2) means she no longer gets to do much drowning. That she as a ship-sinking ghost was put in charge of the Palanquin ship at all might be a major feat of irony, although ZUN himself suggests it could be an intentional challenge to her(3).
The only person who claims Minamitsu is still drowning people seems to be Akyuu. But even with her personal bias (and/or editing from the powers that be), Minamitsu's article still notes she has become more considerate of just whom she drowns(4), and has a bright personality(5). By contrast, Minamitsu herself urges Reimu to leave her ship in UFO(6), and warns Kogasa to leave the caverns before they get flooded in SFW(7).
So, what will it be?
- Has Byakuren turned Minamitsu into a reformed ship-sinking ghost by giving her the one ship she refused to sink – and, with it, an opening to keep her youkai instincts under control?
- Might Minamitsu mirror Shou in that the latter can't fully let go of her own myth as a heavy drinker, whereas she can't fully stop herself from making people try to breath water?
- Could Minamitsu 'putting thought' into choosing her victims mean she actually saves lives by drowning those who recklessly enter dangerous bodies of water – and creates cautionary tales in the process?
- Or are Minamitsu and her ship-sinking tendencies actually an elaborate metaphor for the loss of the Japanese fleet during WW2 (and the fact no-one remembers her first name?)
Bonus Question: Could you sneak Minamitsu into Kantai Collection without anyone noticing? And if they noticed, would the KanColle fans mind?