Why BAD MAGUS by Akatsuki Records is heavily TDL coded

written by #1 marisa enjoyer @sp7rkle on twitter

i have a full tdl playlist that i made sometime ago


FYI: THIS WILL BE A MIX OF BOTH THE TRANSLATION ON THE TOUHOU WIKI, AND THE TRANSLATION IN THE ACTUAL YOUTUBE MV AS I LIKE THEM BOTH, AND THERE'S A CHANCE ONE OF EITHER FITS MORE TO WHAT I'M GOING FOR.

THIS IS MY OWN INTERPRETATION AND SPECULATION OF TDL AND HIS MOTIVATIONS, HOWEVER A LOT OF THINGS ARE STILL FAITHFUL TO WHAT YOU SEE ON SCREEN.


Faster, faster! Bad-glow star, Witchcraft ← Dark embracing his status as being literally "the DARK lord", considering himself as 'bad' because of it, and because of his actions.

Faster, faster! God-grown star, Witchcraft ← "God-grown" = Alan creating him. Despite Dark hating Alan with his entire life, he still loves to boast about how he was made special because of him, and that his powers have only been granted to him because he was created by said "God." + Dark considers himself a star because of his intellect and abilities, as well as his infamy for being a stickfigure who should be feared.

The bad magus will make her appearance soon! ← This line can also be translated as "The big bad witch finally bursts onto the scene", it's very reminiscent of how much of a show-off Dark is (ie. showing his literal weapon of mass destruction to Chosen in a giddy and excited manner, or flexing proudly in the weird... cum portal.. after destroying Alan's PC with Chosen.)

Things won't go as you expect during this magus night.
Whether you advance or retreat, it's all up to you. ← Dark referring to the many stickfigures that he has slaughtered, taunting and borderline challenging them to fight back, or else run away like cowards.

I wanna spark and spark and burn things to smithereens! ← Values of destruction taught by Chosen, which became Dark's second nature.

I fly around as I please during this magus night. ← Rush of freedom and rebellion that stays around for a long time after successfully escaping and destroying Alan's PC, although Dark himself hasn't been hurt that badly by Alan - he is influenced by Chosen's feelings towards freedom, and his anger caused by becoming a slave for Alan.

Whether you ride or disembark, it's all up to you. ← Dark referring to Chosen, questioning him on whether he wants to continue destroying the internet with him or leave him on his own to do the bidding.

Who decided that even if we're in an age of gluttony Who says its gotta be this way? We live in an age of plenty...
you've gotta eat anything, whether you like it or not?! Why should we stop at what we're given? ← Dark wanting to go and destroy the entire internet, rather than just a couple webpages.

Who decided it? I'll whistle in the dead of night.
I'll do something taboo and summon a snake. ← Can also be translated as "Breaking taboos and summoning snakes all I like", once again this refers to Dark's desire for destruction, and simultaneous freedom to do whatever he pleases without consequences.

"We are not bound by a rule." We're witches, after all.
"I am unconventional." Anything's possible. ← ...And again, clear theme of rebellion. He refuses to conform to moral values and Alan's set task to kill Chosen.

"We are not bound by a rule." As for those who get in our way...
"You are unconventional." We'll destroy them! ← Dark believes him and Chosen can do whatever the hell they want because no one can stop them, as they're way too powerful to ever fall at the hands of anyone else.

Faster, faster! Bad-glow star, Witchcraft
Faster, faster! God-grown star, Witchcraft

BAD! The bad magus will make her appearance soon!
As you like it, magus night. ← Dark made the virabots under the assumption that Chosen would be on board with his plan, as he was the one to teach him that destruction is the way to go.

I'll spark and spark until I burn it all to smithereens.
Whether you advance or retreat, it's all up to you.

Who decided that as soon as you grow up
you've gotta throw away dreams and magic and all that other stuff?
Who decided it? I end up denying myself things. Who says its gotta be this way? Why should you have to hold yourself back?
Whose approval am I waiting for? ← Once again, Dark and his values of rebellion and dominance yada yada, have you noticed yet what this song is literally about? Can't have shit in Gensokyo.

"We are not bound by a rule." Even if they tell me... ("They may tell you that it's impossible...")
"I am unconventional." that I can never do it, ("But who cares what they say?")
"We are not bound by a rule." If you don't try
"You are unconventional."you'll never know, right? ("Then how will you find your limits?") ← Dark is an extremely ambitious person who will push his limits to create greater and greater things to achieve his goals.

Faster, faster! Bad-glow star, Witchcraft
Faster, faster! God-grown star, Witchcraft

BAD! The bad magus will make her appearance soon!
As you like it, magus night.
I'll spark and spark until I burn it all to smithereens.
Whether you advance or retreat, it's all up to you.

The bad magus will make her appearance soon!
This is an unconventional magus night.
Have you decided whether you’re coming with me? ← Dark asking Chosen whether he changed his mind after thoroughly beating his ass.

I’ll spark and spark and burn things to smithereens!
Turning back is nonsense during this magus night. ← Dark very clearly disagrees with the idea of Chosen "betraying him" last second, he's irritated with how the man who taught him all of this now has the audacity to denounce it.

Whether you ride or disembark, it’s all up to you.


...This made me realize that TDL is literally an SX8 LMFAOOOOO

Edit
Pub: 28 Jul 2022 18:53 UTC
Edit: 18 Sep 2024 13:55 UTC
Views: 173