Overview
エピクロスの虹はもう見えない (Epikouros no niji wa mou mienai, "Epicurus's Rainbow Is No Longer Visible") is a lyrical Touhou Project arrangement by the doujin circle SYNC.ART'S, featuring vocals by Misato and violin by TAM (of TAMUSIC). The track arranges ZUN's "Shanghai Alice Teahouse ~ Chinese Tea", the stage 3 theme from 東方紅魔郷 (the Embodiment of Scarlet Devil), into a moody, pop-inflected piece driven by electric guitar, strings, and a brooding vocal melody. The title invokes the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus, known for his pursuit of tranquility and pleasure, only to negate that serenity: the rainbow can no longer be seen, mirroring the lyrics' narrative of jealousy, self-doubt, and violent impulse from the perspective of a character inside the Scarlet Devil Mansion.
Originally released on SYNC.ART'S 2007 album CHAOS, the version used in maimai, and later in CHUNITHM and オンゲキ, is a re-recorded take made specifically for rhythm-game use. The full-length version of this re-recording later appeared on the 2015 release Alternative2015C89 and the 2016 album MIND CONNECTION. In maimai, the song debuted with the GreeN PLUS update on May 15, 2014, and received a Re:Master chart during ORANGE PLUS later that year, initially locked behind a 50-music-ticket requirement. With maimai でらっくす, the track was given a new jacket and its video was replaced with a static image of the updated artwork.
The chart lineup spans five standard difficulties, with the Re:Master chart (designed by rioN) standing out for its unusually high Hold-note density, 130 holds out of 444 total notes, requiring sustained accuracy over speed. The Master chart (by 某S氏) and Expert chart (by mai-Star) round out a set that has undergone several level rebalancings across maimai versions, eventually settling at the current difficulty spread.
Videos
Charts
STD
BASIC
3(3)
112 notesDesigner: -|Tap 96Hold 7Slide 6Break 3
ADVANCED
7(7)
176 notesDesigner: -|Tap 137Hold 17Slide 13Break 9
EXPERT
9+(9.6)
264 notesDesigner: mai-Star|Tap 184Hold 39Slide 26Break 15
MASTER
11+(11.6)
464 notesDesigner: 某S氏|Tap 357Hold 26Slide 72Break 9
Re:MASTER
13(13.2)
444 notesDesigner: rioN|Tap 204Hold 130Slide 94Break 16
Trivia
- The original version of the song first appeared on SYNC.ART'S 2007 album CHAOS, but the version used across all rhythm games (maimai, CHUNITHM, and オンゲキ) was re-recorded specifically for game use.
- The full-length edition of this re-recorded version was released on the 2015 EP Alternative2015C89 and later on the 2016 album MIND CONNECTION.
- Violinist TAM (of the doujin circle TAMUSIC) performed the violin parts, adding a classical texture to the arrangement.
- The arrangement was handled by Kai Gojou, with lyrics by MAKI and guitar by BB. ZUN (Team Shanghai Alice) composed the original melody.
- The song's Re:Master chart was added during maimai ORANGE PLUS (November 12, 2015) and originally required clearing the Master chart and spending 50 music tickets to unlock. From maimai PiNK onward, it was available by default.
- In maimai でらっくす, the track received a new jacket with the song title written on it, and its in-game video was replaced with a static image of that jacket.
- The title references Epicurus, the ancient Greek philosopher who taught that pleasure and tranquility are the highest goods, but the title negates this, implying that peace (the rainbow) is no longer attainable.
- The lyrics depict a narrator wracked with insecurity and jealousy toward another woman, culminating in violent imagery of a knife and blood-red tea, a likely reference to the residents of the Scarlet Devil Mansion.
- The Master chart was designed by 某S氏 (Bou S-shi), a longtime maimai charter whose name appears in several Touhou-origin tracks from this era.
- The Expert chart was designed by mai-Star, and the Re:Master chart was designed by rioN, a notes designer known for charts that emphasize Hold and Slide note endurance.
FAQ
- What does エピクロスの虹はもう見えない mean in English?
- The title translates to "Epicurus's Rainbow Is No Longer Visible", a reference to the Greek philosopher Epicurus, whose philosophy centered on achieving tranquility and pleasure. The title negates that ideal, signaling that peace or happiness is out of reach.
- Who composed and arranged エピクロスの虹はもう見えない?
- The original melody was composed by ZUN (Team Shanghai Alice) for the Touhou game 東方紅魔郷. The arrangement for this version was done by Kai Gojou of SYNC.ART'S, with lyrics by MAKI, vocals by Misato, guitar by BB, and violin by TAM (TAMUSIC).
- What original Touhou song is エピクロスの虹はもう見えない based on?
- It is an arrangement of "上海紅茶館 ~ Chinese Tea" (Shanghai Alice Teahouse ~ Chinese Tea), the stage 3 theme from 東方紅魔郷 ~ the Embodiment of Scarlet Devil. In the game's lore, this stage takes place at the Scarlet Devil Mansion, and the theme is associated with gatekeeper Hong Meiling.
- When was エピクロスの虹はもう見えない added to maimai?
- It was added to maimai on May 15, 2014, as part of the GreeN PLUS update. The Re:Master chart followed later during ORANGE PLUS on November 12, 2015.
- Who designed the charts for エピクロスの虹はもう見えない in maimai?
- The Expert chart was designed by mai-Star, the Master chart by 某S氏 (Bou S-shi), and the Re:Master chart by rioN. Basic and Advanced do not have credited designers.
- Why is エピクロスの虹はもう見えない considered notable among Touhou arrangements in maimai?
- It stands out for its dark, introspective lyrical content that contrasts with the typically cheerful source material, and for the presence of TAM's violin work. The Re:Master chart is also notable for an unusually high Hold-note count (130 holds out of 444 notes), making it an endurance test compared to other charts at its level.
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