Yukari Yakumo is the overarching protagonist of the Touhou Project franchise and the Youkai of Boundaries residing within Gensokyo's border. As one of the Sages of Gensokyo, she is responsible for the existence of Gensokyo and the Great Hakurei Barrier, having initiated the Youkai Expansion Project in the fifteenth century to create a paradise for youkai. Despite her ruthless methods, she is an anti-villain whose actions serve the greater good. She has sent humans to Gensokyo to be consumed by youkai to ensure youkai remain feared and thus able to exist, and orchestrated conflicts to teach important lessons. Yukari often provides assistance to heroines in resolving incidents and sometimes intervenes directly. She employs Ran Yakumo, a kitsune shikigami, as her servant.