A Closer Look at Tomo's Powers and Capabilities [Analysis]

Tomo's Powers.  It's more than just shells and feathers!

Soi is at her strongest when she's at Sea, with the power to manipulate the weather and channel lightning. Ashitare in the Mountains, as he can withstand extreme cold climates that no other human being can endure. Miboshi in the Temple, as he can summon evil spirits to do his bidding.

The Desert is Tomo's element as his illusions are most effective when his subjects are dehydrated from the arid weather, making them more susceptible to their hallucinations. Tomo can conjure up cities and fill them up with fictitious people, which also include clones of himself. He can change a person's outward appearance so they can look like someone else, and could do likewise to himself as well. He can even manipulate the senses. His illusory power is amplified with the use of his magical clam, Shin. With this shell, he can extract memories from the person (or people) of interest, entrap them inside, and even use it as a recording/replaying device. Such a handy thing. Interestingly enough, Yuu Watase came up with the Shin concept from an ancient folklore about a giant shell in the desert that expels dreams from the ocean that float into the air, in which it creates illusions.

Even after his death, Tomo's shell was put into use by Nakago.  Soi watches in amazement.  I wonder how she feels when Nakago was using TOMO'S magical device?

Tomo is more than just the trickster--he is essential to his team. Considering the powers that he has with illusion and memory extraction, I’m thinking that Tomo is the “brain” of the Seiryuu warriors. Being a strategist, he’s the only one who discusses plans with Nakago. Before there was the “muscle” from Ashitare, and then we are introduced to a villain that uses mental capabilities to ensnare our protagonists. He tricked 5 Suzaku warriors in thinking they're in a sprawling city, and fooled Tamahome in thinking that Soi is Miaka. He put Miaka into the Shin and extracted her memories, recreating her home world as she remembered it. He even quickly learned how her world functions as he's able to know their customs, items (pencil), and how a modern doorknob works (lol). With these kinds of powers, it's almost as if he can read minds! Such an invasion of privacy!

If you think about it, Tomo “nearly” succeeded in what he was set to do. He almost killed all of the Suzaku members by keeping them at bay in the desert with his illusions, was about to trap Tamahome in his shell, and nearly took Miaka’s virginity so that she won't be able to summon Suzaku. It seems that none of the Suzaku warriors actually stood a chance against Tomo. What actually took him down were two of his Seiryuu teammates, Amiboshi and Suboshi. Amiboshi, who broke away from team Seiryuu, foiled Tomo’s plan and saved Tamahome and Miaka, but was almost killed doing so (Tomo is one powerful mofo). Suboshi, coming to rescue his beloved brother, is the one who ultimately killed Tomo in an ambush attack. Basically, Tomo was defeated by two 15-year old little boys. His evil plan almost worked if it wasn’t for those darn meddling kids!!! Even Nakago was somewhat miffed that Suboshi killed Tomo, but really couldn’t do anything about it because he knows Yui really likes Suboshi.

But for someone who almost single-handedly defeated the entire opposing team, Tomo hardly inflict any actual physical damage. When he “stabbed” Tamahome with his feathers, this attack was only a work of illusion. But it can mentally kill an ordinary person. What really happened, Tomo simply made Tamahome "think" that he’s critically injured to the point of passing out and falling off a cliff. Nothing serious truly happened to Tamahome. The fall itself wasn’t significant, but the mental impact was strong enough to keep him struggling until Tokaki woke him up. So yeah, no physical pain was inflicted upon on Tomo’s part, but he definitely hurt Tamahome mentally.

Tomo stabs Tamahome with his feathers as Miaka and Amiboshi watched in horror.  Nothing serious happened in actuality, but Tamahome "literally fell" for it anyway.

Tamahome realizes that Tomo's attack was just an illusion.  Tokaki explains away.

The only person Tomo actually physically hurt was Amiboshi. Aside from having the power of illusions, Tomo also possesses telekinesis. If the stabbing feathers were only illusions (this can be up for debate), the ground and rock attacks are definitely real. Amiboshi’s torn clothes were caused by Tomo’s earth attacks and were still in tatters after Tomo’s death. Also when Amiboshi counterattacked by playing his flute, the rocks were firing back towards Tomo in which he stealthily dodges (thanks to a lifetime of dancing haha). So yes, those rocks are real and Tomo indeed has telekinesis...very strong telekinesis at that. Or, perhaps he can only control the ground considering his celestial mark represents “Root.” I don’t know. But for sure he can definitely do major physical damage as shown with his earth attacks.

Tomo blows large rocks from the ground.  The fire may or may not be an illusion, but the rocks are definitely real!

On a side note, Tomo is perhaps the first and only Seiryuu celestial warrior to have seen what Taiitsukun look like...unless you count Nakago and Amiboshi/Suboshi in the first OVA, but I honestly don't know how canon that is. People with wicked hearts would not be able to see her. But because Tomo's Shin extracted Miaka's memory of Taiitsukun, he's able to see a projection of her. He is also the first of the Seiryuu members, and perhaps anyone from the Universe of the Four Gods, to have seen Miaka's world. Again, with the power of the Shin.

Tomo conjures up Taiitsukun from Shin.  Yui watches in amazement.

I would like to write about the extension of Tomo's powers, capabilities, and importance to team Seiryuu in the SUZAKU IBUN videogame, but considering that it's a game with alternate endings and different protagonists, I'm not sure about the game's canon validity. But I must say, it sure looks fun! Thus, it is a topic of it's own.




SOURCES
Fushigi Yuugi Manga Volume 9, 10, 11, 12 (author's commentary). Anime Episodes 35 to 40.