In Touhou 17: Wily Beast and Weakest Creature, animal spirits from Hell invade Gensokyo with plans to conquer the surface world. Reimu Hakurei, Marisa Kirisame, and Youmu Konpaku team up with cooperative beast spirits to venture into Hell and thwart the invasion. Their journey leads them through the Animal Realm and the Primate Spirit Garden, where they confront Keiki Haniyasushin, whom they believe is the mastermind behind the incident. The protagonist you choose has an influence on the story slightly and each of them have a different ending, it is also different depending on what animal spirit the player choose.
Reimu Hakurei – The miko of the Hakurei Shrine who maintains the Great Barrier and resolves incidents.
Marisa Kirisame – A self-taught magician who collects magical items and frequently joins Reimu in investigations.
Youmu Konpaku – Gardener, swordswoman, and servant of Yuyuko Saigyouji, who resides in the netherworld.
Eika Ebisu – First stage boss, Eika is a spirit of a drowned child who spends her afterlife stacking stones in Hell. She becomes upset with the protagonists for disrupting her stone-stacking contest, though the true culprits are the animal spirits from Hell.
Urumi Ushizaki – Second stage boss,is a cow youkai who can increase the weight of nearby objects. She carries a baby made of rock and used to drag living creatures into the Sanzu River.
Kutaka Niwatari – Third stage boss, Kutaka is a chicken goddess who serves as a gatekeeper for Hell and other realms. She tests the heroines to determine if they are strong enough to enter Hell and warns them about the animal spirit they are utilizing.
Yachie Kicchou – Fourth stage boss, Yachie Kicchou is a cunning tortoise beast spirit and leader of the Kiketsu Family, known for her manipulative nature. She orchestrates the pseudo-invasion of Gensokyo by the animal spirits.
Mayumi Joutouguu – Fifth stage boss, Mayumi is a living haniwa warrior fiercely loyal to her creator, Keiki. She commands a clay army and guards the Primate Spirit Garden, fighting to protect the human spirits from the animal spirits.
Keiki Haniyasushin – Sixth stage boss, Keiki Haniyasushin is a deity who specializes in creating idols, particularly haniwa—traditional clay figures used in ancient Japanese burial practices. Summoned by the oppressed human spirits of the Primate Spirit Garden, she crafts these idols to liberate them from the dominance of beast spirits. These idols, devoid of flesh, soul, or desire, serve as perfect warriors, impervious to the beasts' attacks. Her actions inadvertently lead to the events of Wily Beast and Weakest Creature, as the beast spirits orchestrate a pseudo-invasion of Gensokyo to counter her growing influence.
Saki Kurokuma – Extra stage boss, Saki Kurokoma is the matriarch of the Keiga Family, a prominent group of wolf spirits in the Animal Realm of Hell. Her family is known for their strength and straightforward nature, often engaging in open combat. Saki's ambition leads her to attempt to conquer Hell and, upon hearing of Keiki Haniyasushin's defeat, she plans to extend her influence to the surface world as well.