Now I'm wondering: does the author really believe subliminal messaging is a thing (it's complete pseudoscience that has been largely disproven several times already), or is it another case of a discredited belief becoming reality in Gensokyo, like urban legends and cold fusion?

HedgeLord said:

Now I'm wondering: does the author really believe subliminal messaging is a thing (it's complete pseudoscience that has been largely disproven several times already), or is it another case of a discredited belief becoming reality in Gensokyo, like urban legends and cold fusion?

Subliminal Messaging's a bit more real when the messenger can already manipulate subconscious to begin with, this is less your everyday commercial and more The One Ring I think.