Capcom's samurai action series Onimusha has received an official prequel webcomic titled "Fated Rivalry," serving as a direct prelude to the recently released Onimusha: Way of the Sword. The webcomic is available to read for free on the Webtoon platform.
The story of "Fated Rivalry" takes place shortly before the events of Way of the Sword, focusing on Sasaki Ganryu, a rival of the iconic samurai Miyamoto Musashi. Driven by a desire for vengeance after a humiliating defeat, Ganryu embarks on a quest for power, eventually discovering the mysterious Oni Gauntlet. This artifact grants him abilities beyond mortal means, setting him on a path that will lead to a confrontation with Musashi.
The webcomic is produced by the US-based studio Laurel Pursuit, known for its work on other graphic novels and webcomics. The creative team behind the Onimusha webcomic includes Webtoon artists jjolee, hilluhri, and BAEKSSE.
The first chapter of "Fated Rivalry" was released this past Saturday and has already garnered over 20,000 views. New chapters will be published weekly on Saturdays, though the total length of the prequel series has not yet been specified.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is set in an alternate feudal Japan, picking up more than two decades after Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams and ushering the series into the Edo period. The webcomic aims to maintain continuity with the established lore of the Onimusha games.
This is not the first expansion of Onimusha beyond video games. An animated adaptation was released on Netflix in 2023, though it is generally not considered canon to the game's storyline. The "Fated Rivalry" webcomic, however, is designed to integrate seamlessly with the game's narrative.