Capcom's samurai action series Onimusha is set to return with Onimusha: Way of the Sword on September 4, a revival that director Satoru Nihei explained is deeply rooted in Japanese history, mythology, and cinema. The series, which once felt poised to rival Resident Evil in prominence, quietly faded after 2006, leaving an absence that has now, twenty years later, birthed a new installment amidst a resurgence of samurai-themed games. Nihei detailed how these historical and cultural elements were instrumental in forging a new vision for Onimusha, one that connects to a broader cultural heritage.
While the game features surreal environments and monstrous enemies, many design decisions are intentionally grounded in reality. The team drew upon real-world mythology, particularly from the Kyoto region, to inform the design of the game's demonic creatures known as Genma. Nihei explained that by connecting these in-universe monsters to traditional Japanese myths and the dark mysteries associated with locations like Kyoto, the developers aimed to imbue the game's narrative with a sense of believability. For example, the original monster Rasho-gan, encountered in a shrine segment, was inspired by myths surrounding shrines known for granting wishes, particularly those related to severing unfavorable fates. This concept influenced the creature's motif of scissors and its design, which features multiple eyes and limbs, tying it directly to the lore of its in-game location.
The main character, Miyamoto Musashi, a legendary swordsman, also brings a direct link to history. His fighting style and persona have influenced the game's action, differentiating it from previous Onimusha titles. Nihei described Musashi as a character unafraid to use any means necessary to win, yet possessing a sense of humanity and a rough edge that made him an interesting choice for the protagonist. To balance Musashi's self-reliance with the powers needed for the game's combat, he is paired with a talking gauntlet that grants him great power, a situation Nihei likened to an athlete using performance-enhancing drugs, creating a core tension as Musashi seeks to be rid of it.
Further connecting the game to history, Musashi's likeness is based on the late Toshiro Mifune, an iconic actor renowned for his samurai roles, including portraying Musashi himself in Hiroshi Inagaki's Samurai Trilogy. This creative decision, made with input from Mifune's estate, was driven by his status as a samurai icon and his ability to convey the wild, rough side Nihei wanted to explore in the character. While no single film was directly referenced, the team broadly drew inspiration from Mifune's dynamic performances in samurai period dramas.
Nihei acknowledged the current landscape of samurai-themed games, noting that titles like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Ghost of Tsushima have solidified the genre. He expressed gratitude for the timing of Onimusha: Way of the Sword's release, as the game began development in 2020 before this samurai wave was as prominent. The revival aims to remind players of Onimusha's pioneering role in the genre, positioning it as part of an enduring cultural dialogue, much like classic films or historical accounts.
