Capcom is bringing the likeness of the late Japanese actor Toshirō Mifune to its upcoming title, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, for the game's protagonist, Miyamoto Musashi. This marks the return of the samurai action series after a 20-year hiatus. The development team emphasized that they are using a digital recreation of Mifune's visual likeness and are not employing generative AI, a method they consider a "disgrace." The decision to use Mifune was central to the project from its inception, according to director Satoru Nihei.
Nihei stated that the team wanted an "iconic samurai image," and Mifune was the immediate choice due to his well-known portrayals of the historic swordsman. Mifune, who passed away in 1997, famously starred as Musashi in Hiroshi Inagaki's 1950s Samurai Trilogy. These films, alongside other works, are credited with solidifying Miyamoto Musashi's legendary status in Japanese history. Using Mifune's likeness for the character in Way of the Sword was part of the game's original pitch.
Capcom has a history of featuring celebrity likenesses in the Onimusha series. Previous titles have included Japanese actor Takeshi Kaneshiro as Samanosuke Akechi in Onimusha: Warlords, the late actor Yūsaku Matsuda as Jubei Yagyu in Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny, and French actor Jean Reno as Jacques Blanc in Onimusha 3: Demon Siege. The use of Mifune's likeness aligns with this established practice.
The process of recreating Mifune began with obtaining permission from his family. Capcom's artists then digitally rendered the actor using the RE Engine, with ongoing consultation and approval from the family, who were reportedly impressed with the result. Producer Akihito Kadowaki clarified that while Mifune's likeness is used, the Miyamoto Musashi in Way of the Sword is a unique interpretation for the game. This version of Musashi is depicted in his 20s, before mastering his signature dual-wielding technique and before the full development of his character across his life. This younger Musashi is described as more brash, arrogant, and selfish.
The animation team drew inspiration from Mifune's films and other samurai action titles to capture a human element in the combat. Art director Hiroyuki Nara found that having Mifune's likeness as a base eased the artistic process, providing a clear reference point. The development team expressed pride in their achievement in digitally recreating the actor respectfully.
Capcom plans to share more in-depth coverage of Onimusha: Way of the Sword, including gameplay and behind-the-scenes videos, through Game Informer's channels.