View source for Onimusha

{{Short description|Video game series}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = February 2025}}
{{for|the first video game in the series|Onimusha: Warlords}}
{{Infobox video game series
| title = Onimusha
| image = Onimusha Logo.png
| caption = The logo of ''Onimusha: Warlords'', the first game in the series. Subsequent titles use similar logos.
| developer = [[Capcom]]
| publisher = Capcom
| creator = [[Yoshiki Okamoto]]
| genre = {{ubl|[[Action-adventure]]|[[Hack and slash]]|[[Action role-playing]]}}
| platforms = {{plainlist|
* [[Android (operating system)|Android]]
* [[Game Boy Advance]]
* [[iOS]]
* [[Microsoft Windows]]
* [[Nintendo Switch]]
* [[PlayStation 2]]
* [[PlayStation 3]]
* [[PlayStation 4]]
* [[PlayStation 5]]
* [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]
* [[Xbox One]]
* [[Xbox Series X/S]]
}}
| first release version = ''[[Onimusha: Warlords]]''
| first release date = January 25, 2001
| latest release version = ''Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny'' HD remaster
| latest release date = May 23, 2025
}}
{{nihongo|'''''Onimusha'''''|鬼武者||'[[Oni]] Warrior'}} is a series of [[action-adventure]] [[video games]] developed and published by [[Capcom]]. It makes use of the historic figures that shaped [[Japan's history]], retelling their stories with [[supernatural]] elements. Most of the games are of the [[action-adventure]] genre, a combination of [[Third-person shooter|third-person]] [[hack-and-slash]] combat and [[Puzzle video game|puzzle]] elements. The player protagonist wields the power of the ''Oni'', enabling them to fight the ''Genma'', the main enemy in the series. As of June 2024, the series has sold a total of 8.7 million copies worldwide,<ref>[http://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/finance/salesdata.html CAPCOM | Game Series Sales]</ref> making it Capcom's [[List of Capcom games: N–R|tenth best-selling]] [[Media franchise|franchise]], behind ''[[Resident Evil]]'', ''[[Monster Hunter]]'', ''[[Street Fighter]]'', ''[[Mega Man]]'', ''[[Devil May Cry]]'', ''[[Dead Rising]]'', ''[[Dragon's Dogma]]'', ''[[Ace Attorney]]'', and ''[[Marvel vs. Capcom]]''.

A [[High-definition video|high-definition]] [[remaster]] of the first game, ''[[Onimusha: Warlords]]'', was released in December 2018 for the [[Nintendo Switch]], [[PlayStation 4]], and [[Xbox One]]. A [[Windows]] version was released in January 2019. A remaster of the second game, ''[[Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny]]'', was released on all four platforms in May 2025.

==Games==
{{video game timeline
| compressempty = 
|2001 = '''''[[Onimusha: Warlords]]'''''
|2002a = ''[[Genma Onimusha]]''
|2002b = '''''[[Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny]]'''''
|2003a = ''[[Onimusha Tactics]]''
|2003b = ''[[Onimusha Blade Warriors]]''
|2004 = '''''[[Onimusha 3: Demon Siege]]'''''
|2005 = ''Shin Onimusha: Curtain of Darkness''
|2006 = '''''[[Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams]]'''''
|2012 = ''Onimusha Soul''
|2018 = [[Onimusha: Warlords#Remaster|''Onimusha: Warlords'' (remaster)]]
|2024 = ''Onimusha VR: Shadow Team''
|2025 = [[Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny#Remaster|''Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny'' (remaster)]]
|2026 = '''''[[Onimusha: Way of the Sword]]'''''
}}

The series originated in 1997, with [[Yoshiki Okamoto]]'s idea to create ''Sengoku Biohazard'', a ninja version of Capcom's own 1996 ''[[Resident Evil (1996 video game)|Resident Evil]]'' (known as ''Biohazard'' in Japan), set in the [[Sengoku period]] and featuring a "ninja house" filled with booby traps, similar to the mansion from ''Resident Evil'', where battles are fought using swords and [[shuriken]].<ref name="ign">{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/1997/05/29/interview-with-capcom-japans-yoshiki-okamoto |title=Interview with Capcom Japan's Yoshiki Okamoto. – IGN |publisher=Uk.ign.com |date=1997-05-28 |access-date=2013-10-09}}</ref><ref>Gamecenter CX. Season 1. Episode #03 "Capcom". February 12, 2003.</ref> The project was originally intended for the [[Nintendo 64]]'s [[64DD]].<ref name="ign"/>

''Onimusha: Warlords'' began development for the original [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], but the project was eventually moved to the [[PlayStation 2]]. The half-finished PS1 version of ''Onimusha''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvOFYZ5Cm2I |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/FvOFYZ5Cm2I |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Onimusha for the original PlayStation |publisher=Youtube.com |date=2006-08-26 |access-date=2013-10-09}}{{cbignore}}</ref> was scrapped and never released.

The central character of the series, Samanosuke Akechi, is modeled after [[Takeshi Kaneshiro]], who also voiced the character.<ref>{{IMDb name|437580|Takeshi Kaneshiro}}</ref> People were used as models for other characters in the series, including [[Yūsaku Matsuda]] in ''[[Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny]]'' and [[Jean Reno]] in ''[[Onimusha 3: Demon Siege]]''. Character movements throughout the series were created using [[motion capture]].

The series was initially planned to be only a trilogy, but a fourth installment, ''[[Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams]]'' was released in 2006. [[Keiji Inafune]] said that ''Onimusha 3: Demon Siege'' is the end of the Nobunaga storyline, and ''Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams'' is a new storyline. 

''Shin Onimusha: Curtain Of Darkness'', a mobile phone game, was released in Japan in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |title=アクション: 新 鬼武者Curtain of Darkness |url=http://www.capcom.co.jp/keitai/action/action25.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208192634/http://www.capcom.co.jp/keitai/action/action25.html |archive-date=February 8, 2012}}</ref> ''Onimusha Soul'', a browser-based game, was released on June 28, 2012.<ref name="browsergame">{{cite web | last = Lee | first = Sera | title = Onimusha Soul | publisher = DotMMO | date = 2012-03-09 | url = http://www.dotmmo.com/onimusha-soul-7405.html | access-date = 2012-03-09 | archive-date = March 12, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120312022919/http://www.dotmmo.com/onimusha-soul-7405.html | url-status = dead}}</ref> The game was also released for mobile phones in July 2013 and for [[PlayStation 3]]'s PlayStation Network on February 25, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/onimusha-soul-coming-to-the-ps3-in-japan-268570.phtml|title=Onimusha Soul coming to the PS3 in Japan|last=Carter|first=Chris|date=7 January 2014|work=[[Destructoid]]|access-date=10 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/01/07/free-to-play-onimusha-soul-heads-to-playstation-3-in-japan |title=Free-to-Play "Onimusha Soul" Heads to PlayStation 3 in Japan |publisher=Crunchyroll |date=January 8, 2014 |access-date=January 8, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/onimusha-soul-free-play-game-headed-ps3/ |title=Onimusha Soul, A Free-to-Play Game, Is Headed To PS3 |publisher=Siliconera |date=January 7, 2014 |access-date=January 8, 2020}}</ref> The mobile version was shut down on May 13, 2015.

''Onimusha VR: Shadow Team'', the first VR entry in the ''Onimusha'' series, was shown at Amusement Expo 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://siliconera.com/onimusha-vr-shadow-team-demo-will-be-at-amusement-expo|title=Onimusha VR: Shadow Team Demo Will Be at Amusement Expo|last=Liu|first=Stephanie|date=8 Nov 2024|work=[[Siliconera]]|access-date=10 Nov 2024}}</ref>

''[[Onimusha: Way of the Sword]]'' was announced at [[The Game Awards 2024]] event in December, with an estimated release in 2026.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.siliconera.com/new-onimusha-game-titled-way-of-the-sword/ | title=New Onimusha Game Titled Way of the Sword | date=December 13, 2024}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
{{unreferenced section|date=September 2023}}
Although the protagonist changes in every ''Onimusha'' title, he is always a skilled swordsman who embarks on a set mission which involves slaying demons and fearsome enemies during the waning years of the [[Sengoku period]] of feudal Japan. In each game, the protagonist has the ability to absorb Genma [[soul]]s from defeated enemies, which help to restore health, infuse power in weapons and armor, and provide power for the elemental attacks of special weapons.

The player controls their character using the [[D-pad]] (although later games such as ''[[Onimusha 3: Demon Siege]]'' and ''[[Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams]]'' introduced [[analog stick]] control) and travels in a fairly linear method, able to rotate slowly with the input of an opposing direction. Characters tend to move slowly and can only slightly increase their speed with the [[Sprint (running)|dash]] maneuver by tapping twice in any direction. Actions common to many action-oriented games, such as jumping, grabbing, and climbing over obstacles, cannot be performed in ''Onimusha'' games.

''Onimusha'' is action-oriented with an emphasis on combat, and employing some horror elements. The player has an arsenal of weaponry, ranging from katana to elemental-based broadswords. The player possesses a limited supply of spiritual energy which can be used for magical attacks. These magical attacks, which vary depending upon which weapon is equipped and other offensive attributes, can be improved throughout the game by accumulation of souls from defeated enemies.

==Plot==
Based primarily throughout the Japanese [[Sengoku period]], ''[[Onimusha: Warlords]]'' starts with the feudal lord [[Nobunaga Oda]] being killed during a battle. One of the prominent fighters, Hidemitsu Samanosuke Akechi, receives a letter from his cousin Princess Yuki who is concerned about servants from her castle disappearing. Samanosuke joins with the kunoichi Kaede to rescue Yuki and discover demonic creatures known as Genma. In order to defeat the Genma, the Oni clan grant Samanosuke powers from their kind. Across his fights Samanosuke discovers the Genma have resurrected Nobunaga into serving their needs while intending to sacrifice Yuki and an orphan named Yumemaru to grant him more powers. Samanosuke manages to save Yuki and Yumemaru and kills the Genma Lord, the God of Light Fortinbras. Samanosuke's group then takes different paths.

The sequel, ''[[Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny]]'', has Nobunaga using the Genma in his forces to unify Japan, wiping out Yagyu village whose clan are Genma exterminators. The clan's only survivor, Jubei Yagyu, goes on a quest to avenge his clan while learning he inherited Oni powers from his mother as he uses them alongside the Oni's five orbs to battle Nobunaga's soldiers. Across his journey, Jubei meets several allies who also seek Nobunaga's life. Jubei manages to infiltrate Gifu castle and confronts Nobunaga alone. Although Jubei kills Nobunaga, the warlord's soul escapes and later reconstitutes himself. The spin-off ''[[Onimusha: Blade Warriors]]'' has the cast from ''Warlords'' and ''Samurai's Destiny'' in a new battle against Nobunaga's forces.

The third game, ''[[Onimusha 3: Demon Siege]]'', has Samanosuke's clan attacking the Oda forces again. Before confronting Nobunaga, Samanosuke is transported to Modern Paris as a result of an experiment made by the Genma scientist Guildernstern to enable his kin to conquer more lands. In the meantime, service agent Jacques Blanc is a victim of Guildernstern while transported to Japan's Sengoku period. There, Jacques is granted Oni powers by an Oni who tells him to join forces with this timeline's Samanosuke and defeat Nobunaga if he wishes to return home. While Jacques aids Samanosuke in the past, in the future Samanosuke is helped by Jacques' family to investigate the Genma. In the end, the two Oni warriors are successful in stopping the invasion and returning to their respective times. Samanosuke manages to slay Nobunaga and seal his soul within the Oni Gauntlet to avoid another resurrection.

The fourth game, ''[[Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams]]'', had Nobunaga's servant [[Hideyoshi Toyotomi]] unified Japan with the Genma whom he supported in their actions. His illegitimate son, Hideyasu "Soki" Yuki, goes on a quest to defeat Hideyoshi and stop the Genma. He is aided by several other warriors, including an elder Samanosuke who recognizes him as the Black Oni, the God of Darkness. After mastering his Oni powers, Soki joins with his friends to defeat Hideyoshi's army. In the aftermath, it is revealed that Hideyoshi was a mere puppet of the Genma Triumvirate who wish to resurrect Fortinbras at his full power as the Genmas' God of Light. Although the Genma Triumvirate and Hideyoshi are defeated, Fortinbras resurrects with Soki using the Oni Gauntlet to destroy the Genma and restore the country's peace at the cost of his life. Soon after, Samanosuke embarks on a quest to seal away the Oni Gauntlet to prevent Nobunaga from being released.

==Main characters==
{{unreferenced section|date=September 2023}}
'''[[Akechi Hidemitsu|Samanosuke Akechi]]''' (明智 左馬之介 秀満 Akechi Samanosuke Hidemitsu), later also known under the moniker Tenkai Nankōbō during his appearance in ''[[Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams]]'', is the main protagonist of the first and third installments in the ''Onimusha'' series: ''[[Onimusha: Warlords]]'' and ''[[Onimusha 3: Demon Siege]]''. He also appears as a supporting playable character in the fourth game ''[[Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams]]'', and as one of the combatants in ''[[Onimusha: Blade Warriors]]''. He is loosely based on the historical figure, Akechi Hidemitsu. His in-game model is based and voiced by [[Takeshi Kaneshiro]]. Samanosuke is the only character to appear in all four mainline ''Onimusha'' games. He appears in ''Onimusha 2'' in a flashback drawing.

'''[[Yagyū Munetoshi|Jūbei Yagyū]]''' is the main protagonist of ''[[Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny]]''. As the first leader of the Yagyū clan seen in the series and originator of Shin-in style sword combat, he was born as Sougen but later given the name Jūbei as a child, a tradition which would continue as seen with his granddaughter. His father was the late Head of the Yagyū clan, who was seduced and had a child by a woman who disappeared shortly thereafter. Jūbei never knew his mother, but does meet his mother during the events of ''Samurai's Destiny''. His in-game character is modeled after late Japanese actor [[Matsuda Yusaku]].

'''Hideyasu "Sōki" Yūki''' is the main protagonist in ''Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams''. He is the biological son of Ieyasu Tokugawa and a warrior who possesses the dark power of the Oni. He goes by many names besides Sōki and Hideyasu Yuki: Blue Demon and Oni of the Ash. Having Lamentation, his prized broadsword he learned about Hideyoshi's insidious scheme, he sets out on a journey to burn the Genma trees and defeat the Genma running rampant across the land. He is the first ''Onimusha'' main character to not be modeled after an actor. He is also the only main character to be killed, dying at the end of ''Dawn of Dreams'' after sacrificing himself to destroy the Oni Star. Soki has appeared as a playable character in ''[[Tatsunoko vs. Capcom]]''.

'''Jacques Blanc''' is one of two main protagonists (the other being Samanosuke Akechi) in ''Onimusha 3: Demon Siege''. Working as a policeman, he is the first Westerner who wields the Oni Power, originating from France. He is modeled after French actor [[Jean Reno]].

'''[[Nobunaga Oda]]''' (織田信長) is the main antagonist in the first three ''Onimusha'' games, in particular ''Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny'' and ''Onimusha 3: Demon Siege'', where he is the final boss in those two games. In real world history, Nobunaga is viewed culturally as both a hero and as a villain for respectively trying to unite his nation during the Sengoku Period and the horrific lengths he took to achieve his goal. In this timeline he forms an alliance with the demons for power and to conquer Japan. Despite being killed at the beginning of ''Onimusha: Warlords'', he returns as a demon. He battles Jubei at the end of ''Samurai's Destiny'' but due to Jubei not having an Oni Gauntlet to seal his soul, his death was only temporary. He returns in ''Demon Siege'' after being revived by the demons again. He is finally killed by Samanosuke and sealed in his Oni Gauntlet.

'''Fortinbras''' (フォーティンブラス), also referred to as the "God of Light", is the king and most powerful of all Genma. He appears as the final boss in ''Onimusha: Warlords'' and ''Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams''. In ''Dawn of Dreams'' he is revealed to have two forms, a human form and a serpent form. He is finally killed by Soki after Soki sacrifices himself to stop the Omen Star.

'''[[Hideyoshi Toyotomi]]''' (豊臣 秀吉) is an antagonist who has appeared in every main game of the ''Onimusha'' series. Historically, Hideyoshi is the most famous peasant-samurai in Japan as he rose from being a vassal of Nobunaga Oda to the man who united Japan with his short-lived reign as regent. He is the main antagonist of ''Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams''.

==Reception==
{{VG Series Reviews
|updated = May 6, 2011
|gr = no
|game1 = [[Onimusha: Warlords]]
|mc1 = (PS2) 86<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/onimusha-warlords/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=''Onimusha: Warlords'' Reviews |access-date=May 6, 2011 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100824065516/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/onimusha-warlords|archive-date=2010-08-24|url-status=live}}</ref><br />(Xbox) 83<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/genma-onimusha/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=''Genma Onimusha'' Reviews |access-date=May 6, 2011 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224012421/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/genma-onimusha|archive-date=2010-12-24|url-status=live}}</ref>
|game2 = [[Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny]]
|mc2 = (PS2) 84<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/onimusha-2-samurais-destiny/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=''Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny'' Reviews |access-date=May 6, 2011 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825130811/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/onimusha-2-samurais-destiny|archive-date=2010-08-25|url-status=live}}</ref>
|game3 = [[Onimusha 3: Demon Siege]]
|mc3 = (PS2) 85<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/onimusha-3-demon-siege/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=''Onimusha 3: Demon Siege'' Reviews |access-date=May 6, 2011 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825130817/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/onimusha-3-demon-siege|archive-date=2010-08-25|url-status=live}}</ref><br />(PC) 69<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/onimusha-3-demon-siege/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=''Onimusha 3: Demon Siege'' Reviews |access-date=May 6, 2011 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825130712/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/onimusha-3-demon-siege|archive-date=2010-08-25|url-status=live}}</ref>
|game4 = [[Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams]]
|mc4 = (PS2) 81<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/onimusha-dawn-of-dreams/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=''Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams'' Reviews |access-date=May 6, 2011 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825130826/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/onimusha-dawn-of-dreams|archive-date=2010-08-25|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

The ''Onimusha'' series has received overall positive reviews with most of the main games on the [[PlayStation 2]], receiving average scores of more than 80%. As a comparison, most spin-offs from the series have not been as successful. The titles have influenced other games from the company including ''[[Devil May Cry (video game)|Devil May Cry]]'', ''[[Shadow of Rome]]'' and ''[[Resident Evil 4]]''.<ref name=egm>''Electronic Gaming Monthly'', December 2001 issue, pg. 56</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/67755/shinji-mikami-on-shadows-damned |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314155922/http://www.shacknews.com/article/67755/shinji-mikami-on-shadows-damned |title=Shinji Mikami on Shadows of the Damned and inspiring a new generation of competition |author=De Matos, Xav |date=March 9, 2011 |work=[[Shacknews]] |publisher=[[GameFly|GameFly, Inc]] |archive-date=March 14, 2011 |access-date=March 13, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/01/31/shadow-of-rome-the-interview|title=Shadow of Rome: The Interview |publisher=IGN|author=Lewis, Ed|access-date=August 28, 2013|date=January 31, 2005}}</ref> The samurai game ''[[Genji: Dawn of the Samurai]]'' was cited by Inafune as an "''Onimusha'' clone" although its designer [[Yoshiki Okamoto]] denied such statement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/features/republic-yoshiki-okamoto-interview|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203121939/http://www.1up.com/features/republic-yoshiki-okamoto-interview|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 3, 2012|title=Republic Can: Yoshiki Okamoto Interview|publisher=1UP.com|access-date=October 8, 2013}}</ref>

The series has often been compared with the ''[[Resident Evil]]'' series and has been praised for its focus in action.<ref name="gamespotReview1">{{cite web|last= Kasavin|first=Greg |date=  August 27, 2002 |title =Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny| url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/onimusha2samuraisdestiny/review.html|access-date =August 28, 2013 |publisher=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref><ref name="Gamerevreview">{{cite web|last= Gee|first=Brian|date= September 1, 2002|title = Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny review| url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/onimusha-2-samurais-destiny|access-date = August 28, 2013 |publisher=[[GameRevolution]]}}</ref> The first two games, however, were criticized for forcing the player to use the Directional Pad rather than the left analogue to make the playable character to move.<ref name="IGNreview">{{cite web|last= Dunham|first=Jeremy|date= August 26, 2002|title = Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny review| url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/08/26/onimusha-2-samurais-destiny|access-date = August 28, 2013|publisher=IGN}}</ref><ref name="gamespotReview1"/> This issue was solved with the third release which generated a good response.<ref>{{cite web|last= Kasavin|first=Greg |date= April 26, 2004|title =Onimusha 3: Demon Siege| url=http://www.gamespot.com/onimusha-3-demon-siege/reviews/onimusha-3-demon-siege-review-6094607/|access-date =August 28, 2013|publisher=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last= Dunham|first=Jeremy|date= April 23, 2004|title = Onimusha 3: Demon Siege review| url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/04/23/onimusha-3-demon-siege|access-date = August 28, 2013|publisher=IGN}}</ref> Another subject of criticism is the length of each game with opinions sometimes differing due to the replay value they offer.<ref name="PALGNreview">{{cite web|last=Jastrab|first=Jeremy|date=April 22, 2003|title=Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny Review|url=http://palgn.com.au/playstation-2/345/onimusha-2-samurais-destiny-review/|access-date=August 30, 2013|website=PALGN|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130830234657/http://palgn.com.au/playstation-2/345/onimusha-2-samurais-destiny-review/|archive-date=August 30, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Gamerevreview"/> [[Yoshinori Ono (game producer)|Yoshinori Ono]] acknowledged the third game's short length and thus made ''Dawn of Dreams'' become the series' longest title.<ref name="eurogamerinter">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/p_onimushadawnofdreams_ps2|title=Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams Preview|publisher=Eurogamer|date=January 17, 2006|author=Gibson, Ellie|access-date=September 2, 2013}}</ref>

The original game was a major hit on the PS2, becoming the console's first game to sell over a million copies.<ref>{{cite web | author=Gantayat, Anoop | date=February 12, 2001 | title=IGN: Onimusha Becomes Best Selling PS2 Title Ever | url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/091/091338p1.html | work=IGN.com | access-date=2009-02-05}}</ref> While ''Onimusha 2'' was also a best-selling title [[Capcom]] noticed how it did poorly in European regions.<ref name="1upinter">{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/features/cutting-edge-keiji-inafune|title=ON THE CUTTING EDGE|publisher=1UP.com|access-date=August 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105211711/http://www.1up.com/features/cutting-edge-keiji-inafune|archive-date=November 5, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The third and fourth titles received less favorable sales with [[Keiji Inafune]] addressing people's concerns about how the former game did not feel like a samurai story while various gaming journalists noted the latter was overshadowed by next generation consoles. As of June 2024 the series has sold 8.7 million copies to date.<ref name="thegamergene.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/business/salesdata.html|title=Capcom Total Sales Units|date=30 June 2024}}</ref>

==Adaptations==
===Canceled film===
In May 2003, [[Paramount Pictures]], Davis Films and Gaga Productions announced its joint venture to adapt the ''Onimusha'' game series into a $50 million [[live-action]] [[feature film]]. According to Paramount and Davis Films' [[Samuel Hadida]]: "It's samurai fighting against demons – it's very close to this simple pitch. There's also a love story woven in. It's a big adventure movie with lots of special effects". He also proposed the possibility of a film franchise.<ref>{{cite news | author=Brian Linder | url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/409/409663p1.html | title=Games-to-Film: ''Onimusha'' | publisher=IGN | date=2003-05-21 | access-date=2007-02-13}}</ref>

In December 2006, director [[Christophe Gans]] said that he had ''Onimusha'' lined up to film.<ref name="dvdrama">{{cite news | author=Kevin Prin | url=http://www.dvdrama.com/news.php?18185 | title=INTERVIEW: CHRISTOPHE GANS (SILENT HILL) PARTIE 1 | language=fr | publisher=DVDrama | date=2006-12-22 | access-date=2007-02-14 | archive-date=January 12, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070112172007/http://www.dvdrama.com/news.php?18185 | url-status=dead}}</ref> The film, budgeted at over $70 million, was to begin production in China in February 2008 for a December 2009 release.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.screendaily.com/ScreenDailyArticle.aspx?intStoryID=32589|title=Gans in the game for fantasy adventure|publisher=Screen Daily|date=2007-05-18|access-date=2007-05-23}}</ref> [[Takeshi Kaneshiro]] was rumored to be in the film, reprising his role as Samanosuke.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.aintitcool.com/node/32861|title=ONIMUSHA fans prepare to be happy|publisher=Ain't It Cool News|date=2007-06-03|access-date=2007-06-04}}</ref> Hadida had to delay the filming of ''Onimusha'', which has resulted in the film's Japanese cast working on other film projects during the delay, and being unavailable to start filming ''Onimusha''. These factors meant that Gans would direct an adaptation of [[Leo Perutz]]'s novel ''The Swedish Cavalier'' first. [[Satomi Ishihara]] and [[Tsuyoshi Ihara]] remained attached to the project. There has been no further news regarding this film since 2007, and any plans for a live-action film were quietly canceled.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.svg.com/130988/whatever-happened-to-onimusha/ | title=Whatever Happened to Onimusha? | date=10 August 2018}}</ref>

===Anime series===
{{Main|Onimusha (TV series)}}
An [[anime]] series adaptation was released in November 2023.<ref name="Tudum">{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-09-25/takashi-miike-directs-anime-of-onimusha-game-series/.190147|title=Takashi Miike Directs Anime of Onimusha Game Series|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|website=[[Anime News Network]]|date=September 25, 2022|access-date=September 25, 2022}}</ref> It was produced by Sublimation and directed by Shin'ya Sugai, with [[Takashi Miike]] as chief director. The main character, [[Musashi Miyamoto]], is modeled after [[Toshiro Mifune]] and voiced by [[Akio Otsuka]], who previously portrayed Nobunaga Oda in the video games.<ref name="Tudum"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-09-20/onimusha-anime-unveils-trailer-cast-more-staff-theme-song-november-2-netflix-series-debut/.202557|title=Onimusha Anime Unveils Trailer, Cast, More Staff, Theme Song, November 2 Netflix Series Debut|last=Pineda|first=Rafael Antonio|website=[[Anime News Network]]|date=September 20, 2023|access-date=September 22, 2023}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128123031/http://www.capcom.com/onimusha/|date=January 28, 2020}}

{{Onimusha series}}
{{Franchises by Capcom}}

[[Category:Onimusha| ]]
[[Category:Video game franchises]]
[[Category:Capcom franchises]]
[[Category:Capcom beat 'em ups]]
[[Category:Dark fantasy video games]]
[[Category:Video games about demons]]
[[Category:Video games about samurai]]
[[Category:Video games set in feudal Japan]]
[[Category:Video game franchises introduced in 2001]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Oda Nobunaga]]
[[Category:Hack and slash games]]
[[Category:Video games adapted into television shows]]