Netflix has dropped exciting news for fans of CAPCOM’s Onimusha game, releasing a new English-subtitled trailer and key visual for the upcoming anime adaptation.
The streaming giant also announced the anime’s cast, staff, and release date of November 2nd. The trailer offers a sneak peek into the world of Onimusha while treating us to a preview of the anime’s theme song, The Loneliest, by Måneskin.
Netflix has labeled this adaptation as a “series,” perhaps hinting at a long journey into the Onimusha universe.
Onimusha is a world of samurai, demons, and mysticism. This iconic video game franchise, developed by Capcom, has entertained players with its mix of historical authenticity and supernatural elements.
Set against the backdrop of feudal Japan, Onimusha introduces us to the courageous protagonist, Samanosuke Akechi, as he goes on a dangerous mission to rescue a kidnapped princess and confront the nefarious Nobunaga Oda.
With its visuals, immersive storytelling, and an effortless fusion of action and survival horror elements, Onimusha has made a name for itself in the world of gaming. The anime takes us deeper into the shadows of this series, where katana clashes with dark sorcery, and honor is tested in the face of evil forces.
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Onimusha’s Anime Adaptation
The anime adaptation of Onimusha is directed by Shinya Sugai and produced by Sublimation. Kim Jung Gi handles character designs, except for the character of Miyamoto Musashi, which is handled by Manilyn Toledana.
The music is composed by renowned composers Hideyuki Kurata and Koji Endo. Shochiku is credited for historical supervision, and Keiji Tsuji is the stunt coordinator.
Takashi Miike, known for directing live-action hits like “Ichi the Killer” and “Blade of the Immortal,” is the supervising director in this project.
The series draws inspiration from the actor Toshirō Mifune, famous for his roles in classics like “Rashomon” and “Seven Samurai,” using him as a model for the character Miyamoto Musashi.
The Cast
The cast includes Akio Ōtsuka as Musashi Miyamoto, Toshihiko Seki as Kojiro Sasaki, Houchu Ohtsuka as Kensuke Matsui, Daiki Yamashita as Sahei, Subaru Kimura as Goro-Maru and Katsuyuki Konishi as Heikuro.
Additionally, Kazuyuki Okitsu plays Kaizen, Makoto Furukawa plays Gensai, Aya Yamane plays Sayo, and Ryohei Kimura plays Iemon.
Onimusha’s Gameplay
In the world of Onimusha, the protagonist may change with each installment, but their role remains constant as a skilled swordsman on a mission set during the Sengoku period of feudal Japan.
Faced with demons and powerful enemies, our hero must rely on the power of Genma souls, taken from vanquished enemies, to heal, enhance their weapons and armor, and unleash elemental attacks with special weapons.
The gameplay in Onimusha features precise control using the D-pad (analog stick control was introduced in later titles). Movement is deliberate, with the ability to rotate slowly in the opposite direction.
While actions like jumping, grabbing, and climbing are absent, the focus is on intense combat and a touch of horror. Players wield several weapons, from katanas to elemental broadswords, and harness spiritual energy for magical attacks.
These potent spells evolve as the player accumulates souls from defeated foes, ensuring thrilling battles throughout the game.
Reflecting on the past, our memories of the original can shape our perception of a remaster. In 2001, a remarkable year for gaming, where some games are still played today, Onimusha was a standout.
The remaster of Onimusha, with pre-rendered backgrounds and a fixed camera, offered a familiar gaming experience. But what truly made it special was the character of Samanosuke Akechi, portrayed by Taiwanese-Japanese actor Takeshi Kaneshiro, someone we hope to see in the anime.
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