Onimusha: Way of the Sword brings the series back while also honoring a legendary actor in Japanese cinema.
The protagonist, Miyamoto Musashi, is inspired by Toshiro Mifune, a towering figure in samurai films. Mifune, the face of classics like Seven Samurai, Yojimbo, and Rashomon, helped cement the image of the battle-worn, lone swordsman like no one else. Almost 30 years after his passing, his likeness is bringing a new take on Musashi to Onimusha.
Capcom unveiled this detail at PlayStation's latest State of Play, where they highlighted the game's intense sword combat and its unmistakable protagonist. The character may be based on the historical Musashi, but this interpretation takes just as much inspiration from Mifune's performance in Hiroshi Inagaki's Samurai Trilogy from the 1950s.
Mifune's impact on Japanese and Western media is hard to overstate. The way he carried himself in Akira Kurosawa's films shaped samurai stories across anime, movies, and even Spaghetti Westerns. The archetype of the lone, wandering swordsman? That's largely thanks to him.
Capcom using Mifune as a reference is nothing new for them. The Onimusha series has a track record of featuring real actors, from Yusaku Matsuda in Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny to Jean Reno in Onimusha 3: Demon Siege. However, this might be the most significant tribute yet—reviving an actor who passed away in 1997 to continue his legacy in a way only today's technology makes possible.
This move also links back to Capcom's 2023 Onimusha anime, which had a character based on Mifune. Although the anime didn't achieve mainstream recognition, it was an early sign of the direction Capcom had in mind for the series. History and film aside, Onimusha: Way of the Sword is set to be a major step forward for the series.
The combat we've seen so far feels more measured and deliberate, with clear influences from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Ghost of Tsushima. Unlike the fast-paced action of earlier Onimusha titles, this entry appears to focus more on one-on-one encounters, deliberate strikes, and weighty combat. Supernatural elements are in full swing as Musashi wields the Oni Gauntlet to battle the Genma.
The full story hasn't been revealed yet, but Way of the Sword is set to mix historical fiction with Onimusha's signature fantasy. Capcom has locked in a 2026 release window for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. With Assassin's Creed Shadows and Ghost of Yotei also on the horizon, it looks like samurai fans will have plenty to look forward to in the coming years.