Capcom’s iconic action-adventure franchise, Onimusha, is making a grand comeback, not in the form of a game but as a Netflix anime, and if the first trailer is anything to go by, fans are in for a visual feast.
Premiering on November 2, the Onimusha anime promises a blend of “realistic action” and breathtaking animation. The series is directed by Takashi Miike, who’s well-known for his work on films like 2017’s Blade of the Immortal and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable, and Shinya Sugai, who previously worked on Netflix’s adaptation of Dragon’s Dogma.
The three-minute trailer, packed with fast-paced action sequences set to a rock ‘n roll soundtrack, offers a glimpse into the mission of the story’s protagonist, Musashi Miyamoto (who bears an uncanny resemblance to the legendary Japanese actor, Toshiro Mifune).
Entrusted with the mystical Oni Gauntlet, Musashi embarks on a perilous journey across a land riddled with poverty and political turmoil. While the trailer teases fans with snippets of the story, it’s the animation quality that truly stands out. The blend of hand-drawn backgrounds with 3D CGI characters offers a visual spectacle that’s hard to ignore.
Further adding to the anime’s allure is the involvement of the late Kim Jung Gi, a renowned Korean illustrator, in the show’s character design. Kim’s illustrious career included works for Marvel and League of Legends, and his influence in the upcoming anime is evident in the intricate character designs that populate the Onimusha world.
The Onimusha series made its debut in 1997. Set in feudal Japan, the games blend historical events and figures with the supernatural, primarily focusing on the battle between samurai and demons. The main storyline revolves around the protagonist, Samanosuke Akechi, and his battles against the demonic forces led by Oda Nobunaga.
Following Nobunaga’s death in battle, he’s resurrected by demons and seeks to conquer Japan. Samanosuke, equipped with a magical gauntlet that allows him to absorb the souls of defeated enemies, stands against Nobunaga and his demonic army to protect the land and its people.
Throughout the series, players will encounter various characters, both drawn directly from history and fictional, and explore intricately designed environments, solving puzzles and engaging in intense combat against a variety of demonic foes. Whether this anime adaptation lives up to the legacy of the Onimusha games remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: with the combined talents of Miike, Sugai, and the late Kim Jung Gi, this is one series that is shaping up to be a must-watch.
