Onimusha: Way of the Sword has officially taken center stage as our latest cover story. While the announcement has ignited excitement among fans of samurai-themed action, it is easy to lose track of the calendar: this marks the series’ first brand-new installment in two decades. Although we have enjoyed polished remasters of the original classics and the upcoming arrival of Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams on PlayStation Plus, Way of the Sword represents the first true evolution of the franchise in twenty years. During my visit to Capcom’s headquarters in Osaka, I sat down with director Satoru Nihei and producer Akihito Kadowaki to uncover why 2026 is the perfect moment for this legendary series to rise again.
I initially suspected the hiatus was a financial decision, given that the series has moved 9 million units—a respectable figure, though modest compared to the juggernaut status of Resident Evil or Monster Hunter. I also wondered if the IP had simply fallen through the cracks after its initial run in the early 2000s. However, Kadowaki clarified that the silence was never for lack of desire; rather, it was a victim of Capcom’s own success. As development cycles grew more resource-intensive, the company’s internal teams were completely consumed by their larger franchises, making it impossible to assemble the necessary talent to revive Onimusha until now.
Driven by his own passion as a long-time admirer of the series, Kadowaki championed its return. The project gained momentum following the success of the RE Engine and a strategic shift in 2020 as Capcom mapped out its current-generation portfolio. After six years of dedicated development, the team has focused on honoring the legacy of the original games while modernizing the experience. Kadowaki entrusted the directorial duties to Nihei—a developer who grew up playing the series—marking a significant milestone for both the director and the studio.
When asked how one approaches reviving a dormant franchise, Nihei offered a single, definitive answer: Issen. The signature counter-attack remains the heartbeat of the combat system. “Capturing that visceral satisfaction and the precise rhythm of period-accurate combat is vital,” Nihei explained. “The Oni Gauntlet mechanics, the tactical soul-absorption system, and the fusion of real-world Japanese history with dark fantasy—those are the cornerstones of the Onimusha DNA.”
This feature is merely the opening chapter of our month-long coverage. We have exclusive gameplay, behind-the-scenes insights, and a Rapid Fire interview coming your way on the Game Informer YouTube channel. Be sure to keep our Onimusha: Way of the Sword hub bookmarked so you don’t miss a beat.
Further Reading
What specific details are you hoping to learn about the new combat mechanics or the story? Drop a comment below, and I’ll do my best to investigate!
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