Onimusha: Way of the Sword Characters — The Samurai and the Oni Gauntlet
Updated 2026-06-03
Onimusha: Way of the Sword centers on a small cast of characters, consistent with Capcom's focus on environmental storytelling over dialogue-heavy exposition. The protagonist, simply called the Samurai, is defined more by his actions than his words. The characters guide covers everyone you meet and their role in the story.
Main characters
The Samurai is an amnesiac warrior who awakens in a ruined temple with the Oni Gauntlet fused to his arm. He has no spoken dialogue during gameplay, only brief lines in cutscenes. His personality is conveyed through combat animations—he is brutal, efficient, and visibly exhausted by the violence. Kiyoko is a shrine maiden who tends the temple where the Samurai awakens. She provides context for the invasion and guides him toward the corrupted Lord Hideki.
| Character | Role | Notable Trait |
|---|---|---|
| The Samurai | Protagonist | Amnesiac, Oni Gauntlet bearer |
| Kiyoko | Ally / Guide | Shrine maiden, knows Kyoto's secrets |
| Lord Hideki | Primary antagonist | Corrupted daimyo leading the Genma |
| Genma Sovereign | Final boss | Demon ruler, source of the invasion |
Character progression
Your character does not have traditional RPG stats like strength or dexterity. Progression is tied entirely to the Oni Gauntlet and your weapons. Finding memory fragments scattered across Kyoto unlocks optional cutscenes that reveal the Samurai's past. These are missable—completionists should explore every district thoroughly before pushing the main story forward.
The antagonist Lord Hideki appears throughout the campaign as a rival boss with the same Oni Gauntlet abilities as the player. His moveset mirrors yours, making those fights a true test of skill.
FAQ
- Does the protagonist have a canonical name?
- No. The game never gives him a name. Capcom designed him to be a blank slate whose identity is defined by the player's choices in combat and exploration.
- Are there multiple endings?
- There are two slight variations based on how many memory fragments you collect. The core ending is the same, but the final cutscene changes based on your completion.