Onimusha Review: The animated version of Onimusha is here for all the anime and video game fans out there. This new Netflix series is based on the video game franchise of the same name, developed and published by Capcom. The inspiration behind creating Oimusha came from the 1996 video game Resident Evil by Yoshiki Okamoto. He wanted to recreate its elements and base his story on the Japanese Sengoku period.
This animated series is produced by Sublimation and directed by Shin’ya Sugai, along with Takashi Miike as the chief director. All the characters are voiced by a group of star-studded cast members, including Akio Ôtsuka as Musashi Miyamoto, Toshihiko Seki as Kojiro Sasaki, and others.
– Onimusha Review Contains Minor Spoilers –
Onimusha Review: Discussion
After a long time, we got an enjoyable gory anime that you will surely appreciate if violence does not faze you.
The story starts with Musashi Miyamoto, an easygoing but highly talented samurai who, in the beginning, fights with some temple guards because he needs their precious something. After defeating everyone, he gets his hands on the mysterious gauntlet that has unimaginable powers of the Oni clan.
Musashi needs it for an assignment so that he can defeat Iemon, a samurai who defected from his lord and betrayed him to form his own army. But this army is not made of humans but monsters called Genma, who were once people. Thus, Musashi forms a party with other samurais to travel to the village where Iemon is hiding and find out what happened there.
Many might not like the CGI animation of Onimusha, but it did not bother me that much here. If you can get past that aspect, the setting itself is quite interesting and engaging.
Here, the protagonist, Musashi, is a historical figure who was actually a Japanese swordsman who became famous because of his undefeated record in 61 duels. Not just him, but you will also witness other key characters based on real people, like Sasaki Kojirō. He actually had a connection with the original Musashi.
There will also be mentions of paramount and deciding battles that shaped Japan’s history. But if you are not aware of these people and the connection between them, you might feel lost at times. The anime should have done a better job of explaining the background of these characters, but it does not. At times, it almost feels like it is showing a particular arc from a bigger series, and there is more to the narrative.
Even the origin of Genma is not really explored, and the rivalry and animosity between Genmas and Onis are not clarified. We also missed out on the secrets behind someone turning into a Genma. Other than that, the introduction of some Western characters without any explanation also felt out of place.
Nonetheless, this is an entertaining watch that will keep you hooked throughout the storyline. The gore element is really strong here, and it adds to the anime’s dynamic. Perhaps the highlight of the anime was its background music and scores, which complemented the mood and tone of the setting.
Towards the conclusion, we do get some good twists, and our idea of the antagonist changes. But even the villain and his intentions do not really make an impact, and his end comes very pathetically to him.
The characters of Onimusha are likeable, Sahei and Musashi being the most complex ones. Musashi, with laid-back characteristics yet fearsome qualities and Sahei, with cunning intelligence.
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Other companions of Musashi are also unique individuals with diverse personalities; many will even become unlikely heroes towards the end. But the bravest is definitely Sayo, who, even after suffering all the things, refuses to give up.
Onimusha Review: Verdict
All in all, this was a good one-time watch that will not bore you with anything complex. The story, on its surface, is pretty simple, and it provides ample action for you to relish the sword fighting. If you like samurai, feudal Japan and bloodbaths, give this series a try.
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Sooooo is this based on oniimusha the game?! The game on ps2 for years ago,
Well if it is THIS IS NOTHING LIKE IT AT ALL, there is fight between samurai but they are a mile between then, im on the first at the end and so far nothing that grabs me in exiting,
Had prefer they followed the game more, the game was about a young man with amazing swordskills and not really a human person, he was fighting nig large scary demon, it was awesome games number 2 was good too, dont know about any number three?!
this looks alright but heads and arms/feets should flies a bit more often, or fighting at all,
Anyway this is not what i wanted too see, so far its okies but kinda lame and boring, if the demons only looks like humans w7th glowy eyes, well then this for me IM SO OUT OF HERE,
my score: 2.0 of 5.. i hope this getting alot better, they should start with the main person as young then later in the show he would look like that as it is now,
USE YOUR WHATEVER BRAINCELLS YOU HAVE LEFT NETFLIX.