Capcom’s long-awaited return with Onimusha: Way of the Sword brought not only razor-sharp combat gameplay and stunning RE Engine visuals but also a dark fantasy narrative that has left fans deep in theories regarding the fate of Miyamoto Musashi.
If you have just completed your journey through the malice-choked streets of Kyoto and are wondering if there are branching paths or what the game’s final moments truly mean, you are in the right place. In this premium article, we explain exactly how many endings the game has, break down the epic final boss fight, and translate the revelations from the post-credits scene.
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How Many Endings Does Onimusha: Way of the Sword Have?
Unlike what Capcom sometimes does in modern RPGs or survival horror games with choices leading to different outcomes, Onimusha: Way of the Sword features only ONE definitive, canonical ending, accompanied by an important post-credits scene (secret ending).
Even though the game offers a wide-open Kyoto hub containing dozens of optional side missions and free exploration paths, Miyamoto Musashi’s story follows a linear narrative arc that consolidates during the final mission: “The Clash at Rendaino”.
🔗 Read more: The Awakening of the Samurai: Onimusha’s Lore and the Mysteries of Way of the Sword
The Ending Explained: The Battle of Shana-oh
At the climax of the campaign, Miyamoto Musashi makes his stand at the towering Shana-oh Castle to halt the Genma invasion and face the mysterious “Man in White.” It is here that the game delivers its biggest plot twist: the main antagonist is not a standard demon lord, but the legendary military commander Minamoto no Yoshitsune.
Yoshitsune was actually recruited Eras ago by the Oni clan as an Onimusha (a gauntlet bearer). However, due to his unrestrained ambitions that threatened the balance of the mortal realm, the Oni decided to imprison him in the depths of Hell. Instead of accepting his fate, Yoshitsune used his military genius to conquer the underworld hordes, taking command of the Genma army to march back to Earth.
This historic confrontation marks the first time in the franchise’s history that the final boss is an epic Onimusha vs. Onimusha battle. The fight unfolds across three devastating phases:
- Phase 1: A classic, technical sword duel simulating a traditional clash between two master samurais.
- Phase 2: Yoshitsune unleashes his corrupted power, levitating above the arena and casting devastating magic spells that test the player’s parry timing.
- Phase 3: The most intimidating phase. Yoshitsune becomes immune to all mundane attacks. The only way to damage him is by building spiritual energy and activating Musashi’s Oni Awakening, matching divine forces at the peak of the castle.
Musashi’s Fate and the Oni Gauntlet
Following a fierce battle, Musashi defeats Yoshitsune. However, Yoshitsune’s scheming accomplice, Dokyo, uses his dark sorcery to shatter and collapse the structure of Shana-oh Castle.
This collapse releases thousands of souls that were trapped within the fortress to fuel the Genma army. Faced with this massive vortex of spiritual energy, the Oni Gauntlet on Musashi’s arm begins to suck and absorb all of the released souls at once.
By fully satisfying its infinite “hunger” for purifying souls, the magical Oni device finally shuts closed and detaches from Musashi’s arm. Ever since his resurrection at the beginning of the game, Musashi carried the gauntlet as a painful curse bound to his flesh. Watching it fall to the ground, free of its painful burden, the samurai finally achieves peace and understands his true “reason to fight”—to protect biological life and the innocent, rather than just proving his strength with the blade.
🔮 Explaining the Post-Credits Scene: The Tease for the Future
After the final credits roll, players are treated to a short yet impactful post-credits scene that sets the stage for the future of the franchise.
The scene reveals that Dokyo, the Genma sorcerer, survived the destruction of Rendaino. He is seen in the shadows of the mountains of Kyoto alongside none other than Sasaki Ganryu (Sasaki Kojiro), Musashi’s fierce rival. Ganryu, who grew blind and obsessed with defeating Musashi throughout the game, agrees to yield completely to the demonic influence offered by Dokyo to obtain a new, corrupted Oni Gauntlet.
This leaves a clear teaser for a sequel or future expansion, showing that the war between the mortal realm and the Genma forces is far from over, and the final, definitive clash between Miyamoto Musashi and Sasaki Kojiro under the influence of Oni powers will be legendary.
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