An anime based on Capcom’s video game series Onimusha is coming to Netflix.
The upcoming Netflix anime was first announced during the streamer’s Tudum event this weekend. Japanese filmmaker Takashi Miike, best known for his movies Audition, Ichi the Killer, Gozu, and One Missed Call, serves as the chief director of the project, with Shin’ya Sugai co-directing the anime for the CG animation company Sublimation, whose notable works include Dragon’s Dogma and Love Live! Sunshine!!.
Onimusha anime plot
Plot details about the anime are being kept under wraps, but it was revealed that it revolves around the main protagonist named Miyamoto Musashi modeled after late actor Toshiro Mifune, who starred in legendary movies like Rashomon, The Hidden Fortress, Throne of Blood, and Yojimbo.
It’s currently not clear whether the anime is directly adapting the stories from the video game series or introducing a new story set in the universe of the franchise. It is also yet to be announced whether the project is a TV series or a movie.
Onimusha anime trailer
The anime doesn’t have a trailer yet, but Netflix released five first-look images from the project, which you can see in the tweets below:
— Netflix Anime (@NetflixAnime) September 25, 2022
Fan reactions
Fans have mixed reactions to the anime adaptation. While some are excited about it, others are quite disappointed by the fact that the franchise decided to release an anime instead of an actual video game.
We are getting an anime show instead of a new game
A flippin anime?— Mustafa_mu26 (@therogue63) September 25, 2022
Though some argue that the anime project is a tool to reignite interest in the video game franchise, others think they’re doing it the wrong way.
This is how you get more eyes on the franchise before a new entry. Look at where Dragon’s Dogma is after the anime.
— Flem, Wanted: Like a Stellar Rōnin (@flemuh) September 25, 2022
seems like it works way better to have the game , then the anime show released, as proven with The Witcher then Edgerunner.
Even the TLOU remake made sure to be released before the show.
Plus as far as their Netflix shows qualitity goes, Capcom has still a lot to prove
— Kiddodracula | Delphino (@kiddodracula1) September 25, 2022
STOP COMPLAINING JFC!! we are getting something brand-new after 10 years!!! This should be an entrance for new games so stop complaining and begin supporting it
— ✧ ꀘꋬ꓄ ✧ +18 ✧ Open for commissions (@KatzOnSpace) September 25, 2022
A few fans, meanwhile, are simply not thrilled with the 3D CG style of the anime.
3d cg should be banned. To think they would’ve learned this by now. It’s just not appealing to the eye
— StrokeHampton (@Cptupperlip) September 25, 2022
Onimusha video game series
Developed and published by Capcom, the Onimusha video game franchise makes use of the historic figures that shaped Japan’s history, retelling their stories with supernatural elements. Most of the games in the series are of the action-adventure genre, which features a combination of third-person hack-and-slash combat and puzzle elements. The player protagonist wields the power of the Oni, enabling them to fight the Genma, the main enemy in the series.
The franchise debuted in 2001 with Onimusha: Warlords followed by 2002’s Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny, 2003’s Onimusha Tactics and Onimusha Blade Warriors, and 2004’s Onimusha 3: Demon Siege. After a one-year break, the franchise returned in 2006 with two video games: Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams and New Onimusha: Curtain of Darkness.
The franchise went into a hiatus from 2007 to 2011 and came back in 2012 with the video game Onimusha Soul. It again took a break from 2013 to 2018 and released a high-definition remaster of the first game in 2019.
As of 2019, the video game series has sold a total of 8.5 million units worldwide, making it Capcom’s ninth best-selling franchise, behind Resident Evil, Monster Hunter, Street Fighter, Mega Man, Devil May Cry, Dead Rising, Marvel vs. Capcom, and Ace Attorney.
Onimusha films
The video game series previously inspired the 2016 film Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams, which basically compiles the CG-animated footage from Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams and also adds new animated scenes.
In May 2003, Paramount Pictures, Davis Films, and Gaga Productions also announced a joint venture to adapt the game series into a live-action feature film. In December 2006, Christophe Gans was announced as the director of the movie. Though it was originally set to begin production in China in February 2008 for a December 2009 release, the project didn’t move forward as planned due to schedule conflicts. There have been no updates about the project since 2007.