Netflix has been going all-in on anime-related content lately, from the One Piece live-action series to Castlevania: Nocturne, and that trend looks to be maintaining its momentum. The streamer has dropped a trailer for their animated adaptation of Onimusha, which looks to be an action-packed romp through Edo-era Japan. Takashi Miike, director of 13 Assassins and Blade of the Immortal, is supervising director. 

In the trailer for Onimusha �which is scheduled to release worldwide on November 2 �we get a peek at our main character Musashi Miyamoto wrecking shop against the living and the undead. The series is being produced by animation studio Sublimation, most known for its work on Dragon’s Dogma. As such, this series seems to us??e CG more than traditional, 2D animatio??n.

The anime series will tell an original story not found in the source material, according to a press release by Netflix. 

“Set in the early Edo Period, a time when Japan was transitioning towards peace, and warfare was fading into history, an aging Musashi embarks on a covert mission,�the release said. “Armed with the mythical 'Oni Gauntlet,' Musashi embarks on an epic journey to vanquish the lurking demons.�/p>

To add, Musashi is “modeled after the late Japanese screen icon, Toshiro Mifune,â€?who is most famous for his work on films such as Rashomon, Seven Samurai, and The Samurai Trilogy, where he played the true-to-l?ife Musashi Miyamoto. 

This is the first time Onimusha has received an animated adaptation since its initial release more than two decades ago. Onimusha: Warlords was first made available in 2001 for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox.?? 

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Directed by Audition's Takashi Miike

Netflix is continuing to expand its catalog of video game anime adaptations, with the reveal of a brand new animated series based on Capcom's celebrated samurai franchise, Onimusha.

The new anime will focus on the violent road trodden by series protagonist Musashi Miyamoto. ??Now in his later years, the stoic swordsman continues his endless battle against the terrifying demon race known as "Genma." With a steel blade and Oni gauntlet in hand, Musashi will face numerous opposition from the darker side of the afterlife in his efforts to cleanse Edo-era Japan of its evil oppressors.

//twitter.com/NetflixAnime/status/1573896580507344896?s=2??0&t=?27UiQE9TdZ8J4pKRlYPBQg

Onimusha will be directed by industry legend Takashi Miike, well-known for his strange, eccentric, and incredibly violent films such as Audition, Dead or Alive, and Ichi the Killer. The animation will be created by studio Sublimation, which has previously worked on Netflix's Dragon's Dogma adaptation. The show will feature 3D CGI models overlayed onto hand-drawn backgrounds to create a distinct visual effect. Though no teaser trailer was revealed?, several sharp-looking images offer a taste of the new series.

While Onimusha, as a gaming franchise, remains drifting in the M.I.A. cabinet, this new series will at least offer fan?s a little more of the demon-slaying action they have been craving, and could perhaps shine a spotlight ?on the brand for its long-awaited return.

Onimusha is currently in production at Netflix.

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Nobunaga is up to his old tricks again

The e??arly 2000s were a boon for action games. The PS2 was hitting its stride and would go on to cement itself as one of the most extravagant purveyors of the genre.

While there were plenty of wild risks that seemed to endlessly pay off, a stream of classics like Onimusha helped secure that ironclad legacy, and nearly 20 years later it's back with a vengeance. While a lot of people simply aren't going to be able to get over some of its ancient systems of a bygone era, it still holds up due to the timeless tenet of self-control.

Onimusha: Warlords (PC, PS4 [reviewed], Switch, Xbox One)
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Released: January 25, 2001 (PS2) / January 15, 2019 (PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One)
MSRP: $19.99

While Onimusha&nb??sp;may seem like a relic of the past, it actual?ly highlights one of the PS2 era's biggest strengths: brevity.

I can live with the fixed camera angles and the silly dub (which you can swap to Japanese vocals in the re-release). Onimusha's virtue is that it's a breezy action game with almost no filler to speak of. You start the game off killing demons and you end it in the same way. There's three weapons on offer that change up your style (a slender katana, a broadsword, and a naginata), not a boatload of clones or slight variations, and a very simple, elegant RPG angle. Oh, and there's a few secrets and sidequests that are just...there, without bullet points or endless menu notifications. Now all that stuff can be good in moderation! But Onimusha ju?st effortlessly gives you al??l of the lean parts.

We're fighting formidable enemies in the first 30 seconds of gameplay without?? a combat tutorial. Can I just say how refreshing that is? Worthwhile foes are a theme actually, as you need to frequently knock down regular scrubs to handle packs, while constantly weighing whether or not to go for the (typically) finishing ground stab that leaves you open. It's all really satisfying once you get the rhythm of it going as is the multi-weapon magic system that you'll slowly learn to use in specific situations.

Pacing is on-point with consistent surprises, action-packed CG cutscene reveals that move the narrative along, and optional corridors/puzzles without going overboard. Save rooms might have enemies in them, save points don't automatically replenish your health, a random hazard might appear that never appears again: the world of Onimusha is constant chaos. Even the voice work has its own hammy charm (especially the ??ridiculous demon scientist Guildenstern), ??but again, if you can't stand it, you can just as easily turn on subtitles.

It's a bummer that the camera wasn't updated as I wou??ld have liked to ha??ve seen more people enjoy it, but it doesn't bother me one bit. There are very few instances (maybe twice this playthrough) where I took a hit off-screen and wasn't aware something was there. It is possible to adapt.

During my time with the re-release I didn't notice anything off about the framerate, and you can clearly see the upgrade when it's running next to the original (the more comprehensible text boxes especially). ?Everything is less blurry, and as a result, the re-release upgrades slot in nicely with the game's overall tidiness. That's all you really get though, as this seems to be a straight port of the PS2 version of the game, just with the standard modern in-house Capcom achievements baked in.

Capcom could have done more with Onimusha: Warlords, but they didn't screw it up (at least on PS4) and that's all they really needed to do. Given that I still play the original from ti??me to time, I'd say? I'm more than happy with a nip and a tuck here and there. Now we just need the full trilogy.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

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I studied the blade

Onimusha: Warlords blew me away back in 2001. Capcom knew they had a hit foundation when they released Resident Evil in 1996, and it formed the basis of so many of their classic entries like Dino Crisis, and of course, Onimusha. Onimusha's sound direction was fantastic, the art direction was hauntingly beautiful, and it helped cement the ultra-hard "challenge room" extra that Capc??om had experimented with in the past?. It ticked all the right boxes.

If you've never played it before or want to see if the nostalgia-fueled memories hold up, Capcom just put out 10 minutes of the remaster on their YouTube channel, which deals with a very early part of the game with minimal spoilers (the first Onimusha has a cheesy action vibe to its narrative anyw???????????????????????????ay).

The remaster is due on PC, PS4, Xbox One an??d Switch on January 15, 2019.

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It's getting re-recorded Japanese audio

After a lengthy hiatus the Onimusha series will return in 2019. Onimusha: Warlords, the first game in the series, is getting a remaster for PC, PS4, Xbox On??e and Switch, and as it turns out Capcom is putting in a little more effort than most for its return.

The entire Japanese voice cast has been revealed by Famitsu, signaling that Capcom will be re-recording dialogue for the remaster. Samanosuke will once again be played by?? Takeshi Kaneshiro, the original voice of the character throughout the series. Several others, including the voice of the evil Nobunaga Oda, have changed: you can find the rest of the cast below.

Capcom is currently doing some interesting things with bringing back old properties, both remastering and remaking classics in the same breath: sometimes mixing the two within the same series (Resident Evil 1 got the former treatment while Resident Evil 2 is getting the latter). With the similarly structured Onimusha and Resident Evil getting another shot, it's entirely possible that Capcom could revive Dino Crisis.

Onimusha [Famitsu via Gematsu]

• Samanosuke Akechi (voiced by Takeshi Kaneshiro)
• Nobunaga Oda (voiced by Fumihiko Tachiki)
• Kaede (voiced by Mikako Komatsu)
• Yuki (voiced by Kaori Nazuka)
• Yumemaru (voiced by Hisako Kanemoto)
• Hideyoshi Toyotomi (voiced by Wataru Takagi)
• Guildenstern (voiced by Houchuu Ootsuka)
• Hecuba (voiced by Mayumi Sako)
• Narration (voiced by Mugihito)

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Three, actually

Good news, everyone! Onimusha: Warlords, the first game in the series and often the most beloved, is coming to modern systems. What was once known as "Feudal Resident Evil" eventually grew into its? own series, and cemented itself as one of Capcom's trademark action franchises. I typically replay the original trilogy once every few years, and this re-release lines up with my plans perfectly.

There are some provisos though. In the west, only the US is getting physical copies, and only on PS4 and Xbox One. Japan is getting a whole host of options actually on PS4 and Switch (go figure) -- in the form of three different collector's editions. There's a Genma version with a soundtrack, mini poster, and wall scroll for 5,990 yen (roughly $53), a limited ed?ition with two mini posters and a bracelet for 17,490 yen (about $157), and a complete edition for 19,990 yen ($180, give or take) that comes with the who?le lot.

I have a complete collection of every Onimusha game (includi?ng the "Genma" Xbox enhanced edition), but this is too rich for my blood. If you really need that Switch physical package though this is the only way to get it (for now, unless Capcom changes their ??mind).

Onimusha [e-Capcom Store via Siliconera]

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January 15, 2019

Onimusha was once a powerhouse of a franchise for Capcom, and it might be regaining its former glory thanks to a newly announced re-release. Onimusha has been dormant for years after spawning an action trilogy plus one, spinoffs of the RTS and fighting game variety, and even a potential movie, but now it's back thanks to a re-release of the origi?nal game on modern platforms.

Capcom has announced that Onimusha: Warlords is coming to PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch on January 15, 2019. It'll sport "high-definition graphics" with widescreen support, as well as analog stick support, an easy option, and a new soundtrack. All this will run you $19.99 and the PS4 and Xbox One editions will be getting a physical versions in the US. I'm ready!

Although you might have done a double-take due to the "Warlords" subtitle, note that this isn't spinoff, but rather the original 2001 classic that started it all on PS2. If this does wel??l there's no doubt that they'll re-release the follow-ups, one?? of which famously starred Jean Reno as its secondary protagonist.

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Go on

According to Yoshinori Ono at Capcom, they are looking to potentially "revisit the series" at some point. Sure we've had the life-supportish PC and PS3 Onimusha Soul, but nothing sig??nificant has come out of this franchise, not even a remaster (and Capcom loves those!) in years. At the height of its fame, there was even going to be a movie with Heath Ledger.

Speaking to The Daily Star, Ono said, "Right now, I’m so focused on Street Fighter V that I’m not really in a position to start that same level of battle that I had getting Street Fighter IV made," but he went on to say, "All I can do for now is reassure fans that c??onversations are happening at high levels. We realize the need for different series to maybe come back into the forefront and although there’s nothing to talk about right now, I’m sure in the future there will be news on variety of series that will keep the fans happy. Favorites are going to come back."

Knowing Ono is still passionate about Onimusha warms my heart. If history is anything to go by, we'll get an "interest ga?uging" HD remake at some point? before a full-on revival hits. I'll take it.

Onimusha discussions 'are happening at high levels' confirms C?apcom producer Yoshinori Ono [The Daily Star]

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Also, Devil May Cry and Sengoku Basara

Right now, China's powerhouse holding company Tenent (who just bought League of Legends) is working with Capcom on Monster Hunter Online, but more may be in the pipeline. According to the game's producer, he's interested in specifically working with Resident Evil, Street Fighter, Devil May Cry, Onimusha, Dino Crisis, and Sengoku Basara.

A few of those are usual suspects, but Dino Crisis in particular is very interesting, because it's currently a defunct property (Onimusha kind of is too, but Onimusha Souls exists). Talks are evidently going on right now, and Monster Hunter Online will be updated on a monthly basis -- in addition to a possible Monster Hunter concert project.

Monster Hunter Online – Tencent ??will work with Capcom on ot?her games [MMO Culture]

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Please be a new game

Capcom has apparently registered the Onimusha trademark in Japan for re-use. While this may seem like nothing, Capcom noted recently it's putting a lot of eggs into the remaster basket, and this seems like an obvious candidate following the success of Resident Evil HD. While a lot of people are down on remakes,?? I'm of the opinion that they can one day lead to new games, so I'm good.

Personally, I'd love to see all four core entries released, as even Dawn of Dreams had its moments, despite the fact that it was the low point of the series. I just hope all of this commotion isn't for updates to the browser game, Onimusha Soul, that was recen??tly ported to PlayStation platforms in Japan.

Kadokawa [Hokanko via Gematsu]

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Remember, it's a simulation game

We heard that Onimusha Soul would be heading to the PS3 at some point in Japan, and now, it's here. Weighing in at 500MB, you can head over to the Japanese PSN and gra??b it immed??iately for free.

I'm glad that the Onimusha franchis??e is still aliv??e in some way, but I really hope Capcom resurrections the series proper, with an action game somewhere down the line.

Onimusha Soul Sneaks Onto PlayStation 3 [Siliconera]

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After twenty years of fame and money for works someone else created

"Japan's Beethoven," the famous, deaf composer who for two decades has passed off someone else's work as his own, has admitted that he is no longer deaf, but maintains that he really was deaf. This statement comes after allegations by Mamoru Samuragochi's ghost writer, part-time music school teacher Takashi Niigaki, who last week said, "I've? n?ever felt he was deaf ever since we met."

Samuragochi didn't go that far, stating, "In recent years I have started to be able to hear a little bit more tha?n before... since about three years ago I can hear words if people speak clearly and slowly into my ears," but that, "It is true that I received a certificate proving I had a hearing disorder and that I couldn't hear anything up until three years ago." 

He p??romised he would "make [his] direct apology publicly sometime soon."

I told you I didn't have ?any more "Lisa the Iconoclast" screens.

'Japan's ?Beethoven' ashamed b??ut insists he used to be deaf [AFP]

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Famed deaf composer recently exposed for not having written his own works is allegedly not even deaf

Yesterday, we found out famed deaf Japanese composer Mamoru Samuragochi (Resident Evil Director's Cut: Dual Shock Version, Onimusha), known as "Japan's Beethoven," has actually had someone writin?g his compositions for the last 18 years, including his most famous and successful works.

The ghost writer has revealed himself today. Part-time music school teacher Takashi Niigaki has come forward to reveal that he's been writing Samuragochi's work for the last 18 years, saying "I am an accomplice o??f Samuragochi because I continued composing just as he demanded, although I knew he was deceiving people." Niigaki says he was paid only $70,000 over almost two decades for over 20 compositions. Niigaki also claims that Samuragochi "cannot even write musical scores." And that he's not deaf.

"I've never felt he was deaf ever since we met," he said. "We carry on normal conversations. I don't think he is (handicapped). At first he acted to me also as if he had suffered hearing loss, but he stopped doing so eventually. He told me, after the music for the video games was unveiled, that he would continue to play the role (of a deaf person)." Samuragochi has not responded to this claim, but in yesterday's mea culpa he maintained that he was ??deaf.

Niigaki said he finally wanted to end the ruse when he found out Winter Olympics medal hopeful, figure skater Daisuke Takahashi, was planning to skate to a piece attributed to Samuragochi. Prior to that, "I told him a few times that we should stop doing this, but he never gave in. Also he? said he would commit suicide if I stopped composing for him."

'Japan's Beethoven' not even deaf: ghost composer [AFP]

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I just want a real new Onimusha

Hey, remember when Capcom announced a brand new Onimusha game called "Soul" and it ended up being a browser-based RPG? Yeah, that sucked. Well apparent?ly Famitsu has revealed that the game is coming to the PlayStation 3 this spring -- but only in Japan.

It feels like just yesterday when Onimusha was one of the hottest IPs in gaming. Remember when a $70 million budget movie was in the works? Or when Samonosuke and his crew crossed over and did battle with Mega Man.EXE and Zero in a Smash Bros. type fighting game?

I would love to see this franchise rise to its former glory again. I also think I feel another Quest coming on.

Onimusha Soul coming to PlayStation 3 [Gematsu]

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Producer ponders revival for Final Fight and Dungeons & Dragons

With the arrival of the new generation, Capcom is looking to try new strategies for how to better satisfy its audience. And while Deep Down is an interesting experiment, a producer at Capcom has some other ideas in mind -- and it's all about the publisher? going back?? to its roots.

During an interview in the recent Famitsu, translated by Siliconera, Motohide Eshiro talked about his desires to see Capcom return to some of its classic brands. As a producer for Ace Attorney, Devil May Cry, and the Onimusha franchises, he's had firsthand experience with working on such properties. “Well, since I am part of Capcom, I’d like to continue releasing more games for Onimusha and Devil May Cry,” he tells Famitsu.

“Again, I’d also like to revive side-scroller games, such as Final Fight and Dungeons & Dragons! They may be simple, but they have plenty of depth, and I definitely believe that remaking older action ga??mes with today’s technology would make things interesting.”

Eshiro elaborated, adding that the publisher still has deep knowledge of t?he action genre that must be taken advantage of while it can. “I believe that this brilliant sense of balance has been cultivated from Capcom’s years and years of knowhow, and was only made possible because it was made by Capcom. That said, I believe that while Capcom should never t?hrow that away, they also need to expand where they can.”

While Capcom has disappointed fans in recent years, Eshiro speaks quite honestly about what the company can do to set things right. Strider is certainly a great start, and his positivity is great indicator for the publisher's desire to change things. Let's ju?st hope the??y'll follow through.

What other long-dormant games should Capcom look at to re?vive for the new console genera??tion?

Ace Attorney Produce?r Wants To Remake Final Fight And Other Capcom Classics [Silconera]

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Old franchises unlikely, new franchises desired

Resident Evil Revelations producer Masachika Kawata has admitted Capcom isn't too hot on the idea of returning to Onimusha or Dino Crisis anytime soon. According to the developer, Capcom's more interested?? i?n brand new IP right now. 

"Capcom has obviously never shied away from bringing back our older IPs to new generations, but I do think it's more important for us to focus on creating new IP as we move forward," he told Videogamer. 

Capcom had some success with Dragon's Dogma last year, and is probably hoping to keep chasing that rainbow. While it's sad we won't get to ??see followups to a pair of quality properties, we do spe?nd all our time lamenting sequels and wanting new IP, so I'd feel hypocritical being mad at Capcom this time. 

I really do miss Onimusha, but I can look on the bright side -- the longer Capcom backs off it, the longer it'll take before we face the reality of an Onimusha co-op cover shooter with day-one DLC.

O??nimusha & Dino Crisis sequels unlikely, Capcom suggests [Videogamer]

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What's that? A new Onimusha game is being made? All our dreams have come true? It's for ... oh ... it's a browser-based strategy RPG. 

Well now I just kind of want to cut myself. 

Onimusha Soul is set in the Sengoku era and will revolve around "social" elements, as players become warlords and battle for control of Japan. It'll take advantage of the Unity 3D engine to make for more impressive visuals than most games of t??his nature, and basic play will be free. Microtransactions are obviously expected. 

The game is due ??to hit browsers?? on June 28 and smartphones in the fall. Sigh. 

Capcom Announces Onimusha ??Strategy RPG for Browsers and Smartphones [andriasang]

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Did you know that on top of all this videogame goodness served to you on a regular basis, the ModernMethod Network also brings you Japanese/anime culture, movies and toys? Videogames are an ever growing medium and more than anything else, games ??get some pretty sweet toy t?ie-ins.

This is where sister site Tomopop comes in with their recent barrage of videogame toy coverage from the last week and a half. A bunch of new toys were being teased for games like God of War, Onimusha, Mother 2, Mega Man and more. Plus, there were a couple of reviews for Metal Gear Solid and Assassin's Creed II figures.

Reviews:

• Square-Enix Play Arts Kai Metal Gear ZEKE
• Square Enix Play Arts Kai A?ssassin's Creed II Ezio

News:

• Check out NECA's new wave o?f 7" Gears of War figures up for pre-order??!
• Rejoice! Rockman D-Arts figure gets price and da?te!
• Enter??bay presents Akechi Samanosuke from Onimusha 3: Demon Siege
• Banpr??esto gives us more MOTHER 2 toy??s, but not enough
• Sideshow Collectibles Kratos deserves vengeance
• Jazwares' Sonic Free Riders? Sonic and Jet figures reve?aled!
• First 4 Figures teases Metal So??nic and previews Super Sonic

So a new Onimusha figure, eh? Cool, how about a new Onimusha game then? Also, doesn't it look like Kratos looks kind of con??fused in his figure? Like he just smelled something bad?? and can't figure out where it's coming from?

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There hasn't been much word about the Onimusha:Warlords film adaption since the middle of last year when Takeshi Kaneshiro was cast in the lead role. I'm not sure why I'm disappointed about this since I've rarely seen any good come of a video game adapted to film (although I was excited about Christophe Gane directing,) but it seems that the f?ilm has been put on hold indefinitely.

While no one reason is cited as being at fault, it's believed that the writer's strike and Kaneshiro's busy schedule could have been major factors. The word is that if the film was made it wouldn't be until 2011, but let's get real -- the Onimusha series has already fallen out of popularity, having gone from really fun and engaging in its beginnings only to end up as some sort of canned multiplayer abomination.The decline depresses me, but it had it's hey?day.

On a brighter spot (some may think so, at least,) Gans is confirmed to be working on a Silent Hill 2 movie, which is both exciting and terrifying for me as I am such a tre??mendous fan of the game. Of course, if he destroys one of my favorite game stories of all time, I'll send rabid dogs to shit on his children. Let's hope he has children, anyway.

[Via GamesRadar -- Thanks Justin]

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Last night I brought you all the chilling news that Paul W.S. Anderson would be directing the film adaptation of Spy Hunter, the finest video game based on a Peter Gunn theme song in the history of man. As suicide rates skyrocketed among Spy Hunter's legion of fans (for they truly are legion), Christophe Gans took it upon his vaguely effeminate French shoulders to embiggen the spirits of game-to-movie-adaptation fans all over the world with the news that his film, the upcoming theatrical version of Capcom's Onimusha series, would feature Takeshi Kaneshiro as the eponymous samur????ai.

Why is this news so awesome as to cause me to use a word like eponymous? Other than the fact that he happens to be cooler than Andre 3000 and George Patton combined,? Mr. Kaneshiro just so happens to have been the basis for the lead character in the series in the first place. Not only has each iteration of the character in the vari??ous games been modeled after him, but the voice work for said characters has also been contributed by Kaneshiro. Aside from resurrecting the corpse of Shimazu Yoshihisa, it simply doesn't get any more authentic than that.

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