Capcom has officially revived its iconic Onimusha franchise with the announcement of Onimusha: Way of the Sword, marking the first new mainline entry in the series in over a decade. The reveal came during Geoff Keighley’s The Game Awards 2024, where a dark and intense teaser trailer gave fans their first look at the upcoming game, set to release in 2026. For long-time Onimusha fans, this announcement signals a long-awaited return to the Sengoku-era demon-slaying action that made the series a standout.
The Onimusha franchise originally debuted on the PlayStation 2, with its premise initially envisioned as “Resident Evil set in feudal Japan.” The games combined strategic combat against horrifying Genma demons with intricate puzzles, creating a unique blend of action and survival mechanics. Despite its popularity, the series faded into obscurity during the transition from the PS2 to the PS3 era. Now, Capcom appears ready to bring Onimusha back into the spotlight with a fresh installment that leans heavily into its roots while embracing modern gaming trends.
The trailer for Onimusha: Way of the Sword offers a glimpse into a darker, grittier world reminiscent of the series’ origins. Fans will recognize a familiar mechanic: the protagonist absorbing glowing Genma orbs, a hallmark of the franchise that returns to signal the game’s connection to its predecessors. The teaser also showcases brief but intense combat sequences. The protagonist, wielding a sword, battles reanimated corpses and towering monsters, countering attacks with fluid movements, kicks, and even a brutal headbutt. One particularly striking moment features the character scrambling up an enemy’s back to deliver a cinematic finishing blow. While it’s unclear how much of this footage reflects actual gameplay, the fast-paced and violent action suggests the game could rival popular titles in the Soulslike and samurai-action genres.
Capcom seems to have been testing the waters for a potential Onimusha revival in recent years. In 2018, the company released a remastered version of Onimusha: Warlords, reintroducing the series to modern audiences. Additionally, the VR spin-off Onimusha VR: Shadow Team generated some interest but ultimately didn’t achieve widespread recognition. Now, Capcom appears to be banking on the full potential of the Onimusha brand, utilizing the powerful RE Engine—known for the recent Resident Evil games and remakes—to bring this dark fantasy epic to life.
The revival of Onimusha also highlights a growing trend at Capcom of revisiting its classic IPs. With gamers still clamoring for reboots of titles like Dino Crisis, the success of Onimusha: Way of the Sword could pave the way for more beloved franchises to return. As Capcom reestablishes Onimusha for a new generation, it’s clear that the studio is aiming to compete in the increasingly crowded space of samurai and Soulslike action games.
With its 2026 release on the horizon, Onimusha: Way of the Sword has already generated significant excitement. Whether you’re a veteran of the series or a newcomer intrigued by its dark, action-packed world, the game’s return promises to be a major moment for fans of Capcom’s storied legacy.
