Characters

Samanosuke Akechi (明智 左馬之介 秀満 Akechi Samanosuke Hidemitsu), later also known under the name Tenkai Nankōbō, is the main protagonist of the first and third installments in the Onimusha series: Onimusha: Warlords and Onimusha 3: Demon Siege. He also appears as a supporting playable character in the fourth game Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams, and as one of the combatants in Onimusha: Blade Warriors. He is loosely based on the historical figure, Akechi Hidemitsu.

He is described as a master swordsman aiming to be the strongest in the world. Samanosuke wanders the country in search of worthy adversaries. He is quiet and somewhat reticent nature may make him seem cold-hearted, but in truth, he's driven by a strong sense of justice and harbors immense compassion towards his fellow man as well as his loved ones.

Kaede (かえで) is a female ninja from Onimusha: Warlords. She fought the demons with Samanosuke Akechi and searched for his whereabouts after the battle at Inabayama Castle. Kaede will throw herself into the heat of battle no matter what the risk to life and limb.

Kaede's past is mostly unknown, though she trained in Shaolin Ninjutsu. Originally sent by the Iga clan to assassinate Samanosuke, she changed sides after being inspired by his righteous way of life. She became his loyal partner for the next four years, during which they developed deep feelings for each other.

Nobunaga Oda (織田信長) is the main antagonist in most of the Onimusha series. In real world history, Nobunaga is viewed culturally as both a hero and as a villain for respectively trying to unite his nation during the Sengoku Period and the horrific lengths he took to achieve his goal.

Born Kippōshi on June 23, 1534, Nobunaga was the second son of Oda Nobuhide. After his father's death, he fought rival factions within his clan to become its head. Nobunaga's troops triumphed at the Battle of Okehazama, but he was killed by a stray arrow. Presumed dead, he was resurrected by the Genma, who saw potential in his cruel ambition.

Nobunaga was meant to gain Genma power by drinking Yuki's blood, but Samanosuke's intervention led to Fortinbras's death instead. Though he never drank the blood, Nobunaga still became the Genma leader, using them to unify Japan.

Hideyoshi Toyotomi (豊臣 秀吉) is an antagonist who has appeared in every main game of the Onimusha series. Historically, Hideyoshi is the most famous peasant-samurai in Japan as he rose from being a vassal of Nobunaga Oda to the man who united Japan with his short-lived reign as regent.

Originally named Tokichiro Kinoshita, Hideyoshi came from humble beginnings and worked as Nobunaga’s sandal-bearer. After proving himself at the Battle of Okehazama, Nobunaga brought him into his inner circle. Despite Nobunaga’s resurrection as a Genma, Hideyoshi had no issue sacrificing humans to demons and became a cunning foe to both Samanosuke and Jūbei Yagyū (Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny). His success at Inabayama Castle earned him the name Hideyoshi Hashiba (羽柴 秀吉).

Yuki (由紀) was the sister of Yoshitatsu Saitō of the Saitō clan, the master of Inabayama Castle and Samanosuke Akechi's cousin. After Nobunaga’s death and resurrection, Princess Yuki notices her servants vanishing and suspects monsters, but her warnings are ignored. She sends a letter to her cousin Samanosuke, who rushes to Inabayama Castle, only for Yuki to be kidnapped by the Three-Eyes. Though he briefly rescues her, she’s taken again; this time to be sacrificed in a dark ritual for Nobunaga’s power.

Held in the castle’s prison and then the Demon World, Yuki learns Yumemaru is to be sacrificed first to increase her sorrow. Samanosuke defeats Fortinbras and rescues them with Kaede. After escaping Inabayama during Nobunaga’s 1567 attack, Yuki and Yumemaru stay with Baron Imai before sailing west. Yumemaru later returns to Japan as Keijiro Maeda, but Yuki is not seen again.

Keijiro Maeda (前田慶次郎), formerly known as Yumemaru, a farm boy from Arako, was orphaned in battle and taken in by Princess Yuki, becoming like a brother to her. The Genma planned to kill him to deepen Yuki’s sorrow before sacrificing her to empower Nobunaga, but Samanosuke, with Kaede’s help, stopped them. After escaping Fortinbras, Yumemaru joins Yuki on a journey west, following Samanosuke’s advice.