Genma

Genma are the primary antagonistic forces; demonic, undead-like creatures created or modified by the dark sorcerer Guildenstern under the command of the warlord Nobunaga Oda. They serve as the foot soldiers and monsters of the demonic army trying to conquer feudal Japan.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what Genma are:

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Barabazuus are large, ox-like Genma wielding heavy double-bladed axes. Slow and rarely moving, they make powerful swings and often lead groups of Bazuu. They're armored and sometimes switch to a lighter cleaver for faster attacks if their axe proves ineffective

Oowasha are stronger yellow variants that fight independently, wearing only a chain and purple trousers. They wield a massive one-sided axe with greater range and damage but do not switch weapons.

Baguwassha are the most powerful form. Larger, red-skinned, and wielding an even bigger axe marked with a skull and crossbones. They have high health and damage output, making them as dangerous as some bosses, especially in tight spaces.

TRIVIA: Barabazuu is one of six Genma that makes no appearance after Onimusha: Warlords.

Bazuu are armadillo-like, low-class Genma that appear in swarms to overwhelm enemies using cleavers and rolling attacks. Bazuu have brown scaly skin, fang-like snouts, dark armor, and a line of orange back spikes used in their rolling attacks. They wield rusted cleavers.

Bazuu operate in packs, often led by stronger Genma like Barabazuus or Gyarans. They slash clumsily, bite, or roll at enemies to attack with their spikes, especially when Oni Warriors try to absorb Genma souls. Though their rolling can resist normal attacks, it leaves them vulnerable to Issen strikes and magic. Overall, Bazuu are weak and easy to block or defeat individually.

Fortinbras (フォーティンブラス in japanese), also referred to as the "God of Light", was the king and most powerful of all Genma. He appears as the main antagonist and final boss in Onimusha: Warlords and Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams.

In Onimusha: Warlords and in the files of Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny, Fortinbras is depicted as a giant white dragon-like nāga with red wings and two long, curved horns. He has 3 eyes, usually yellow but sometimes glowing red; the third eye is on his forehead and usually kept shut.

In Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams his Genma form is more muscular. Fortinbras is frequently seen in human form as a man with blond hair, a white suit and a yellow pocket watch. He constantly glances at the pocket watch, as if waiting for the time of his resurrection. Near the start of the game, Hideyasu Yūki sees a vision of Fortinbras which none of the others see.

THE FIGHT:

Good Touch/Bad Touch: Fortinbras uses slow but deadly hand stabs and swipes. Getting hit can take 50% of your health. Block with L1 or dodge with R1 + left/right, but beware—he often follows a stab with a scoop attack.

Scoop and Spit: A deadly grab that can lead to a fire blast (instant kill if you don’t escape). Button mash fast if caught. Often chained with the hand stab, so stay alert up close.

Laser Eyes: Fires tracking lasers in sets of three across the floor. Avoid by moving opposite the laser’s path—each hit does ~25% damage.

Fire Breath: Sweeping flamethrower breath used when you’re far. Run from the flames or retreat to the back of the arena. Catching fire causes ongoing damage.

Great Balls of Fire: Most dangerous ranged attack. Fortinbras summons magenta laser orbs from the air. Avoid the pink shadows they cast. Stay in the center of the arena and watch for hand swipes during this barrage.

TRIVIA: Like some other of the enemies' names, his name also comes from William Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Guildenstern (ギルデンスターン) is the self-proclaimed greatest Genma scientist. He is responsible for the creation of many of the Genma soldiers that the heroes have fought throughout the Onimusha trilogy. He is a servant to Fortinbras and a high-ranking demon that has lived since ancient times. Many of the Documents found throughout the series are revealed to be written by him.

After Nobunaga’s death at Okehazama, Guildenstern resurrects him and offers a pact with the Genma in exchange for total loyalty. Nobunaga agrees, and Guildenstern plans the Dark Ceremony using Princess Yuki as the key sacrifice. He sets up a lab at Inabayama Castle, spreads dark essence, and begins experimenting on corpses and creating new Genma.

He also orders the kidnapping of Yumemaru to amplify Yuki’s sorrow. Guildenstern clashes with Samanosuke, unleashing Genma like Reynaldo and Stylado, and later kidnaps Yuki and Yumemaru to prepare them for the ritual. As Samanosuke survives the Dark Realm and defeats Fortinbras, the Genma retreat. Guildenstern disappears, and with Fortinbras gone, Nobunaga rises as the new Genma Lord—free from their control since the pact was never completed.

Gyarans are floating black orbs made of cursed spirits that consume Genma souls before Oni warriors can absorb them. Often seen with Bazuu, they steal souls quickly, even faster than an Oni Gauntlet. When idle, they hover high above ground but can dive at foes or spin to attack. Gyarans also latch onto Oni warriors to drain magic, souls, or health. Once full, they spin rapidly and vanish to escape with the souls, but hitting them during this escape always triggers an Issen.

TRIVIA: Gyaran is the only Genma that has made a physical appearance in every Onimusha game to date.

Hecuba initially appears as a young woman named Nui, claiming to serve Princess Hatsu and informing Samanosuke and Kaede that Princess Yuki is underground. After fainting, she is cared for by Kaede, but later, Stylado knocks out Kaede and captures Yumemaru. When Samanosuke places the evil plate in a door, he encounters Hecuba again, revealing her true insect-like form. She opens a portal to the demon world, taking Yumemaru with her. In her final appearance, Hecuba confronts Samanosuke surrounded by insect-like Genma. After her defeat, she falls into the water but emerges enraged, chasing Samanosuke. She is crushed by falling debris, and the building explodes, killing her. Samanosuke and Kaede escape by jumping into the water.

THE FIGHT:

There is a magic pool right before Samanosuke takes the boat to the lighthouse so you'll hopefully have full magic for this fight. Plus, the Matchlock is also very useful. Ground Hecuba with the wind magic attack and then unleash the fire or lightning special, whichever weapon is currently at a higher level. Once you run out of magic, you'll have to sit back and continue to deal damage with the Bow or, preferably, the Matchlock. If you don't have magic, a ranged weapon, or ammo for whatever reason then you'll be in trouble and you'll have to kill the minions for more magic power. Anyway, listen out for Hecuba's "Die!" cue so you can parry her attack.

TRIVIA: In the American version of Onimusha: Warlords, the scene where Hecuba transforms into her true self is partially cut out, due to it appearing too graphic, as her abdomen emerges from between her legs. The scene was restored in the 2018 remaster. Like some other of the enemies' names, her name also comes from William Shakespeare's Hamlet.

The Long Arm Demon is a large, undead Genma with elongated arms. Slower than other Genma, they use heavy swings and can strangle enemies. A blue-armored variant also exists, equipped with a weak wooden shield. Though their origins are unclear, many are seen in tanks beneath Inabayama Castle, hinting they were engineered, likely by Guildenstern, as enhanced Zombie Warriors.

TRIVIA: Both variants of the Long Arm Demon are two of six Genma that make no appearance after Onimusha: Warlords.

Marcellus (マルセラス) is a demon boss. He was once an Oni Warrior that was converted into a Genma through Guildenstern's experimentation. This engineered demon, created from materials fetched from the Cave of Treachery, is Guildenstern's pride and joy. He wields a weapon resembling the Oni Gauntlet on his right arm.

Marcellus makes his debut fighting Samanosuke Akechi in Onimusha: Warlords, as ordered by Guildenstern himself. Due to Samanosuke's persistence, Marcellus is eventually vanquished, and his warrior orb of wind, Arashi, retrieved by Samanosuke. Nonetheless, he was resurrected again with new powers to fight Samanosuke at the entrance of the Demon World, but Samanosuke defeats him once more.

THE FIGHT:

To defeat Marcellus, there are two stages. In the first stage, he uses a large shield and a glowing red blade. Stay close to prevent his deadly charge, as it can't be blocked. Avoid attacking while he's holding his shield. Block his heavy strikes, then back away and use your Enryuu to break his shield. Marcellus will also swing his blade with a red glow, so attack from the side and keep your distance. Collect any Souls he drops to maintain your magic. If knocked down, repeatedly press buttons to avoid further attacks.

In the second stage, after he sheds his shield, Marcellus uses two large swords, becoming more vulnerable. Stay close, block his attacks, and wait for a chance to strike. He may use a single heavy strike or a combo of four. After his attacks, use Raizan for powerful damage. Keep blocking, and it won't take long to defeat him.

TRIVIA: Like some other of the enemies' names, his name also comes from William Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Osric is a powerful Genma who first appears in Onimusha: Warlords as the kidnapper of Princess Yuki and the series’ first boss. Standing 10–11 feet tall, Osric has red skin, clawed limbs, tusks, and glowing red eyes. He wears heavy armor and a spiked helmet, and wields a massive spiked club roughly 5–6 feet long.

While his actions during the Oni-Genma War and the Onin War are unknown, Osric likely fought on the frontlines against Oni warriors. In 1560, after Nobunaga Oda’s death and resurrection, Osric helped the Genma seize Inabayama Castle to prepare for the Dark Ceremony. After Samanosuke Akechi saved Yuki from a pair of Three-Eyes, Osric ambushed them, knocking Samanosuke out and kidnapping Yuki.

Later, Samanosuke receives an Oni Gauntlet and the Raizan sword, then descends into the castle’s moat to confront Osric again. Though still powerful, Osric is defeated in battle, his fall revealing a hidden path to Guildenstern’s lab.

THE FIGHT:

Osric's attacks are slow but deal significant damage, especially his downward mace strike, which can reduce your vitality by 75% and leave you vulnerable to follow-up attacks. You can't block this move, so avoid it by backing up. Once the mace strikes, charge in and attack, but don't get greedy—watch for when he rears up to avoid a counterattack.

His charge move occurs when he's done with the chase, lowering his head to crush you against the wall. Run when you see him charge, then attack when he uncurls. Patience is key, avoid attacking during his attacks to minimize damage. If you do take hits, use your Herbs or Medicines. Collect souls and power-ups during the fight, especially yellow souls to boost your chances.

The Three-Eyes is a humanoid Genma that stands at almost the same height as a standard human, though mostly maintains a crouching position. It wears a disheveled purple shinobi outfit with a metal pauldron on each of its shoulders, and its hands and head are completely covered in bandages outside of its red fingers. It wears a metal headband over its eyes with three holes in the front that emit a distinct green glow from each of its eyes, and has a large retractable blade attached to its right arm

Dark Spider is a swift, ninja-like Genma that first appears in Onimusha: Warlords as an enhanced version of the Three-Eyes. It’s faster and more deadly, attacking rapidly with metal claws. Resembling a hunched humanoid in a full black shinobi outfit, the Dark Spider has glowing purple eyes, metal pauldrons, and claws instead of blades.

Usually found in small groups, Dark Spiders ambush enemies and attack with fast lunges, combos, and ranged knife throws. Their most notable ability is illusion; when hit, they can create and swap places with a copy of themselves to dodge attacks or fake out enemies, sometimes even avoiding death entirely.

The Dark Crow is a ninja-like low class Genma that first appears in Onimusha 3: Demon Siege, acting as an upgraded version of the Three-Eyes.

The Zombie Warrior is an undead low class Genma that first appears in Onimusha: Warlords. They act primarily as the foot soldiers for a Genma attack and are among the most common Genma that can be encountered. While they are large in numbers, the Zombie Warriors are also among the weakest Genma alive. Many variants of this Genma have existed throughout the series; Zombie Warrior, Zombie Axeman, Zombie Archer, Zombie Spearman, Toyotomi Soldier and Zombie Swordsman.

The Zombie Warrior is a humanoid skeleton wearing a disheveled dark green cloth outfit that covers most of its body with a white strap around its waist, only exposing its head and chest. It wears a large orange bamboo hat on its head, and the exposed pieces of its body show only a small amount of flesh left on its body, likely having rotted away.