Capcom Confirms No Censorship in Onimusha: Way of the Sword Across Regions

Credit: Capcom/Onimusha Way of the Sword

Capcom’s upcoming title Onimusha: Way of the Sword is set to release in 2026, marking the franchise’s return after a 20-year hiatus from mainline entries.

This new installment aims to bring the same brutal experience to players worldwide, with no regional content differences planned. The developers are anticipating a CERO Z (18+) rating in Japan due to its intense violence, especially with its detailed dismemberment mechanics. Although rating boards in other regions haven’t weighed in yet, Capcom has confirmed that the game's content will remain consistent across all platforms and territories.

In a recent interview with Japanese outlet 4Gamer, translated by Automaton, director Satoru Nihei and producer Akihito Kadowaki shared insights into the mature content, gameplay features, and global strategy behind the game. Nihei pointed out that the game’s intense gore stems from a new gameplay feature called Break Issen—a mechanic that allows players to sever enemy body parts after staggering them. This, he said, is a key reason the game is likely to receive a high age rating.

Interestingly, Kadowaki mentioned that the Japanese trailer couldn’t show many of these graphic scenes, not because of censorship in the game itself, but due to content guidelines for public previews. However, he emphasized that fans have nothing to worry about. The full version of the game, regardless of region, will remain true to the developers’ vision, with no alterations between the Japanese and international editions.

The creative team also addressed the player demand for unfiltered content. Initially, Capcom considered releasing two versions: one aimed at a 17+ rating and another at 18+. But Kadowaki explained that players often lean toward the uncensored experience when given a choice, and ultimately, the team believed that any toned-down version wouldn’t do justice to the game's intended impact. So, they decided to stick with a single, mature version that reflects the full scope of their design.

To accommodate player preferences, the game will include settings to adjust the amount of blood and toggle dismemberment effects. This way, players who may be sensitive to intense gore can still enjoy the gameplay without compromising the overall experience.

The game stars none other than legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, who serves as the central figure delivering the game's "satisfying swordplay," according to Kadowaki.

The developers plan to unveil more details, along with a playable demo, at Gamescom 2025, giving fans their first hands-on look at the revamped franchise.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword will be available on PC (via Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S upon release in 2026.