Art director Hiroyuki Nara said in an interview that the game's antagonist, Sasaki Ganryu, was conceived as a complete opposite to the main character, Miyamoto Musashi. Both strive to become the greatest swordsmen of their era, but their views and fighting styles differ greatly.
Musashi represents brute force and aggression, using powerful strikes and simple clothing. Ganryu, on the other hand, is elegant, self-assured, and pays attention to his appearance.
The developers paid special attention to the character's movements. According to Nara, animators specifically added sensuality to his fighting style.
Ganryu's movements are very refined, but they also have a hint of eroticism. They are incredibly seductive and mesmerizing. This was one of the elements we paid special attention to when choosing an actor for motion capture.
Capcom notes that the difference between the heroes will also be noticeable in battles: Musashi fights roughly and instinctively, while Ganryu resembles a dancer with smooth and precise techniques.
The demo of Onimusha: Way of the Sword is already available. The full version is expected to be released in 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.