Master the blade with our comprehensive, spoiler-free 100% completion guide. Explore step-by-step area navigation, frame-perfect Issen tactics, upgrade priority roadmaps, and Dark Realm survival.
In Onimusha: Way of the Sword, red souls absorbed by the Oni Gauntlet are spent at Magic Mirrors. Allocating red souls efficiently in the early-game prevents getting stuck on high-tier Genma gates and drastically boosts boss burst damage. Follow this strict priority order:
Upgrade to Level 2 immediately in Part 1. Delivers massive single-target thrusts that easily staggers heavy Genma bosses and unlocks all Level 2 Blue Demon Seal doors.
Priority #1 (Cost: 2,000 Red Souls)Upgrade Gauntlet to Level 2 in Part 2. Increases soul vacuum speed by 60%, preventing enemy souls from dissipating during intense multi-enemy encounters.
Priority #2 (Cost: 3,500 Red Souls)Upgrade to Level 2 in Part 2. Delivers wide horizontal slashes and sweeping flame magic to annihilate swarms of Zombie Soldiers and unseal Level 2 Red Doors.
Priority #3 (Cost: 3,000 Red Souls)Upgrade to Level 2 in Part 3. Grants continuous multi-hit whirlwind tornadoes that trap nimble ninja Genma and unseal Level 2 Green Doors.
Priority #4 (Cost: 3,500 Red Souls)Use immediately upon pickup. There are 10 Power Jewels (+10% Max HP each) and 10 Magic Jewels (+10% Max MP each) hidden across puzzle boxes in the world.
Permanent Stat BoostsEndgame Ultimate Weapon. Acquired by clearing all 20 floors of the Dark Realm in Part 5. Grants one-hit kills on standard Genma and infinite magic.
Requires Dark Realm ClearanceInfiltration of burning Inabayama, awakening the Oni Gauntlet, solving Number Dial Puzzle #1, acquiring Raizan, and defeating Osric the Genma Ogre.
Infiltrating the Keep, water trap escape, unlocking the Flame Orb, cutting through Armor Genma, and conquering Marcellus (Shielded Genma General).
Bamboo grove traversal, countering Stealth Ninja Genma, acquiring the Wind Naginata, decoding trick puzzle chests, and squashing Hecuba (Genma Queen Insect).
Breaching the mad scientist's alchemy laboratory, maxing all 3 elemental orbs to Level 3, and banishing the Clothos & Lachesis (Twin Genma Stalkers).
Surviving the 20 descending gauntlet waves of the Netherworld, farming 100,000+ Red Souls, and claiming the legendary Bishamon Sword & Bishamon Ocarina.
The ultimate siege on the Demon Gate, Marcellus Final Form, King Fortinbras / Demon Warlord, and master 100% completion checklist (all 20 Fluorites & Jewels).