Parents' Guide to

Onimusha

By Danae Stahlnecker, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Supernatural samurai spin-off has grisly deaths, threats.

TV Netflix Anime 2023
Onimusha TV show poster: Armed with a blade and magical gauntlet, Musashi stands surrounded by a purple glow.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

  • Onimusha TV show screenshot 1: Close up shot of Musashi preparing to charge forward with a blade. The gauntlet he wears glows purple.
  • Onimusha TV show screenshot 2: A monk and a samurai stand guard in front of a young girl.
  • Onimusha TV show screenshot 3: Three woman yield weapons, preparing to fight.

Community Reviews

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age 6+

Based on 1 parent review

Katherine R.
Katherine R. Parent of 18+, 4, 7, 8, 13 and 17-year-old
November 10, 2023
age 6+

too much violence

i like death,s in shows so i wolud say six
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

ONIMUSHA tells the tale of an aging samurai's quest to defeat the demons wreaking havoc in a new age of growing peace. On Musashi's (voiced by Alain Mesa in English dub) journey, he gains a new mission: protect Sayo (voiced by Sarah Anne Williams), a young girl who's the only survivor in her village. As he vanquishes foes and marches toward victory, he must resist being corrupted by the legendary "Oni Gauntlet" he wields in battle.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

This brutal historical drama surprises with its depth of character and nuanced themes. At first, the show seems to be another action-focused power fantasy set at the end of the samurai era. But as mystery unravels and characters face increasing dangers, the heart of the story really shines. This is the journey of a morally ambiguous hero grappling with his own humanity as he strives to protect a future of peace after a lifetime of violence.

Complex characters -- including the antagonists -- and relevant messaging about tradition, progress, culture, and identity make this show both an enjoyable action anime and a touching tribute to a franchise that has more to offer than just beat-'em-up violence. The show also leaves room for discussion around how the history has been interpreted.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about historical fiction. What parts of the story are based on real-world history? How does the history help us understand the characters?

  • What are the goals and motivations for each samurai? What are the consequences for their actions? Do the consequences in the story lead to any value judgments about the characters' goals or motivations?

  • The samurai talk about concepts of strength, power, and honor. What do those look like in today's world? What are different ways to gain these qualities?

TV Details

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