Nioh

Nioh (Koei Tecmo, 2017) is one of the most historically grounded action RPGs ever made, set in a supernaturally charged version of Japan on the eve of the 1600 Battle of Sekigahara. Its protagonist William is modeled on the real English navigator William Adams (Miura Anjin, 1564–1620), who became the first Western samurai in history — granted a fief in Sagami Province by Tokugawa Ieyasu and serving as the shogun's diplomatic and naval advisor. The game's weapon system is a comprehensive study of historical Japanese arms: katana, tachi, spear, naginata, dual swords, kusarigama (chain-sickle), and bow each have their own complete technique trees. The three-stance system (upper, middle, lower) directly reflects the classical five kamae of Japanese kenjutsu. The 'ki' (spirit energy) system is the game's most insightful mechanic: all actions consume ki, and exhausted ki leads to vulnerability — a faithful representation of the 'ki-ken-tai no icchi' principle of Japanese swordsmanship, in which spiritual energy, sword, and body must unify for effective action. Historical figures including Tokugawa Ieyasu, Honda Tadakatsu, and Ishida Mitsunari appear as major characters, with their arms — including Honda's legendary dragonfly-spear Tonbokiri, one of the Three Great Spears — depicted with careful historical accuracy. The concept of a Westerner mastering Japanese swords and martial culture resonates directly with DATEKATANA's mission to share the beauty of Japanese blades with the world.