Story, World & Core Themes
Explore the narrative, setting, and ideas that shape Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
Story
High-level synopsis and narrative focus.
In a war-ravaged Japan, a disgraced shinobi named Wolf is brought back from the brink of death to rescue his master, a young lord with a mystical bloodline, from a rival clan seeking immortality. Wolf must master the art of the sword and use a versatile prosthetic arm to defeat gruesome enemies and uncover the truth behind the Dragon's Heritage.
World
Setting, cultures, and distinctive elements.
A war-torn land on the brink of collapse, where the boundary between the human world and the supernatural is blurring. Ancient bloodlines carry the curse of immortality, attracting those who seek power at any cost.
The Iron Code: Shinobi are bound by absolute loyalty to their master and their father. Breaking the code means death, yet Wolf must choose between duty and morality.
Resurrection: Death is not the end. The power of the Dragon's Heritage allows for resurrection, but at a terrible price—the spread of Dragonrot, a disease that afflicts the living.
Ashina (Sengoku Period Japan)
Themes
Core ideas and recurring motifs.
Sengoku Period, Shinobi, Resurrection, Hardcore Combat