A Genma surged from a doorway and I had one second to pick a charm. The tiny icon promised either a narrow escape or another respawn. I picked the wrong one once—never again.
I’ve spent hours trading charm notes with strangers on Steam and the PlayStation forums; you’ll thank me for the shortcuts. You can collect every charm without repeating bosses or blowing through New Game+—Capcom designed them to reward exploration and small favors. Treat the list below as a map: each charm is a little advantage you can stack, and knowing which to keep is what separates a lucky run from a surgical one.
How to get all charms in Onimusha: Way of the Sword & all charm effects
At a midnight launch I overheard two players arguing about whether charms or equipment mattered more—charms won. You can obtain 21 Charms in Onimusha: Way of the Sword. Fifteen are tucked into story chapters, Mysteries of Kyoto, and Chance Encounters; six are demo/DLC or pre-order bonuses.
How do I get all charms in Onimusha: Way of the Sword?
You’ll collect most charms as you progress through the main narrative and side content. Chance Encounters open after finishing “The Curse of Kiyomizu-zaka Slope,” and Mysteries of Kyoto begin appearing once you clear “What Lurks in the Shadows.” Many requirements are simple: finish a chapter, clear a Mystery, or complete a Chance Encounter. Keep breaking vases and talking to NPCs so those side events spawn.
| Charm | Effect (Base) | How to Unlock |
|---|---|---|
| Charm of the Healer | Healing Effectiveness +4% | By completing ”The Stage is Set at Kiyomizu” (Main Chapter) |
| Charm of Zeal | Blade Gauge Increase Rate +10% | By completing the ”Pale Lights in a Night Sky” Chance Encounter. |
| Sadist’s Strength Charm | Attack Power When Suffering From Status Ailments +8% | By completing the ”Clear Space, Clear Mind” Chance Encounter. |
| Charm of Dexterity | Reflex Gauge Increase Rate +10% | By completing the ”Noisy Neighbours” Chance Encounter. |
| Reaper’s Charm | Red Soul Absorption Amount +5% | By completing the ”An Ugly Business” Chance Encounter. |
| Charm of Stamina | Stamina Recovery Speed +10% | By completing the ”The Growing Ghost” Chance Encounter. |
| Charm of Enticement | Genma Encounter Rate Increase Boost (Small) | By completing the ”The Odd Couple” Chance Encounter. |
| Charm of Awakening | Awakening Gauge Increase Rate +4% | By completing the ”A Fishy Story” Chance Encounter. |
| Charm of Oni Power | Oni Power Gauge Increase Rate +4% | By completing the ”Restless Spirits” Chance Encounter. |
| Charm of Purification | Rate of Health Loss When Affected by Malice -20%. | By completing ”The Blessed Man” Mystery of Kyoto. |
| Blazing Charm | Blazing State Duration +3.0 Sec | By completing the ”Worm-ly Ways” Mystery of Kyoto |
| Oni Strength Charm | Oni Armament Power +6% | By completing the ”Some Unfinished Monkey Business” Mystery of Kyoto. |
| Charm of Protection | Health Loss When Hit by Enemy Attack -4% | By completing ”The Night Parade” Mystery of Kyoto. |
| Fencer’s Strength Charm | Regular Attack Power +8% | By completing ”The Faceless” Mystery of Kyoto. |
| Inner Strength Charm | Issen Power +5% | By completing the ”Something in the Water” Mystery of Kyoto. |
Pack your loadout around how you play. If you dodge and parry, favor Reflex and Blade Gauge boosts; if you prefer aggressive trading, stack Attack and Soul absorption modifiers. Think of charms as tools in your kit—some runs need a surgeon’s precision; others want a blunt instrument.
How do I claim the Kubi Akari demo charm?
The demo charm is the one item tied to an external save file rather than the Spirit Mirror add-on tab. If you tested the demo, claiming Kubi Akari takes a few steps:
- Confirm you have a Onimusha: Way of the Sword demo save on the same platform (Steam, PlayStation, etc.).
- At the title screen open Settings.
- Go to Privacy and scroll to Demo Bonus.
- Select Collect Reward.
- Load your game and claim the charm at any Spirit Mirror.
All DLC, demo, and deluxe charms
Capcom added six bonus charms through the demo, pre-orders, and Deluxe Editions. None are required for the Charmed Life Trophy/Achievement, but some are mechanically strong—the pre-order Follow-up Attack boost is especially noticeable in tight fights.
| Charm | Effect (Base) | How to Unlock |
|---|---|---|
| Lovable Charm: Kubi Akari | Soul Absorption Bonus Trigger Boost (Small) | Play the demo. |
| Lovable Charm: Lion Dog | Follow-up Attack Power +25% | Pre-Order Exclusive |
| Lovable Charm: White Monkey | TBA | By pre-ordering the game’s Deluxe or Premium Deluxe Editions. |
| Lovable Charm: Mentor | TBA | By purchasing any of the game’s Deluxe Editions or its Deluxe/Premium Deluxe Kits. |
| Lovable Charm: Oni Lady | TBA | By purchasing any of the game’s Deluxe Editions or its Deluxe/Premium Deluxe Kits. |
| Lovable Charm: Little Dancer | TBA | By purchasing any of the game’s Deluxe Editions or its Deluxe/Premium Deluxe Kits. |
How To Upgrade Your Charms in Onimusha: Way of the Sword
I watched a speedrunner spend five minutes farming Favor and then shrug when his charms hit Level 3—because he knew how much they mattered. Upgrading happens at Rokudo-chinnoji Temple Emma’s Hall; every charm caps at Level 3 and the cost is fixed across the board.
- Level 1 > Level 2: 3,000 Red Souls + 3,500 Favor
- Level 2 > Level 3: 6,000 Red Souls + 6,500 Favor
Gather Favor by breaking vases, helping villagers, replaying areas, and trading Red Souls at Yorimasa’s Monument. If you farm on Steam, the in-platform community guides often list the fastest farming routes.
I’ll leave you with a thought: are you stacking charms to cover weakness, or to amplify a single playstyle—will you be as steady as a lighthouse or wield them like a Swiss army knife?