Nioh 2 blends the supernatural with real history, casting the player as Hide, a warrior of both human and yokai descent. Set during Japan’s turbulent Sengoku period, the story expands on the events that shaped the world of the original Nioh while peeling back layers of spiritual myth, political betrayal, and hidden identity.
Setting and Key Characters
The story is set during the late 1500s, serving as a prequel to Nioh. The narrative is heavily influenced by actual historical events and characters, though infused with fantasy and folklore.
You play as Hide, a customisable protagonist known as a Shiftling, half-human, half-yokai. Throughout the story, Hide interacts with numerous figures from Japanese history, including:
- Tokichirō: An ambitious merchant and your earliest companion
- Mumyo: A demon-hunting warrior of the Sohaya
- Oda Nobunaga: Ambitious warlord seeking to unify Japan
- Akechi Mitsuhide: A mysterious and misunderstood general
- Saitō Dōsan and Yoshiatsu: One a fierce warlord, the other… your twin brother
- Kashin Koji: An enigmatic antagonist later revealed to be something far more ancient
- Otakemaru: A powerful yokai sealed for centuries
Main Campaign Timeline
The Nightmare Begins
The game opens with Hide plagued by dreams and a mysterious letter. Their journey begins in a yokai-infested village where Tokichirō saves them. The two team up and become bodyguards for powerful lords as Japan erupts into war.
Early Alliances and Family Secrets
Hide joins forces with Saitō Dōsan and Mumyo, learning that Yoshiatsu, Dōsan’s son, is Hide’s twin. Upon Yoshiatsu’s death, a dark spirit known as Kashin Koji emerges, binding their fate to a deeper, supernatural conflict.
Rise of Hideyoshi
Tokichirō and Hide form a powerful alliance under the shared name “Hideyoshi” and enter Oda Nobunaga’s service. They assist in landmark campaigns such as Okehazama and the construction of Azuchi Castle. Power shifts rapidly as trust fractures between allies.
Fall of Nobunaga and Betrayal
During the infamous Honnō-ji Incident, Nobunaga is betrayed and killed. Tokichirō grows increasingly ruthless, turning to dark power. Hide tries to protect Akechi Mitsuhide and Oichi from the consequences, only to see loyalties fall apart.
The Battle Against Tokichirō
The friendship between Hide and Tokichirō ends in open war. Tokichirō, now corrupted by yokai essence, must be stopped. Hide defeats him at the Battle of Komaki and Nagakute. In death, Tokichirō experiences peace, as Hide absorbs the full spiritual weight of their past.
Final Confrontation: Otakemaru
Kashin Koji reveals his true form, Otakemaru, a legendary yokai. Hide pursues him to Byōdō-in Temple, uses Spirit Stones to restore the sacred sword Sohayamaru, and seals him away.
But peace is brief. William (the protagonist from Nioh) appears in the post-game, unintentionally freeing Otakemaru once more. Hide must confront him in one final showdown within the depths of Yomi.
The DLC Storylines
Each of the three downloadable expansions explores different historical periods and deepens the lore surrounding Sohayamaru and Otakemaru.
The Tengu’s Disciple
Hide travels to the late Heian period to assist Minamoto no Yoshitsune and Benkei during the Genpei War. This chapter explains the early origins of the Sohayamaru sword.
Darkness in the Capital
Now in the mid-Heian era, Hide joins Abe no Seimei and Minamoto no Yorimitsu to battle Ashiya Dōman and other demonic threats. This chapter explores the balance of yin and yang and the ancestral roots of yokai conflict.
The First Samurai
Hide returns to their own bloodline’s origins in the early Heian era, meeting Suzuka Gozen and confronting Otakemaru’s past. The story ends with the true sealing of Otakemaru, this time in his original time, bringing closure to generations of conflict.
Alternative Interpretations
Nioh 2 subtly challenges historical narratives. One theory suggests that Hideyoshi deliberately manipulated history to discredit Mitsuhide, painting him as a traitor. Through this lens, the game becomes a commentary on how victors control the story, and how memory, both spiritual and political, can be reshaped.
Legacy and Connection to Nioh
The story’s events lead directly into the world of Nioh, where William’s tale begins. Hide’s journey helps explain many of the supernatural elements, yokai lore, and spiritual conflicts seen in the first game. The Sohayamaru, Spirit Stones, and the threat of Yomi are all deeply connected across both titles.
The Seven Swords Takeaway
Nioh 2 is a layered historical fantasy about identity, memory, and the cost of power. From the battlefield to the spirit realm, Hide’s tale moves through myth and reality, weaving both together with precision and tension.
