Characters & Story
Explore the historical figures, regions, and time-traveling plot of Nioh 3
Story Background
Protagonist
Tokugawa Takechiyo (德川竹千代) - A young warrior who must travel across time and battle through a Japan overrun by yokai to change fate and save the world.
Time Travel
The story spans multiple eras: Edo Period → Warring States Period → Heian Period
The Crisis
Confront the disaster known as "The Crucible" (熔炉) that threatens all of Japan.
Historical Figures
Takeda Shingen
武田信玄Role: Main boss of Battle of Mikatagahara
Features:
- Has yokai transformation form
- Uses Takeda military tactics
- Powerful warlord leader
Related: Yamagata Masakage (vassal)
Yamagata Masakage
山县昌景Role: Multiple encounters as major character
Locations: Tokaido, Hamamatsu Castle area
Features: Uses unique weapons, appears throughout the story
Honda Tadakatsu
本多忠胜Weapon: Tonbokiri (蜻蜻切)
Legendary warrior serving the Tokugawa clan
Saito Fuku
斋藤福Important story character with connections to previous games
Hattori Hanzo
服部半蔵Legendary ninja serving the Tokugawa clan. Master of ninjutsu.
Yagyu Munetori
柳生宗矩Founder of Yagyu Shinkage-ryu sword style. Legendary swordsman.
Himiko
卑弥呼Historical queen from ancient Japan. Connected to time travel storyline.
Tokugawa Kunimatsu
德川国松Son of Takechiyo, involved in the story's family drama.
Minamoto no Yoshitsune
源义经Legendary warrior from Heian period. Key figure in time travel storyline.
Minamoto no Yoritomo
源赖朝Founder of the Kamakura Shogunate. Major Heian period character.
Supporting Characters
Tsubaki-hime 椿姬
Side quest character with her own storyline
Story Regions
Edo Period Areas
Edo 江户
Prologue: Fall of Edo. Starting area of the game.
Ichiinosaka 一言坂
Early exploration area
Hamamatsu Castle 滨松城
Tokugawa family related. Story progression area.
Tenryu River 天龙川
Main story region
Tokaido 东海道
Road connecting Edo to Kyoto. Multiple story nodes.
Futamata Castle 二俣城
Battle of Baba Nobuharu. Important battlefield.
Mikatagahara 三方原
Battle of Takeda Shingen. Game climax.
Heian Period Areas (Time Travel)
Heian Period Region
Time travel element. Story connected to Minamoto no Yoshitsune.
Reizan (Mt. Hiei) 灵山
Great Tengu location. Supernatural area.
Story Summary
Fall of Edo
Game beginning. Disaster descends upon Edo.
Tokaido Campaign
Advance along Tokaido. Encounter various warlords.
Battle of Mikatagahara
Decisive battle against Takeda forces. Face yokai Takeda Shingen.
Time Travel
Timeline shifts. Battle ancient yokai in Heian period.
Historical Setting
The game is set during Japan's Warring States Period (Sengoku Jidai), featuring:
- Conflict between the Tokugawa and Takeda clans
- Edo period political struggles
- A dark world overrun by yokai
- Time travel to the Heian period
Key Story Events
Edo Falls
Catastrophe strikes the capital. Japan falls to darkness.
Eastern Campaign
Travel through Tokaido, gather allies, confront threats.
Takeda Confrontation
Face the Tiger of Kai at Mikatagahara.
Time Travel
Journey to Heian period. Uncover ancient mysteries.
Final Confrontation
Face the ultimate threat to all of Japan.
Character Relationships & Factions
Major Factions
🔵 Tokugawa Clan
Based in Edo, led by Tokugawa family. Protagonist's faction.
Key Members: Tokugawa Takechiyo, Honda Tadakatsu, Saito Fuku, Hattori Hanzo
🔴 Takeda Clan
Based in Kai Province, led by Takeda Shingen. Antagonist faction.
Key Members: Takeda Shingen, Yamagata Masakage, Baba Nobuharu
⚪ Minamoto Clan
Heian period faction. Time travel storyline.
Key Members: Minamoto no Yoshitsune, Minamoto no Yoritomo
Character Connections
| Character | Relationships | Role in Story |
|---|---|---|
| Tokugawa Takechiyo | Protagonist, child of Kunimatsu | Main character, time traveler |
| Honda Tadakatsu | Husband of Saito Fuku, Tokugawa retainer | Ally and mentor figure |
| Yamagata Masakage | Vassal of Takeda Shingen | Recurring antagonist |
| Takeda Shingen | Leader of Takeda clan, rival to Tokugawa | Major antagonist with yokai form |
| Minamoto no Yoshitsune | Brother of Yoritomo (rival) | Heian period historical figure |
Detailed Region Guide
Edo Period Regions
Edo (江户)
Type: Prologue / Tutorial Area
Key Events: Fall of Edo, initial yokai outbreak
Notable Locations: Edo Castle, burning streets, refugee camps
Enemies: Basic yokai, corrupted soldiers
Tokaido (东海道)
Type: Main Travel Route
Key Events: Journey east, multiple encounters
Notable Locations: Inns, checkpoints, villages
Significance: Historic road connecting Edo to Kyoto
Hamamatsu Castle (滨松城)
Type: Story Dungeon
Key Events: Jakotsu-Baba boss fight
Notable Locations: Castle interior, surrounding town
Lore: Tokugawa family stronghold
Futamata Castle (二俣城)
Type: Battle Area
Key Events: Baba Nobuharu boss fight
Historical Context: Actual battle site from 1572
Enemies: Takeda clan forces
Mikatagahara (三方原)
Type: Major Battle Site
Key Events: Takeda Shingen boss, climax of Edo arc
Historical Significance: Famous 1572 battle where Takeda defeated Tokugawa
Difficulty: One of the hardest areas in the game
Heian Period Regions (Time Travel)
Heian Period Areas
Type: Time Travel Content
Time Period: Late 12th century (1180s)
Key Events: Minamoto clan conflicts, ancient yokai
Historical Context: Genpei War period
Mt. Hiei / Reizan (灵山)
Type: Endgame Area
Key Events: Great Tengu boss fight
Notable Locations: Temple grounds, mountain paths
Enemies: Tengu, flying yokai, wind magic users
Yokai & Supernatural Elements
Major Yokai in Story
Yokai Takeda Shingen
The legendary warlord transformed by yokai corruption. Embodies the fusion of human ambition and supernatural power.
Jakotsu-Baba
Serpent yokai haunting Hamamatsu Castle. Represents the corruption of once-noble locations.
Great Tengu
Ancient mountain deity dwelling on Mt. Hiei. Guardian of forbidden knowledge and power.
Enenra
Smoke and flame yokai. Manifestation of fire disasters and burning resentment.
The Dark Realm / Hell
A supernatural dimension that bleeds into the human world:
- Effects: Strengthens yokai, corrupts humans, alters landscapes
- Hell Wedge Pillars: Mysterious structures that anchor the Dark Realm
- Connection: Linked to human conflict and negative emotions
- The Crucible: Ultimate source of the supernatural catastrophe
Story Themes & Analysis
Core Themes
⚔️ Duty vs. Freedom
Protagonist torn between familial duty and changing their fate. Conflict between serving clan vs. personal choice.
🔄 Cycles of Violence
Historical conflicts repeat across time periods. Same battles, different eras. Breaking the cycle is key.
👹 Human Ambition as Corruption
Yokai transformation represents how human desires and war create supernatural disasters.
🌸 Tradition vs. Progress
Old ways (samurai code, ancient traditions) vs. new era (ninja tactics, changing world order).
Historical Accuracy Note
Nioh 3 blends historical fact with supernatural fiction:
- Real historical figures appear with accurate backgrounds and relationships
- Major battles (Mikatagahara, etc.) are depicted based on historical records
- Supernatural elements represent Japanese folklore and mythology
- Time travel to Heian period connects different historical eras
The game uses historical settings as a foundation for its supernatural story, similar to how the real Sengoku period had legends of yokai and supernatural occurrences.
Story FAQ
Who is the main protagonist of Nioh 3?
Tokugawa Takechiyo (德川竹千代), a member of the Tokugawa family who must travel across time to save Japan from supernatural catastrophe.
What time periods are featured in Nioh 3?
The story spans three main eras: Edo Period (starting point), Warring States Period (main conflict), and Heian Period (time travel content).
Who is Takeda Shingen in Nioh 3?
The historical "Tiger of Kai" and leader of the Takeda clan. He serves as a major antagonist and has both human and yokai forms that players must defeat.
Is Nioh 3 historically accurate?
The game uses real historical figures and events as a foundation but adds supernatural yokai elements and time travel fiction. It's "historically-inspired" rather than strictly accurate.
What is the "Crucible" in the story?
The Crucible (熔炉) is the catastrophic supernatural event threatening Japan. It represents the convergence of human conflict and yokai corruption that the protagonist must stop.