Onmyoji is a turn based RPG rooted in Japanese mythology and developed by NetEase Games.
Players step into the role of an Onmyoji, a mystic who commands spiritual beings called Shikigami, battling both malevolent yokai and mysterious forces that threaten the harmony of the world.
Set during Japan’s Heian period, a time known for its spiritual richness and mythological folklore, Onmyoji blends traditional art styles with supernatural storytelling. The game immerses players in a world where the boundary between humans and spirits blurs, drawing deeply from real Shinto and Buddhist lore.
Even in 2025, Onmyoji remains a standout title for fans of strategy, anime, and folklore. Its dedication to high quality storytelling, deep tactical gameplay, and continuously expanding universe keeps it relevant in a crowded mobile RPG market.
Origins & Developer Background
NetEase Games, one of China’s leading game developers, is known for blending Eastern aesthetics with global-quality production. With titles like Identity V and LifeAfter under their belt, NetEase brings a distinct creative vision and robust live-service experience.
Onmyoji first launched in China in 2016 and later saw a global release in 2018. Thanks to its lush visuals, innovative systems, and authentic cultural inspiration, the game quickly gained traction among international audiences, especially anime and RPG enthusiasts.
Since its release, Onmyoji has steadily evolved. New Shikigami are introduced regularly, major events reshape the game’s lore, and mechanical updates have kept combat dynamic and fair. NetEase’s consistent support and the game’s passionate community have ensured its longevity well into 2025.
Onmyoji Gameplay
Strategic Turn Based Combat
At its core, Onmyoji offers deep, strategic turn based combat. Players build teams of five Shikigami, each fulfilling a role like DPS, tank, support, or control. Every skill cast consumes a shared resource called blue flame, requiring careful management and turn planning.
The synergy between Shikigami, for example, pairing a debuffer with an AoE attacker, often makes the difference between victory and defeat. There’s a fine balance between reactive tactics (adapting to the enemy team) and proactive strategies (setting up combos or traps).
Whether you’re battling through story driven dungeons (PvE) or climbing the ranked ladder in real time duels (PvP), Onmyoji’s combat encourages mastery, experimentation, and precise timing.
Shikigami System
The heart of Onmyoji lies in its vast roster of Shikigami, spirits inspired by Japanese yokai, deities, and legendary figures. Each Shikigami has a unique backstory, personality, and role in the overall lore.
Summoning uses a gacha system, with characters categorized by rarity, N, R, SR, SSR, and special limited banners. Higher-rarity units typically have more powerful and complex kits, though lower-rarity characters can still excel with the right builds.
What sets Onmyoji apart is the care given to character design and voice acting. Each Shikigami is voiced by a top tier Japanese voice actor and rendered with expressive animations, making them feel more like living beings than mere game units.
Soul (Relic) System
Customization in Onmyoji revolves around the Soul System. Souls are equipable relics that significantly affect a Shikigami’s stats and behavior in battle. There are dozens of soul types, offering boosts to crit rate, defense, speed, status resistance, and more.
Players can mix and match sets for synergistic effects, such as increasing turn order or maximizing damage. For example, an attacker might use the Shadow soul set for bonus crit damage, while a healer benefits from Fortune Cat to generate more flame.
Optimizing soul combinations is key to success in both PvE and PvP. Farming the right souls and learning which builds suit which Shikigami is a major part of the game’s long-term strategic appeal.
Storytelling & Worldbuilding
Onmyoji’s world is a meticulously crafted fusion of myth, mystery, and magic. Drawing inspiration from Japan’s rich folklore, the game introduces a host of mythical beings, kitsune, tengu, oni, and more, woven seamlessly into its fantasy narrative.
Set in the Heian era (794 to 1185 AD), a time when courtly elegance coexisted with superstition, the game’s tone is both poetic and ominous. Spirits walk among humans, and Onmyoji exist to preserve the fragile balance between these realms.
The main story arc follows Seimei, a legendary Onmyoji, and his allies as they uncover ancient conspiracies and battle the resurgence of demonic forces. Meanwhile, side stories explore the personal struggles, redemption arcs, and rivalries of individual Shikigami, many of which are emotionally resonant and fully voiced.
Graphics, Audio & Presentation
Onmyoji is visually arresting, drawing from Ukiyo-e, the classical Japanese woodblock art style. This influence permeates every inch of the game, from the ethereal landscapes to intricate character designs. Each Shikigami feels hand-painted, with smooth animations and striking ultimate ability effects that elevate the battles into visual performances.
Complementing the visual splendor is a cinematic soundtrack by renowned composer Shigeru Umebayashi (known for House of Flying Daggers and In the Mood for Love). The music is elegant, melancholic, and full of narrative weight, perfectly enhancing Onmyoji’s mythological tone.
The voice acting is performed by top tier Japanese seiyuu (voice actors), adding emotional nuance and cultural authenticity to every line. Combined with atmospheric sound effects and ambient world audio, Onmyoji delivers an immersive sensory experience.
The UI/UX design is rich and thematic, with ornate menus and traditional flourishes. However, new players might find the interface dense at first. Navigating features like the soul forge or event dungeons can feel overwhelming until you’re familiar with the layout.
Game Modes & Progression
Onmyoji offers an expansive array of game modes to suit every kind of player:
-
PvE Campaign & Boss Challenges: Follow the main story, tackle elite boss stages like Orochi and Kraken, and progress through dungeon layers to unlock lore and rewards.
-
PvP Arenas: Battle other players in real-time or asynchronous duels. Competitive play is balanced and rewards both strategic builds and quick decision-making.
-
Guild-Based Content: Join guilds to unlock exclusive co-op battles, shared resource boosts, and seasonal events. Guilds often host boss raids and collect trophies for cumulative rewards.
-
Regular Events & Updates: Frequent in-game events introduce new Shikigami, side stories, cosmetics, and limited-time challenges, keeping the content fresh week after week.
Progression is tied to both character enhancement and account growth. Success depends on soul optimization, strategic team synergy, and active participation in events.
Tips & Tricks for New Players
New to Onmyoji? Here’s where to start:
-
Build a Balanced First Team: Aim for 1 AoE DPS, 1 healer, 1 debuffer, 1 support, and 1 utility or single-target damage dealer. Units like Yamausagi, Ebisu, and Seimei (starter characters) provide early-game stability.
-
Shikigami Growth: Prioritize leveling your main 5, then slowly evolve and awaken them to unlock new skills and forms.
-
Join Events Early: Limited-time events are the best source of rare souls, Shikigami, and currency.
-
Resource Management: Save jade for banners with strong meta units. Use your stamina wisely to farm souls and enhancement materials.
-
Beginner Soul Builds: Equip starter characters with Fortune Cat, Seductress, or Snow Spirit to maximize early effectiveness without deep RNG farming.
In PvP, patience and counter-building matter more than speed. Learn what your opponents use, and adapt your team accordingly.
Onmyoji vs. Similar Games
| Game Title | Combat Style | Visual Style | Story Depth | Community Features | Gacha System |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onmyoji | Turn-based | Ukiyo-e / Mythology | Very High | Strong (Guilds) | Balanced |
| Summoners War | Turn-based | Fantasy / Classic | Medium | Decent | RNG-heavy |
| Epic Seven | Turn-based | Anime-style | High | Guild PvP | Strong banners |
| Arknights | Tower Defense | Sci-fi / Dark anime | High | Integrated events | Event focused |
| Fate/Grand Order | Turn-based | Visual novel + anime | Very High | Casual | Extremely RNG |
What Makes Onmyoji Unique:
-
Deep roots in Japanese mythology and cultural design
-
Ukiyo-e inspired visuals unmatched in mobile gaming
-
Rich character driven storytelling
-
Competitive but fair PvP without hyper monetization
Ideal for: Story lovers, strategy fans, collectors, and players who enjoy immersive, folklore rich worlds.
Conclusion :
Pros:
-
Breathtaking visuals and soundtrack
-
Deep, lore-rich storytelling
-
Tactical and rewarding combat
-
Consistent content updates
-
Top-tier character design and worldbuilding
Cons:
-
Gacha RNG can frustrate some
-
Complexity may deter casual players
-
Limited-time units hard to obtain post-banner
If you’re a fan of Japanese mythology, anime aesthetics, or deep turn-based RPGs, Onmyoji is still one of the most rewarding mobile games in 2025. With commitment and community, it offers one of the richest and most atmospheric RPG experiences available on mobile.
FAQ
Where can I download Onmyoji?
You can download Onmyoji for free from the Google Play Store . It’s also available for tablets and Chromebook with cross-platform support.
Is Onmyoji beginner-friendly?
While it has a deep learning curve, Onmyoji offers tutorials, beginner events, and community support through guilds and social channels to help new players ease into the game.
How often does Onmyoji receive updates?
Onmyoji gets regular content updates, including new Shikigami, seasonal events, and quality-of-life improvements—often tied to Japanese festivals or special story arcs.
Is Onmyoji free to play or pay to win?
The game is free-to-play with optional gacha purchases. Many players progress and compete without spending money by managing resources and joining active guilds.
