Onigiri

Onigiri, also known by the Japanese title 鬼斬, is an action massively multiplayer online role-playing game developed and published by CyberStep. Its title literally refers to an oni-cutting or demon-cutting concept, matching the player character's identity as an oni, while also creating a pun on onigiri, the Japanese rice ball. The game combines Japanese mythology, fantasy adventure, anime-style character design, real-time hack-and-slash combat, role-playing progression, and online multiplayer features. The game is set in a fantastical interpretation of ancient Japan where humans, oni, gods, and other yōkai coexist. Its central narrative concerns the return of Kamikui, a destructive force that once devastated the land. In the distant past, the sun goddess Amaterasu Oomikami halted Kamikui by creating three great Seals. After one of those Seals is broken, the player character leaves the peaceful island of Onigashima and becomes involved in a journey to confront the renewed threat. The story incorporates figures and motifs drawn from Japanese legend, including Amaterasu, Susanoo, Momotarou, Yoshitsune, Shizuka Gozen, and Ibaraki Doji, while presenting them through a comedic and highly stylized anime-inspired setting. Unlike many MMORPGs that divide players among multiple races and formal classes, Onigiri makes every player character an oni. Character specialization is instead shaped by the player's selected trait and preferred weapon. The principal weapon group includes axes, odachi, spears, swords, dual swords, bows, staffs, and wands. Five traits—Power, Defensive, Kind, Daring, and Cautious—provide different weapon combinations and help define combat style. Character development also involves improving Power, Vitality, Wisdom, Mind, and Dexterity. A notable feature is the partner system. Players can travel with a group of named non-player companions, each with individual personalities and abilities. Their effectiveness and relationship with the player can be developed through an affection system, including the presentation of preferred gifts. This relationship-focused structure supplements the game's combat and exploration systems with a visual-novel-like character component. Onigiri was first released in Japan on February 6, 2014, followed by a North American release on July 1, 2014. English console editions arrived on Xbox One in October 2015 and PlayStation 4 later that month. A Nintendo Switch edition followed on January 31, 2019. The PC and console editions used separate servers while retaining broadly similar gameplay. CyberStep also expanded the property beyond the game: an anime television adaptation produced by Pierrot+ aired in Japan in 2016, and Sentai Filmworks licensed it for North America. The game received generally favorable comments for its action combat, colorful cast, and energetic presentation. Reviews also noted server latency around launch and criticized the possibility of repetitive play after players reached higher levels. CyberStep responded over time with additional high-level content, event items, and collaborations. Platform availability has changed: Xbox service ended on July 31, 2020, and the game was removed from the Xbox store. Nintendo Switch service ended on September 26, 2022. According to the cited reference material, Onigiri remained playable through PlayStation Network and Steam after those closures.

Onigiri was created by CyberStep as an online action role-playing game inspired by Japanese mythology and a fantasy interpretation of ancient Japan. The Japanese title, 鬼斬, can be understood as a reference to cutting or defeating oni-related demons. The name also evokes the Japanese rice ball, giving the property a playful double meaning. This wordplay is reflected in the game's tone, which combines supernatural danger with comic character interactions and exaggerated anime presentation. The setting imagines a world in which humans live alongside oni, gods, and yōkai. The backstory centers on Kamikui, a destructive entity that once left a trail of death across the land. Amaterasu Oomikami, the sun goddess, previously contained Kamikui through three great Seals. When one Seal is broken, the player character—an oni from the peaceful Western island of Onigashima—is drawn into the effort to stop the renewed threat. The story uses figures associated with Japanese folklore and history while freely adapting their personalities, relationships, and appearances for a comedic fantasy adventure. Onigiri launched in Japan on February 6, 2014. CyberStep subsequently brought the game to North America on July 1, 2014. The title was designed as a cross-platform online game, although its PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4 versions operated on separate servers. English-language console releases followed in October 2015: the Xbox One version on October 2 and the PlayStation 4 version on October 6. The Nintendo Switch edition was released on January 31, 2019. The game's core design differs from the class-and-race structure common in MMORPGs. Players control oni characters and select a preferred trait rather than choosing from a conventional set of races or classes. Traits determine access to combinations of weapons such as swords, axes, odachi, spears, bows, dual swords, staffs, and wands. Progression includes five basic attributes—Power, Vitality, Wisdom, Mind, and Dexterity. Combat is real-time and action-oriented, with dungeon and exploration activities designed around weapon use and character development. The partner system became one of the game's defining character features. Players can recruit and travel with named companions who have distinct personalities, abilities, and dialogue. Affection can be increased through gifts, allowing the companion relationships to develop alongside ordinary combat progression. The cast includes Shizuka Gozen, Yoshitsune, Ibaraki Doji, Kaguya, and Amaterasu, with additional characters such as Veronica, Uzume, Kijimuna, Sakura, and Jin contributing to the broader story. CyberStep expanded the property into animation in 2016. The Onigiri television series was produced by Pierrot+ and broadcast in Japan from April 7 through June 30, 2016. Sentai Filmworks licensed the series for North America. The adaptation used the game's principal characters and setting while presenting them in a shorter television format with a strong comedic and ensemble focus. Critical reception was mixed but generally positive. Reviewers praised the combat, character personality, and accessible hack-and-slash structure. Some launch criticism focused on server-side latency, while later commentary questioned the repetitive nature of progression after players reached higher levels. The developers attempted to extend the endgame through additional high-level content, event-exclusive items, and collaborations with other intellectual properties. Reference material also records a level-cap expansion on the English PC server to level 135 in the late 2010s. The availability of Onigiri has varied by platform. Xbox servers were closed on July 31, 2020, and the title was removed from the Xbox store. Nintendo Switch servers were closed on September 26, 2022. The cited material states that the game continued to be playable through PlayStation Network and Steam after those platform closures. Because the available reference does not provide a current corporate profile, ownership details beyond CyberStep's developer and publisher role, or a complete present-day service statement, those fields remain limited.

• 2022

  Nintendo Switch service closure

  [1]Onigiri (video game)en.wikipedia.org

  Nintendo Switch servers close on September 26.

• 2020

  Xbox service closure

  [1]Onigiri (video game)en.wikipedia.org

  Xbox servers close and the game is removed from the Xbox store on July 31.

• 2019

  Nintendo Switch release

  [1]Onigiri (video game)en.wikipedia.org

  The Nintendo Switch edition is released on January 31.

• 2016

  Anime adaptation

  [1]Onigiri (video game)en.wikipedia.org

  A television anime based on Onigiri airs in Japan from April through June.

• 2015

  English console editions

  [1]Onigiri (video game)en.wikipedia.org

  English versions are released for Xbox One on October 2 and PlayStation 4 on October 6.

• 2014

  Japanese release

  [1]Onigiri (video game)en.wikipedia.org

  CyberStep releases Onigiri in Japan on February 6 as an action MMORPG.

• 2014

  North American release

  [1]Onigiri (video game)en.wikipedia.org

  The game launches in North America on July 1.

An anime-styled, mythology-inspired action MMORPG emphasizing real-time weapon combat, cooperative online play, collectible companions, and a humorous fantasy interpretation of ancient Japan.

• Online action MMORPG · 2014

  Onigiri for PC

  The PC edition provides the core Onigiri experience: real-time hack-and-slash combat, exploration in a mythological fantasy version of Japan, weapon-based character specialization, stat progression, and a partner system built around named NPC companions. The PC service also received additional high-level content and event items during the game's ongoing operation.

• Console online role-playing game · 2015

  Onigiri for Xbox One

  The Xbox One edition brought the English-language Onigiri experience to Microsoft's console platform. Its gameplay was broadly aligned with the other versions, but it operated on a separate platform server. Xbox service ended in 2020 and the game was removed from the Xbox store.

• Console online role-playing game · 2015

  Onigiri for PlayStation 4

  The PlayStation 4 version is an English console edition of the action MMORPG. It retains the game's oni protagonist, weapon-focused progression, mythology-based world, cooperative online structure, and relationship-oriented partner system. The cited reference identifies PlayStation Network as a remaining playable platform after other service closures.

• Console online role-playing game · 2019

  Onigiri for Nintendo Switch

  The Nintendo Switch edition extended Onigiri to Nintendo's hybrid console. It used a separate server while maintaining the same general gameplay systems as the PC and other console editions. Nintendo Switch servers were shut down in September 2022.

• Television anime adaptation · 2016

  Onigiri anime

  The anime adaptation transfers Onigiri's cast and fantasy setting to television. Pierrot+ produced the series, which was directed by Takashi Yamamoto and broadcast in Japan during 2016. Sentai Filmworks licensed it for North American distribution.

• 2022

  Nintendo Switch service discontinuationStrategy

  Background

  The Nintendo Switch edition used a separate online service from the PC and other console versions.

  Action taken

  Nintendo Switch servers were shut down on September 26, 2022.

  Aftermath

  The Switch edition ceased to be playable online, while the cited reference stated that PlayStation Network and Steam remained available.

  Source

• 2020

  Xbox service discontinuationStrategy

  Background

  The Xbox edition operated through platform-specific servers.

  Action taken

  CyberStep shut down the Xbox servers and removed Onigiri from the Xbox store on July 31, 2020.

  Aftermath

  The Xbox version became unavailable, while the cited reference reported continued playability through other platforms.

  Source

• 2016

  Expansion into television animeOther

  Background

  CyberStep sought to extend the Onigiri property beyond its MMORPG format and develop its characters for a broader anime audience.

  Action taken

  CyberStep announced and supported a television adaptation produced by Pierrot+; the series later received a North American license from Sentai Filmworks.

  Aftermath

  The anime aired in Japan from April 7 to June 30, 2016, adding a separate animated-media component to the game franchise.

  Source

1. 1Onigiri (video game)en.wikipedia.org