So, you want to know the deep dark secrets that this game's story entails on a much deeper understanding than the average basement-dwelling gamer? Knowledge is the most powerful tool in defeating the weak minded. You've come to the right place to learn, but you must follow every instruction and assignment with integrity and complete devotion.

This teaching does contain spoilers so beware of the consequences.

Get your notebook and pencil out. You must watch this video and take notes. What do you hear? What messages do you gain from this? Can you compare the symbolism of this music video to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice?




The assessment:

Some relative lyrics include:

1.) "You can't f**k with the chosen one, I want the knife I'm a ninja!"

- Wolf is literally chosen by fate to destroy Ashina's corrupted ways and end immortality with his sword, Kusabimaru. He embarks on a quest to find the mortal blade.

2.) Chorus: "I-I-I, I am your butterfly. I need your protection, be my samurai"

- This is an obvious relation to the Hirata Estate boss, Lady Butterfly. She knows Wolf will have to defeat her, requiring him to make the ultimate deathblow upon her and end her suffering, being a shinobi samurai warrior of justice.

3.) "Life is tough when I get stuck I push through till I break-break-break on through to the other side"

- This game is no easy feat. Challenging beyond comprehension and a vast learning curve is necessary. You have to be persistent and keep trying. Get up. And get those deflections until their posture BREAKS and you achieve victory.

4.) "Been cut so deep I feel no pain, it's not sore."

- Wolf gets his left arm severed in a fight with Genichiro in the beginning, but gains a powerful prosthetic substitution that gives him an advantage.

5.) "Yin to the yang. Totally high-tech ninjas, motherf**king big in Japan"

- Yin Yang symbolizes a balance between black and white. Between good and evil. High-tech could relate to Wolf's prosthetic tool upgrades and acquired skills. The game takes place in Sengoku era Japan.

Everyone will tell you "Hesitation is defeat", but do they really grasp the concept of what they say? they regurgitate this without sense of the saying.

Not only that, but they're missing a key component to the equation.
Hesitation is defeat that is true, but you cannot achieve victory with just this excerpt quote.

No. You must know what to do with your initiative! You must hone the skills and evaluate the course of battle in order to effectively win without hesitation.

It is the mere concept of knowing when to deflect, counter, side dodge, and attack. The only way you gain insight on this hesitation business is if you play the cards of the AI exactly as planned. Play into their hands.

You need to play the boss battle you're stuck on at least 6-10 times before you realize it is all PATTERN. With pattern comes learning. With learning comes strategy. With strategy comes planned initiative. With planned initiative comes a lack of hesitation to strike or make your appropriate move with ease and confidence. And with this you end up turning the tables on them. You win.

An example: Genichiro will most likely be the first real encounter of a boss you fight eventually. His pattern is easy to discern after losing to him. We learn from our mistakes, do we not? Count his swings, his posture, his tell-tale signs of perilous attacks that you can counter, and his gimmicks. Keeping a mental note of his every move and always staying one move ahead of him will ensure victory.

Lord Kuro proves to be our stable rock. The one true reason why we act upon his will. Kuro symbolizes the pure at heart who wants to end immortality and the evil that encompasses man. That's why he needs Wolf. The catalyst to his operation. The physical embodiment; If Kuro is the mind and soul, Wolf is the hand that unleashes judgment. Kuro keeps us from becoming Shura. He restores humanity.

Lady Emma is a babe with a doctorate in healing. If you become Shura, the gentle blade strikes hard and true. She protects both Kuro and Isshin and appears to be a mediator. A silent guardian and watchful protector. The Dogen knight.

Lord Isshin is a complicated character in the game's portrayal. He appears torn and conflicted with his image and identity. Possibly schizoid, as we see his alter ego, Tengu, a relentless rat killer shinobi who hides behind a mask. But why? He obviously has no problem eluding to the notion that he is Isshin to Wolf after giving him the name "Sekiro". Is there a possible motive to this besides friendly banter? You bet. Giving a name to a demon relinquishes him of his power. Isshin, unbeknownst to Wolf, is already setting up his first chess piece against him by naming him. Even as the old man's decrepit form tries to have normal conversation with Wolf, he supplies small hints and threats that don't go unnoticed. Worst of all, he is a hypocrite and succumbs to dishonorable fighting techniques on the batlleground. He knows he cannot beat Wolf as is and uses a semi-automatic .45 ACP handgun in an alleged sword fight. The bringer of death and life himself, Wolf wields the mortal blade that puts the undying aged man to rest in the field of snow white flowers, ultimately severing the ties that Ashina has on him and Lord Kuro.

This concludes the lesson plan of uncovering Sekiro's true deep meaning using literary analysis. With this knowledge gained you will be able to deconstruct other titles in a similar fashion and explore hidden themes that the average person can not.