Sekiro ‒ The GENIUS of Isshin, the Sword Saint

#Sekiro #Isshin #FromSoftware
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is an electrifying thrill ride from start to finish, particularly at its finish‒that’s why I dive into in this video as I break down the perfect final duel between the player character and Sekiro’s final boss: Isshin, the Sword Saint.
This video is the last of four videos I’ve released in February, in an event I’ve dubbed as “From Software February” (see, it’s because I talk about From Software’s games and the month that I talk about them in is February. It’s very complicated stuff). I’ve previously covered the final bosses of Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls, and Bloodborne, so feel free to check out those videos as well if you’re interested. And rest assured, this won’t be the last time I talk about From Software’s games‒far from it. From Software February will return next year, and there may even be another FromSoft video or two in the meantime.
Anyway, thanks for watching these videos if you did; I know it’s not my usual topic, but it was a ton of fun to break down these fantastic boss battles over the past few weeks. Stay safe out there, and I’ll see you guys next time.
Twitter: / critical_rants

[@vincenttorrijos9680]

The coolest part is that "Hesitation is Defeat," the phrase he drills into the players head every time he kills them, is him genuinely trying to help you, because constant but strategic aggression is the most effective strategy against him

[@user-zy7jx2rn1j]

The constant strategic aggression is just key to the games bosses and combat in general. I see way too many people myself included get scared when fighting a boss and hesitating or running away and getting punished hard for it.

[@luqadam408]

it goes for the entire game honestly besides the guardian ape

[@ttchme9816]

He literally shoots you when you hesitates and if you don't expect it you'll get punished. Moreover, people just don't seem to be able to recognise his animations and get punished.

[@bootleghollowknight]

It's also a callback to a line he says earlier in the game. "Don't forget, Sekiro. Hesitate, and you lose."

[@icankickflipok]

It’s a message more about commitment. That every action you take you must not take half-heartedly. You can’t go to do something and then hesitate to follow through with it. THAT is defeat.

[@bricefitzgerald8949]

Two immortal beings, both brought back from death, fighting in an open field, possessing the only means to kill the other.

[@conraddejongh3898]

So when are you making this a movie? You can't just pitch a fire script like that and leave it there. I nominate Keanu Reeves to play Wolf

[@michaelflatt4663]

Fascinating. I had no idea the field was open...

[@luqadam408]

@@conraddejongh3898 holy W

[@misterguy2329]

I think Isshin could have served Genichiro's wish better by not fighting Sekiro. Sekiro was trying to leave anyway, and if Isshin could only be killed by a Mortal Blade and doesn't need Kuro, then let Sekiro disappear with both swords. There's no way the ministry can get them. Then all you have to ask is, can one fighter, even an immortal one, really turn the tide of history against the ministry? That's what Genichiro brought Isshin back to try.

[@davidschneider2258]

@@misterguy2329 I think you're onto something. I do think Isshin was morally opposed to using supernatural immortality to insure the continuation of Ashina. I always thought this is why he helps Wolf so much and calls Genichiro pitiful grandchild. I think he wanted the dragon's heritage to end, even if his legacy was ended.

[@earlll811]

I remember someone saying Genichiro in the final fight is the equivalent to the guy you kill before the Lady Butterfly fight

[@soulsplayingidiot]

I saw that comment lol. idk where thou.

[@Cascade7155]

​@@chicken29843 I also think it's for extra spirit emblems. I ran out of them pretty early on in the fight lol.

[@luqadam408]

@@Cascade7155 lol what there’s literally an idol after u kill him to get more

[@misterguy2329]

@@chicken29843 "I think the guy in the lady butterfly fight is supposed to be there to restore your resurrection if you use it against juzo" I don't think so. After Juzou, there are several enemies in the building. Only this one is past the idol. I think he's there to help you get back your second resurrection charge if you lost it fighting Butterfly herself.

[@reggiemoore755]

@@chicken29843 idk there is a save point right there

[@cinderluna]

Isshin is so badass that the interior ministry waited for his death to invade Ashina even when Isshin was dying of illness they were afraid of him an immensely powerful army, afraid of the insane skill of a dying old man and we get to fight him in his prime amazing

[@Soundwave1900]

This, this is a huge part why its such a big deal we fight him in the end. Throughout the game we hear he is a legend but he was much stronger at his prime, we hear even when he became a dying old man he instills fear in an army... and at the end, when all the tension builds up and we think we'll never get a chance to fight him after he just died... he returns. And in his prime. And we have to overcome this living legend in his strongest state to get even a somewhat good ending. This is what I call a pinnacle. Such a shame they scrapped equally legendary Tomoe's dlc to lazily stick a sekiro boss into a dark souls game to create the most unfair boss of their career.

[@CreditedJester2]

@@Soundwave1900 I was thinking about the difference of malenia and Isshin and it really is that Isshin wasn't just difficult but an amazing and fun fight.

[@conkura]

@@CreditedJester2 exactly. I fought and died to Ishiin for hours on end before beating him, and it never once felt frustrating. Usually if I fight a boss for an hour or longer I get pissed. But Ishiin is a perfectly balanced fight, every mistake is ur fault pretty much. It really is the perfect balance of extremely difficult but also, something that can be mastered. My favorite boss in any game

[@LaVitaNouva]

​@@conkuraIsshin fight is difficult but fair, that's why it was so satisfying to beat him, not to mention respect between both characters.

[@maggot848]

​@@CreditedJester2Yeah malenia's whole kit is easy, the only thing about her is the waterfowl dance, best that and she becomes easy, though it is rng

[@assgoblin9937]

Fighting Isshin as a fully mastered player is so satisfying tbh. Using everything you've learned, and mastered will never not be satisfying, even on charmless runs

[@zarfo2667]

I agree, everyday i fight and defeat isshin for fun. I will never get bored, even if a do, mods can solve that problem

[@DC-zi6se]

Best fromsoft boss from the best fromsoft game.

[@theonewhoisfluff745]

charmless isshin is hell

[@LowIntSpecimen]

charmless isshin is rough

[@assgoblin9937]

@@LowIntSpecimen skill issue /s

[@Nicholas95583]

I believe wolf doesn't get enough credit here, he completely destroyed genichiro and beat isshin back to back

[@conraddejongh3898]

And depending on the ending, all for a child that constantly gets kidnapped after he's rescued and he knew severing immortality would mean his death as well.

[@luqadam408]

@@conraddejongh3898 eh depends on the ending u get the purification one lets kuro live a normal life while wolf kill’s himself

[@nrnjn8547]

not really. I did most of the part. I don't get enough credit

[@MK-vi2cm]

@@conraddejongh3898 Kuro only got kidnapped 1 time.

[@deltaflash7889]

And by the ending scene it is dawn, suggesting sekiro and isshin fought all night

[@AngusMcSeven]

I died to this man 127 times before beating him for the first time. It truly taught me that hesitation is defeat

[@liamflan9553]

hahaha perfect man

[@nunothedude]

I died like 20 but this is pog too

[@xxxs8309]

It took me 3 weeks to beat him

[@philipkoene5345]

I didn't count, but it felt like I managed below 100 tries. Probably the toughest thing I have done in a video game so far.

[@AcePlayero]

I dont know why but i beat him in 7 tries he was a lot easier than i though

[@arsnakehert]

"How my blood boils!" is actually a pretty damn great line, too

[@bungiecrimes7247]

I love the line because I always think of it. Life really do be making your blood boil.

[@fourtruths3324]

Yup. It’s layered too. His blood boiling because the excitement of battle and him definitely remembering his fight with Sekijo and the hate he felt during that battle and his leftover hate knowing that Sekijo is still out there

[@Timeforcoffee25]

​@@fourtruths3324yep Isshin definitely had a lust for war. We see that in many item descriptions. He truly lived to fight strong opponents and learn. But I think the old Isshin we meet is much calmer and wiser . This one is just nuts

[@mark0183]

Remind me of Madara Uchiha from Naruto

[@cameronrodriguez8795]

@@fourtruths3324who is sekijo ?

[@retenh3932]

dude phase 2 isshin is actually the hardest test of skill, patience, and endurance that fromsoft has made. phase 3 lightning makes it quite easier and phase 1 is a classic sword dance. But my god, isshin the sword/spear/pistol/glock saint is the best boss fromsoft has made. Every time I got hit, it was my fault, not some weird gimmick. This is a real, fair, fight.

[@hamzashinwary4215]

phase 3 is like a reward for phase 2.

[@regiluthfi]

Are you serious? Just deflect everything + mikiri for kanji attack+ umbrella for unblockable attack. And dont try to attack him more than 1 hit, just deflect until he break his posture.

[@retrolightning2k86]

@@regiluthfi mfs be like "deflect everything" like theyre hot shit and didnt spend time having to learn his attack patterns

[@uninconnu5844]

I see what you mean, I've had too a boss fight that really felt fair in a FromSoft game, where I couldn't even get mad when I died because I knew it was only my fault. Mine was the Pthumerian Elder in Bloodborne's chalice dungeons

[@Igneous01]

@@retrolightning2k86 Lyrics hot enough to drop on a dope ass beat.

[@Blandy8521]

This just made me think of something. Imagine being one of the ministry agents seeing this battle

[@skellyman101]

"YO THE RATS TOLD US THE OLD CUCK DIED OF ILLNESS WTF IS THIS BODY HERE", i think its what most would say

[@blank-3403]

"Man, the emperor was right. We would've been whooped in the ass if we didn't wait until the sword saint died. Gives me conniptions."

[@ttchme9816]

@@blank-3403 " And someone killed that monster? "

[@Sangheilitat117]

@@blank-3403 Realistically, Emperor Go-Yozei would have had absolutely nothing to do with the invasion of Ashina, considering he was basically subservient to Toyotomi Hideyoshi at the time.

[@eetfuk3571]

Ministry soldiers: "Ashina has no army, we can beat them" Sword Saint Isshin: Bro, I am the ARMY!

[@comictitan4509]

I love that the ending lines of the fight are "Well done Sekiro" and "Farewell." It's literally the final boss/entire game congratulating you on defeating this terrifically hard boss, and you, the player character, saying goodbye to your journey through the game.

[@poppyharlow4448]

I love the "hesitation is defeat" line. He says similar things to you when you meet him for the first time, after your fight with Genichiro, and while it might be seen as random dialogue, I see it as genuinely useful advice for the player. When he says hesitation is defeat, he means it. If you flinch, think twice about attacking or back away, you're giving your opponent a second wind to come at you with all they've got. He's teaching you to relish those moments when you have no health, your posture bar is maxed out and the only thing stopping you from being killed is your deflections, and still continue to fearlessly cut down your opponent.

[@abrahamrangel2326]

Isshin was the first fromsoftware final boss where i legitimaly felt fear to battle, is not like in other fromsoft games where you just go, die a couple of times against the final boss and then you kill it, when i fought isshin i felt totally surpased by his skills, l wasnt a noob anymore i knew perfectly how to play the game but he was just better than me at playing it

[@jesusoctaviosalgadopelayo2401]

I got the same feeling and is something a game hasn’t Done in a very long time.

[@bungiecrimes7247]

This is me everytime I play multiplayer in these souls game.

[@CLA82529]

Yeah had the same feeling. I thought "holy shit this is really happening, I'm about to deal with him in his prime oh shit"

[@hoanglevu6116]

I think Isshin is Fromsoft reminder that you are not yet a master of this game, right when you were overconfident.

[@user-gx8dl1dt2y]

If you truly knew how to play the game, Isshin wouldn't be any different. You die a few times maybe when you're learning the phases and he pulls out a new move, but otherwise the fight is trivial. It was definitely a letdown how much everyone hyped him up as this insane challenge only to take him down in a few tries.

[@dxrbkn5145]

Its always a good feeling to beat a game A final boss too But NEVER And I swear NEVER, I have encountered a final boss battle as intense and incredible as Isshin that has made me feel nothing but respect for myself, the boss and the game I have played. The way Isshin accepted his death with his defeat was the manliest thing ever and being congratulated by him was such an ecstatic feeling.... GOTY well deserved

[@ammaaryaqub3165]

Agreed. But slave Knight gael takes ot for me due to soundtrack aswell

[@blank-3403]

@@ammaaryaqub3165 man the ost. Can't forget about divine dragon, the best gimmick boss from ever made

[@Somerandomjingleberry]

I don’t agree with this. I would rather have the satisfaction of defeating someone who I feel deserves to be defeated rather than fight a big fight out of obligation.

[@SycoticForeverNeverAF]

@@Somerandomjingleberry what weed were you smoking from this lmao. Isshin deserved to be defeated. He was immortal and was being controled by the dying wish of his foster grandchild. Had sekiro failed here, Isshin would have slaughtered everyone 😂

[@misterguy2329]

@@SycoticForeverNeverAF "He was immortal and was being controled by the dying wish of his foster grandchild." Genichiro was Isshin's biological grandson. He was the son of Moriagi, who was the son of Isshin. But I don't see why, aside from revenge, Genichiro would want Isshin to fight Sekiro. Isshin doesn't need the red Mortal Blade or Kuro, so why duel the only person who can actually kill you? Fight the guys burning your castle down!

[@Senerith]

To have the game end where it began, having designed Genichiro to fall far below the players skill curve, and giving the opportunity to fight Isshin Ashina in his absolute prime, requiring the complete mastery of all mechanics and timings up to that point, is nothing short of a near perfect final boss. It is meant to be a culmination of the players efforts and the final framing point of the conflict in the story. It is nothing short of a masterpiece. In many parts of Fromsofts games, one really feels the visceral impact of the weapons wielded by the player, and you attune yourself to that natural flow and have a sense of catharsis from each hit landed and the weight of the impact on the enemies, but in Sekiro, this is succesfully done for the enemies as well. You feel each and every pattern of every blow in each parry and each hit you take, in a way that had not succesfully been done before. The game is one of my *very admittedly few* 10/10 games out of every game ive played the last 20 years, and honestly not one I can even reccommend to most other people. It is a masterpiece that not many people will play or master, and that is a damn shame.

[@mr.bubbles8351]

Anybody who plays sekiro english dubbed should be in jail tho

[@buckyhurdle4776]

@@mr.bubbles8351 well you have to switch to english dub for Gyobu and then you switch back

[@dietretard2636]

@@mr.bubbles8351 english is the only other good language there. Japanese and english are the native languages from speaks aside from a bit of latin i believe. Out of all the language options english isnt that bad tbh

[@Somerandomjingleberry]

I don’t really agree. Mechanically, situationally, yes, this is great. Story wise? I’m not so sure. The way I see it, a final boss encounter of a story rich video game should encapsulate all of the themes of the story the game tells in one singular microcosm. You as the player represent what lessons the game is trying to teach, and the boss represents everything wrong with the game’s world. Isshin… doesn’t really encapsulate the flaws of blind patriotism and the obsession with immortality as a character. Sure, he’s circumstantially associated with them, but unlike his grandson, he isn’t an embodiment of them. That, I feel, is all but a requirement, and because he doesn’t satisfy it, as mechanically great as the fight is… it makes the whole affair feel bitter. And that takes away from the empowerment for me. I just feel like I shouldn’t have needed to kill this man. I am demotivated from progressing the game entirely.

[@opgroundzero2.0]

@@Somerandomjingleberry It's literally Isshin asking for a duel with you, nothing more.

[@walrusgod9982]

I'm pretty late to this, and I'm sure someone else mentioned it before, but I always believed that Isshin didn't fight Sekiro ONLY to honor Genichiro, but because the Black Blade brings back someone to their prime in order to fulfill the wish the one who brought them back made. There's a note mentioning the Black Mortal Blade next to Isshin's tower later on in the game. In this case, "Pitiful grandchild... this was your last wish. To see Ashina returned from the great beyond... which means, Sekiro... I must destroy you." references Genichiro's wish to save Ashina by any means. He views Wolf as an obstacle to Ashina, and Isshin must destroy him. But Isshin doesn't not want to fight Wolf, he even mentions that he wishes to duel Wolf in a conversation with Emma after his illness finally claims him. So Isshin fights Wolf to the death for both his own interest, and to fulfill the wish Genichiro made. Of course, in classic Fromsoft fashion, nothing is set in stone and it's up to us to put the pieces together. Truly Sekiro is magnificent in all aspects

[@forgotten_gorilla3563]

Also an amazing detail how genechiro and emma uses the technique of their mentors (tomoe/isshin). Genechiro uses lightning and moves similar to the okami's and emma using the ashina sword style of isshin.

[@chikedonaldibewuike4867]

Very true... Genichiro's dances are Okami-like. Can't believe I'm just catching this more than a year after finishing the game.

[@genghiskhan6809]

And it shows too. In modded mob battles, Emma vs Lady Butterfly looks like a genderswapped version of Isshin vs Owl.

[@malinkundang9466]

and we as sekiro use the same moves as owl father...like an attack after shuriken throw

[@genghiskhan6809]

@@malinkundang9466 How the fuck did I not notice this sooner. I was probably getting my ass kicked too hard to notice.

[@malinkundang9466]

@@genghiskhan6809 also mikiri counter

[@Future_Doggo]

As much as i love Gael, Burnt Ivory King, Ludwig, Gwyn, Nameless King, etc, Isshin takes the top spot of pure "badassery" for me. This man literally gets off his deathbed to fight you if you become Shura, shoots you with a freaking Bloodborne gun, is one of the hardest fights in the series + his lore & the points you made in this video.

[@grimreefer213]

Isshin is a very compelling character and I think it’s a brilliant design choice to allow you to interact with him as a friendly of sorts and have him teach you new skills, it adds another layer of depth than if he was just a bloodthirsty killer that you have to dispatch.

[@criticalrants]

I 100% agree. There's such a strong sense of respect between Wolf and Isshin that builds throughout the game because of something as simple as exchanging dialogue with him

[@grimreefer213]

@@criticalrants Yeah and he even is the one who gives you the name Sekiro, there’s a sense of growth and finality and it comes full circle in the end, it’s beautiful.

[@Somerandomjingleberry]

I… half agree. On one hand, I like that he has depth, but on the other, I don’t like someone with that much respect being the final boss. I don’t want to feel guilty for doing what the game tells me to do. And that is exactly the case with this honor-motivated fight against a guy who is honestly not even all that bad. I would honestly prefer a more basic evil guy over Isshin, or heck, I’d have preferred if that mutual respect built up between Wolf and Isshin were destroyed somehow. Nothing’s more motivating to kill a guy than “I trusted you, I respected you, and this is how you repay it!?”

[@grimreefer213]

@@Somerandomjingleberry That’s true and could be done in an interesting way but we don’t see boss fights like this too often. If you look in the FS catalog most of the bosses we fight are just enemies, they want us dead or they are simply in the way. We don’t get to interact and speak with bosses too often either. Maybe it could be a rival but the respect builds up over the course of the game, that could be interesting too. It is kind of a weird scenario if you don’t understand the story you might wonder why you are fighting Isshin, because he really isn’t a bad guy at least to us, he encourages us and congratulates us for our victories. He inherited the will of Genichiro, but he still remains at least somewhat conscious and takes his death honorably. Maybe we are doing him a favor so he can die honorably in battle instead of to illness. There are some weird parts of the story, we slay hundreds of Ashina soldiers, we kill Gyoubu and Genichiro his grandson, yet he’s still friendly with us. I think he sees that what we’re doing is for a good cause and Genichiro was getting out of hand, and he respects strength, towards the end the Ashina soldiers are telling us to help them fight back against the interior ministry, it would’ve made more sense if we just teamed up with them but maybe it wouldn’t be as interesting being a simple warring states type of plot. So he inherits the will of Genichiro and becomes the villain in a way, so I don’t necessarily feel guilty for slaying him as the whole theme of the game is about death, allowing things to die and let go, severing immortality. Isshin knows that immortality is parasitic or detrimental, so he encourages us to kill him at the end of the fight, as resurrecting him with the black blade isn’t natural.

[@davidnewhart2533]

@@Somerandomjingleberry I get what you are saying but in all fairness, it's not like Isshin really had much of a choice. Genichiro summoned him with Black Mortal Blade and so Isshin was following his grandson's will. I personally thought it was a genius way to make him fight you if you didn't do the Shura ending.

[@puszinny2748]

This is not the best final boss in From Software games, it's the best final boss in gaming history. I've never seen such a rewarding fight that compiles all what you learned throughout the game so perfectly. Miyazaki and the FromSoft team are truly geniuses.

[@mauz791]

Isshin is easily one of the greatest characters ever. A father figure, teacher and a genuine God of Combat. His wonderful voice actor in Japanese and English also helped. His jovial sake conversations and his Tengu advice is so much fun to just listen to, it's incredible. This game is amazing 🔥

[@huckmart2017]

The cool thing about isshin (and Sekiro in general), is that at first it feels borderline impossible. You will likely struggle for hours just to barely squeak out a victory. But the more you play the game, the more you naturally start to master its mechanics and bosses like isshin start to feel pretty easy by your third playthrough. Then the game becomes more about flexing with cool combos and challenge runs rather than a fight for your survival.

[@randgemes8978]

Not just cool but feel like u r in anime

[@zrATT_]

@@randgemes8978 yesz

[@sassythedog14b27]

I've always seen Isshin's lightning in the third phase as a show of his desperation to win the fight since he believes in winning a battle at any cost. He likely knows that the lightning will deal significant damage but he is also aware it can be thrown back at him with ease.

[@Xl_Fenrir_lX]

Maybe Genichiro, yeah. But Ishin being desperate in battle? Not a chance. He even states that he believes Genichiro’s final wish to summon him to battle was foolish. Ishin did not share the same goal that genichiro did, so why would he be desperate to see it through by defeating sekiro? Especially since Ishin has been training Sekiro throughout the game, he would have no reason to be desperate to kill him

[@m2-x-n253]

"HESITATION IS DEFEAT"

[@BigWangLemon]

Isshin will forever, even after Elden Ring’s release, be my favorite Soulsborne boss. Fight me.

[@cchristianjeremy]

No fight from me here, this boss is slowly becoming my number 1. Orphan of Kos was my number 1 before this goddamn brutal fight. Inner Isshin was even better.

[@poopybutt12345]

Yeah absolutely. I didn't play Sekiro till after I beat ER, in fact I'm still stuck on Isshin as we speak lol. What amazes me is that this whole game felt newer and fresher than elden ring, the mechanics were all tighter and more evolved. The boss fights were way better, I feel like Elden Ring had a few good bosses but mostly I was extremely disappointed in them especially after playing DS3 so many times

[@BigWangLemon]

@@poopybutt12345 a disappointing, but entirely agreeable sentiment that I believe isn’t talked about more. Bloodborne and Sekiro will still stand as the GOAT to me personally, and objectively, Elden Ring will still struggle to take too of the list among the series.

[@eetfuk3571]

@@poopybutt12345 Dark Souls has more disappointing fights but at least its fair because they built the game to be beaten in 1v1 unlike in Elden Ring. also Isshin is defnitely the greatest Souslborne boss ever, for me Maliketh is 2nd.

[@clarentknight]

I only wish they gave Maliketh's Second phase a much more reasonable hp bar he was fun!

[@lynertia5255]

I think the lightning works so well because by the time you get to phase 3 you're tense enough for it to genuinely be able to catch you by surprise

[@fr4ctal272]

i am still so much in awe thinking about isshin's third phase, specifically the fact about his lightning attacks he doesn't "call upon" the lightning when he wants like genichiro, he just senses when a lightning is about to strike and catches it which is insanely amazing

[@zrATT_]

Imagine he's just trying to hit wolf and he gets struck by lightning and goes, "Oh shi-" and throws it at wolf

[@celiafrostborn]

35 runs was what it took for me to beat prime Isshin. And I treasure every one of those deaths because they taught me a very important lesson. *HESITATION IS DEFEAT!*

[@eddieb1995]

I was fighting radagon and I hesitated for a moment and died, I immediately heard Isshin in my head "hesitation is defeat" It's a different game!!! It's still in my head anytime I hesitate and die, I know full well why I died and I hear his voice.

[@secondheaven9545]

I’ve always had this pattern in my head with the bosses genichiro, Owl, and Isshin. Genichiro let’s you play your game and learn with little to worry about. Owl forces you to play his game, because he has the same moves as you, but more aged and experienced, including Mikiri, making it so you need to let him control the fight and counter attack him. Isshin is a respectful duel between two immaculately talented warriors, it’s neither person’s game. It’s a duel with no tricks, no bs. If you hesitate, you will die.

[@cactusmann5542]

You didnt mention isshin here 9:00 performs seppuku... it was a very nice detail the game added. You could even see the ritual knife in his right hand. Sekiro plays the role Kaishakunin with the shinobi execution.

[@mikeg7750]

Damn nice spot. Never realized that

[@noamias4897]

Oh my I have played this game and fight so many times and never noticed that's what he was doing. I suspected it but never saw his sword so I assumed it just looked like it

[@luqadam408]

what knife 💀feel like u jus reaching now

[@misterguy2329]

"You could even see the ritual knife in his right hand." No, you imagined that. Sekiro is doing the traditional seppuku assistant beheading, but Isshin does not cut himself across the abdomen. Sekiro did that for him already. Isshin's does not have a weapon in his hand at the time.

[@dreamchild7378]

Definitely best boss

[@DC-zi6se]

Best fromsoft boss from the best fromsoft game.

[@rosameltrozo5889]

Inner Father though

[@zrATT_]

@@rosameltrozo5889 "The feeling is..."

[@ashyknees2339]

Beat this guy a month ago and God damn it. This guy was such a chad I loved him for teaching me how to win. Thank you Sword Saint and thank you Critical for showing how glorious he is as a boss.

[@DumbFroggg]

Great video man! I love Isshin so much as a character and as a boss (being my favorite by far in both), and this video is a good summary of what makes the final battle with him so epic, good job!

[@criticalrants]

Thanks so much! I'm glad to hear I've done him justice

[@DumbFroggg]

@@criticalrants 👍✨

[@zach.hanford]

I've beaten all of FromSoft's games and I can easily say that nothing made me let out the primal war cry upon victory the way Isshin did. That fight is so incredibly well made. It's absolutely tragic that we never got Sekiro DLC.

[@hollandscottthomas]

I think it lends itself to a sequel pretty well. Maybe in another few years.

[@PR1ME98]

The sword saint has taught me a lesson that has gotten me in good places in my life simply because i DID NOT HESITATE!!!! Definitely one of my top 10 favorite final bosses in all of video games

[@Wicked061]

I'm still stuck on inner ishiin at the end of the second gauntlet. Fuck me. It's so infuriating how different he feels than normal ishiin.

[@criticalrants]

My best piece of advice is to use the Loaded Umbrella to deflect his more ridiculous moves. It pretty much nullifies all of his new attacks, and from there, it’s sort of like fighting regular Isshin. Stick with it-you’ll get him soon enough!

[@TheInfantry98]

I love fighting the inner isshin bossfight. Especially with the demon bell activated

[@zarfo2667]

Hows it going bro? Its been 3 months

[@Wicked061]

@@zarfo2667 for the first time ever, in any video game EVER, i gave up on the second gauntlet. Just cant beat him. I can beat the other bosses before him with minimal damage and maybe using 1-2 heals, but inner ishiin broke me. Its depressing, but its best to move on. The From Software community has been extremely supportive in my endeavor, always keeping me motivated, Always giving solid advice, I have nothing but appreciation and respect for everyone. But after countless hours and days, i decided its time to hang up the sword on this particular fight. To quote the great Qui Gon Jin, "theres always a bigger fish". 🍻👊

[@gitgud1555]

Wolf my child death is nothing but regret is eternal

[@Excalibur5k]

Genichiro was stuck on a boss and passed the controller to his gamer grandpa

[@myko7014]

Isshin only took me less than 2 hours to beat on first playthrough, but 10 hours on 4th playthrough without Kuro charm, that was absolutely the BEST boss fight experience of all FromSoft games!!! Now I just cant stop challenge Isshin with different mods, almost each few days for months already LoL

[@godzillasdaughta]

I can't wait to try NG+ without the charm. I also felt like I didn't struggle enough in my first run. Now I need to suffer so that I'm forced to git gud and the victory is that much sweeter.

[@vlrginizer927]

1st phase Isshin isnt aggressive at all lmao. He just casually walks to you like a mad lad. 2nd phase however is where the aggression kicks in

[@cvampaul]

This video deserves more love, great job man.

[@criticalrants]

Thank you so much!

[@20starterblue23]

Prime Isshin for the final test of skills. The final lesson about hesitation. The best final battle to end a masterpiece.

[@Fentiman]

It's ridiculous how good this game is. I can't believe it's been 3 years already

[@MrMarch90]

I will never forget realizing how my heart was almost going to jump out of me when I finally beaten him. Nothing I have played comes even close. The level of thrill and adrenaline rush this boss made go through was astonishing.

[@jimbroan6745]

Same, Manus and inner genichiro were the only other fromsoft bosses that made me feel like that

[@xanathar8659]

This is a great video. I have always loved Isshin as my favorite boss of all time, because he does feel like a duel between two super powerful warriors. Glad to see such a well-put analysis!

[@tejgamer092]

Isshin in the second phase : so anyways , I started blasting

[@cephalonbob15]

Small fact about the game, when owl says in the shura ending that there are only few man who could best isshin in his old age. He was including himself as if you put owl and isshin against each other, owl always wins.

[@Lorendrawn]

When Isshin performs the spear combo he looks like he's floating like in the Spiral Cloud Passage. The most compelling bosses reflect the player's abilities and potential.

[@Atzay]

Great work as always, can't wait until the next time you cover From Software games! Maybe by the next February even Elden Ring could be talked about in this series, if we indulge in a bit of wishful thinking. Also I never caught that aspect about Isshin's lightning attacks compared to Genichiro's, extremely cool detail!

[@criticalrants]

Thank you! The level of detail in these games is truly ridiculous. The same principle holds true for the Shura Ending with the Isshin Ashina bossfight. Isshin's just using his sword to literally fan the flames that are being generated from the clash with Shura, and that's the only reason why he's able to use fire attacks in the second phase. And given the Elden Ring leaks today (which I haven't really seen since I'm waiting on the official trailer), it seems likely Elden Ring will release in early 2022. But either way, any Elden Ring news at this point is a good sign.

[@Zakariyasen]

My favorite part about Sekiro is when Sekiro draws his sword and says "I'm John Sekiro"

[@petercottantail7850]

0:02 "turns 2 years old" > me looking at the upload date 😬

[@ChoCoBenchMarker]

I think the coolest part is that in other souls game or even many games, we tend to hear a legend of a *human* character throughout many interaction with many npc to hyped us to fight them, yet many times meet with either their dead body, a husk of their prime, or even worse somebody else entirely inheriting their name. Maybe only some character that either does it justice or overexceed it by having some evil power up that make them inhuman or monster instead. Yet, Isshin is a different boss. Isshin is the one character where you have chance to either fight him past his prime in his old age or fight him on his prime as sword saint isshin where both form could kick your ass either when you prepared or not equally.

[@jvjohntabuac7161]

sword saint isshin is really the beat fight in sekiro, 1. he gains posture quickly so it actually forces you to fight head on. 2. you can’t actually deflect everything so you also rely on your instincts and timing. 3. he can’t be cheesed.

[@SignumInterriti]

Dude catches the lightning? Incredibl, I didn't notice until now but it makes him so much cooler! I just thought "ah he knows that lightning attack, too", but no, he uses the technique we have to catch and return lightning, but he does it to heaven!

[@TheRoomforImprovement]

A recurring theme in from software‘s boss fights is once great Warriors being reduced to a shell of their former selves (either through age or a curse) and STILL proving a force to be reckoned with. For example, Artorias has a broken arm (his good arm mind you) and his mind has been corrupted by the abyss. But he still formidable nonetheless; and this makes the player wonder what they would’ve been like in their prime. But with Isshin, you don’t have to wonder. You Face him at his peak or in his old age (depending on which ending you’re going for) and it’s glorious.

[@Squallpka1]

That lightning detail really great....

[@kiranrajk.s.2]

Imagine you so strong that an entire army is afraid of your even if your are in your death bed.

[@davidforgione6976]

9:06 I swear this part is the most satisfying part in this game and even video games as a whole. The first time this happened I felt so satisfied I finally beat one of the hardest bosses ever, and even after beating him multiple times over it still feels satisfying every time.

[@user-qo1pg3bn4o]

what an emotional rollercoaster of a fight

[@nimazsheik5152]

"Hesitation is Defeat" - It's not just a quote from a video game, it's a quote you should apply to your life.

[@LillyAnarkitty]

That detail about Isshin catching lightning out of the air is so cool, I never knew that before

[@xxxs8309]

This game really beat my expectation the bosses were incredibly well designed

[@user-zy7jx2rn1j]

other than the obligatory double boss found in every fromsoft game. They purely exist to test your patience and annoy the fuck out of you.

[@xxxs8309]

@ハーフ tough game,but you can beat it with persistence and studying your mistakes

[@vittocrazi]

@@xxxs8309 any non gamble game holds true to this

[@zy2987]

During my first playthrough. I beat this boss without using any powerups, only gourds and shuriken since I want to test how far I've come. I died for like 4 hours, others intentionally to learn all his pattern, still pretty a good experience. That joy when I finally arrive at phase 3 was immeasurable.

[@sukkamus1]

I really like the shura ending Isshin fight He dodging my strikes by simply stepping away with minimal movement

[@criticalrants]

I really like that aspect of that fight, too! It forces you to be deliberate with every attack you make and not just spam attack like you can with a lot of other bosses. He really keeps you on your toes and I think it's a neat mechanic

[@sammyjones2081]

What I find makes Isshin unique as a final boss is that he's not the main antagonist or the most personal foe of Wolf, but he works as the final opponent *is* the most legendary figure there, as he is renown for liberation of Ashina. In many ways, he *is* Ashina (both are on their last legs but persevering, and the territory falls when Isshin finally does (before he comes back to life)). By besting Isshin, it's the perfect way for the game to say that Wolf and Kuro have finally escaped from Ashina.

[@bucc653]

Grinding this boss over and over again while doing a no-level-up run with only mikiri counter made me apprectiate the game design masterpiece as well as a wonderful closing to sekiro's lore and story. Okay. I knew this before I did a soul lvl 1 equivalent run I just wanted to say I also did that thank you for listening

[@BigJTT]

The only boss I've ever really learnt from tbh, I actually quit the first time I ever got to him because I couldn't do it and left the game for a year, after that my failure on never finishing the game really got to me so I went back and learnt the enemies should fear your aggression not the other way around, and I beat him first time in my second playthrough. No stopping to assess the battlefield just fight use your skill and fight don't overthink

[@GuruFromEHRPG]

I love this fight so much The flow of this fight is just so good When you finally get a hold of it, the dance this fight has is just one of the most brilliant things i have ever played. It's a flow that just hits so well i'll never forget the first time i beat him, hell the second time just last month He's a masterful boss that pushes you in a fair way

[@m.l.2871]

No joke this last lines are so satisfying. Tbh one of the most, if not the most satisfying game endings.

[@castjet9898]

Man I love Sekiro, and its animations as well, is just something about the way the game moves and the characters animate, is just so satisfying.

[@conraddejongh3898]

Oh my god....I have tried cheeses, exploits and grinding. But after seeing that most people say be agressive, I juzt beat Isshin for the first time as I am writing this comment. Wow bro...wow..... Reaction/Backstory video taught me more than actual in depth guides. Mate you just won me as a lifetime subscriber! Thanks for ths wonderful video. 213 tries by the way. Demon Bell and no sugars rofl.

[@akkir6707]

very good analysis 👏

[@taywhit2593]

Great summery of a fantastic Boss. I always felt Isshin was the perfect final foe to face as he mirrors the player character in so many ways. Like Sekiro, he spent his life mastering so many different combat styles. He polished his technique in the blood of his enemies and Wolf polished his technique through death after death after death. There is also the beautiful contrast of their clothing, the orange of Sekiro’s garb and the blue of Isshin’s robes. The only thing that always confused me was the “Immortality Severed” message at the end of the fight. I always though it was because prior to the fight, Genichiro stabbed Kuro and his blood coated the black mortal blade. In the moment of taking his own life, Genichiro not only brought back his grandfather back, but also transferred kuro’s immortality onto him. Though that’s just my theory.

[@thenobletaco4232]

I played the Shura ending first, so when I got to Saint Issin on my second run I thought I could win pretty easily. I finally rage quit after who knows how many deaths. I came back to the game about a year later and went into the fight with a mindset of just being patient and learning his moveset without the actual goal of killing him. In the end, I really actually enjoyed the fight and it was so satisfying after learning his moveset it felt like a dance. The first time I entered his third faze is when I finally killed him. Took me about a day and a half, and who knows how many tries.

[@gregoryporter-gaming2559]

7:30 In the shura ending he also utilizes the fire Sekiro is creating. the fire does not come from Isshin, but Sekiro because he is transforming to Shura

[@blodiaaa6990]

I need to replay this game

[@criticalrants]

It’s so worthwhile to replay it. I’ve beaten it like eight times now and I still feel compelled to go back

[@qrangejuice8225]

I got sekiro only a couple months ago, and I just recently beat NG1. I beat Isshin in 3 tries, which I honestly couldn't believe in the moment. I didn't use any tricks or cheese (I had watched ONGBAL beat him a few times but that's like trying to learn pickup basketball by watching a Michael Jordan Top 10 Moments video). All I did was... refuse to hesitate. I kept the pressure on, deflected when I needed to, and beat him fair and square, just because I knew how to fight. Best final boss ever.

[@pepperidgefarmsremembers92]

I just beat him. I constantly found myaelf running from his big attacks and getting frustrated. It wasn't until I saw that standing my ground and perfect parrying his Ichimonji, the big sweep and the vertical wind slice that you take no damage. It was amazing finally taking him down.

[@grimreefer213]

Sekiro is simply a masterpiece and a testament to the talent and hard work of FromSoftware, my now favorite game developer

[@aquila1290]

Isshin: Has a 7 hit combo Malenia: Hold my 43 hit waterfowl dance.

[@samuraigames4125]

Lol isshin stomps tho

[@davidnewhart2533]

Me: throws freezing water pot Malenia: frozen in fear Isshin: "Hesitation is defeat."

[@LLachs283]

i cant explain how i felt after finishing him. this was the greatest moment in videogames i ever experienced

[@Shrapnel2603]

Though he has been beaten many times by me now , I still recognize him as the greatest swordsman Ashina will ever have. Pure skill.

[@Whistler112]

Just beat this boss in ng+2 for the first time and he was fucking formidable, requiring near perfect concentration for over a 10 minute period. What a battle.

[@bfranciscop]

Glock Saint Isshin is such a damn cool fight, last time I played Sekiro I just threw myself over the cliff instead of performing the final execution, just so I could fight him again and again.

[@tmkai607]

I recently beat Sword Saint Isshin and it is probably my favorite boss in any game so far. He takes every mechanics you've learned throughout the whole game and give you a final test. The feeling of getting that final deathblow is like completing my finals exams and taking a look at the score and passed

[@lml55]

You used a clip of the shock status effect, when saying "It's shocking to say this but-" You earned an instasub for that

[@Shad0wCK]

Can you imagine what would have happened if Isshin beat Wolf? I don't think anyone would have been able to stop him, I imagine he would kill everything

[@Wonkess_Chonkess]

And now remember that wolf beat that. If isshin would be unstoppable I couldn't even imagine what wolf would be.

[@shrekkek9396]

@@Wonkess_Chonkess Well, we actually can (shura)

[@gtx1650max-q]

I loved this game so much that when I reached at the end leaving Demon of Hatred and Isshin the Sword Saint, I wasn't feeling it that I learned this game enough. So after several tries of defeating Isshin, Demon Of hatred was scary AF I restarted the whole game. And in my first playthrough I was 43 hours excluding last 2 bosses and in my second playthrough I defeated everyone except few underwater useless headless in under 25 hours. I really wish I could forget this game.

[@nachogarcia8217]

Just to show how familiarized I got with the game, I did first try his third and fourth phase. The funny thing is the first phase still demolishes me and sometime even genichiro kills me when I screw up. But the game is so good at showing you it’s systems, that even being hit by the lightning, the gun and falling down a cliff, I did everything else perfectly while sweating profusely

[@Estoylax]

I also like that in isshins second phase if you deflect his thrusting attack in his combo he has an even longer combo, stretching to 15 and maybe even more attacks

[@atlasgaming6125]

After beating the game and coming back to it a couple of years later to platinum it. I finally felt like I truly mastered it. I can't ever blame the game for bugging out on me but God damn! The details in the area of the final fight are also perfect. Cause when ever I would jump to counter the lightning attack I would step on an elevated mound and it would damage me before I even swing. It's perfect

[@CrazedBird]

Sekiro as a whole has the most satisfying and challenging bosses in any game, period. Isshin is the perfect final boss, both awe-inspiring story spectacle and genuine gameplay combat challenge. Isshin is without a doubt my favorite boss in any game.

[@localfriendlycloud7720]

Listening to isshins stories is legit so great, he really just your amazing grandpa

[@rowgesage936]

i never noticed him intercepting the lightning, god i beat this game so many times and i still learn new things

[@258shoff]

Beat him with zero prosthetics. I ran out of emblems quickly, and didn’t feel like farming them and kept going back

[@wilsusonnect795]

Very good analysis. Two things I'd like to comment on: 1. I think that the lightning stuff making the fight easier isn't just to give the player room to breathe, but I believe it's a narrative tool. As you said correctly, if the player gets hit, that lightning attack hits like several trucks. After being bested in phase one and again in the second phase, it's my interpretation that Isshin realizes his own strength is not enough. He pulls out all the stops and leans into the Way of Tomoe in hopes of getting that one devastating blow in that might shift the balance back in his favor, even if it means that he offers himself up to a powerful counterattack. Because if he doesn't get that hit, he will lose anyway. But even more than that, Isshin talks about Tomoe when you give him Sake. He says he was very taken by her and that meeting her was the closest he had ever come to death. I think his third phase actually ties into that. When he uses the Way of Tomoe against Sekiro, he offers him the means to win the fight. In the moment close to death, he is once again close to Tomoe and this closeness ends up being the instrument of his own destruction. 2. He doesn't only encourage Sekiro to kill him. The Japanese ritual suicide, Seppuku, is actually a beheading. The person who performs Seppuku kneels and cuts open their own stomach, but that is not the cause of death. It is merely a show of dedication and not even strictly necessary. After cutting open their stomach, the person would lower their head in order to signal to a "helper" standing behind them that they are ready to be beheaded. In the case of Isshin, Sekiro is in the exact position where the helper would be, Isshin is kneeling and bowing his head and even verbally communicates that he's ready, upon which Sekiro cuts Isshin's neck. This role of the helper is an extremely important one, because they are responsible for preserving the performer's dignity and grant them a swift death. The fact that Isshin assumes this pose is a show of very high respect towards Sekiro.

[@johnnyd.1004]

I love the English dub for this game, especially Genichiro. Ray Chase knocked it out of the park, and Wolf and Isshin were pretty good, too.

[@nicholasgrey5225]

By far the hardest final boss for me personally in all of the souls games. But I absolutely love him the arena, and every second of this fight . Never felt more like a badass in a game before or since

[@gabesgaming7064]

There’s almost a strange tunnel vision peace in the last moments when you know you won and just wait for that red death blow to appear.

[@samuraigames4125]

Isshin at the start: Don't forget sekiro, hesitate and you lose Isshin in the finale: Hesitation is defeat I love this guy