Genshin

> "*I have stated my name. I have fought with all my being. All to forge a future for the Black Spider Clan. I have no regrets. Just as you have pursued a cause greater than yourself. So to have I.*"
> ― Genshin to Ryu[source]
>
>

**Genshin** (commonly referred to as **Janin'ō** in Japanese) was the former Overlord of the Black Spider Ninja Clan who plotted to prove the superiority of his clan to the Hayabusa Ninja Clan by conspiring with Elizébet's plan to ressurect the Archfiend.

Said to be the most ruthless ninja in the clan and wielder of the Blade of the Archfiend, Genshin harbors a intense hatred for the Dragon Lineage and later became leader of the Black Spider Clan after Obaba's demise. After being approached by Elisabet and offered the chance at the Haybusa Clan's destruction, he reluctantly accepted her proposition.

## Biography

### Early life

Long before the Dark Dragon Blade Incident, Genshin was born as one of the members of the Black Spider Ninja Clan and was the older brother of Gamov. During his lifetime, he forge a rivalry with Joe Hayabusa, whom would become the leader of the Hayabusa Ninja Clan.

Later in his lifetime, he would befriend Inukoma, who was the closest thing he had to an apprentice in the clan and also a figure of admiration for the former.

### Thirst for revenge

About six months after the Dark Dragon Blade Incident and the fall of Obaba, Genshin becomes the Overlord of the Black Spider clan and is approached by Elizébet on forging an alliance to resurrecting the Archfiend and in return, get his revenge on the Hayabusa Ninja Clan for one of their members killing Gamov. Despite his hesitation and some of his own clan member's protest, he agreed into an alliance with the Greater Fiend.

### *Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2*

Months later, he sends his student and Black Spider Middle Ninja, Shadow Ninja Rasetsu of the Dark Sect to Tokyo to distract Ryu Hayabusa, while he and an army of Black Spider Ninja attack the Castle of the Dragon. He duels Ryu's father Joe Hayabusa in the castle keep, and steals the Demon Statue, the artefact that the Hayabusa clan has guarded for millennia. Ryu bursts through the door to see his father fall through the floor. As Genshin gives Elizebet the Demon Statue, he duels Ryu and nearly kills him when Joe interferes. He fights Joe and leaves him in critical condition. Meanwhile, on the way to deliver the Statue to the Infernal High Priest in his sky fortress, the Daedalus, Genshin encounters Ryu and fights him again. In South America he tells Ryu that the Archfiend shall resurrect himself in Japan, under the sacred peak of Mt. Fuji, and that there is where Ryu will die. He fights Ryu at the top of the erupting summit and is killed. Elizebet appears and transforms the Ninja Overlord into a Greater Fiend.

With this newly obtained, incredible power, Genshin follows Ryu into the depths of the Netherworld and challenges him again. Despite the demonic power that Elizebet had given him, Genshin is defeated by the Dragon Ninja, his cursed body slain by the awakened Dragon Sword. With his dying breath, he tells Ryu that he had no regrets for what he's done, just as Ryu fought to uphold the Dragon Ninja legacy of justice, Genshin fought for the future of his clan. Acknowledging Ryu as a true Ninja, he gives him the Blade of the Archfiend and dies, his soul redeemed.

The Blade of the Archfiend later serves as a gravestone to Genshin in the Black Spider Ninja Graveyard at the summit of Mt. Fuji.

### *Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge*

After Canna transforms into the Goddess, the spirit of Black Spider Ninja leader appears before Ryu, giving the Dragon Ninja the soul of the Archfiend in order to awaken the Blade of the Archfiend to use to battle the Goddess.

## Personality

A ninja overlord, Genshin was said to be the most powerful and ruthless of the Black Spider Ninja Clan, owing up to the ownership of his favored weapon, the Blade of the Archfiend. A devout member of his clan, he contributes to the centuries old rivalry between his clan and the Hayabusa clan, wanting to prove his clan's superiority at any price and staked his honor to it as such. While acknowledging good and evil, his philosophy makes him believe that a true ninja know nether morale despite his actions bordering towards "darkness" by rival ninja Joe Hayabusa.

Despite his claim towards hating the Dragon Lineage for their transgressions against his clan, it is reveal his hatred for the lineage is personal; his motive for revenge is to avenge the death of Gamov, his younger brother, at the hands of Murai, unaware of his affiliation with the Hayabusa clan notwithstanding during to an unknown event in the past. While initially regarding Ryu as Joe's "cub", he comes to hold respect for the ninja due to his skill. His soul even bestows the true power of the Blade of the Archfiend.

Genshin possess a overwhelming charismatic side, being a popular figure in the Black Spider Ninja Clan, the majority of the entries on the subject of Genshin expressing respect and happiness in his ascension as overlord. In one entry, he is referred to as a "badass" and multiple figures in the clan aspire to be as skilled as him. He is considered a brilliant legend within the Black Spider Clan, his actions combined with his unwavering beliefs & charisma earning his many followers.

## Abilities

As one of the two people in the world to be recognized as a Super Ninja, Genshin was known to be one of the most skilled and powerful ninja in the world, rivaled only be Ryu Hayabusa and Joe Hayabusa in skill. He is also distinguished as being the most powerful and ruthless of the Black Spider Ninja Clan.

As a ninja, Genshin has a mastery in a number of fields including Ninpo, marital arts, archery and sword play. In battle, Genshin had superhuman physical abilities that allows him to withstand attacks from the Dragon Sword. His speed allows him to move fast enough to create after-images and to keep up with Ryu. In battle, Genshin utilizes a reverse grip style when using his sword and hold his own could against Joe Hayabusa, who was weakened from a battle with a previous foe and subsequently overpowered him. He could fight and stalemated against fellow Super Ninja Ryu Hayabusa in a sword fight twice, and was only defeated when the latter used the True Dragon Sword. With Ninpo, he can cast the Art of the Piercing Voice technique.

As a greater fiend, Genshin possess a superhuman level beyond that of his human form as a Greater Fiend though how much is unknown, as Ryu was still a match for it enough to be defeated. He still possess a superhuman level of durability and speed at a higher level despite his size. He had additional superhhuman pyrokinetic abilities and could teleport short distances at will.

## Equipment

* **Blade of the Archfiend**
* **Tekko-kagi**

## Behind the scenes

### Character concept

Genshin was created by Team NINJA to act as one of the main antagonist in the second game of the modern series.

Tomonobu Itagaki described Genshin as a man who wouldn't take "no" for an answer and is so focused on killing Ryu Hayabyusa to the point he would punish his lesser ninjas by killing them for failing, explaining why that even when dismembered, Black Spider Ninjas would still come after Ryu. Itagaki also explained that Ryu in the second game will face Genshin, a proud man and Super Ninja such like Ryu, who leads the militant faction of the Black Spider Clan and hoped the players, when fighting him, are reminded the impotance of what Ryu protects even at the risk of his own life.

Ninja Gaiden 3's design
Genshin's design in *Ninja Gaiden 3* was purposely designed to stick close to his appearance in the previous game but with rearranged details to fit with the game's realism thar forms between all the characters during that point. Team NINJA also adjusted his design so his face projects a more powerful image.

### Official descriptions

* Genshin's official biography from NGS2 website.
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* "*Leader of the Black Spider Ninja Clan, who rules with an iron will. While he appears cool-headed, the centuries old rivalry between his Clan and the Hayabusa Ninja Clan has left him seething with hatred just under his skin*" -- Ninja Gaiden 2 Sigma official website
* "*Overlord of the Black Spider Ninja Clan, the perpertual foes of the Hayabusa Clan. Despite having perishedd after a vicious battle with Ryu, he still casts a long shadow over the Dragon Ninja's mind.* -- *Ninja Gaiden 3: Unmasked Art Book*
* "*The brilliant legend of the Black Spider Ninja Clan. Though he stands nearly seven feet tall, he moves nimbly and skillfully-- the epitome of a true ninja. His actions, backed up by his unwavering beliefs, and his overwhelming charisma has earned him many followers.*" -- *Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2: Collection's Edition Book*
* "*A sworn enemy of the Hayabusa Clan, Genshin will not rest until he has taken out both Joe Hayabusa, its head, and Ryu Hayabusa, heir to the Dragon Sword. To this end he has joined causes with Elizébet, Queen of the Greater Fiends. Wielding claws on one hand and a sword in the other, he assaults his enemies with unrelenting force.*" -- Ninja Gaiden 2 Sigma+ official website

### Localization/Translation differences

In the *Ninja Gaiden 2 Sigma: Prima Official Game Guide* and the *Ninja Gaiden 2: Prima Offical Game Guide*, Genshin's greater fiend boss name is called "Evil Genshin". However, in the *Ninja Gaiden 3: Prima Official Game Guide*, he is instead called "Demon Genshin".

## Trivia

* In the Japanese dubs, Genshin is almost never referred to by name, but rather as "Janinou" which translates to "King of Evil Ninja", "Evil Ninja" most likely a reference to the Black Spider Clan.
* Genshin shares the same boss battle theme as Jin Hayabusa & Ken Hayabusa from *Nioh*.

## References

1. ↑ *Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge*
2. ↑ *Ninja Gaiden 2* -- Mission Mode description
3. ↑ *Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2: Collector's Edition Book*
4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 *Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2* Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "NGS2" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "NGS2" defined multiple times with different content
5. ↑ *Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2* - Inukoma's Notebook
6. ↑ *Ninja Gaiden 3: Unmasked Art Book*
7. ↑ *Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2* - Izo's Notebook
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 *Ninja Gaiden 2* - Chapter 2 Synopsis
9. ↑ *Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2* - Inukoma's Noteboook
10. ↑ *Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2* - Izo's Notebook
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `NG2`
12. ↑ *Ninja Gaiden 2* art book
13. ↑ *Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2*: Izo's Notebook
14. ↑ *Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge*
15. ↑ *Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2: Collector's Edition Book*
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `NG3UAB`
17. ↑ *Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2* - Blade of the Archfiend description
18. ↑ *Ninja Gaiden II*
19. ↑ *Heading this enemy clan is Genshin, a guy who doesn't take "no" for an answer. Which makes Ryu's job that much more difficult. "Genshin is so focused on killing Ryu that if one of his lesser ninjas doesn't kill Hayabusa, Genshin will kill them for failing," Itakagi says. "So since they have nothing to lose, they're still going to come at you even when they get an arm chopped off or a leg chopped off."* - 1Up's Ninja Gaiden II Preview (defunct)
20. ↑ "*Another Super Ninja will stand in Ryu Hayabusa's way this time around. I don't mean the Ryu look-alike "doppelganger," either. This is a proud man that leads the militant faction of the Black Spider Clan, and his name is Genshin. The fight with the Genshin will make you remember once again what it is that a man must protect, even at the cost of his own life.*" -Itagaki, Gamer Informer Magazine, issue March 2008
21. ↑ *Ninja Gaiden 3: Unmasked Art Book*