Tenchu

The series takes place in feudal Japan. The original story revolves around two ninja: Rikimaru (力丸) and Ayame (彩女). Rikimaru is a tall, silver-haired ninja with a single ninjato named Izayoi and a scar over his right eye. He is stronger than Ayame but relatively slower. Ayame is a kunoichi, or female ninja, wearing standard ninja clothes with her midriff exposed. She carries a pair of kodachi. She is faster and has more combos than Rikimaru, but is the weaker of the two. Both have been members of the Azuma ninja clan since childhood.

The two ninja serve the heroic Lord Gohda, and work for him as his secret spies to root out corruption and gather intelligence in his province. However, the evil demonic sorcerer Lord Mei-Oh seeks to destroy Lord Gohda, and using his lackey Onikage, wreaks havoc throughout Lord Gohda’s province. Although Meioh was killed in the first game, Onikage appeared in all subsequent games (except Fatal Shadows) as the archenemy of the two ninja, especially Rikimaru. Another major character who shows up frequently is Princess Kiku, Lord Gohda’s daughter who is often the damsel in distress.

The storyline has been continuously expanded with the release of the newer Tenchu series.