Ending Guide

Way of the Samurai 3's branching storyline features 22 unique endings, with the 22nd being a secret ending that isn't tied to the trophy set. This guide will show you which Inklings to trigger, which dialogue options to choose and which miscellaneous tasks to complete to unlock all of those endings. Note that many of the endings can be unlocked in multiple ways, and that this list is by no means exhaustive, nor does it necessarily represent the most coherent version of each story arc.

Completion of Endings #1-#21 unlocks the following trophies:
"Ending" for completing one ending
"Five Stories" for completing five endings
"Victory" for completing the True Ending ("Denouement")
"Way of the Samurai" for completing all endings


Ending #1 - Denouement ("True Ending")
Prologue: Peasants, choose dialogue option #1
Takatane Village:
Munechika
Kota, choose dialogue option #2
Castle Amana: Join Fujimori clan
Castle Minori: Join Ouka clan
Castle Minori: Yuma
Kuchihagahara (Night): Shinnosuke
Kuchihagahara (Night): Shinnosuke / Yuma
Kuchihagahara (Night): Shinnosuke / Osei
Kuchihagahara (Night): Shinnosuke, choose dialogue option #2
The Road: Setsuen, speak to him after the cut scene
Takatane Village: Kota, choose dialogue option #3
Castle Amana: Shinnosuke / Kirie, choose dialogue option #2
Kuchihagahara: Shinnosuke, choose dialogue option #1
Nobunaga Event (Automatic)
Takatane Village: Munechika / Osei
Castle Minori:
Genjuro, choose dialogue option #3 (non-essential)
Shinnosuke
Yuma, choose dialogue option #1, defeat him using blunt attacks
Takatane Village: Munechika, choose dialogue option #3
Kuchihagagara: choose dialogue options #3, #1 and #1

Ending #2 - With Osei
Prologue: Peasants, choose dialogue option #1
Takatane Village:
Munechika
Kota, choose dialogue option #2
Omiki Town: Princess Araragi
Castle Amana: Join Fujimori clan
The Road: Setsuen, speak to him after the cut scene
Castle Minori: Join Ouka clan
The Road: Setsuen
Takatane Village:
Munechika
<<< To proceed, you must build Osei's trust until she relocates to the fields.* >>>
Kuchihagahara: Shinnosuke, choose dialogue option #2
The Road (Night): Setsuen / Zaji
Takatane Village: Kota, choose dialogue option #3
Castle Amana: Shinnosuke / Kirie, choose dialogue option #2
Takatane Village (Evening): Osei, choose dialogue option #1
Nobunaga Event (Automatic)
Takatane Village: Munechika / Osei
Castle Minori:
Genjuro, choose dialogue option #3 (non-essential)
Shinnosuke
Yuma, choose dialogue option #1, defeat him using blunt attacks
Takatane Village: Osei, choose dialogue option #1
Guard Gate (Automatic)
* Which dialogue options you choose when talking to Osei can determine whether or not you receive this Ending.


Ending #3 - Death of a Samurai
Prologue: Peasants, choose dialogue option #1
Takatane Village:
Munechika
Kota, choose dialogue option #2
Omiki Town: Princess Araragi
Castle Amana: Join Fujimori clan
The Road: Setsuen, speak to him after the cut scene
Castle Minori: Join Ouka clan
The Road: Setsuen
Takatane Village: Munechika, choose dialogue options #2 and #1
Castle Amana: Shinnosuke, agree to accompany him, speak to him after
The Road (Night): Setsuen / Zaji
Castle Amana: Shinnosuke / Kirie
Takatane Village: Kota, choose dialogue option #3
The Road (Night): Zaji
Nobunaga Event (Automatic)
Takatane Village: Munechika / Osei
Castle Minori:
Genjuro, choose dialogue option #3 (non-essential)
Shinnosuke
Yuma, choose dialogue option #1, defeat him using blunt attacks
Takatane Village: Osei / Shinnosuke, choose dialogue option #1

Ending #4 - End of Sakurai Clan
Prologue: Peasants, choose dialogue option #1
Takatane Village:
Munechika
Kota, choose dialogue option #2
Omiki Town: Princess Araragi
Castle Amana: Join Fujimori clan
The Road: Setsuen, speak to him after the cut scene
Castle Minori: Join Ouka clan
The Road: Setsuen
Takatane Village: Munechika, choose dialogue options #2 and #1
Castle Amana: Shinnosuke, agree to accompany him, speak to him after
The Road (Night): Setsuen / Zaji
Castle Amana: Shinnosuke / Kirie
Takatane Village: Kota, choose dialogue option #3
The Road (Night): Zaji
Nobunaga Event (Automatic)
Takatane Village: Munechika / Osei
Castle Minori:
Genjuro, choose dialogue option #3 (non-essential)
Shinnosuke
Yuma, choose dialogue option #1, defeat him using blunt attacks
Takatane Village: Osei / Shinnosuke, choose dialogue option #2
Kuchihagahara

Ending #5 - Rebirth of Sakurai Clan
Prologue: Peasants, choose dialogue option #1
Takatane Village:
Munechika
Kota, choose dialogue option #2
Castle Amana: Join Fujimori clan
Castle Minori: Join Ouka clan
Castle Minori: Yuma
Kuchihagahara (Night): Shinnosuke
Kuchihagahara (Night): Shinnosuke / Yuma
Kuchihagahara (Night): Shinnosuke / Osei
Kuchihagahara (Night): Shinnosuke, choose dialogue option #2
The Road: Setsuen, speak to him after the cut scene
Takatane Village: Kota, choose dialogue option #3
Castle Amana: Shinnosuke / Kirie, choose dialogue option #2
Kuchihagahara: Shinnosuke, choose dialogue option #1
Nobunaga Event (Automatic)
Takatane Village: Munechika
Castle Minori:
Genjuro, choose dialogue option #3 (non-essential)
Shinnosuke
Yuma, choose dialogue option #1, defeat him using blunt attacks
Takatane Village: Munechika, choose dialogue option #1

Ending #6 - A Song of Defeat
Prologue: Peasants, choose dialogue option #1
Takatane Village:
Munechika
Kota, choose dialogue option #2
Omiki Town: Princess Araragi
Castle Amana: Join Fujimori clan
The Road: Setsuen, speak to him after the cut scene
Castle Minori: Join Ouka clan
The Road: Setsuen
Takatane Village: Munechika, choose dialogue options #2 and #1
Castle Amana: Shinnosuke, agree to accompany him, speak to him after
The Road (Night): Setsuen / Zaji
Castle Amana: Shinnosuke / Kirie
Takatane Village: Kota, choose dialogue option #3
The Road (Night): Zaji
Nobunaga Event (Automatic)
Takatane Village: Munechika / Osei
Castle Minori:
Genjuro, choose dialogue option #3 (non-essential)
Shinnosuke
Yuma, choose dialogue option #1, defeat him using blunt attacks
Takatane Village: Osei / Shinnosuke, choose dialogue option #2
Kuchihagahara: Draw your sword during the cut scene, choose dialogue options #1 and #2.

Ending #7 - The Chagrin of Shinnosuke
Prolgue: Peasants, choose dialogue option #1
Takatane Village
Munechika
Kill Osei
<<< Trigger whichever inklings you like until the Nobunaga Event. >>>
Nobunaga Event (Automatic)
Takatane Village: Shinnosuke
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Ending #8 - Usurping the Throne
Prologue: Peasants, choose dialogue option #1
Takatane Village:
Munechika
Kota, choose dialogue option #2
Omiki Town: Princess Araragi
Castle Amana: Join Fujimori clan
The Road: Setsuen, speak to him after the cut scene
Castle Minori: Join Ouka clan
Kuchihagahara: Shinnosuke / Yuma
Kuchihagahara (Night): Shinnosuke / Osei
Kuchihagahara (Night): Shinnosuke, choose dialogue option #2
Takatane Village: Kota, choose dialogue option #3
Castle Amana: Shinnosuke / Kirie
Castle Amana: Shinnosuke / Kirie, choose dialogue option #2
Kuchihagahara (Night): Shinnosuke, choose dialogue option #1
Nobunaga Event (Automatic)
Takatane Village: Munechika / Osei
Castle Minori:
Genjuro, choose dialogue option #3 (non-essential)
Shinnosuke
Yuma, choose dialogue option #1, defeat him using blunt attacks
Takatane Village: Osei / Shinnosuke, choose dialogue options #2 and #1

Ending #9 - Death of Shuzen 1
Prologue: Peasants, choose dialogue option #1
Takatane Village:
Munechika
Kota, choose dialogue option #2
Omiki Town: Princess Araragi
Castle Amana:
Join Fujimori clan
<<< To proceed, you must build Fujimori clan's trust by completing jobs for Kiyonari. >>>
The Road: Setsuen, speak to him after the cut scene
Castle Minori: Join Ouka clan
The Road: Setsuen
Castle Amana: Shuzen, draw your sword during the cut scene, select dialogue option #2
Castle Amana (Night): Princess Araragi
Kuchihagagara (Night): Shinnosuke, choose dialogue option #1
Castle Minori: Yuma
Castle Amana: Shuzen and Princess Araragi
Kuchihagagara: Shinnosuke
Nobunaga Event (Automatic)
Castle Amana: no cut scene, speak to Nanba at the castle entrance
Castle Minori:
Automatic Event
Enter the Castle through the front or back entrances (back entrance recommended)
Storm the castle keep, defeat Genjuro
Castle Amana:
Defeat Shinnosuke (and Yuma if you entered Castle Minori through the front entrance)
Defeat Itsuse
Shuzen, choose dialogue option #2

Ending #10 - Death of Shuzen 2
Prologue: Peasants, choose dialogue option #1
Takatane Village:
Munechika
Kota, choose dialogue option #2
Omiki Town: Princess Araragi
Castle Amana:
Join Fujimori clan
<<< To proceed, you must build Fujimori clan's trust by completing jobs for Kiyonari. >>>
The Road: Setsuen, speak to him after the cut scene
Castle Minori: Join Ouka clan
The Road: Setsuen
Castle Amana: Shuzen, draw your sword during the cut scene, select dialogue option #2
Castle Amana (Night): Princess Araragi
Kuchihagagara (Night): Shinnosuke, choose dialogue option #1
Castle Minori: Yuma
Castle Amana: Shuzen and Princess Araragi, draw your sword during the cut scene

Ending #11 - Death of Shuzen 3
Prologue: Peasants, choose dialogue option #1
Takatane Village:
Munechika
Kota, choose dialogue option #2
Omiki Town: Princess Araragi
Castle Amana:
Join Fujimori clan
<<< To proceed, you must build Fujimori clan's trust by completing jobs for Kiyonari. >>>
Shuzen, defeat him in his chambers

Ending #12 - With Shuzen 1
Prologue: Peasants, choose dialogue option #1
Takatane Village:
Munechika
Kota, choose dialogue option #2
Omiki Town: Princess Araragi
Castle Amana:
Join Fujimori clan
<<< To proceed, you must build Fujimori clan's trust by completing jobs for Kiyonari. >>>
The Road: Setsuen, speak to him after the cut scene
Castle Minori: Join Ouka clan
The Road: Setsuen
Castle Amana: Shuzen, draw your sword during the cut scene, select dialogue option #2
Castle Amana (Night): Princess Araragi
Kuchihagagara (Night): Shinnosuke, choose dialogue option #1
Castle Minori: Yuma
Castle Amana: Shuzen and Princess Araragi
Kuchihagagara: Shinnosuke
Nobunaga Event (Automatic)
Castle Amana: no cut scene, speak to Nanba at the castle entrance
Castle Minori:
Automatic Event
Enter the Castle through the front or back entrances (back entrance recommended)
Storm the castle keep, defeat Genjuro
Castle Amana:
Defeat Shinnosuke (and Yuma if you entered Castle Minori through the front entrance)
Defeat Itsuse
Shuzen, choose dialogue option #1

Ending #13 - With Shuzen 2
Prologue: Peasants, choose dialogue option #1
Takatane Village:
Munechika
Kota, choose dialogue option #2
Omiki Town: Princess Araragi
Castle Amana: Join Fujimori clan
The Road: Setsuen, speak to him after the cut scene
Castle Minori: Join Ouka clan
The Road: Setsuen
Takatane Village: Munechika, choose dialogue options #2 and #1
Castle Amana: Shinnosuke, agree to accompany him, speak to him after
The Road (Night): Setsuen / Zaji
Castle Amana: Shinnosuke / Kirie
Takatane Village: Kota, choose dialogue option #3
The Road (Night): Zaji
Nobunaga Event (Automatic)
Takatane Village: Munechika / Osei
Castle Minori:
Genjuro, choose dialogue option #3 (non-essential)
Shinnosuke
Yuma, choose dialogue option #1, defeat him using blunt attacks
Takatane Village: Osei / Shinnosuke, choose dialogue option #2
Kuchihagahara: Draw your sword during the cut scene, choose dialogue options #1 and #1.


Ending #14 - With Shuzen 3
Prologue: Peasants, choose dialogue option #1
Takatane Village:
Munechika
Kota, choose dialogue option #2
Omiki Town: Princess Araragi
Castle Amana: Join Fujimori clan
The Road: Setsuen, speak to him after the cut scene
Castle Minori: Join Ouka clan
Kuchihagahara: Shinnosuke / Yuma
Kuchihagahara (Night): Shinnosuke / Osei
Kuchihagahara (Night): Shinnosuke, choose dialogue option #2
Takatane Village: Kota, choose dialogue option #3
Castle Amana: Shinnosuke / Kirie
Castle Amana: Shinnosuke / Kirie, choose dialogue option #1
Takatane Village (Automatic)
Kuchihagahara
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Endings 15-21
Ending #15 - The Diabolic Wile 1
Prologue: Peasants, choose dialogue option #1
Takatane Village:
Munechika
Kota, choose dialogue option #2
Omiki Town: Princess Araragi
Castle Amana:
Join Fujimori clan
<<< To proceed, you must build Fujimori clan's trust by completing jobs for Kiyonari. >>>
The Road: Setsuen, speak to him after the cut scene
Castle Minori: Join Ouka clan
The Road: Setsuen
Castle Amana: Shuzen, draw your sword during the cut scene, select dialogue option #2
Castle Amana (Night): Princess Araragi
Kuchihagagara (Night): Shinnosuke, choose dialogue option #1
Castle Minori: Yuma
Castle Amana: Shuzen and Princess Araragi
<<< To proceed, you must reach 100 kills. >>>
Takatane Village (Day): no cut scene, speak to Maid outside your safe house
Castle Amana (Night): Princess Araragi
Nobunaga Event (Automatic)
Castle Amana: no cut scene, speak to Nanba at the castle entrance
Castle Minori:
Automatic Event
Enter the Castle through the front or back entrances (back entrance recommended)
Storm the castle keep, defeat Genjuro
Castle Amana:
Defeat Shinnosuke (and Yuma if you entered Castle Minori through the front entrance)
Defeat Itsuse
Defeat Shuzen using regular attacks



Ending #16 - The Diabolic Wile 2
Prologue: Peasants, choose dialogue option #1
Takatane Village:
Munechika
Kota, choose dialogue option #2
Omiki Town: Princess Araragi
Castle Amana:
Join Fujimori clan
<<< To proceed, you must build Fujimori clan's trust by completing jobs for Kiyonari. >>>
The Road: Setsuen, speak to him after the cut scene
Castle Minori: Join Ouka clan
The Road: Setsuen
Castle Amana: Shuzen, draw your sword during the cut scene, select dialogue option #2
Castle Amana (Night): Princess Araragi
Kuchihagagara (Night): Shinnosuke, choose dialogue option #1
Castle Minori: Yuma
Castle Amana: Shuzen and Princess Araragi
<<< To proceed, you must reach 100 kills. >>>
Takatane Village (Day): no cut scene, speak to Maid outside your safe house
Castle Amana (Night): Princess Araragi
Nobunaga Event (Automatic)
Castle Amana: no cut scene, speak to Nanba at the castle entrance
Castle Minori:
Automatic Event
Enter the Castle through the front or back entrances (back entrance recommended)
Storm the castle keep, defeat Genjuro
Castle Amana:
Defeat Shinnosuke (and Yuma if you entered Castle Minori through the front entrance)
Defeat Itsuse
Defeat Shuzen using blunt attacks

Ending #17 - Die as a Bandit
Prologue: Peasants, choose dialogue option #1
Takatane Village: Munechika
Castle Minori:
Join Ouka clan
Defeat Genjuro using regular attacks
<<< Trigger whichever inklings you like until the Nobunaga Event. >>>
Nobunaga Event (Automatic)
Castle Minori

Ending #18 - With Matsuzaki
Prologue: Peasants, choose dialogue option #1
Takatane Village:
Munechika
Kota, choose dialogue option #2
Omiki Town: Princess Araragi
Castle Amana: Join Fujimori clan
The Road: Setsuen, speak to him after the cut scene
Castle Minori: Join Ouka clan
The Road: Setsuen
Castle Minori (Night) (Automatic)
Castle Minori (Night): Genjuro, agree to accompany him
The Road (Night): Setsuen / Zaji
<<< To proceed, you must build Genjuro's trust.* >>>
Takatane Village: Kota, choose dialogue option #3
Castle Minori: Yuma
Castle Minori: Genjuro, choose dialogue option #1
Nobunaga Event (Automatic)
Castle Minori: Genjuro, choose dialogue option #3
* Which dialogue options you choose when talking to Genjuro can determine whether or not you receive this Ending.

Ending #19 - With Itsuse
Prologue: Peasants, choose dialogue option #1
Takatane Village:
Munechika
Kota, choose dialogue option #2
Omiki Town: Princess Araragi
Castle Minori: Join Ouka clan
The Road: Setsuen, speak to him after the cut scene
Castle Minori (Night): Itsuse, use the rear entrance to avoid triggering Yuma's Inkling
<<< To proceed, you must build Itsuse's trust by being her sparring partner multiple times. >>>
The Road: Setsuen
Castle Amana: Join Fujimori clan
Kuchihagahara (Night): Shinnosuke, choose dialogue option #1
The Road (Night): Setsuen / Zaji
Takatane Village: Kota, choose dialogue option #3
Castle Minori: Itsuse, choose dialogue option #3
Nobunaga Event (Automatic)
Castle Minori: Itsuse, choose dialogue option #1
Castle Amana

Ending #20 - Senseless Person
Prologue: Peasants, choose dialogue option #1
Takatane Village:
Munechika
Defeat Munechika and Osei using regular attacks
Castle Minori:
Join Ouka clan
Defeat Genjuro, Yuma and Itsuse using regular attacks
Kuchihagahara (Night): Shinnosuke, draw your sword during the cut scene, defeat him using regular attacks
<<< Without visiting Castle Amana, trigger whichever inklings you like until the Nobunaga Event. >>>
Nobunaga Event (Automatic)
<<< No inklings will appear for a few days. >>>
Takatane Village: Kota, choose dialogue option #2
Senseless Person Event (Automatic)

Ending #21 - Undercover
Prologue: Peasants, choose dialogue option #1
Takatane Village:
Munechika
Kota, choose dialogue option #2
Castle Amana: Join Fujimori clan
Castle Minori: Join Ouka clan
The Road: Setsuen, speak to him after the cut scene
The Road: Setsuen, speak to him after the cut scene, choose dialogue option #1
Kuchihagahara: Shinnosuke / Yuma
Castle Minori (Night) (Automatic)
Takatane Village: Munechika, choose dialogue option #1
The Road (Night): Setsuen / Zaji, speak to Setsuen after the cut scene, choose dialogue option #3
Kuchihagahara (Night): Shinnosuke, choose dialogue option #2
Takatane Village: Kota, choose dialogue option #3
The Road (Night): Zaji, choose dialogue option #3
Nobunaga Event (Automatic)
The Road (Night): Setsuen, choose dialogue option #1
Amana Castle
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Secret Ending
Secret Ending *

Way of the Samurai 3 players earn the game's secret ending (as well as the "Grim Reaper" title) by reaching 100% kill rate -- dispatching of every NPC in the game, saving Shuzen for last. Note that all of this must be accomplished before the Nobunaga Event is triggered.

Credit for this process goes to Gamespot user fuuinashi:
Prologue: Peasants, choose dialogue option #1
Takatane Village:
Kill everyone except the biwa player.
Castle Amana:
Join Fujimori clan
<<< Complete jobs for Kiyonari to gain access to Shuzen's quarters. >>>
Kill everyone except Shuzen.
Castle Minori:
Join Ouka clan
Kill everyone except Genjuro.
The Road:
Kill Setsuen and Fabled Merchant.
Visit the remaining areas during the Day, killing everyone except Genjuro, Shuzen and the one biwa player.
Visit the remaining areas during the Night, killing everyone except Genjuro, Shuzen and the one biwa player.
Revisit those same areas during the Day and Night again to make sure you haven't missed anyone.
Castle Minori:
Kill Genjuro
Kill NPCs that spawn by you becoming leader of Ouka clan.
Takatane Village:
Save your game.
Kill the biwa player and Leave Amana.
If you're at 99.45%, Shuzen is the only remaining NPC... reload your game and defeat him.
If you're below 99.45%, you've missed someone... reload your game and track them down.
* Completing the secret ending is not a requirement of the "Way of the Samurai" trophy.
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