Sekiro ending - getting all of Sekiro's endings

Guide by Dave Irwin Former Guides Writer

Published on April 29, 2019

Since Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice has multiple endings, and in typical From Software fashion, there are a couple of points of no return that lock you into certain endings. If you do not want to see what the ending are for Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, do not read on as this will give spoilers on how to achieve each ending. You have been warned.

Those new and old to the library of From Software may wish to know more tips and tricks to get started, as well as some of the more complicated things that can occur while playing. Head to our Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice guide hub for everything you need to know.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice ending guide

This guide will give details of each of the four endings of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, the points of no return, and the steps you need to take to achieve the endings.

There are four in total: Return, Immortal Severance, Purification, and Shura. While saying one is better than the others is subjective with any From Software game from the past few years, the Return ending seems like the true ending. Before we go into any endings, note that there are two points of no return.

Return ending - Make sure that you finish all of the objectives before completing the Divine Dragon fight (tips for that are in our Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Divine Dragon guide). Kuro is temporarily unavailable after beating the Corrupted Monk until after you beat Great Shinobi - Owl - tips for fighting him are in our Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Great Shinobi Owl guide.
Purification ending - Make sure that you finish the objectives before completing the Divine Dragon fight (tips for that are in our Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Divine Dragon guide).
Immortal Severance ending - Choose to side with Lord Kuru. There are no other objectives.
Shuru ending - Choose to side with the Great Shinobi - Owl when prompted. There are no other objectives.

Return ending

There are a lot of steps you need to take in order to achieve this particular ending. I've bullet pointed the steps you need to take, so I recommend highlighting the step you are currently on so you can keep track. Without further ado - the steps needed to get the Return ending.

Play through the game until you reach the section with the Divine Child of Rejuvenation's Inner Sanctum - just after defeating the Folding Screen Monkeys (read our Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Folding Screen Monkeys guide for the tips to beat this boss).
Take the rice that she gives you.
Leave and keep returning/leaving, taking rice when you can. Her condition will deteriorate, so keep leaving and returning.
When she can't give any more rice, she'll request a persimmon.
Go to the Idol just before the Armored Knight, turn around and look off the cliff. Jump to the platform you see and run to the tent.
Buy two persimmon fruit from the vendor for 30 sen each.
Give one to the Child of Rejuvenation.
She'll give you some more rice, as well as a special rice packet for the Divine Heir.
Fast travel to the Divine Heir on top of Ashina Castle and give him the special rice for Kuro.
Go back to the Child of Rejuvenation and give her the other persimmon.
If she has any rice, take it, otherwise head back to Lord Kuro.
Eat the Sweet Rice Ball he gives you.
Return to the Inner Sanctum and tell the girl what Lord Kuro did with the rice.
Give the Divine Child the Holy Tome: Infested item. This is found in Senpou Temple in the pool of water near the Temple Grounds idol if you've beaten Genichiro, or takling to the monk by the Main Hall idol if you haven't.
Go to the Folding Monkeys Boss area and walk to her. She'll need another tome.
Head to the Main Hall idol and go into the caves to the left of the main entrance. Just before the climb, you'll see many bodies, including a purple robed man. Take the tome on his person.
Give the new tome to the Divine Child. She'll now ask for two fruits from the snakes.
Next, fast-travel to the Bodhisattva Valley idol and work your way down. There is a cave behind the Memorial Mob vendor.
Go through the cave until you see the snake's head. Drop down to the left at this point.
Use puppeteer on the monkey to distract the snake. Leap up and grapple to the building. Inside is the Dried Serpent Viscera.
Head to the Senpou Temple idol.
From there, jump downwards and head towards the cliff edge to your right. There should be a "Rat" enemy. Use the puppeteer ninjitsu ability to control him so you can fly the kite.
Go through the level until you've gone through the rafters and are in the ceiling of a building. Coming out you'll see a large tree. Grapple up it and grapple across to the other side of the canyon on the kite.
Follow the path until you receive the Fresh Serpent Viscera.
Return to the Divine Child in the Inner Sanctum and give her the viscera. Leave and return until you can speak to her. She'll give you the Frozen Tears item.
Complete the game by staying loyal to Kuro and defeating the final boss; steps on how to do this are in our Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Isshin, the Sword Saint guide. You'll use the Frozen Tears along with the items needed to perform the Immortal Severance.

Sekiro's other endings

Of course there are other endings to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. None are as complicated as the 'Return' ending, but here are some instructions on what you need to do to get the other endings:

Immortal Severance

This is the standard ending for the game. It begins with the decision to either stay loyal to Lord Kuro or side with the Great Shinobi Owl. Side with Kuro and defeat the Owl (look at our Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Great Shinobi Owl guide for more on this boss). It's imperative that you do not use the item gained from visiting the Hirata Estate the second time via the steps for the Purification ending. You can just finish the game to get this one but you'll need to defeat Isshin Ashina's best form, so go to our Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Isshin, the Sword Saint guide for tips on how to complete the game.

Purification

Side with Lord Kuro once again and defeat the Owl. After you've done this, head to Isshun's room (follow the smoke signals from Lord Kuro's room to the outside and across the pagoda roofs.) and eavesdrop on Isshin and Emma. Go back to Lord Kuro's room and eavesdrop on him from behind a corner. Once you've spied on both Emma and Kuro, rest up. Talk to Emma about Kuro and agree with her, before resting again and talking to her once more.

From there, go to the Old Grave idol and head left. You'll be able to talk to Emma here. After this conversation, go to the Sculptor's shrine and eavesdrop on both Emma and the Sculptor from behind the building. Confront Emma to get a bell which you can use at the Buddha statue, much like you did with the bells earlier in the game. Go through the level until you come to where the fight with Lady Butterfly was. Instead you'll find the Owl standing in the burning building. Kill him to receive among other things an Aromatic Flower - our Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Owl (Father) guide should assist with this. Return to Emma to present the flower. Complete the game after doing this and interact with Lord Kuro, making sure to give the Everblossom as well.

Shura

When confronted by the Owl and given the ultimatum, side with the Owl rather than Lord Kuro. This will trigger two boss fights that you must beat in order to get the Shura ending. You can find guides for how to beat both Emma and Isshin Ashina in our Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Isshin Ashina guide.

And those are the endings of Sekiro and how to get them. Of course, when fighting the many bosses of Sekiro, it's a good idea to have your PC optimised so that you have plenty of frames to dodge or deflect attacks. Katharine has had plenty of experience with the game's options menu, so head to our Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice PC graphics performance guide to find out the best settings for your rig.