Storyline
The series takes place in 16th-century feudal Japan. The original story (Stealth Assassins) revolves around two ninjas, Rikimaru and Ayame, who have both been members of the Azuma ninja clan since childhood. The two ninjas 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 sought to destroy Lord Gohda, and using his demon warrior Onikage, wreaked havoc throughout Lord Gohda's province. Although Mei-Oh was killed in the first game, Onikage appeared in all subsequent games (except Fatal Shadows and Sehran/Z) 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 newer Tenchu games:
- Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins is the prequel to Stealth Assassins which depicts Rikimaru and Ayame as teenagers first being taught the ways of the ninja by their master Shiunsai, this game also indicate their fellow ninja and former master of the Azuma clan Tatsumaru.
- Tenchu: Stealth Assassins is the continuation of Birth of the Stealth Assassins. This story takes place after Tenchu 2, which is set 7 years earlier.
- Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven is the continuation of Stealth Assassins.
- Tenchu: Shadow Assassins is the continuation of Wrath of Heaven. The Story takes place 1 year after the events in Tenchu 3.
Unrelated to main storyline are: Tenchu: Fatal Shadows, Tenchu: Time of the Assassins, Tenchu: Dark Secret, Tenchu Z and Shadow Assault: Tenchu.
Read more about this topic: Tenchu