From Software is notoriously known for creating stellar gameplay experiences, all with the common thread being constantly high-octane boss fighters that will test a player’s skill, wit, patience, luck, and determination.Sekiro: Shadows Die Twiceabsolutely does this as well but in a completely different way thanks to the Deflect system it introduces.
And, amongall the bosses this game offers, these are the ones that truly stand out as the best blend of difficulty and satisfaction. These are the type of bosses that players cannot help but keep bashing their heads against, even though they told themselves they’d stop hours ago. So, let’s highlight the best of the best bosses fromSekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
Updated on June 05, 2025, by Gerardo Molina:Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is considered by many FromSoftware fans to be the hardest game the developer has ever released, as it retains the same level of challenge that other titles offer, yet ups the ante with a complex blocking and dodgin system that make the experience feel fresh. While some bosses in the game are downright frustrating, others are very fun to fight, even if players die several times to them. The fast-paced combat mechanics make for a very entertaining experience and create an unmatched sense of accomplishment once players manage to bring down these formidable foes and perform a Shinobi execution on them.
22True Corrupted Monk
It’s funny to have the ‘real’ version of a boss be below the ‘spectral’ version in terms of satisfaction, but there’s a reason for this. At the point in the game where players first encounter Corrupted Monk, they’ve probably gotthe combat system ofSekiro: Shadows Die Twicedown, at least to a pretty reliable degree. However, the Corrupted Monk is going to ask even more of them, and will even ask them to rely on consumables to get through the battle.
TheTrue Corrupted Monkin Fountainhead Palace is arguably a harder fight in terms of pure mechanics. But, at this point in the game, Wolf has sort of ‘outscaled’ the True Corrupted Monk (at least on average) and the battle feels a bit easier than the spectral battle in Mibu Village in exchange. Plus, this is sort of the same boss over again (albeit with a good number of new moves) so it’ll never have that same satisfaction as the first time.
21Folding Screen Monkeys
Boss: Senpou Temple
TheFolding Screen Monkeysare, by no means, the hardest boss fight in the game, as they don’t pose a significant challenge to players and don’t even have that big of a health bar. However, they’re extremely quick and able to dodge players’ attacks in the blink of an eye, turning the fight into an endless chase that can take a very long time. Moreover, the monkey in the white robes is invisible, which makes this encounter even harder, as players will have to keep an eye out for small footsteps throughout the temple.
The monkey in the purple robes has great vision, but poor hearing, so it will run away from players when it spots them. The one in the orange robes has poor hearing and vision, but can make a ruckus when it spots players, alerting other monkeys and causing them to flee. Finally, the monkey in the green robes has great hearing, but poor vision, so it will run away from players when it hears them approaching. Using items like Gachiin’s Sugar Shinobi Firecrackers can help make this fight easier, allowing players to complete it quickly and obtain the following rewards:
All in all, while the Folding Screen Monkeys aren’t too difficult and don’t really pose a threat to players, once they manage to defeat them, they will likely be able to relax after overcoming this frustrating obstacle.
20Divine Dragon
TheDivine Dragon, as a battle, really isn’t all that satisfying.It’s beautiful visually, sure, and it does require some real skill on the player’s end to get through it. However, the real satisfaction of the Divine Dragon boss fight comes from everything leading up to it. Throughout the entire game, players keep hearing about how Kuro has the regenerative and restorative abilities of the Dragon’s Divine Heir, and players can see that’s true from the fact Wolf never fully ‘stays dead’ after being granted a portion of this power.
However, seeingthe actual ‘source’ of this power AKA the Divine Dragon, besting it in combat, and taking those Dragon Tears from it as a prize makes it feel like the journey up to this point has truly been ‘worth it’.
19Shinobi Hunter: Enshin Of Misen
Mini-Boss: Hirata Estate
TheShinobi Hunter’mini-boss' is probablySekiro’sbest example of an enemy that starts at the level of a boss or mini-boss, but afterward very quickly becomes nothing more than an elite mob at best. When players first encounter the Shinobi Hunter in the Hirata Estate, they’ll likely die to him very quickly and be stunned that a ‘basic mob’ just took them out like that.
Then, after returning to him, they’ll still probably die at least a couple more times. It’s true, as those who never ended up relying on the Mikiri Counter end up spending a lot of time struggling with the Shinobi Hunter, and it’s one of the first big roadblocks of the game as a result. But, once players figure out how the Mikiri Counter works, the Shinobi Hunter is a breeze.
18Snake Eyes Shirafuji
Boss: Sunken Valley
AlthoughSnake Eyes Shirafujiis considered to be more of a mini-boss than an actual boss, she poses a formidable challenge to players, especially since they encounter her rather early on in the game, at a point where they’re still learning the ropes in combat and other aspects. She can be encountered in the Sunken Valley, on a platform on the way to the Gun Fort Sculptor’s Idol. Snake Eyes Shirafuji has a very interesting attack pattern that, while not too complex, will put players’ skills to the test on more than one occasion. Bringing her down isn’t too hard if players have managed to practice their combat skills enough before the fight, but this isn’t always the case, so she’ll likely require them to face her more than once before they can emerge victorious. The rewards players will get for defeating Snake Eyes Shirafuji are:
This might not seem like much, especially after such an intense fight, but for that point in the game, those resources can go a long way.
17Okami Leader Shizu
This next ‘boss’ is on here for a very specific reason. When players reach Fountainhead Palace, get past the True Corrupted Monk, and end up in the area just past the Sakura Bull of the Palace, they’ll see an illustrious palace, a large lake (with the Great Coloured Carp inside), and a whole lot of area explore.
But, they’ll quickly find out it’s painful to explore this area, as theOkami Leader Shizuup in the trees above, all the way on the other side of the lake, is constantly barraging Wolf with these Kemari Balls infused with Lightning. They’re not exactly difficult to dodge, but if he stands still at all they’ll knock the wind out of him and it makes getting around this area of the Palace an absolute chore. So, when players finally go around to the back of this area and come around to the large Sakura branch Shizu is sitting on, the payback feels amazing. Funnily enough, for all the lead-up to this fight, Shizu falls incredibly easily.
16Juzou The Drunkard
Starting things off with the large and powerfulJuzou the Drunkard. This guy is definitely a force to be reckoned with that players can’t just ‘charge at’ on sight and power through it. He’s first encountered at the Hirada Estate and has a number of fellow enemies surrounding his area that can (thankfully) be stealthily taken out. This will not only clear the area for the battle but also allow for a stealthy Deathblow to completely skip the first part of Juzou’s fight
At this point in the game, new players tend to get overwhelmed by Juzou, which is why he’s on here. Additionally, that’s also why Tokujiro the Glutton isn’t on here, because by that point in the game, players are much more skilled at the combat system overall.
15The Blazing Bull
Mini-Boss: Ashina Castle
While there were a number of soldiers and difficult enemies faced by the point players first reached the gates of Ashina Castle, those were just basic enemies. No newSekiroplayer could’ve been prepared for the arrival of theBlazing Bull. The name pretty much describes it all, it’s a massive bull with a flaming tinder strapped to its horns to keep it in a rage and flailing around as much as possible.
Because it’s unpredictable, the battle can be incredibly frustrating and difficult this early in the game. However, once his patterns and timing are engrained in the player, they’ll end up feeling like a veteran Matador putting on a show. And, funnily enough, this isn’t the last time players will encounter a Bull-based boss or even an animal-type boss fight (AKA the Folding Screen Monkeys).
14Gyoubu Masataka Oniwa
Boss: Ashina Outskirts
Gyoubu Masataka Oniwa, a name that the character itself makes sure that no one forgets, is the first ‘real’ boss fight for a lot ofSekiroplayers. He isn’t necessarily the hardest on this list, not by a long shot, but he isn’t a pushover either.
This boss fight is fun, understandably challenging, and best of all an overall spectacle reminiscent of some ofthe horseback battles inElden Ring. He’s encountered pretty early on so players who manage to defeat him end up feeling like they’ve finally started to master the whole ‘Deflect system’.
13Armored Warrior
Mini-Boss: Senpou Temple
Ignoring all the ‘Roberrrrrt’ jokes related to this boss that make him memorable,theArmored Warrioris also memorableas an incredibly unique fight inSekirowith a tragic backstory that actually makes the player feel like they’re the villain. But, as far as his boss battle goes, it’s not that bad once players figure out the gimmick, its just that adjusting to that gimmick takes a bit of time.
Basically, the Armored Warrior comes from across the ocean and has brought his full suit of plate armor with him, which Wolf’s sword cannot get through. Because of this, the Armored Warrior is an immortal damage sponge that won’t take any health damage and his armor can’t be removed, so instead players must trick him into moving near the edge of the bridge, break his posture, and then use the Deathblow to push him off. Again, this fight is difficult simply because it goes against everything players have learned about the combat system up to this point.
