Oni Onsen Brings Heat to a Classic Setting with Full Voice Acting
- Emily Maine
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
It’s finally here! Oni Onsen (Now With Full Voice Acting) has made its way onto Steam and Itch, and it’s something BL, bara, and queer visual novel fans don’t want to miss. A cursed bathhouse, four hunky oni, and a samurai hell-bent on revenge—this story mixes traditional Japanese folklore with over-the-top lust and drama in a way that feels fresh and fun.
Why the Onsen Setting in Oni Onsen Works So Well
The onsen has always been a staple of Japanese storytelling, from slice-of-life anime episodes to serious drama. But for all its cultural weight, it’s surprisingly underused in BL and bara media. That’s why Oni Onsen stands out: it takes the steamy, intimacy of hot springs and makes it the center of the story.
Onsen settings naturally carry ideas of relaxation, exposure, and vulnerability. Characters literally strip down, both physically and emotionally. Here, the onsen isn’t just a background—it’s the cursed heart of the plot, tying together the oni, the family bloodline, and Asano’s revenge. Every soak has the potential to change the story, through forbidden romance, ancient curses, or just some good old-fashioned bathhouse lust.
The Oni Onsen Story: Curses, Oni, and Revenge
Samurai Asano’s family once owned the onsen, but betrayal from his daimyo master, Sakuna, took it away. Now running under Mina’s care, the hot spring becomes ground zero for supernatural chaos when four oni are released from an ancient relic.
The oni aren’t just eye candy—they’re bound by a curse that says only “love” from a member of the Hayashi bloodline can set them free. Asano, being the last of his family, finds himself right in the middle of their obsession. Of course, in oni language, “love” translates into something a little more physical.
It’s a perfect mix of folklore, eroticism, and melodrama. You get revenge-driven samurai grit, sexy supernatural beings, and the kind of quirky humor that keeps things from ever feeling too heavy.
What Makes Oni Onsen Exciting
Full Voice Acting – Every character comes to life, from Asano’s stoic presence to the playful and lustful oni. The voice cast is stacked, with names like Monarchy Voice, Ian Champion, Casey Monroe, Bryce Chadwell, and more delivering performances that match the drama and heat of the story.
Four Oni Love Interests – Each oni brings a different personality and body type into the mix, letting players find their favorite flavor of supernatural romance.
Rich, Thematic Setting – The traditional Japanese soundtrack and beautifully painted backgrounds make the onsen feel like a living, breathing space.
20 Hours of Gameplay + 13 Endings – With multiple love stories per route, bonus ninja arcs, and poly-positive options, there’s a lot to explore.
Why Onsen Stories Deserve More Spotlight
While school settings dominate much of BL, onsen tales have so much untapped potential. Bathhouses are naturally intimate, social spaces—where characters relax, gossip, flirt, or confront each other. It’s a place where class divides, armor, and even grudges can be stripped away.
Oni Onsen uses that intimacy to its full advantage. The onsen becomes more than a place, it’s a character itself. It’s the stage for romance, for lust, for curses, and for freedom. The fact that it’s wrapped up in a bara/yaoi visual novel makes it even more exciting, because it’s proof that the genre is starting to explore beyond the familiar tropes.
Final Thoughts on Oni Onsen
With its steamy atmosphere, cursed romance, and gay storylines, Oni Onsen reminds us how much fun it can be when creators experiment with underused settings.
If you’ve ever wanted to see what happens when supernatural bara meets hot spring seduction, Oni Onsen is absolutely worth your time.
