Nioh 3 Emotes Explained: How to Use Gestures and Deal with Nurikabe & Mujina Yokai

Navigating the complex mechanics of modern action RPGs often feels like deciphering an ancient scroll, and Nioh 3 is no exception. While the tutorial briefly touches upon how to emote, those instructions are quickly buried under hours of intense combat and intricate button combinations. Whether you are looking to communicate with fellow warriors or solve environmental puzzles, mastering your gestures is essential for survival.

At Digital Tech Explorer, we believe that understanding these smaller details can significantly enhance your gaming experience. Emotes—officially known as gestures in the world of Nioh 3—are more than just social tools or a way to strike a pose for a screenshot. They are functional mechanics used to bypass dangerous Yokai encounters without swinging a blade. Here is everything you need to know about expressing yourself in-game.

How to Emote in Nioh 3

Accessing your gesture menu is straightforward once you know the specific inputs. Depending on your platform of choice, use the following commands:

Platform Control Input
Controller (Console/PC) Press the Right Bumper (RB/R1) + Start/Options button.
Keyboard Press the ‘G’ key.

Once the menu is open, you will find multiple pages of gestures ranging from traditional bows to more eccentric dances. Selecting an emote will cause your character to perform the action immediately. You may also notice that these gestures are color-coded: Blue (Friendly), Yellow (Neutral), and Red (Hostile). These colors are the key to interacting with the world’s hidden Yokai.

A samurai character in Nioh 3 performing a gesture.
Mastering gestures is vital for both social interaction and environmental puzzle-solving in Nioh 3.

Using Gestures to Pacify Nurikabe and Mujina

The storytelling in Nioh 3 often involves clever environmental hazards. Two specific Yokai—the Nurikabe and the Mujina—can be dealt with peacefully if you use the correct emote, saving you from a potentially lethal fight.

The Nurikabe (Wall Yokai)

The Nurikabe are Yokai disguised as solid walls, often blocking paths to hidden treasure chests or restorative hot springs. You can identify them by their glowing eyes that open when you approach. While you can choose to attack them, it is much safer to use a gesture.

The trick lies in the color coding. The Nurikabe will respond positively to one of the three gesture types (Blue, Yellow, or Red). You typically get two attempts to guess the correct mood. If you choose a gesture of the right color, the Nurikabe will simply bow and disappear, leaving the path clear. If you fail twice, the wall will become aggressive and initiate a boss-like encounter.

A player encountering a Nurikabe wall Yokai in Nioh 3.
Look for the eyes in the wall; a simple gesture could save you a difficult fight.

The Mujina (Mimic Yokai)

Mujina are the tricksters of Nioh 3, hiding inside treasure chests. When you open a chest inhabited by a Mujina, it will leap out and transform into a copy of your character. Instead of attacking immediately, the Mujina will perform a specific gesture.

To resolve this encounter peacefully and claim your loot, you must mimic the exact gesture the Mujina performed. If you copy them correctly, they will whistle happily and leave behind their items before vanishing. If you take too long or perform the wrong gesture, prepare for a mirror-match battle.

Selecting an emote from the in-game gesture menu in Nioh 3.
Keep a close eye on the Mujina’s actions to ensure you mimic the correct emote.

By integrating these gestures into your gameplay, you’ll find that the world of Nioh 3 becomes a little less hostile. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a novice developer looking at game design, these interactive mechanics showcase the depth of digital innovation in modern gaming.


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