Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Any% Speedrun Shatters Records - A Deep Dive into the 20:31 Masterpiece

Greetings, fellow speedrunning enthusiasts and Sekiro disciples! If you're here, you're likely captivated by the sheer thrill of shaving off precious seconds, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in FromSoftware's brutal masterpiece. Today, we're not just talking about a good run; we're dissecting a former world record that redefined the Sekiro Any% category. This legendary speedrun, clocked at an astonishing 20 minutes and 31 seconds by the incredible Pasiflora, is a testament to dedication, strategy, and a deep understanding of the game's mechanics. Let's dive into what made this run so groundbreaking and the intricate details that players poured over.

The Shura Ending: Any% Unrestricted Explained

For those new to the Sekiro speedrunning scene, the Any% Unrestricted category means completing the game as fast as possible, regardless of the ending achieved, without any major gameplay restrictions. Pasiflora's record specifically utilizes the Shura Ending, which is one of the fastest ways to conclude a playthrough. This category is a pure test of glitch exploitation, route mastery, and execution under pressure. It's where the most dedicated runners focus their efforts to find every millisecond.

The objective here is straightforward: reach the end credits as quickly as humanly (or rather, *Shinobi-ly*) possible. This involves meticulous planning of movement, combat encounters, and the strategic avoidance of unnecessary fights or objectives. Every jump, every dodge, and every attack is optimized to shave off critical time.

Route Optimizations: The Key to Breaking Records

What set Pasiflora's run apart from previous world record attempts were several key route optimizations. These aren't just minor tweaks; they represent significant shifts in how the game is traversed in a speedrun context.

  • Ash Pickup Route: The path taken to acquire the **Ash** item was re-evaluated. This seemingly small change impacts subsequent combat efficiency, especially against early-game bosses.
  • Genichiro Confetti Strategy: Instead of collecting PB (Personal Best) time by navigating around certain areas, the decision was made to pick up **Confetti** specifically for the Genichiro fight. This indicates a higher confidence in executing the fight quickly with the buff, or perhaps a trade-off for saving time elsewhere.

These optimizations highlight the iterative nature of speedrunning. Discoveries like these often come from long hours of practice, data analysis, and community collaboration.

The pursuit of a WR is a constant cycle of experimentation and refinement. What seems impossible one day becomes standard practice the next.

Genichiro Strategies: Ash, Confetti, and the Cheese

Genichiro Ashina is a significant roadblock for many players, but in a speedrun, he's a meticulously practiced encounter. Pasiflora's run incorporated a "newly discovered version of the Genichiro cheese." While the exact nature of this "cheese" might be technical, it generally refers to a strategy that exploits enemy AI or game mechanics to defeat the boss much faster or with less risk than a standard fight. This could involve specific positioning, attack patterns, or even unintended interactions.

The inclusion of Confetti specifically for this fight suggests that the runner either found a way to significantly speed up the Genichiro encounter with the buff or that it was a necessary component of the newly optimized cheese strategy. This level of detail is crucial in the speedrunning community, where even a few seconds saved against a major boss can make or break a PB or a WR.

Run-Specific Incidents: When RNG Strikes

Even in a near-perfect run, the unpredictable nature of gaming, often referred to as RNG (Random Number Generator), can throw a wrench in the works. Pasiflora's record run was no exception. The most notable incident involved the enemy "Lone Shadow."

The text states: "Only one thing went very wrong in this run. Lone Shadow did not get far enough into the corner to get stuck, and I was unable to kill him quickly. This lost about 7 seconds in total."

This particular RNG failure highlights the tension in speedrunning. You prepare for every known variable, but the unpredictable elements can still cost precious time.

Despite this setback, the run was still fast enough to secure the world record. This demonstrates the incredible performance achieved in other segments of the game, more than compensating for this minor hiccup. It also shows the runner's resilience and ability to adapt mid-run.

The Difficulty of Beating the Record

Pasiflora's closing statement, "This one will be hard to beat!", rings true in the world of competitive gaming. When a world record is set using highly optimized strats and near-flawless execution, it often represents the current peak of human capability within the game's engine. Future records will likely require discovering new glitches, even more refined routing, or a perfect confluence of RNG.

The chase for the WR is what keeps communities like the Sekiro speedrun community alive and kicking. It inspires countless hours of practice and dedication.

Watching Live and Supporting the Community

The mention of watching runs live on Twitch at twitch.tv/mitchriz (presumably the original poster or a community member) is vital. Speedrunning isn't just about the run itself; it's about the community that forms around it. Platforms like Twitch allow viewers to witness these incredible feats in real-time, interact with the runners, and learn about their strategies.

Supporting streamers and runners is a core part of the gaming and speedrun ecosystem. It encourages them to keep pushing boundaries and sharing their passion.

Origins of This Record

This particular speedrun of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice in the Any% category, achieving a time of 20:31, was published on July 17, 2020. At the time of its recording and upload, it stood as the fastest known completion in the world. This achievement by Pasiflora represents a significant milestone in the game's speedrunning history, showcasing the pinnacle of skill and optimization in the Shura Ending category.

The pursuit of such records is a collaborative effort, often involving countless hours of practice, shared knowledge of glitches and strats, and a deep understanding of game mechanics. This record is not just one person's achievement but a culmination of community effort.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the Any% category in Sekiro speedrunning?

    The Any% category means completing the game as fast as possible, regardless of the ending achieved. No major restrictions are imposed on gameplay.

  • What is the Shura Ending in Sekiro?

    The Shura Ending is one of the possible endings in Sekiro, obtained by making a specific choice late in the game. It is often favored in speedruns due to its relatively quick conclusion.

  • How much time did the Lone Shadow incident cost in the record run?

    The Lone Shadow incident in Pasiflora's record run cost approximately 7 seconds due to the enemy not getting stuck as intended, making the kill slower.

  • Where can I watch Sekiro speedruns live?

    Many top Sekiro speedrunners stream their practice sessions and official attempts on Twitch. Searching for "Sekiro speedrun" on Twitch or checking leaderboards on sites like speedrun.com will lead you to active streamers.

  • Are there significant differences between this WR and previous ones?

    Yes, this record incorporated significant route optimizations, including changes to ash pickup routes and the strategy for obtaining confetti for the Genichiro fight, alongside a newly discovered cheese strategy for that boss.

Pasiflora's 20:31 Sekiro Any% speedrun is more than just a collection of fast inputs; it's a masterclass in efficiency, optimization, and resilience. It stands as a beacon for aspiring runners, showcasing what's possible with dedication and a deep dive into the game's code. While this particular record may have been surpassed since its publication, its impact on the Sekiro speedrun community is undeniable. It pushed the boundaries and inspired a generation of players to look at FromSoftware's titles through a different, faster lens.

What are your thoughts on this incredible run? Did you witness it live? What are your favorite Sekiro speedrunning strats or glitches? Share your insights and experiences in the comments below! Let's keep the conversation going and celebrate the dedication of these amazing athletes.