Emma and Koo’s journey across Blighted Japan is measured in boss fights. The regional Nushi anchor every zone, but you will also square off against powerful Malefacts and the occasional human along the way. Most of these fights repeat, and rematches tend to add fresh phases, so knowing what is coming lets you build the right loadout before you walk into an arena.
Quick answer: The confirmed bosses through Chapter 4 are Rangifer (Lv. 9/12), Lacerta (Lv. 13/16), the Nue Malefact and Male Purifier (Lv. 16 to Lv. 20), and Taurus (Lv. 26/29). Every Nushi is fought twice, and the second fight refills its health bar for a new phase.
How Nushi boss fights work
Nushi are the giant Malefacts that generate the blighted forest ruling each region. Sealing one lets Emma and Koo absorb its power, which is the game’s main progression loop. Because of that structure, you cannot skip past them, and you rarely finish one on the first try.
Two rules matter for every Nushi encounter. First, you typically fight each one twice. The opening battle introduces its first-phase attacks, and the return battle adds a second phase with new moves. Second, that second fight uses two separate health bars. When the boss shifts into its next phase, its health is fully restored, so treat the fight as far from over even after you empty the first bar. Do not drop your guard until the encounter clearly ends.
Every confirmed boss and level
Here is the fight order for the bosses confirmed so far, along with the level each encounter targets and the chapter where it happens.
| Boss | Chapter | Levels |
|---|---|---|
| Rangifer | Chapter 1 (Ogouchi Buffer Zone) | Lv. 9, then Lv. 12 |
| Lacerta | Chapter 2 | Lv. 13, then Lv. 16 |
| Nue Malefact (and Male Purifier) | Chapter 1 flashback, then Chapter 3 | Lv. 16 alone, Lv. 20 with Male Purifier |
| Taurus | Chapter 4 | Lv. 26, then Lv. 29 |
Rangifer (Chapter 1)
Rangifer is the first Nushi you face, encountered in the Ogouchi Buffer Zone during Chapter 1. You take it on twice, at Lv. 9 and then Lv. 12. The rematch introduces its second phase, which means two health bars you both need to empty before it goes down.
This giant wooden stag mainly attacks by swinging its antlers side to side. It also fires seed-like projectiles at Emma and charges forward before kicking rocks in her direction. The second fight adds a jump attack to that pattern, so keep some distance ready when it winds up.
Lacerta (Chapter 2)
Lacerta is the second Nushi Emma seals, fought twice across Chapter 2 at Lv. 13 and Lv. 16. Like Rangifer, the return match runs two phases with two full health bars.
This one inflicts both Slow and Poison, so keep Koo carrying the Antidote to clear the Poison ailment. It swings its tail, snaps with its jaws, and at some point dives beneath the water to send out enemy mobs. Clear those adds quickly before they overwhelm you. When Lacerta drops to 50% HP it glows red, and its attacks hit noticeably harder from that point on.
Nue Malefact and Male Purifier (Chapters 1 and 3)
You fight the Nue Malefact more than any other boss. It first appears during the second flashback sequence in Chapter 1, then becomes a recurring obstacle throughout Chapter 3, showing up at Lv. 16 for most of those encounters.
Its moveset stays largely the same across those fights. Expect a tail swipe, a paw swipe, a lunge, and an occasional lightning bolt, with projectiles added later. The Nue Malefact is weak to poison, so lean on Dokuzeri attacks for both Emma and Koo. Helpfully, it keeps the damage you deal it for most of Chapter 3, so progress carries over between meetings.
The catch comes in its final Chapter 3 fight, where it brings the Male Purifier along and the encounter jumps to Lv. 20. The Male Purifier relies on melee strikes but can also use hair-based attacks similar to Emma’s. The pair tends to take turns rather than swarm you at once, letting you focus one down at a time. He is weak to poison too, so a Dokuzeri loadout covers both threats.
Taurus (Chapter 4)
Taurus is the Chapter 4 Nushi, fought at Lv. 26 and then Lv. 29. It is weak to Acid, so bring Acid ranged options such as Acid Arrows and equip the Bottle of Acid on Koo. Ranged pressure matters here because Taurus gallops around the arena, which makes landing melee hits awkward.
In its first phase it swipes with its horns, lunges with its body, pushes branches up from underground, and lobs bombs. The horn swipe is a good moment to earn FP. The rematch keeps a similar movement pattern but adds Golems to its side and a new charge attack that sends its horns straight at you. Its second phase also attacks much faster, so read the rhythm carefully to keep your parries clean.
More Nushi wait further west as Emma and Koo push toward the Capital, and each one seals into new powers that reshape your build. Prep your ailment loadout for the fight ahead, keep enough resources banked for a second health bar, and you will be ready for every boss the road throws at you.
