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Choosing Your Path: What’s the Best Pinwheel for Kotaro in Sekiro?

The best pinwheel for Kotaro in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice depends entirely on your desired ending and playstyle. There isn’t a universally “best” pinwheel, as each choice unlocks different questlines and impacts the narrative. Giving Kotaro the White Pinwheel is generally considered the path to a “happy” ending for him and is crucial for achieving the Return ending. However, choosing the Red and White Pinwheel opens up other sidequests and item acquisitions that can be beneficial, especially for players aiming for a more comprehensive playthrough. Your decision rests on whether you prioritize Kotaro’s well-being and a specific ending, or broader exploration and item gathering.

The Significance of Pinwheels in Sekiro

Pinwheels in Sekiro aren’t just whimsical decorations; they hold deep symbolic meaning. The red-white pinwheels are said to be memorials for children who have died, a somber reminder of the pervasive loss and suffering in the game’s world. The pure white pinwheel is specifically associated with the Divine Child, reflecting purity and hope amidst the darkness. Giving either pinwheel to Kotaro essentially redirects his search for purpose and belonging, influencing the trajectory of his personal story.

Kotaro’s Questline: A Guide to Your Choices

Kotaro, the crying monk encountered early in Senpou Temple, is at the heart of this decision. His desperate search for a purpose makes him a sympathetic figure, and your choice of pinwheel directly affects his fate.

White Pinwheel: The Path to “Happiness” and the Return Ending

Location: Found below a cliff at Mount Kongo, within the Senpou Temple area.
Outcome: Giving Kotaro the White Pinwheel allows you to eventually spirit him away using the Divine Abduction prosthetic tool (use twice). This initiates a sequence of events that leads you to the Hall of Illusions, where you’ll encounter Kotaro again. This path is necessary for obtaining the Taro Persimmon, a crucial item for progressing the Return ending and arguably provides the “happiest” resolution for Kotaro’s personal quest.
Benefits: Access to the Return ending, which many players consider the most fulfilling. A potentially brighter future for Kotaro. Acquisition of the Taro Persimmon, necessary for the Divine Child’s questline.

Red and White Pinwheel: Other Sidequests and Merchant Opportunities

Location: Found at the Senpou Temple Shugendo Idol.
Outcome: Giving Kotaro the Red and White Pinwheel redirects him to assist Anayama the Peddler, the merchant in the Ashina Outskirts. This doesn’t necessarily lead to a bad outcome for Kotaro, but it certainly isn’t as heartwarming as the alternative.
Benefits: Anayama’s shop will expand with new items including valuable upgrade materials like lumps of fat wax, yellow gunpowder, and scrap magnetite. Provides an alternative path for players not focused on the Return ending. Potentially quicker access to certain upgrade materials.

The Divine Abduction Tool and Spiriting Away Kotaro

The Divine Abduction prosthetic tool is essential for progressing Kotaro’s questline after giving him the White Pinwheel. After equipping the tool, use it twice on Kotaro to “spirit him away.” This teleports him to a different location and is a critical step in achieving his “happy” ending. Without the Divine Abduction tool, you cannot complete this part of his quest.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions that shed more light on the pinwheel choices, character interactions, and essential items in Sekiro:

1. Where can I find the pure White Pinwheel in Sekiro?

The pure White Pinwheel is found in the Senpou Temple area, below a cliff at Mount Kongo. It’s a standalone item, easily distinguished from the Red and White Pinwheel.

2. How do I get the Red and White Pinwheel in Sekiro?

The Red and White Pinwheel is located at the Senpou Temple Shugendo Idol. It’s readily accessible once you reach this area in the game.

3. Can I give Kotaro both pinwheels?

No, you can only give Kotaro one pinwheel per playthrough. Once you’ve made your choice and given him either the White Pinwheel or the Red and White Pinwheel, you are locked into that path for that playthrough.

4. What happens if I send Kotaro to Anayama?

If you give Kotaro the Red and White Pinwheel, he’ll go to help Anayama the Peddler. This expands Anayama’s inventory to include more upgrade materials, which can be very beneficial for your progress.

5. What is the significance of the Taro Persimmon?

The Taro Persimmon is a key item obtained after giving Kotaro the White Pinwheel. Giving the Taro Persimmon to the Divine Child advances her questline, which is essential for achieving the Return ending.

6. What are the requirements for the Return ending?

The Return ending requires following specific questlines, including those involving the Divine Child and Kotaro. Giving Kotaro the White Pinwheel, obtaining the Taro Persimmon, and fulfilling the Divine Child’s requests are all crucial steps.

7. Where can I find Divine Confetti?

Divine Confetti can be farmed from the blue-robed samurai at the Ashina Castle: Upper Tower – Antechamber Sculptor’s Idol. Later in the game, after defeating the Corrupted Monk, you can purchase it in unlimited quantities from Fujioka the Info Broker and Anayama the Peddler.

8. What is the Divine Dragon?

The Divine Dragon is a boss found at the end of the Fountainhead Palace area. It’s a mandatory boss fight that must be completed to progress through the game’s story.

9. What is the best ending in Sekiro?

The “best” ending is subjective, but the Return ending is often considered the most fulfilling and hopeful. However, the Purification ending features one of the hardest boss fights, offering a greater challenge for skilled players.

10. What is the purpose of Bite Down?

The Bite Down item prevents your other resurrections from being blocked. Using it allows you to revive with half health and still retain your other resurrection possibilities, making it strategically useful in boss fights.

11. How can I improve Anayama’s shop inventory?

To improve Anayama’s shop inventory, eavesdrop on soldiers near the Old Grave Sculptor’s Idol to learn that the Ashina want salt. Giving this information to Anayama will increase his stock. Additionally, sending Kotaro to help him will further expand his inventory.

12. Where does Blackhat Badger go after Ashina Castle?

Blackhat Badger first appears in Ashina Castle. Later, he moves to Senpou Temple and eventually to the Sunken Valley Cavern, where he mourns the death of his child.

13. What is the significance of the Everblossom?

The Everblossom flower is used in the Purification ending to purify Kuro and sever his ties to immortality. This, along with the Divine Dragon’s Tears, is given to Kuro at the end of the game.

14. How do I use the Safety Roll in Sekiro?

If you’re knocked down or your posture is broken, quickly press the jump or Step Dodge buttons to perform a Safety Roll. This helps you recover quickly and minimize vulnerability.

15. What are the Headless in Sekiro?

The Headless are optional mini-bosses found in various locations. Defeating them grants you Spiritfall Candy, which allows you to use Spirit Emblems to gain the same effects as eating a sugar.

Concluding Thoughts

Ultimately, the “best” pinwheel in Sekiro is the one that aligns with your narrative goals and playstyle. For a heartwarming conclusion to Kotaro’s story and access to the Return ending, the White Pinwheel is the clear choice. If you’re focused on expanding your resources and exploring alternative questlines, the Red and White Pinwheel offers unique benefits. No matter your decision, understanding the implications of each choice enhances your Sekiro experience and allows you to shape the destinies of its characters.

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What is the best pinwheel in Sekiro?