Assassin's Creed Shadows Censored in Japan

Assassin’s Creed Shadows (AC Shadows) has been given a CERO Z rating by Japan’s video game rating organization, leading to significant changes in the game's content for the Japanese market. This article delves into how these modifications impact AC Shadows in Japan and globally.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Receives CERO Z Game Rating In Japan

Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Japanese Version Removes Dismemberment And Decapitation

Ubisoft Japan announced via Twitter (X) that Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been awarded a CERO Z rating by the Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO). This rating results in notable differences between the content available in overseas versions (North America/Europe) and the Japanese editions.

In the Japanese version, scenes of dismemberment and decapitation have been entirely removed, and the depiction of wounds and severed body parts has been altered. Additionally, there will be modifications to the Japanese audio used in the game's overseas version, though specific details about these changes have not been disclosed.

Conversely, the overseas version of AC Shadows offers players the option to toggle the graphic depictions of dismemberment and decapitation through the game’s settings menu.

Assassin’s Creed Rated CERO Z In Japan, Only Suitable For 18+ Ages

A CERO Z rating indicates that the game is suitable only for audiences aged 18 and above, prohibiting its sale or distribution to those under 18. CERO evaluates games based on four categories: sex-related content, violence, anti-social behavior, and language and ideological expression.

Games that fail to meet CERO’s content guidelines are not rated, requiring developers to modify their content accordingly. Although the statement highlights excessive violence, it does not detail other elements of AC Shadows that might have contributed to the CERO Z rating.

This is not the first instance of the Assassin’s Creed series facing scrutiny from CERO. Previous titles like AC Valhalla and AC Origins have also received CERO Z ratings due to their violent themes and content.

CERO has consistently criticized gore and dismemberment in video games, posing challenges for titles attempting to enter the Japanese market. Some developers and publishers, such as those behind The Callisto Protocol in 2022 and Dead Space Remake in 2023, have opted out of releasing their games in Japan rather than comply with CERO’s demands. The developers of The Callisto Protocol, Striking Distance and Krafton, believed that the required changes would compromise the intended player experience. Similarly, EA Japan’s General Manager Shaun Noguchi voiced his frustrations over CERO's decisions, especially in comparison to games like Stellar Blade, which received a rating despite similar violent content.

Changes In Yasuke's Description In Game Store Pages

AC Shadows has also undergone a change in the description of Yasuke, one of its main protagonists, on game store pages. When viewed in Japanese on platforms like Steam and the PlayStation Store, the term "samurai" (侍) originally used to describe Yasuke has been replaced with "騎当千" or "Ikki tousen," meaning "a warrior who can face a thousand enemies." This alteration follows backlash in 2024 regarding Ubisoft’s portrayal of Yasuke as "the black samurai," a description that sparked debate within Japanese historical and cultural contexts.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot addressed this issue, emphasizing that the company aims to create entertainment for the widest possible audience and does not intend to push any specific agenda. The inclusion of historical figures in Assassin’s Creed games is not new, with characters like the Pope and Queen Victoria having been featured in past titles.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is scheduled for release on March 20, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For more information on the game, visit our Assassin’s Creed Shadows page.