Assassin's Creed Shadows Gets Censored in Japan

Assassin's Creed Shadows (AC Shadows) has undergone content alterations for its Japanese release, receiving a CERO Z rating. This rating mandates changes to align with Japan's stricter content guidelines. Let's delve into the specifics of these modifications and their impact.

CERO Z Rating and Content Adjustments:

Ubisoft Japan announced that the Japanese version of AC Shadows will differ significantly from its international counterparts (North America/Europe). The primary changes involve the complete removal of dismemberment and decapitation. Depictions of wounds and severed body parts have also been altered. Additionally, unspecified modifications have been made to the Japanese audio track. The international version will offer players the option to toggle dismemberment and decapitation on or off.

The CERO Z rating restricts the game's sale and distribution to individuals aged 18 and above. CERO's rating system considers four key categories: sexual content, violence, antisocial behavior, and language/ideology. While excessive violence is cited, other factors contributing to the Z rating remain unstated. This isn't a novel situation for the Assassin's Creed franchise; many previous installments, including AC Valhalla and AC Origins, also received CERO Z ratings due to their violent content.

CERO's stringent stance on gore and dismemberment has historically presented challenges for game developers aiming for a Japanese release. Notable examples include The Callisto Protocol (2022) and the Dead Space Remake (2023), both of which were withheld from the Japanese market due to the developers' unwillingness to make substantial content changes deemed necessary by CERO.

Yasuke's Description Altered:

Further changes involve the description of Yasuke, a key protagonist. On Steam and PlayStation Store pages using Japanese language settings, the term "samurai" (侍) has been replaced with "騎当千" (Ikki tousen), meaning "a warrior who can face a thousand enemies." This follows criticism in 2024 regarding the use of "black samurai" to describe Yasuke, a contentious point in Japanese history and culture. Ubisoft's CEO, Yves Guillemot, previously stated the company's priority is entertainment for a broad audience, not promoting specific agendas. The use of historical figures in Assassin's Creed storylines, such as the Pope or Queen Victoria, highlights this established practice.

Release Date:

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