"Assassin's Creed Shadows Censored in Japan"

Assassin’s Creed Shadows (AC Shadows) has been awarded a CERO Z rating by Japan’s Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO), leading to significant content modifications for its Japanese release. This article delves into how these changes impact AC Shadows in Japan and globally.

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

Ubisoft Japan took to Twitter (X) to announce that Assassin’s Creed Shadows has received a CERO Z rating. This rating necessitates content adjustments, creating a distinction between the game's Japanese and overseas (North America/Europe) versions.

In Japan, AC Shadows will exclude scenes of dismemberment and decapitation entirely. Additionally, depictions of wounds and severed body parts will be altered. There will also be modifications to the Japanese audio in the overseas version, though specific details on these changes remain undisclosed.

Conversely, the international version of AC Shadows offers players the option to toggle these graphic elements on or off 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 sales to those younger. CERO evaluates games based on four categories: sex-related content, violence, anti-social acts, and language and ideology expression.

Games that do not meet CERO’s content guidelines are not rated, requiring developers to make necessary adjustments. While the statement highlights excessive violence, it does not detail other elements of AC Shadows that 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 also received CERO Z ratings due to their violent themes.

CERO’s strict stance on gore and dismemberment has long posed challenges for game releases in Japan. Some developers, such as those behind The Callisto Protocol in 2022 and EA Motive's Dead Space Remake in 2023, opted not to release their games in Japan after failing to secure a CERO rating. The developers felt that the required modifications would compromise the intended gaming experience.

Changes In Yasuke's Description In Game Store Pages

AC Shadows also features a notable change in the description of Yasuke, one of its protagonists. On the Steam and PlayStation store pages, when viewed in Japanese, the term "samurai" (侍) used to describe Yasuke has been replaced with "騎当千" or "Ikki tousen," translating to "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 sensitive topic in Japanese history and culture.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot addressed this issue, emphasizing the company's focus on entertainment for a broad audience rather than promoting any specific agenda. The Assassin’s Creed series has a history of incorporating historical figures into its narratives, such as the Pope or Queen Victoria, making this situation familiar territory for the developers.

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