"Assassin's Creed Shadows Censored in Japan"

Assassin’s Creed Shadows (AC Shadows) has been granted a CERO Z rating by Japan’s Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO), leading to significant content modifications for its Japanese version. These changes primarily involve the removal of dismemberment and decapitation scenes, alongside alterations to the depiction of wounds and severed body parts. Ubisoft Japan shared this update via Twitter (X), highlighting that the Japanese version will differ from its North American and European counterparts.

In addition to visual changes, the Japanese audio in the overseas version will undergo some unspecified modifications. Conversely, players outside Japan will have the option to toggle these graphic depictions on or off via an in-game menu.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Rated CERO Z in Japan, Suitable Only for Ages 18+

A CERO Z rating indicates that the game's content is suitable only for audiences aged 18 and above, restricting sales and distribution to those under 18. CERO evaluates games based on categories like sex-related content, violence, anti-social acts, and language or ideological expressions. Games that do not comply with these guidelines must be modified to receive a rating. While excessive violence was noted, specific details about other factors contributing to the CERO Z rating for AC Shadows were not disclosed.

This is not the first encounter the Assassin’s Creed series has had with CERO’s stringent guidelines. Previous titles like AC Valhalla and AC Origins also received CERO Z ratings due to their violent themes. CERO's ongoing critique of gore and dismemberment has led some developers to forego a Japanese release altogether. For instance, The Callisto Protocol and the Dead Space Remake were not released in Japan after failing to meet CERO’s standards.

Changes in Yasuke's Description on Game Store Pages

Further adjustments have been made to the description of Yasuke, one of the protagonists in AC Shadows. On the Steam and PlayStation store pages, when viewed in Japanese, the term "samurai" (侍) previously used to describe Yasuke has been changed to "騎当千" or "Ikki tousen," meaning "a warrior who can face a thousand enemies." This revision follows backlash received by Ubisoft in 2024 regarding the historical and cultural sensitivities around describing Yasuke as "the black samurai."

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has emphasized the company's commitment to entertainment over any specific agenda, a stance consistent with the series' history of integrating historical figures into its narratives, such as the Pope or Queen Victoria.

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