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 disparity between the game's Japanese and international versions (North America/Europe).

In the Japanese edition, scenes of dismemberment and decapitation have been entirely removed, and depictions of wounds and severed body parts have been altered. Additionally, some changes have been made to the Japanese audio in the overseas version, though specifics remain undisclosed.

Conversely, the international version of AC Shadows includes an option to toggle these graphic elements on or off in the 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 under 18. 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 time the Assassin’s Creed series has encountered such issues; previous titles like AC Valhalla and AC Origins also received CERO Z ratings due to their violent themes.

CERO’s stringent stance on gore and dismemberment has long posed challenges for game releases in Japan. Some developers, like those behind The Callisto Protocol in 2022 and the Dead Space Remake in 2023, have opted not to release their games in Japan rather than comply with CERO’s requirements. EA Japan’s General Manager Shaun Noguchi voiced his frustrations over CERO’s decisions, particularly when compared to other games like Stellar Blade, which received a rating despite similar violent content.

Changes In Yasuke's Description In Game Store Pages

AC Shadows also features a modification in the description of Yasuke, one of its protagonists. On the Steam and PS store pages in Japanese, the term "samurai" (侍) used to describe Yasuke has been replaced with "騎当千" or "Ikki tousen," meaning "a warrior who can face a thousand enemies." This change follows backlash in 2024 regarding Yasuke's portrayal as "the black samurai," a contentious issue in Japanese history and culture.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot addressed this controversy, emphasizing that Ubisoft aims to create games for a broad audience without pushing 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 issue familiar territory for the developers.

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