"Assassin's Creed Shadows Censored in Japan"

Ubisoft's highly anticipated game, Assassin's Creed Shadows (AC Shadows), has received a CERO Z rating from Japan's Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO), leading to significant content changes for its Japanese release. This article delves into how these modifications impact the game both in Japan and globally.

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

Ubisoft Japan announced via X (formerly Twitter) that AC Shadows has been rated CERO Z. This rating necessitates alterations in the game's content for the Japanese market compared to its overseas versions in North America and Europe.

In the Japanese version, scenes of dismemberment and decapitation are entirely removed. Additionally, the depiction of wounds and severed body parts has been altered. There are also modifications to some of the Japanese audio, though specific details have not been disclosed.

Contrastingly, the overseas version of AC Shadows includes an option to toggle these graphic elements on or off, providing players with greater control over their gaming experience.

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

The CERO Z rating restricts the game to audiences aged 18 and above, prohibiting its sale or distribution to those younger. CERO assesses games based on categories such as sex-related content, violence, anti-social acts, and language and ideology expression.

Games that fail to comply with CERO's guidelines are not rated, prompting developers to make necessary changes. While excessive violence is a noted factor in AC Shadows' rating, other elements contributing to the CERO Z classification remain unspecified.

The Assassin's Creed series has frequently encountered similar issues with CERO, with previous titles like AC Valhalla and AC Origins also receiving CERO Z ratings due to their violent themes.

CERO's stringent stance on gore and dismemberment has historically affected game releases in Japan. Notable examples include The Callisto Protocol in 2022 and Dead Space Remake in 2023, both of which were not released in Japan after failing to secure a CERO rating. Developers and publishers have sometimes chosen not to comply with CERO's requirements, leading to canceled releases in the region.

Changes in Yasuke's Description in Game Store Pages

Another change observed in AC Shadows involves the description of Yasuke, one of the game's protagonists. On the Steam and PS store pages in Japanese, the term "samurai" used to describe Yasuke has been replaced with "Ikki tousen," meaning "a warrior who can face a thousand enemies." This adjustment follows Ubisoft's response to backlash in 2024 regarding Yasuke's portrayal as a "black samurai," a sensitive topic in Japanese history and culture.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot emphasized the company's commitment to entertainment over any specific agenda, noting that the inclusion of historical figures like Yasuke aligns with the series' tradition of integrating real-life characters into its narratives.

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