Assassin's Creed Shadows Censored in Japan

Assassin’s Creed Shadows (AC Shadows) has been awarded a CERO Z rating by Japan’s game rating organization, leading to significant content modifications. 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 announced via Twitter (X) that Assassin’s Creed Shadows has received a CERO Z rating from Japan’s Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO). This rating necessitates content adjustments, resulting in differences between the Japanese and overseas (North America/Europe) versions of the game.

In the Japanese version, 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 specific details about these alterations remain undisclosed.

Conversely, the overseas version of AC Shadows includes an option to toggle the depictions of dismemberment and decapitation, allowing players to customize their experience.

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 and distribution 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 comply with CERO’s content guidelines are not rated, requiring developers to make necessary modifications. 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 stringent stance on gore and dismemberment has long posed challenges for game releases in Japan. Some companies, such as Striking Distance and Krafton with The Callisto Protocol in 2022, have opted not to release their games in Japan rather than comply with CERO’s demands. Similarly, EA Motive's Dead Space Remake in 2023 did not receive a CERO rating, prompting frustration from EA Japan’s General Manager Shaun Noguchi, especially 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 notable change 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 adjustment follows backlash in 2024 regarding Ubisoft's portrayal of Yasuke as "the black samurai," a contentious point in Japanese history and culture.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot addressed this issue, emphasizing that the company aims to create entertainment for a broad audience without pushing any specific agenda. The use of historical figures in Assassin’s Creed games, such as the Pope or Queen Victoria, is a recurring theme for the developers.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is scheduled 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.