Assassin's Creed Shadows Gets Censored in Japan

Assassin's Creed Shadows (AC Shadows) has received a CERO Z rating in Japan, resulting in content alterations for the Japanese release. This article details the impact of this rating on the game's content in Japan versus international versions.

CERO Z Rating and Content Changes

Ubisoft Japan announced via Twitter (X) that AC Shadows' Japanese version will differ significantly from its North American and European counterparts due to the CERO Z rating. This rating designates the game as suitable only for players aged 18 and above.

Key changes for the Japanese release include the complete removal of dismemberment and decapitation, along with modifications to depictions of wounds and severed body parts. Additionally, alterations to the Japanese audio dub have been implemented, although specifics remain undisclosed.

The international version will offer players the option to toggle dismemberment and decapitation via the in-game settings menu.

The CERO Z rating reflects Japan's strict content guidelines, which consider factors like violence, sexual content, anti-social behavior, and language. Games failing to meet these standards are either not rated or require modifications for approval. This isn't a new phenomenon for the Assassin's Creed franchise; previous titles like AC Valhalla and AC Origins also received CERO Z ratings. This stringent approach has led to past cancellations of Japanese releases, including The Callisto Protocol in 2022 and the Dead Space Remake in 2023, due to developers' unwillingness to compromise on their creative vision.

Changes to Yasuke's Description

The Japanese versions of the Steam and PlayStation store listings for AC Shadows have also seen a change in the description of Yasuke. The term "samurai" (侍) has been replaced with "騎当千" (Ikki tousen), meaning "a warrior who can face a thousand enemies." This follows controversy surrounding the use of "black samurai" in previous marketing materials, a term viewed as contentious within Japanese historical and cultural contexts. Ubisoft's CEO, Yves Guillemot, previously stated the company's priority is entertainment, aiming to create games for the widest possible audience without pushing specific agendas. The use of historical figures in Assassin's Creed games is not unprecedented, with past titles featuring figures like the Pope and Queen Victoria.

AC Shadows is scheduled for release on March 20, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.