Japan Censors Assassin's Creed Shadows

Assassin's Creed Shadows (AC Shadows) faces censorship in Japan, receiving a CERO Z rating. This necessitates alterations to the game's content for its Japanese release. Let's delve into the specifics.

CERO Z Rating and Content Changes

Ubisoft Japan announced via Twitter (X) that AC Shadows' Japanese version will undergo significant changes due to its CERO Z rating. This rating, issued by Japan's Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO), restricts the game's sale and distribution to individuals aged 18 and above.

Key alterations include the complete removal of dismemberment and decapitation. Depictions of wounds and severed body parts will also be modified. Furthermore, adjustments to the Japanese audio, though unspecified, will be implemented. The international (North American/European) versions will offer players the option to toggle dismemberment and decapitation via the in-game settings.

CERO's rating system categorizes games based on sexual content, violence, antisocial behavior, and language/ideology. Games failing to meet CERO's guidelines will not receive a rating, forcing developers to make adjustments. While excessive violence is cited, the exact reasons for the Z rating remain partially undisclosed.

This isn't unprecedented for the Assassin's Creed franchise; many previous installments, including Valhalla and Origins, also received CERO Z ratings due to their violent content. CERO's stringent stance on gore and dismemberment has historically presented challenges for game releases in Japan. Notable examples include The Callisto Protocol (2022) and the Dead Space Remake (2023), both of which were not released in Japan due to CERO's requirements.

Yasuke's Description Altered

Further changes affect the description of Yasuke, a main protagonist. On Steam and PlayStation Store Japanese language listings, the term "samurai" (侍) has been replaced with "騎当千" (Ikki tousen), meaning "a warrior who can face a thousand enemies." This follows previous backlash in 2024 concerning the use of "black samurai" to describe Yasuke, a sensitive topic in Japanese history and culture. Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot previously stated the company's focus on entertainment for a broad audience, not pushing specific agendas.

Assassin's Creed Shadows is slated for release on March 20, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.