"Assassin's Creed Shadows Censored in Japan"

Assassin’s Creed Shadows (AC Shadows) has been granted a CERO Z rating by Japan’s Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO), leading to significant content adjustments for its Japanese release. Learn how these changes impact AC Shadows in Japan and worldwide.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Receives CERO Z Game Rating In Japan

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

Ubisoft Japan shared via X (formerly Twitter) that Assassin’s Creed Shadows has received a CERO Z rating from Japan’s video game rating organization, CERO. This rating has prompted differences in content between the Japanese and overseas (North America/Europe) versions of the game.

The Japanese version of AC Shadows will not feature dismemberment or decapitation, and will modify the depiction of wounds and severed body parts. Additionally, there will be some alterations to the Japanese audio in the overseas version, though specific details remain undisclosed.

In contrast, the overseas version of AC Shadows offers players the option to toggle on or off the depictions of dismemberment and decapitation through the game’s settings menu.

Assassin’s Creed Rated CERO Z In Japan, Only Suitable For 18+ Ages

A CERO Z rating signifies that the game is deemed suitable only for audiences aged 18 and above, prohibiting its sale or distribution to those under 18. CERO assesses 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 to comply. Although the statement highlights excessive violence, other elements of AC Shadows contributing to the CERO Z rating are not specified.

This isn't the first time the Assassin’s Creed series has faced scrutiny from rating boards. Previous titles like AC Valhalla and AC Origins also received CERO Z ratings due to their violent themes and content.

CERO's ongoing critique of gore and dismemberment has posed challenges for game releases in Japan. Some developers, like Striking Distance and Krafton with The Callisto Protocol in 2022, chose not to release their game in Japan after failing to secure a CERO rating, citing that the required changes would compromise the intended player experience.

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 given that Stellar Blade, another game with violent content, did receive a rating.

Changes In Yasuke's Description In Game Store Pages

AC Shadows also adjusted the description of Yasuke, one of its protagonists, on its Steam and PS store pages. In the Japanese language versions, the term "samurai" (侍) used to describe Yasuke was changed to "騎当千" or "Ikki tousen," translating to "a warrior who can face a thousand enemies." This change followed backlash in 2024 regarding Yasuke’s portrayal as "the black samurai," a sensitive topic in Japanese history and culture.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has addressed these concerns, emphasizing that the company aims to entertain a broad audience without pushing any specific agenda. The inclusion of historical figures like the Pope or Queen Victoria in previous Assassin’s Creed games reflects Ubisoft's approach to storytelling.

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