"Assassin's Creed Shadows Censored in Japan"

Assassin’s Creed Shadows (AC Shadows) has been given a CERO Z rating by Japan’s game rating organization, leading to significant content adjustments for the Japanese market. Discover how these changes impact AC Shadows both in Japan and globally.

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

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

Ubisoft Japan announced via Twitter (X) that Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been rated CERO Z by Japan’s Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO). This rating necessitates content modifications, resulting in differences between the Japanese and overseas (North America/Europe) versions of the game.

In the Japanese version, scenes featuring dismemberment and decapitation have been entirely removed. Additionally, depictions of wounds and severed body parts have been altered. There are also changes to the Japanese audio in the overseas version, though specific details about these changes remain undisclosed.

Conversely, the overseas version of AC Shadows includes an option to toggle the graphic depictions of dismemberment and decapitation.

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

A CERO Z rating indicates that the game is deemed suitable only for audiences aged 18 and above, prohibiting sales and distribution to those under 18. CERO evaluates games across four categories: sex-related content, violence, anti-social acts, and language/ideology expression.

Games that do not comply with CERO’s content guidelines are not rated, requiring developers to make necessary adjustments. While the rating statement highlights excessive violence, it does not detail other elements of AC Shadows that may have contributed to the CERO Z classification.

This is not the first time the Assassin’s Creed series has faced scrutiny from the rating board; most titles, including AC Valhalla and AC Origins, have received a CERO Z rating due to their violent themes.

CERO's strict stance on gore and dismemberment has long been a hurdle for game releases in Japan. Some developers have opted out of the Japanese market entirely rather than comply with CERO’s requirements. For instance, The Callisto Protocol canceled its Japan release in 2022 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 frustrations from EA Japan’s General Manager Shaun Noguchi, particularly in light of Stellar Blade receiving a rating despite its violent content.

Changes In Yasuke's Description In Game Store Pages

AC Shadows also features a modification in the description of Yasuke, one of the main protagonists. On the Steam and PS store pages, when viewed 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 change follows backlash in 2024 regarding Ubisoft's portrayal of Yasuke as "the black samurai," which stirred controversy over historical and cultural accuracy.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot addressed the issue, stating, "I want to reaffirm that we are an entertainment-first company, creating games for the broadest possible audience, and our goal is not to push any specific agenda." The inclusion of historical figures like Yasuke is consistent with the series’ approach, which has previously featured characters such as the Pope and Queen Victoria.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is slated 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.