Assassin's Creed Shadows Gets Censored in Japan

Assassin's Creed Shadows: Japan's CERO Rating Leads to Content Changes

Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Shadows (AC Shadows) has received a CERO Z rating in Japan, resulting in content alterations for the Japanese release. This rating, reserved for 18+ audiences, necessitates changes to comply with Japan's Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO) guidelines.

CERO Z Rating and Content Differences:

The Japanese version will omit dismemberment and decapitation, modifying depictions of wounds and severed body parts. Audio changes are also anticipated, though specifics remain undisclosed. Conversely, the international (North American/European) release will offer players the option to toggle these violent depictions.

CERO's stringent standards regarding gore and dismemberment are well-documented, leading to past conflicts with game publishers. The Callisto Protocol and Dead Space Remake, for instance, were not released in Japan due to CERO's requirements. This highlights the challenges developers face in balancing creative vision with regional censorship regulations.

Yasuke's Description Altered:

Further changes involve the description of Yasuke, a key protagonist. The Japanese Steam and PlayStation Store listings have replaced "samurai" (侍) with "騎当千" (Ikki tousen), meaning "a warrior who can face a thousand enemies." This follows previous criticism regarding the "black samurai" descriptor, a point of historical contention. Ubisoft's CEO, Yves Guillemot, previously emphasized the company's focus on broad audience appeal, not specific agendas.

Release Date and Availability:

Assassin's Creed Shadows launches March 20, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Further details about the game can be found on the official Assassin's Creed Shadows page.