Assassin’s Creed Shadows (AC Shadows) has been awarded a CERO Z rating by Japan's video game rating organization, leading to significant changes in the game's content for the Japanese market. This article explores how these modifications impact AC Shadows in Japan and globally.

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

Ubisoft Japan announced via Twitter (X) that Assassin’s Creed Shadows has received a CERO Z rating from the Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO). This rating results in notable differences between the game's content in Japan and its overseas versions (North America/Europe).

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

In contrast, the overseas version of AC Shadows includes an option to toggle the graphic depictions of dismemberment and decapitation, allowing players to customize their experience.

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

A CERO Z rating indicates that the game is suitable only for audiences aged 18 and above, restricting its sale and distribution to those under 18. CERO's ratings are categorized into four areas: sex-related content, violence, anti-social acts, and language and ideology expression.

Games that do not comply with CERO's content guidelines are not rated by the organization, requiring developers to make necessary changes to meet these standards. While the rating specifically mentions excessive violence, other elements of AC Shadows that contributed to the CERO Z rating are not detailed.

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

CERO's stringent stance on gore and dismemberment has long been a challenge for game releases in Japan. Some developers, like those of The Callisto Protocol in 2022 and EA Motive's Dead Space Remake in 2023, have chosen not to release their games in Japan rather than comply with CERO's requirements. For instance, The Callisto Protocol's developers believed that the mandated changes would compromise the player experience they intended to deliver.

Changes In Yasuke's Description In Game Store Pages

Another notable change in AC Shadows pertains to 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 alteration follows backlash Ubisoft faced in 2024 over Yasuke being described as "the black samurai," a historically and culturally sensitive topic in Japan.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has addressed these concerns, emphasizing the company's focus on entertainment and broad appeal rather than promoting any specific agenda. The inclusion of historical figures in Assassin’s Creed games, such as the Pope or Queen Victoria, is a consistent practice for the series.

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