Assassin’s Creed Shadows (AC Shadows) has been granted a CERO Z rating by Japan’s game rating organization, resulting in the removal of dismemberment and decapitation. Discover how this impacts AC Shadows 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 on Twitter (X) that Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been awarded a CERO Z rating by Japan’s Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO). This rating introduces content differences between the Japanese version and the overseas editions (North America/Europe).
In the Japanese version, dismemberment and decapitation are entirely removed, and depictions of wounds and severed body parts are altered. Additionally, there are modifications to the Japanese audio in the overseas version, though specifics remain undisclosed.
Conversely, the overseas version of AC Shadows includes an option to toggle the graphic depictions of dismemberment and decapitation in the game settings.
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, prohibiting sales to anyone younger. CERO evaluates 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, compelling developers to make necessary modifications. While the statement highlights excessive violence, it does not detail other elements of AC Shadows that contributed to the CERO Z rating.
This is not the first instance of the Assassin’s Creed series facing scrutiny from the rating board; most entries, including AC Valhalla and AC Origins, have received a CERO Z rating due to their violent themes.
CERO has consistently opposed graphic gore and dismemberment, posing challenges for games aiming to launch in Japan. Some developers have chosen not to release their games in Japan rather than comply with CERO's stringent requirements. For instance, The Callisto Protocol canceled its Japan release in 2022 after failing to secure a CERO rating, as the mandated changes were deemed incompatible with the intended player experience. Similarly, EA Motive's Dead Space Remake in 2023 also did not receive a CERO rating, prompting frustration from EA Japan’s General Manager Shaun Noguchi, especially when compared to other games like Stellar Blade, which managed to secure a rating despite similar violent content.
Changes In Yasuke's Description In Game Store Pages
AC Shadows also features a modification in the description of Yasuke, one of its protagonists. In the Japanese language listings on Steam and the PlayStation Store, the term "samurai" (侍) used to describe Yasuke has been changed to "騎当千" or "Ikki tousen," meaning "a warrior who can face a thousand enemies." This adjustment follows backlash in 2024 regarding the portrayal of Yasuke as "the black samurai," a depiction that stirred controversy within Japanese historical and cultural contexts.
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot addressed the controversy, emphasizing the company's focus on entertainment for a broad audience 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 recurring theme for the franchise.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is scheduled for release on March 20, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For more information, visit our Assassin’s Creed Shadows page.
