Assassin's Creed Shadows Receives CERO Z Game Rating In Japan
Assassin's Creed Shadows' Japanese Version Removes Dismemberment And Decapitation
Ubisoft Japan recently announced via Twitter (X) that Assassin's Creed Shadows has been awarded a CERO Z rating by Japan's video game rating organization, the Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO). This rating results in distinct content variations between the versions available overseas (North America/Europe) and in Japan.
The Japanese edition of Assassin's Creed Shadows will omit all scenes of dismemberment and decapitation. Additionally, depictions of wounds and severed body parts will be altered. There will also be modifications to the Japanese audio in the overseas version, though specifics about these changes remain undisclosed.
In contrast, the international version of AC Shadows offers players the option to toggle these graphic depictions on or off through the game's settings menu.
Assassin's Creed Rated CERO Z In Japan, Only Suitable For 18+ Ages
A CERO Z rating indicates that the game's content is deemed appropriate only for audiences aged 18 and above, prohibiting its sale or distribution to those younger. CERO evaluates games based on four categories: sex-related content, violence, anti-social acts, and language and ideological expressions.
Games that do not meet CERO's content guidelines are not rated and must be modified by developers to comply. Although the statement highlights excessive violence, it does not detail other elements of AC Shadows that may have contributed to the CERO Z rating.
This isn't the first time the Assassin's Creed series has encountered such issues with the rating board. Most titles in the series, including AC Valhalla and AC Origins, have received a CERO Z rating due to their violent themes and content.
CERO's strict stance on gore and dismemberment has been a recurring challenge for games aiming for a Japanese release. Some developers have opted out of the Japanese market 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, as the necessary changes were deemed incompatible with the game's intended experience. Similarly, EA Motive's Dead Space Remake in 2023 also did not receive a CERO rating, prompting criticism from EA Japan's General Manager Shaun Noguchi, especially 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 changes in the description of Yasuke, one of the game's protagonists. On the Steam and PlayStation 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 adjustment follows backlash in 2024 over Yasuke's depiction as "the black samurai," a description that stirred controversy due to its historical and cultural implications.
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot addressed this issue, emphasizing that the company aims to create entertainment for the widest possible audience and does not intend to push any specific agenda. The use of historical figures in Assassin's Creed games, such as the Pope or Queen Victoria, is not new to the series' narrative approach.
Assassin's Creed Shadows is slated for release on March 20, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For more details about the game, visit our Assassin's Creed Shadows page.
