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 X (formerly Twitter) that Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been awarded a CERO Z rating by Japan’s Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO). This rating results in notable content differences between the Japanese and overseas versions of the game.

In the Japanese edition of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, all instances of dismemberment and decapitation have been removed. Additionally, depictions of wounds and severed body parts have been altered. There are also unspecified changes to the Japanese audio in the overseas version of the game.

Conversely, the overseas version of AC Shadows includes an option to toggle the visibility 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 deemed suitable only for audiences aged 18 and above, prohibiting its sale or distribution to those younger. CERO assesses games based on categories such as 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, requiring developers to adjust their content accordingly. While excessive violence was cited as a reason for the rating, other factors contributing to the CERO Z classification were not specified.

The Assassin’s Creed series has frequently encountered similar issues with CERO; past titles like AC Valhalla and AC Origins also received CERO Z ratings due to their violent themes.

CERO’s strict stance on gore and dismemberment has affected other game releases in Japan. For instance, The Callisto Protocol and Dead Space Remake were not released in Japan after failing to secure a CERO rating, as the required modifications were deemed too significant by their developers.

Changes In Yasuke's Description In Game Store Pages

Another notable change in Assassin’s Creed 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) previously used to describe Yasuke has been replaced with "騎当千" or "Ikki tousen," translating to "a warrior who can face a thousand enemies." This alteration follows Ubisoft's response to backlash in 2024 regarding the depiction of Yasuke as "the black samurai," a historically and culturally sensitive topic in Japan.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot emphasized the company's commitment to entertainment for a broad audience, 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 in Assassin’s Creed games is not new, with characters like the Pope and Queen Victoria having been featured in past titles.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is scheduled for release on March 20, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC platforms. For more detailed information, visit our dedicated Assassin’s Creed Shadows page.