Since its announcement, Assassin's Creed Shadows has faced controversy surrounding Yasuke, the protagonist inspired by a historical figure. Recently, Ubisoft changed Yasuke's description on the Japanese Steam page, removing the term "samurai" (侍) and replacing it with Ikki tousen , an expression meaning "a warrior capable of facing a thousand enemies." The change comes after criticism from the Japanese public, who questioned the association of the historical figure with the title of samurai.
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Ubisoft's decision was noticed shortly after the game's second delay, now scheduled for release on March 20, 2025. The Brazilian Steam page, however, still maintains the use of the term samurai, which generated further speculation in the global community about the consistency of regional descriptions.
Controversy surrounding Yasuke and his reception in Japan
Yasuke, the protagonist of Assassin's Creed Shadows , is inspired by an African who lived in feudal Japan. The lack of definitive proof of his official recognition as a samurai sparked criticism among the Japanese public. Under pressure, Ubisoft issued a public apology, showing concern for the country's cultural sensitivities.
Ubisoft limited the update to the Japanese Steam page. The term "samurai" still appears on the Japanese PlayStation Store, suggesting platform exclusivity or delays in new updates.
Regional strategy or global inconsistency?
However, there's no word on whether the change will be adopted in other regions. Meanwhile, players are analyzing how the game's narrative might address Yasuke in light of these changes. Choosing Ikki Tousen could be a way to avoid friction without delegitimizing the character's importance.
The March delay provided additional time for technical and content adjustments, but it also maintains scrutiny of the company's narrative and cultural choices. Ubisoft remains under the watchful eye of fans and critics. After the delays, Assassin's Creed Shadows will launch on March 20, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S|X. It remains to be seen how the changes to Yasuke's narrative and presentation will affect the game's reception upon its release.
