Assassin’s Creed Shadows (AC Shadows) has received a CERO Z rating in Japan, resulting in content alterations for the Japanese release. This article details the changes and their implications.

CERO Z Rating and Content Modifications

Ubisoft Japan announced that AC Shadows' Japanese version will differ significantly from its North American and European counterparts due to the CERO Z rating. This rating, issued by Japan's Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO), designates the game as suitable only for players aged 18 and above.

Specifically, the Japanese version will omit dismemberment and decapitation, revising depictions of wounds and severed body parts. Changes to the Japanese audio dub are also confirmed, though specifics remain undisclosed. The international version will offer players the option to toggle dismemberment and decapitation.

The CERO Z rating stems from CERO's strict guidelines on violence, particularly graphic depictions of gore. This isn't unprecedented for the Assassin's Creed franchise; previous installments, including AC Valhalla and AC Origins, also received CERO Z ratings. This stringent approach has led other developers to forgo Japanese releases altogether, as seen with The Callisto Protocol and the Dead Space Remake.

Yasuke's Description Altered

Further changes involve the description of Yasuke, a key protagonist. On Steam and PlayStation Store pages in Japanese, the term "samurai" (侍) has been replaced with "騎当千" (Ikki tousen), meaning "a warrior who can face a thousand enemies." This follows controversy surrounding the original "black samurai" description, a sensitive topic in Japanese history and culture. Ubisoft's CEO, Yves Guillemot, previously stated the company's focus on broad audience appeal, not pushing specific agendas.

Release Date and Availability

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is scheduled for release on March 20, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The differences between the Japanese and international versions highlight the ongoing challenges faced by game developers navigating varying regional censorship standards.