Ubisoft block Japanese historian after he states that Assassin’s Creed: Shadows is inaccurate and offensive.
Ubisoft’s release, Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, set in feudal Japan, has ignited a firestorm of controversy among Japanese gamers. The game’s portrayal of historical figures and cultural elements has been met with widespread outrage, leading to calls for a boycott.
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The primary source of contention is the game’s protagonist, Yasuke, an African historical figure. Ubisoft’s decision to depict Yasuke as a samurai has been criticized for being historically inaccurate. While Yasuke was indeed a retainer in feudal Japan, there is no evidence to the claim that he was a samurai. Many gamers and historians see this as an attempt to revise history for political purposes, which has not been well received in Japan.
This historical revisionism extends beyond character choices. Promotional materials for Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, including statues and merchandise, have been criticized for inaccuracies, such as incorrectly written kanji. These errors highlight a perceived lack of genuine respect for Japanese culture, further fueling the backlash.
Social media has been a hotbed of reactions from Japanese gamers. IGN Japan’s posts about the game have drawn significant negative , with s expressing frustration over the fictional portrayal of Yasuke as a legendary samurai. Many have pointed out the dangers of presenting fictional stories as historical facts, with some even calling for boycotts of the game.
One commented, “Yasuke, who has no historical achievements whatsoever, could be turned into a legendary Samurai, a great ruler of Japan, or even a beautiful girl in a work of fiction, as long as it’s not falsely portrayed as real historical fact. The only problem is people who pretend that fictional stories are historical facts.”
Another echoed similar sentiments: “Even though it’s called historical fiction, these are people who insist on revising history to be politically correct, and it makes me want to puke.”
Adding to the controversy, Ubisoft has reportedly blocked a prominent Japanese historian who criticized the game for its historical inaccuracies. This move has been seen by many as an attempt to silence legitimate criticism, further intensifying the backlash.
The game’s aesthetic choices have also come under fire. The incorporation of hip-hop beats into traditional Japanese music has been deemed stereotypical and historically inaccurate, given that Yasuke lived centuries before the emergence of hip-hop. Critics argue that this choice reflects a superficial understanding of cultural integration and is more about pandering than authenticity.
The outrage isn’t just about historical inaccuracies; it also touches on broader social issues. Critics argue that Ubisoft’s approach reflects a broader trend of using cultural settings and characters to push modern political agendas. The involvement of consulting firms known for their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives has also been a point of contention.
One critical voice on social media stated, “If you watch the video, you can see that there’s no mention of the Knights Templar or the Assassins at all. Why not stop calling it Assassin’s Creed in a politically complicated time?”
Another pointed out, “The Assassin Creed series has always had a local character as the main characters. They’re calling Yasuke a samurai who played an active role. If this were in China or Korea, it would cause a huge outrage and even lead to a ban.”
As the release of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows approaches, it remains to be seen how Ubisoft will address these concerns and whether the criticism will impact the game’s success. The backlash from Japanese gamers underscores the complexities of balancing creative freedom with cultural and historical accuracy.