Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, the latest release from Ubisoft, is set in Japan’s Sengoku period and introduces Yasuke, Japan’s first recorded Black samurai, as one of the main characters. This decision has sparked debates, particularly among Japanese players, questioning the historical accuracy of Yasuke’s role, given the limited historical records. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the controversy and Ubisoft’s response to it.
Game Setting and the Debate
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows features two protagonists: the original character Naoto Fujibayashi, a female ninja, and Yasuke, a Black samurai. The game’s trailer received widespread attention, especially for introducing the series’ first Black lead. However, Yasuke’s inclusion stirred strong reactions in Japan, where many players expressed confusion and dissatisfaction about a non-Japanese character taking center stage in a game set in Japan.
While Yasuke’s real-life history provides some flexibility for creative storytelling, many questioned the historical accuracy of this decision. Ubisoft’s narrative director, Brooke Davies, explained in an IGN interview that the game aims to offer a historically inspired story, using imaginative elements to fill in historical gaps. However, Japanese players continued to express concerns, feeling that the inclusion of Yasuke was a distortion of Japanese history.
Flag Usage Controversy and Apology
Another point of contention arose from the game’s use of an unauthorized flag that closely resembled one belonging to the Sekigahara Gun Corps, an organization that preserves historical battles. This flag also appeared in the game’s collector’s edition artbook, further upsetting players.
Ubisoft Japan issued an apology, stating that the Sekigahara Gun Corps had accepted their apology, and they would cease using or promoting the flag outside of the already-published collector’s items.
Political Backlash in Japan
The controversy caught the attention of Japanese Senator Satoshi Hamada, who called for an investigation into the game, accusing it of containing significant historical inaccuracies. He urged the Japanese government to look into the game’s portrayal of Yasuke, arguing that Ubisoft exaggerated the samurai’s historical significance.
Hamada took to Twitter, sharing concerns about cultural appropriation and historical distortion. He urged others to voice their opinions, and a parody song criticizing the game, titled “Why Yasuke?”, gained traction on YouTube, amassing over 2 million views.
Yasuke’s Historical Authenticity
The controversy extended to questions about the accuracy of Yasuke’s portrayal. Thomas Lockley, a law professor who has written about Yasuke, came under fire for allegedly exaggerating the samurai’s historical role. Critics accused Lockley of manipulating sources, including editing Wikipedia entries to support his book.
Though Lockley denied being involved in the game’s development, it was revealed that he had appeared on a Ubisoft podcast and provided consultation to the game’s creators. Following the backlash, Japanese broadcasters and universities distanced themselves from Lockley, citing concerns over academic integrity.
Ubisoft’s Official Response
Ubisoft recently issued a formal response, explaining that while Assassin’s Creed games are inspired by historical events and figures, they incorporate fictional and fantasy elements. Yasuke’s mysterious life provided an ideal narrative for a feudal Japan story, and they emphasized that the game’s goal was never to present historical fact but rather to ignite curiosity about real-world history.
Ubisoft clarified that they consulted various experts during development but emphasized that creative decisions were made in the interest of gameplay and entertainment, and external advisors should not be blamed for those choices.
They invited players to continue sharing their thoughts, expressing hope that when the game launches on November 15, 2024, it will meet the expectations of fans worldwide.
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