Ubisoft just can’t stop tripping over its own ninja sandals. Assassin’s Creed Shadows launched on March 20, 2025, but instead of basking in the spotlight, it’s dodging shuriken-sized backlash from Japan. A gameplay mechanic allowing players to smash objects inside sacred shrines — including a near-exact replica of the real-world Itatehyozu Shrine — has set off a firestorm of controversy. Even Japan’s Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, weighed in, calling it “an insult to the nation itself.” That’s right. We’re at the point where world leaders are dragging Assassin’s Creed into political discourse.
This shrine-smashing scandal is just the latest in a string of cultural missteps Ubisoft has fumbled since the game’s announcement. Between a historically debatable protagonist, misused national symbols, and now sacred site destruction, Ubisoft seems to be unintentionally speedrunning a how-to guide on aggravating Japan. So, is this a ninja-sized fail, or just the latest round of Assassin’s Creed controversy? Let’s break it down.
Shrine Smash Sparks Outrage: Japan’s Prime Minister Steps In
Ubisoft’s PR department barely had time to sip their morning coffee before scrambling to patch out shrine destruction on day one. Pre-release footage showed protagonist Yasuke destroying tables, racks, and artifacts inside the Itatehyozu Shrine, a direct in-game recreation of the real Shinto site in Hyogo Prefecture. That did not sit well with locals.
“We were not consulted by Ubisoft regarding the inclusion of the shrine in Shadows, and had they asked, we would have refused,” shrine officials told Sankei News in February 2025, threatening “appropriate action” against the studio. The situation escalated when Councillor Hiroyuki Kada raised the issue in a parliamentary session on March 19, prompting Prime Minister Ishiba to address the controversy directly:
“Defacing a shrine is out of the question—it’s an insult to the nation itself,” Ishiba stated, per GamesRadar. However, he stopped short of calling for legal action, adding, “Freedom of expression must be respected.” Basically, a diplomatic side-eye mixed with a passive-aggressive warning.
While Japan grapples with a post-lockdown tourism boom, the government is extra cautious about copycat vandalism fueled by pop culture, per IGN. Ubisoft scrambled to fix the issue, releasing a day-one patch that made shrine furniture indestructible, though generic environmental objects like drums and barrels remain breakable, per Eurogamer.
But here’s the kicker: even with the patch, critics aren’t fully convinced. Ubisoft insists Shadows is a historical fiction, not a documentary, per Kotaku, but that argument doesn’t erase the launch-day backlash.
Yasuke’s Samurai Saga: A Historical Firestorm
Before shrines, Ubisoft was already under fire for its choice of protagonist — Yasuke, a real-life African warrior who lived in Japan during the late 1500s. In Shadows, he’s depicted as a full-fledged samurai, a creative liberty that has sparked heated debate in Japan.
Critics argue there is little historical evidence that Yasuke became a full samurai, per South China Morning Post, with some accusing Ubisoft of prioritizing modern diversity trends over historical accuracy. A Change.org petition in 2024, which racked up 80,000+ signatures, demanded Ubisoft either cancel the game or alter its narrative, per the same source.
Ubisoft, however, isn’t backing down. Creative Director Charles Benoit defended the choice in February 2025, stating:
“Yasuke offers a fresh outsider perspective on feudal Japan, and we stand by our approach as historical fiction, not a documentary,” per Bounding Into Comics.
This defense has split the fanbase on X. Some praise Ubisoft for tackling a lesser-known historical figure, while others see it as a tone-deaf attempt at forced representation.
Flag Fumbles and Sacred Guardian Gaffes: Ubisoft’s Earlier Japan Mishaps
Ubisoft’s trouble in Japan didn’t start with Shadows’ launch. In July 2024, Ubisoft apologized for using a flag from a Japanese historical reenactment group in promo art without permission, per Yahoo News. Another gaffe? A character dismissing a sacred guardian statue as a “scarecrow,” sparking more criticism, per Kotaku.
None of these incidents were dealbreakers alone, but they added fuel to the fire leading up to launch. Ubisoft’s approach to cultural representation in Japan is now under a microscope, and every misstep piles on.
Government Stance: No Legal Action (Yet), But a Clear Message
While Japan’s government isn’t pulling out the legal katanas, the warning is clear. Ishiba’s comments signal that the Japanese government takes cultural sensitivity seriously, especially as the country manages a delicate tourism surge. Despite sensationalized reports of a full-scale National Diet discussion, IGN confirmed that it was a single question in a routine session, not an all-out legislative debate.
As of March 20, 2025, no shrine or government authority has pursued legal action against Ubisoft, per Insider Gaming. But the controversy ensures Shadows will have a rough road in Japan.
Ubisoft’s Patch and Pivot: Too Late to Fix the Damage?
Ubisoft’s day-one patch may have stopped shrine smashing, but not the backlash. Critics on X (#AssassinsCreedShadows) call it a band-aid on a katana wound.
“We’re committed to cultural respect while maintaining our artistic vision,” Ubisoft stated in March 2025, per NME. But insiders report staff were advised to avoid engaging in online debates, per Kotaku, signaling internal damage control.
Could Ubisoft Recover Its Ninja Cred?
Despite controversy, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is projected to sell 10 million copies worldwide, per Liquid Web’s 2025 gaming trends. But in Japan? The damage is done. Ubisoft might mend fences with stronger cultural consultation, per South China Morning Post, but whether Japan forgives this stumble is another story.
For now, Ubisoft is navigating a minefield of its own making. Can the franchise move past this, or will it leave a permanent mark on Assassin’s Creed history?
Weigh In: Is Ubisoft’s Ninja Fail Fixable?
Will you grab Assassin’s Creed Shadows despite the controversy, or is this a ninja misstep too far? Drop your thoughts below or ping us on X @DREZZEDNews — I’m here to deliver the facts and hear your unfiltered take on Ubisoft’s feudal fiasco.
News compiled by Derek Gibbs and Edgar B.
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