Ubisoft is once again embroiled in a dispute because the Itate Hyozu Jinja shrine in Japan has asked for their sacred site to be taken out of ‘Assassin’s Creed Shadows’. This request follows leaked gameplay footage showing players can access and cause damage within the active place of worship, such as breaking items and even destroying the altar.
In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, an NPC (Non-Player Character) was struck by an arrow fired by Yasuke, but instead of being harmed, they merely took off running.
Yasuke then goes on to destroy a sacred Japanese shrine.
Tks to @GregBruniGB for pointing it out.
— Grummz (@Grummz) January 31, 2025
Mark Kern, better known as Grummz, a seasoned vet in the gaming world who once led World of Warcraft, shared the sentiments of those linked to the sacred site.
According to my local contact, the Itate Hyozu Jinja shrine in Japan has officially asked Ubisoft to eliminate the entire religious site from Assassin’s Creed Shadows. My source indicates that the temple leaders are deeply offended by its portrayal and the option to demolish the interior.
My local source confirms:
As a dedicated cinema enthusiast and ardent admirer of Japanese culture, I find myself compelled to express my support for the Itate Hyozu Jinja shrine in their recent appeal to Ubisoft. They have respectfully requested the removal of this entire religious site from Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, a game I hold dear. I hope that Ubisoft will consider this request with the utmost sensitivity and respect for Japan’s cultural heritage.
My source tells me the temple leaders are very upset at the use of their shrine and the ability…
— Grummz (@Grummz) February 12, 2025
This fresh mistake joins an increasing catalog of cultural faux pas that have beset “Shadows” since its unveiling, despite Ubisoft’s continuous assertions about thorough research into Japanese history and culture, and the employment of alleged experts to maintain authenticity. However, Ubisoft has shown a recurring trend of insensitive choices, causing outrage among Japanese viewers and long-time followers of the “Assassin’s Creed” series.
A Long Pattern of Cultural Insensitivity
The dispute over the Itate Hyozu Shrine isn’t a unique occurrence; Ubisoft has encountered extensive criticism due to multiple inaccuracies and disregarding portrayals of Japanese culture in their game, Shadow(s).
A significant problem arose when a collector’s statue in the game’s special edition depicted a wrecked torii gate, which closely resembled an iconic photo of the surviving torii gate in Hiroshima after the 1945 atomic bombing. Fans promptly criticized Ubisoft for either deliberately referencing the Hiroshima tragedy or, at the minimum, demonstrating poor taste in their design decisions due to the striking similarity.
The response was swift, as numerous individuals deemed the design as highly insensitive and offensive, considering Japan’s strong feelings towards its war past. With increasing criticism piling up, Ubisoft discreetly eliminated the statue from promotional content, eventually choosing to eliminate it completely from the collector’s edition. Regrettably, the harm had already been inflicted, adding fuel to the belief that Ubisoft was not equipped with the cultural sensitivity needed for a game based in Japan.
A recent controversy arose when an unauthorized depiction of the Sekigahara Teppo Corps’ emblem was included in the official artwork for ‘Assassin’s Creed Shadows’. The symbol represents a genuine and active historical group, without whose permission it was used. This infringement led to calls for Ubisoft to withdraw the image from promotional materials. Eventually, they apologized and took it down, but the emblem can still be found in the game’s official art book.
This is the banner Ubisoft used without permission.
Video is here:
— Grummz (@Grummz) June 18, 2024
Furthermore, the decision by Ubisoft to base the game on Yasuke has sparked continuous debate. Although Yasuke was a real person, his exact role in Japanese history is not well-defined. In contrast to previous Assassin’s Creed games where historical figures served as NPCs offering context and missions, Shadows places Yasuke at the forefront as the main playable character. This move has led some to believe that traditional Japanese male characters are being marginalized in favor of a narrative that seems more influenced by contemporary ideological tendencies than historical accuracy.
Ubisoft’s Troubled History with Sacred Religious Sites
On previous occasions, Ubisoft has demonstrated a lack of respect towards significant religious landmarks. A notable instance is found in the game Assassin’s Creed II, where the final mission includes an invasion of the Vatican and a physical attack on the Pope. Although this was presented as part of the game’s historical fiction, it established Ubisoft’s tendency to depict real-life religious sites in a manner that many consider offensive.
Currently, Ubisoft is encountering similar criticism in Japan, a nation deeply devoted to preserving its historical and cultural values. The depiction of a genuine, operational Shinto shrine in their game, “Shadows,” has sparked outrage among many who feel that such a sensitive subject should have been left untouched.
Will Ubisoft Comply?
With the Itate Hyozu Jinja shrine asking for its exclusion from “Assassin’s Creed Shadows”, there’s a query: will Ubisoft oblige or disregard another valid concern from the culture it professes to value? Given the company’s past actions and the game’s imminent launch, a certain degree of doubt is reasonable.
This new dispute further fuels the ongoing criticism towards “Assassin’s Creed Shadows”. With numerous postponements, inaccurate portrayals of history, a launch date that coincides with a tragic anniversary of a domestic incident, and now the portrayal of actual religious desecration, Ubisoft risks losing both its fans and the people of Japan. To demonstrate genuine respect for the culture it aims to represent, Ubisoft should at least consider removing the shrine as a first step towards rectification.
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2025-02-12 18:55