Ubisoft has done it again, folks—turning history into an awkward branding exercise while somehow managing to stir up confusion about one of the most fascinating figures in Japanese history: Yasuke. Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, the latest installment in the franchise, has found itself in hot water, not just for yet another release delay but also for quietly stripping Yasuke of his “samurai” title on the Japanese Steam page. Elsewhere in the world, he’s still proudly branded as a “legendary samurai,” but in Japan? Suddenly, Yasuke is just a “warrior worth a thousand men.” And now we’re left wondering: Was Ubisoft being historically sensitive or just hoping no one would notice?
The controversy hits right at the core of Yasuke’s real-life legacy. Yasuke, an African man who served under Oda Nobunaga in the late 16th century, is one of history’s most captivating figures. His story as a warrior in feudal Japan has inspired countless debates: Was he truly a samurai? Or was he simply Nobunaga’s bodyguard with a fancy sword? Ubisoft clearly decided to sidestep that debate—at least in Japan—by ditching the word “samurai” entirely. Unfortunately, their silent change raised more questions than it answered, leaving gamers and historians scratching their heads.
So, Was Yasuke a Samurai?
Let’s dive into the history and set the record straight. Yasuke arrived in Japan in 1581 as part of the Jesuit missionary Alessandro Valignano’s entourage. His striking appearance caused such a stir that people flocked to see him, creating literal crowd control issues. Eventually, Yasuke caught the attention of Oda Nobunaga, one of Japan’s most powerful warlords. Nobunaga was so impressed by Yasuke’s strength, intelligence, and command of the Japanese language that he made him a personal retainer—an honor almost unheard of for someone of Yasuke’s background.
Nobunaga didn’t just make Yasuke part of his inner circle; he armed him, gave him ceremonial armor, and entrusted him with important tasks, including acting as a bodyguard and potentially fighting in battles. These responsibilities strongly suggest that Yasuke operated in a role very similar to that of a samurai. However, it’s worth noting that the concept of an officially granted “samurai” title, as we think of it today, didn’t exist at the time. The formal codification of social classes began under Hideyoshi and became rigid during the Edo/Tokugawa period. ‘Samurai’ itself is a retrospective term that later came to describe the warrior class, much like the term ‘ninja’.
What makes Yasuke’s position so unique is that it doesn’t fit neatly into the rigid social structures of 16th-century Japan. He wasn’t born into the samurai class, and there are no records of him being granted the stipends or land that typically came with such a title. Still, his close relationship with Nobunaga, his military role, and his presence at key historical events—like the infamous Honnō-ji Incident, where Nobunaga met his end—show that Yasuke was far more than a mere servant.
Ubisoft’s Problematic Tweaks
So, how does all of this tie back to Assassin’s Creed: Shadows? Ubisoft clearly wanted to lean into Yasuke’s legendary status for the game’s international audience. After all, “legendary samurai” is a snappier marketing hook than “Nobunaga’s African retainer.” But for the Japanese market, where the term “samurai” carries specific cultural and historical weight, the company likely realized they were treading on thin ice. Historians and gamers in Japan are more likely to question Yasuke’s credentials, so Ubisoft swapped out “samurai” for the safer “warrior worth a thousand men.”
This might seem like a sensible localization decision, but the way Ubisoft handled it—quietly changing the description on the Japanese Steam page while leaving it untouched elsewhere—only drew more attention to the issue. Now the global audience is left confused, with fans wondering why Yasuke gets to keep his “samurai” status in English while being downgraded in Japanese.
The Broader Context
This isn’t just about semantics; it’s a reminder of the fine line Ubisoft walks when turning history into entertainment. Yasuke’s story is already a blend of fact and myth, and Assassin’s Creed games are notorious for taking creative liberties with history. But when you’re dealing with a figure as significant and culturally sensitive as Yasuke, those liberties can backfire. Ubisoft’s reluctance to confront the samurai debate head-on feels like a missed opportunity. Instead of sparking meaningful discussion about Yasuke’s unique role in Japanese history, they’ve reduced him to a vague archetype—one that changes depending on where you’re reading about him.
What Happens Next?
With the game now delayed for the third time (apparently, Japanese rooftops are harder to program than Ancient Greece), Ubisoft has time to reconsider how they present Yasuke. Will they stick to their current approach, or will they finally address the controversy with a more transparent explanation? Either way, one thing is clear: Yasuke deserves more than to be reduced to a marketing gimmick. His real-life story—complicated, inspiring, and still shrouded in mystery—deserves to be treated with care, not tossed around like a localization afterthought.
In the end, was Yasuke a samurai? The historical record suggests that while he may not have held the official title, he lived, fought, and served in a role that mirrored that of a samurai. He was a warrior, a trusted retainer, and a man who shattered the conventions of his time. Whether Ubisoft fully embraces that nuance or continues to fumble it remains to be seen. Let’s just hope they don’t patch his “samurai” status into a microtransaction.
Source: https://automaton-media.com/articles/newsjp/assassins-creed-shadows-20250115-325321/
Source: https://m.sohu.com/a/853831327_362225/?pvid=000115_3w_a&scm=thor.56210_15-300008.0.0.1101.topic:56210:110063.0.9.a2_3X427&spm=smpc.home.game-news.4.17379648030265oXoZw5_1467
Courtesy to: Steven Scheerooren for his insights on Japanese history.
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