Can we finally leave this Assassin’s Creed Shadows debate alone?

The recent Assassin’s Creed Shadows controversy has taken over social media. The game’s portrayal of Yasuke, the African samurai has come under fire as people question whether he really was a samurai. Japanese historian Hirayama Yu has stepped in to give some much-needed context.

Yu asserts that Yasuke, an African who served under Nobunaga Oda, was indeed a samurai. He cited historical records showing that Nobunaga Oda granted him a stipend, a residence, and the symbolic noshi-wrapped scabbard, which were honors typically bestowed upon samurai.

The Debate That Ubisoft’s Latest Game Has Started Is Quite Intense

Yu’s claims were met with skepticism from many Japanese X/Twitter users, who questioned the alleged samurai’s status due to the lack of a surname, which is often a marker of samurai status. Yu countered this by explaining that Yasuke’s lack of a surname did not disqualify him from being a samurai.

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He argued that some samurai, especially village samurai, did not have surnames but were still respected and considered part of the warrior class. The historian also addressed the argument that Yasuke was merely a servant or a baggage carrier for Nobunaga.

He clarified that while he may have occasionally carried Nobunaga’s tools, this did not diminish his samurai status. Yu emphasized that carrying a sword, as he did, was a privilege not afforded to lower-ranked individuals, further solidifying his position as a samurai.

This debate has been amplified by the controversy surrounding Assassin’s Creed Shadows. A petition to cancel the game reached 50,000 signatures, with critics accusing the developers of historical inaccuracies and cultural disrespect.

The petition states that the game’s portrayal of Yasuke as a samurai was an insult to Japanese culture and called for Ubisoft to conduct more sincere research into Japanese history.

The announcement of Assassin’s Creed Shadows was initially met with excitement. But the reveal of the historic samurai’s inclusion started the controversy that we have now. While the character is based on a real historical figure, there is limited documentation about his life, leaving much room for interpretation.

Aside From the Drama, Assassin’s Creed Shadows Could Be a Great Game

The game releases later this year and could turn the franchise around. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

Despite the controversy, some fans argue that the debate is irrelevant since the game is a work of fiction. The company has often taken creative liberties with historical events and figures in the franchise.

Fans believe that the game’s focus on representation is more important than strict historical accuracy. However, the debate over whether Yasuke was truly a samurai continues to polarize opinions.

The developers have yet to respond to these criticisms, but the company has a history of blending historical figures with fictional narratives in their games. Previous titles of the franchise have featured historical cameos that were well-received.

Ahead of the game’s November 15, 2024 release date, the controversy of the African samurai continues to simmer. The intervention of Historian Hariyama Yu and the clarity that he has provided will hopefully put an end to the debate.

Do you think this controversy will remain a topic of debate when the game releases? Let us know in the comments!