Assassin’s Creed Shadows was released today, March 20, and as more players get their hands on the game, another controversy has emerged—this time involving a romance option for Yasuke with an NPC named Ibuki.
Ubisoft games often find themselves at the center of controversy, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows is no exception. The inclusion of a romance between Yasuke, a black samurai based on a historical figure, and Ibuki, a ronin in the game, has sparked heated discussions. While same-sex romances are not uncommon in Ubisoft games, particularly in the Assassin’s Creed series, this particular relationship is drawing more attention due to claims that Ibuki identifies as “non-binary.”
The controversy gained traction after videos showcasing the romance options for the main characters began circulating on YouTube. While Naoe, the other protagonist, also has same-sex romance options, Ibuki has become the focal point due to her alleged non-binary identity. When this relationship was shared on Twitter/X, it unsurprisingly sparked strong reactions from some users.
This controversy adds to the earlier backlash the game faced when Yasuke was revealed as one of the main protagonists. Ubisoft delayed the game multiple times before its March 20 release. While critical reception has been generally positive, the game’s sales will ultimately determine if it’s a success for Ubisoft, which is currently facing its own challenges, including rumors of a potential sale to companies like Tencent.
The game has even made its way into Japanese politics, where the Prime Minister was questioned about its portrayal of sacred shrines. Concerns were raised that the game might encourage players to attack these shrines in-game, potentially leading to real-life disrespect. Although the PM didn’t mention the game by name, they responded by emphasizing the importance of respecting cultural and religious sites, stating, “Defacing a shrine is out of the question—it is an insult to the nation itself. When the Self-Defense Forces were deployed to Samawah, Iraq, we ensured they studied Islamic customs beforehand. Respecting the culture and religion of a country is fundamental, and we must make it clear that we will not simply accept acts that disregard them.”
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is now available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S|X.
