When Assassin’s Creed Shadows was announced, a heated debate erupted over the inclusion of Yasuke, the African-born samurai. Many argue that a black warrior in 16th-century Japan is anachronistic, while others insist that Yasuke was a real historical figure. However, this is not the first time he has appeared in a video game: both Nioh and Nioh 2 already introduced him – and in a very different way.

In Nioh (2017) and Nioh 2 (2020), Yasuke does not appear as an ally but as an opponent. In the first game, William, the protagonist, faces off against him as Yasuke attempts to resurrect Oda Nobunaga in hopes of finally receiving the title of samurai. After his defeat, Yasuke realizes his mistake and hands over his guardian spirit. In Nioh 2, he returns as an optional boss at the Honnō-ji temple, guarding Nobunaga’s body when the player arrives. While Yasuke never took center stage in the Nioh series, his inclusion was arguably more faithful to historical context than his portrayal in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

The Shadows Controversy

Yasuke’s portrayal in Assassin’s Creed Shadows sparked controversy from the moment the game was revealed. While some believe he was a real historical figure, many question whether a whole game can be centered around him as a samurai. Ubisoft further escalated the debate by revealing that Yasuke could engage in a homosexual relationship with a non-binary character in the game. This decision ignited further backlash, with more conservative players arguing that this goes beyond historical accuracy and serves as a modern political statement.

Why Is the Debate So Intense Now?

Although Yasuke has appeared in video games before, he has never been under such scrutiny. Ubisoft’s decision to make him a protagonist in Assassin’s Creed Shadows comes at a time when discussions about historical accuracy and representation are more polarized than ever. The announcement was immediately followed by memes and conspiracy theories claiming that the game is rewriting history. Regardless of where one stands, one thing is certain: Yasuke has now firmly secured his place in gaming history – and not just because of his combat skills.

Source: IGN