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Yasuke was a real historical person, and Ubisoft makes him one of the playable protagonists in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. But calling him the “first Assassin that actually existed” blurs two different things: Yasuke’s historical existence and the game’s fictional Assassin Brotherhood. Ubisoft presents Shadows as historical fiction, not evidence that the real Yasuke belonged to an Assassin order.
Is Assassin’s Creed Red the same game as Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Yes. Assassin’s Creed Red was the project’s earlier name; Ubisoft’s later official materials identify it as Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The original Insider Gaming report used the Red name when it reported that Yasuke would appear in the Japan-set game. Insider Gaming’s original report
Was Yasuke a real person?
Yes. Ubisoft describes Yasuke as a real-life historical figure and chose him as one of the game’s two playable leads. The game also features Naoe, whom Ubisoft describes as a Japanese shinobi; the publisher says the two protagonists have distinct gameplay styles. Ubisoft Québec’s announcement of Naoe and Yasuke
That establishes the historical basis for the character, not the accuracy of every event or relationship in the game. Ubisoft says the series is fictional, inspired by real historical events and figures. Its Japan-community statement explains that the studio worked with external consultants, historians, researchers, and its internal Japan teams, while still framing Shadows as historical fiction. Ubisoft’s statement to the Japanese community
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#1 Best Overall
- Only at Amazon Limited Edition Content includes the base game and Sekiryu Character Pack
- Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.
- Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles.
- Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.
- Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
Was the historical Yasuke an Assassin?
There is no basis in the cited material for saying the historical Yasuke belonged to the Assassin Brotherhood. That Brotherhood is part of Assassin’s Creed’s fictional world. Yasuke’s real existence and his role in that fictional organization are separate claims; the game can place a historical person inside its imagined story without establishing that the person was a real-world Assassin.
Was Yasuke really a samurai?
Ubisoft depicts Yasuke as a samurai, but the publisher explicitly acknowledges that this status is debated. Its statement says: “While Yasuke is depicted as a samurai in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, we acknowledge that this is a matter of debate and discussion.” The game’s characterization should therefore not be treated as a settled historical conclusion. Ubisoft’s statement to the Japanese community
Rank #2
- ENTER FEUDAL JAPAN - Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.
- MASTER COMPLEMENTARY PLAYSTYLES - Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles. As Naoe, use stealth to avoid detection and agility to confound your enemies. As Yasuke, strike your foes with lethal precision and power. Unlock new skills, gear, and progression independently for each character.
- MAKE INFORMATION YOUR WEAPON - Travel the world and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions
- BUILD A PLACE TO CALL HOME - Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s buildings layout, decorations, and accessories.
Ubisoft Québec’s announcement calls him a “real-life historical samurai” and says his story left room for creative interpretation. Read alongside Ubisoft’s later qualification, that is the publisher’s character framing—not a resolution of the historical debate. Ubisoft Québec’s announcement of Naoe and Yasuke
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the original “first Assassin” claim gets wrong
The original headline’s wording can suggest that a real historical person was part of the fictional Assassin order. The supportable distinction is narrower: Assassin’s Creed Shadows features a historical figure as a playable protagonist, while his membership in the game’s Brotherhood is fictional lore, not a fact established about the historical Yasuke. Ubisoft’s own description of the series as fiction inspired by real people and events is the clearest guide to that distinction.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
- Only at Amazon Limited Edition Content includes the base game and Sekiryu Character Pack
- Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.
- Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles.
- Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.
- Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
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