Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been under fire for months, but the controversy has now escalated into censorship allegations. Japanese YouTuber Shohei Kondo had his gameplay critique of Assassin’s Creed Shadows removed from YouTube a reported 12 times, with “hate speech” cited as the reason for the takedown.
This is the video removed due to ‘hate speech,’ even though I was talking about the opposite of hate. Feel free to download and share. “Japanese Reacts on Assassin’s Creed Shadows Gameplay” pic.twitter.com/zyWZAFvfFa
— Shohei Kondo (@shoheikondo) January 26, 2025
As of this writing the video has been re-uploaded again and is active on YouTube.
Kondo’s video contains no hate speech whatsoever. Instead, it features a detailed critique of Ubisoft’s portrayal of Japanese culture, pointing out numerous inaccuracies and offensive choices in the flora, NPC designs, and even the protagonist’s attire. The repeated takedowns, whether the direct work of Ubisoft or not, have been perceived as an attempt to silence legitimate criticism from a Japanese content creator standing up for his culture against a French company’s misrepresentation.
In the video, Kondo highlights glaring inaccuracies in Ubisoft’s depiction of feudal Japan. He critiques everything from unrealistic foliage to poorly designed Japanese NPCs. Many of them are depicted shoeless and tattered, contrasted with Yasuke, the Black samurai protagonist, striding through the streets in opulent golden armor.
A screenshot from Assassin’s Creed Shadows (2024), Ubisoft
Far from being inflammatory, Kondo’s critique was rooted in cultural pride and constructive feedback, making the takedown even more troubling.
The censorship sparked outrage in the gaming community, with fellow YouTubers rushing to Kondo’s defense.
Content creator Hypnotic commented: “YouTuber and content creator Shohei Kondo gets his Assassin’s Creed Shadows videos REMOVED for hate speech from YouTube. They are actively trying to suppress real Japanese voices from speaking out against Ubisoft, even when it’s done in a constructive way like Shohei did. Insane. I am sure they will continue to target more Japanese and non-Japanese creators.”
Youtuber and content creator SHOHEI KONDO Gets his assassins creed shadows videos REMOVED for hate speech from YouTube.
They are actively trying to suppress real Japanese voices from speaking out against Ubisoft, even when its done in a constructive way like Shohei did.… pic.twitter.com/jGAwN1ZZNE
— Hypnotic (@RealHypnotic1) January 26, 2025
READ: CI Games CEO Says ‘RIP DEI’ On X After Fans Overwhelming Vote to End Identity Politics in Gaming
The backlash against Ubisoft doesn’t stop there. Kondo also criticized the graphics and gameplay, which have been points of contention in previous Ubisoft games.
The company’s apparent inability to handle constructive criticism was on display recently when the official Assassin’s Creed X account responded to another YouTuber, NikTek, who pointed out bugs in the graphics.
Note to self: make ‘Work In Progress’ appear larger ✍ https://t.co/4q2SMP6Buh
— Assassin’s Creed (@assassinscreed) January 24, 2025
Rather than addressing the criticism directly, Ubisoft responded dismissively, saying, “Note to Self: Make ‘Work in Progress’ appear larger.” This tone-deaf reply reflects a pattern of defensiveness that has alienated players further.
The takedown of Kondo’s video is just the latest chapter in Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ troubled journey to release.
Ubisoft’s decision to center the game around Yasuke, a supposedly “historical” Black samurai, marked a significant departure from the franchise’s tradition of using fictional protagonists who interact with historical figures. Many fans expected a traditional Japanese lead rooted in the samurai or ninja archetypes, and Ubisoft’s choice has been seen as prioritizing modern Western ideological trends over authenticity in a game that’s supposed to depict Eastern culture.
A screenshot from Assassin’s Creed Shadows (2024), Ubisoft
Adding to the controversy are complaints about historical inaccuracies, including the depiction of Chinese architecture in a game set in feudal Japan. Ubisoft has faced significant backlash for its portrayal of Japan, with critics accusing the company of insensitivity and a lack of genuine respect for Japanese culture.
These issues are compounded by repeated delays. The game was initially slated for a November 2024 release, later pushed to February 2025, and now rescheduled for March 20, 2025. This new release date has sparked further outrage, as it coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Tokyo subway sarin attack, Japan’s deadliest modern domestic tragedy—a decision seen as either ignorant or deeply disrespectful.
A screenshot from Assassin’s Creed Shadows (2024), Ubisoft
For a company claiming to respect Japanese history, Ubisoft’s actions speak louder than their marketing. Silencing Shohei Kondo, a Japanese creator speaking out against inaccuracies in his own culture’s representation, sets a dangerous precedent. Instead of addressing valid criticisms, Ubisoft appears to be suppressing dissent, alienating both Japanese audiences and the global gaming community.
As the controversies mount, Assassin’s Creed Shadows risks becoming a cautionary tale about the dangers of cultural insensitivity and corporate defensiveness.
When you allow the government to censor hate speech, you allow the government to decide what speech is hate speech.
Trump struck down our government’s attempts at censorship and most companies are quietly changing their positions to avoid potential backlash. Most, not all. YouTube is a notable holdout that’s doubling down on their censorship policies. People think Susan Woke-jicki was bad? Her replacement is even worse.
There’s no “bottom” where the woke go, “Okay, we can’t get any worse than this.” It’s never the worst ever, it’s only ever the worst so far.
Oh, the bloody irony of this. Just another nail.keep it ging, Ubisoft.
It’s time for everyone–and I mean *everyone*–to start pressuring their favorite content creators to start simultaneously uploading to other videos sharing sites (Bitchute, Odysee, Rumble, whatever) and for everyone to then abandon YouTube. They won’t change so long as people keep uploading to and visiting the site; they have no reason to. And if they never change and go out of business, oh well.
The Streisand effect could kick in. If you ban something, more people want to see it. What are the corporations hiding from us?
It’s curious that Japanese men are also a victim of DEI, along with Northern European whites.
Obviously black people built Japan…
[…] Fonte: thatparkplace […]
[…] Fonte: thatparkplace […]
[…] game is historically accurate ∟They also have non-binary nonsense in it ∟Japanese YouTuber Claims Video Criticizing ‘Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Gameplay Struck Down … ∟Meanwhile, the usual shills came out to fellate it ∟Journalist marvels […]