As if Assassin’s Creed Shadows did not have its fair share of criticism already, another has been added to the list that could be a big issue. The upcoming samurai protagonist in the game, Yasuke, has been facing a fair amount of backlash on the grounds of forced diversity.
That topic is subjective, and what seems like pushing a narrative to some may seem like a non-issue to others. However, the recent reported misdeed from Ubisoft could be far more cut-and-dry, if proven true. Not only has the studio been accused of stealing art, it has done so from one of the most beloved anime in history!
Yasuke’s Sword Design Allegedly Copied from Roronoa Zoro’s Sandai Kitetsu
One Piece has some of the most recognizable characters in all of anime, all thanks to the wacky and charming art style of Eiichiro Oda. Both long-time fans and newcomers to the series would be able to pick out his signature style at a mere glance, and that appears to be the case for the recent merchandise reveal by Ubisoft.
The Assassin’s Creed France page released a tweet showing the different merchandise on display during the Japan Expo convention in Paris. Among these are a painting of the Assassin’s Creed crest, a figurine, and Yasuke’s headgear and katana. It’s the last item on the list that has caught the attention of people online, who state it is a replica of Zoro’s sword from the anime.
The alleged transgression has gone beyond the sword sheath itself. The stand on which it is placed also appears to be an exact copy of the stand available online when purchasing a replica of Sandai Kitetsu, down to the Japanese characters written in red. Assassin’s Creed Shadows has faced criticism ranging from cultural degradation to shameful pricing practices, but if this report turns out to be true, art theft could easily top that list.
Fans of the anime have expressed their shock and anger at the revelation.
One response pins the blame on Ubisoft’s need to quickly push out games.
The anime’s fanbase is riled up, and it leads one to wonder if Oda himself will comment on the situation as well.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Appears to Be Heading Towards a Rocky Launch
In modern times, Ubisoft has become a bit of a punching bag for the gaming community. While the studio does release some good games now and again, many are annoyed with how it goes about handling business. One such example is locking the Jabba the Hutt missions behind a paywall in Star Wars Outlaws.
However, this new incident might be new ammo fans can use for years to come. Netizens are already rehashing the diversity issue as the cause of this event, and this might end up snowballing into a huge wave that Ubisoft may not be able to ride out.
Overall, Ubisoft needs to plan its next moves very carefully, starting with explaining the resemblance of not only the swords but the stand too.
What are your thoughts on the future of Assassin’s Creed Shadows? Let us know in the comments below!
