Pure arts pulls Assassin's Creed Shadows stature amid controversy

PureArts recently decided to withdraw the design of the statue for Assassin’s Creed Shadows following criticism for being perceived as "insensitive." The statue portrayed the game's characters Yasuke and Naoe standing in front of a damaged torii gate that bore resemblance to the one at Sannō Shrine in Nagasaki, which endured the impact of the atomic bomb in 1945.

Fans expressed disapproval of the design due to its resemblance to the tragic aftermath of the atomic bomb's impact—a connection that stirred up strong emotions and backlash against PureArts’ imagery choice. Upon receiving backlash from fans and critics regarding the design's link to historical trauma and devastation caused by the atomic bomb in Japan's history, PureArts took to social media to issue a public apology addressing the unintended offense caused by their sculpture. They also revealed plans to revise and redevelop the statue. PureArts assured customers who had pre-purchased the item that they would be contacted with updates on their orders as part of their commitment to transparency.

The debate over the statue is one of the problems linked to Assassin’s Creed Shadows recently. The game showcases Yasuke as a Black samurai and Naoe as a shinobi and has been under fire for its portrayal of Japanese history. Criticism has been ongoing, with Ubisoft issuing an apology to fans earlier this year for some promotional content that sparked concern. Additionally, the game’s launch has been pushed back to 2025 due to performance issues in Ubisoft games.

Despite facing challenges, Ubisoft and PureArts are determined to continue developing the Assassin’s Creed Shadows collection, which will feature replicas of Yasuke’s samurai helmet and Naoe’s hidden blade. This situation underscores the importance of cultural awareness in design, especially when incorporating significant symbols.