Assassin’s Creed Shadows Romance Yasuke and Ibuki Ronin Non-Binary Are Making Gamers Buzz
The gaming world is abuzz with excitement and debate following the release of new details about Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Ubisoft’s latest installment in the long-running historical action franchise, set to launch on November 15, 2024. On March 25, 2025, Ubisoft dropped a bombshell that has sent fans into a frenzy: the game’s dual protagonists, Yasuke and Naoe, will feature a romance option with a non-binary character named Ibuki, a ronin who plays a significant role in the story. This revelation, combined with the historical setting of feudal Japan and the inclusion of Yasuke, a real-life African samurai, has sparked widespread discussion among gamers, with reactions ranging from enthusiastic support to heated controversy. As of March 26, 2025, the buzz surrounding this romance and the representation of a non-binary character continues to dominate gaming forums and social media platforms.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows marks a bold new chapter for the franchise, set in the Sengoku period of Japan in 1579. The game introduces two playable protagonists: Yasuke, a historical figure known as the first African samurai who served under Oda Nobunaga, and Naoe, a fictional female shinobi from the Iga province. Ubisoft has emphasized the duality of their gameplay styles—Yasuke’s brute strength as a samurai contrasts with Naoe’s stealth and agility as a ninja—offering players a dynamic experience. The game’s narrative delves into the chaos of the Sengoku era, with Nobunaga’s unification efforts at the heart of the story. However, it’s the introduction of Ibuki, a non-binary ronin, and the romance options with both Yasuke and Naoe that have truly captured the gaming community’s attention.
Ibuki, described by Ubisoft as a “masterless warrior with a mysterious past,” is a non-binary character who uses they/them pronouns, a first for the Assassin’s Creed series. Their design, featuring a rugged yet elegant appearance with a mix of traditional samurai armor and a flowing cloak, has been praised for its authenticity to the period while reflecting their unique identity. In the game, Ibuki crosses paths with Yasuke and Naoe during their mission to undermine Nobunaga’s enemies, eventually becoming a key ally—and potential love interest. Players can choose to pursue a romantic relationship with Ibuki as either protagonist, a decision that Ubisoft says will impact the story’s emotional arc. The romance scenes, as seen in promotional footage, are tender and intimate, with moments like Yasuke and Ibuki sharing a quiet embrace in a snowy forest, or Naoe and Ibuki exchanging a kiss near a waterfall, highlighting the depth of these relationships.
The inclusion of a non-binary character and the option for queer romance has been met with a polarized response. On one hand, many fans have celebrated Ubisoft’s commitment to diversity and representation. The Assassin’s Creed series has a history of exploring diverse identities—previous games like Odyssey and Valhalla offered same-sex romance options—but Shadows takes it a step further by introducing a non-binary character in a historical context. Supporters on platforms like X have lauded the move, with comments like “Ibuki’s romance with Yasuke is so beautifully done, it’s about time we saw this kind of representation in AAA games.” The game’s narrative director, Thierry Dansereau, emphasized in a recent interview that Ibuki’s identity was crafted with input from non-binary consultants to ensure authenticity, noting that their role as a ronin—a samurai without a master—mirrors their journey of self-discovery outside societal norms.
On the other hand, the decision has sparked backlash from a vocal segment of the gaming community. Some players have criticized Ubisoft for “pushing an agenda,” arguing that a non-binary character in 16th-century Japan feels anachronistic. Posts on X have highlighted this sentiment, with one user stating, “Assassin’s Creed is supposed to be historical, not a platform for modern identity politics.” Critics have also pointed to Ubisoft’s past controversies, such as the 2020 allegations of workplace misconduct, as evidence of the company’s “performative” approach to diversity. However, historians consulted by Ubisoft have countered these claims, noting that gender fluidity and non-conforming identities existed in feudal Japan, often within the context of samurai culture and theater, suggesting that Ibuki’s presence is more plausible than detractors might think.
Despite the controversy, the buzz around Yasuke, Naoe, and Ibuki has undeniably heightened anticipation for Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The game’s focus on romance adds a new layer of emotional depth to the series, allowing players to explore relationships in a way that feels personal and impactful. Yasuke’s historical significance as an African samurai already made him a groundbreaking protagonist, and his potential romance with Ibuki further underscores the game’s themes of acceptance and unity in a time of war. As the release date approaches, gamers are eager to step into the sandals of these warriors, navigating both the battlefield and matters of the heart in a beautifully realized feudal Japan.
