The historical aspect of Assassin's Creed Shadows is controversial: Is Yasuke a real samurai or a myth?

Assassin's Creed Shadows has been at the center of controversy due to the story of its protagonist Yasuke, a dark-skinned samurai who served Oda Nobunaga. Doubts have arisen about the historical authenticity of this character, and it has been revealed that many aspects of his story may be a hoax.

Japanese historian Yu Hirayama claims that Yasuke was indeed a samurai, but his claims have drawn criticism. Some active Internet users believe that Hirayama is a publicist promoting his work, possibly connected to BlackRock Corporation through investments. These users see his speeches as an attempt at self-promotion.

Skepticism also stems from Yasuke's lack of a surname, which is usually a marker of samurai status. However, supporters argue that this does not disqualify him from being a samurai. The debate surrounding the character's historical accuracy continues to heat up.