Summary
AnAssassin’s Creed Shadowsfigure made by PureArts has been pulled from sale due to an “insensitive design,” the manufacturer said. This turn of events adds to the recent string of controversies surroundingAssassin’s Creed Shadows.
PureArts is a Canadian collectible manufacturer that has been making figurines, maps, artbooks, and other types of merch since 2008. It has frequently collaborated with Ubisoft, having licensed a variety of the company’s franchises in the past. As part of these efforts,PureArts released multipleAssassin’s Creedstatuesand figures based on everything from the first entry in the franchise toAC Valhalla. On September 19, the company announced another such offering in the form of a 6-inch statue of Naoe and Yasuke fromAC Shadows, which was meant to expand its Qlectors lineup of PVC collectibles.
But the figure was pulled from sale less than a month later, with the manufacturer citing an “insensitive design” as the reason for its decision. “We appreciate and have learned from the concerns brought to our attention, and we apologize for the harm this caused,” PureArts wrote in an October 15statement. The company added that it’s currently in the process of redesigning the collectible and that it hasn’t canceled any pre-orders. Instead,Assassin’s Creed Shadowsfanswho placed an advanced order on the figure will soon hear back from PureArts, presumably because the group will give them a choice between accepting the new design or canceling their purchase manually.
Why Is the Design of PureArts' Assassin’s Creed Shadows Yasuke and Naoe Figure Insensitive?
The social media reactions to the figure’s original announcement and PureArts' own statement on the matter suggest that the collectible’s design was deemed insensitive due to its depiction of a torn Torii gate that only has a single crooked leg left standing, with Naoe crouching on top of it. Torii gates are significant symbolsin Japanese cultureand religion, used to mark entrances to sacred spaces like Shinto shrines. Therefore, a $70 collectible of a desecrated Torii gate can be seen as culturally insensitive and deeply disrespectful. Some social media users have likened this figure to selling a statue of a church cut in half.
We appreciate and have learned from the concerns brought to our attention, and we apologize for the harm this caused.
PureArts hasn’t yet said when it intends to reveal its revised design for the 6-inch statue. The new version of the collectible will presumably be unveiled beforeAssassin’s Creed Shadowshits the market on June 05, 2025.
This turn of events is not the first occasion on which the upcoming game faced accusations of being culturally insensitive. Back in July 2024,Assassin’s Creed Shadowsdevelopers addressed criticism from Japanese fansand defended their decision to depict Yasuke, who is based on a real historical person, as a samurai warrior. Shortly beforehand, Ubisoft apologized to the Sekigahara Teppo-tai reenacment group for accidentally using its banner in someAC Shadowspromotional materials.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience an epic historical action-adventure story set in feudal Japan! Become a lethal shinobi Assassin and a powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open world in a time of chaos. Switch seamlessly between two unlikely allies as you discover their common destiny. Master complementary playstyles, create your shinobi league, customize your hideout, and usher in a new era for Japan.• Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.• Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles. As Naoe, use stealth to avoid detection and agility to confound your enemies. As Yasuke, strike your foes with lethal precision and power. Unlock new skills, gear, and progression independently for each character.• Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.• Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
