Ubisoft announced that actor Mackenyu, who is best known for his role as Roronoa Zoro in Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece and his work in Knight of the Zodiac and Dragons of Wonderhatch, will make his video game debut, lending both his voice and likeness to the highly anticipated Assassin’s Creed Shadows video game on March 20th.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set in feudal Japan, where the forces of vengeance and mercy collide during the critical events of the country’s unification. The game introduces a novel dual-protagonist system featuring Naoe, a skillful shinobi from Iga, and Yasuke, the powerful African samurai. These characters offer distinct gameplay experiences as their stories intertwine in a world where lines between right and wrong are often blurred.
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The quick-witted and agile Naoe uses noise, light, and shadows to evade detection as enemies respond to their changing surroundings. Distract guards using kunai, shuriken, and smoke bombs, infiltrate enemy bases with your grappling hook and parkour skills, and assassinate your targets with the hidden blade.
As the charismatic samurai Yasuke, strike your foes with brutal precision and power. Use his combat-oriented skills to attack, block, parry, and defeat your enemies. Master the vast arsenal of weapons at your disposal – featuring katana, kanabo, bows, naginata, and more – to free Japan from its oppressors.
So, how does Mackenyu enter the picture in this latest video game installment?
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Who will Mackenyu portray in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Mackenyu portrays Gennojo, a charming individual who crosses paths with Naoe and Yasuke while they are tracking a crucial target. Players can recruit him in the Shinobi League to aid in their fight against the forces of corruption that are rampant across the land. Mackenyu will be doing both the Japanese and English voice over for this character.
“I have fond memories of the franchise. I was in middle school when Assassin’s Creed first came out, and I remember my friends and I would gather at a friend’s house and take turns playing the game,” Mackenyu said. “When I heard that the new Assassin’s Creed game would be set in Japan, I knew that I needed to be part of this project.”
“Mackenyu’s performance added something really special to our game,” said Jonathan Dumont, Creative Director at Ubisoft Quebec, the lead development studio for Assassin’s Creed Shadows. “His unique energy and charisma breathe life into Gennojo, and we’re eager for players to meet the character and explore his story.”
And he may be joining a promising new addition to the franchise based on our reviewer’s feedback.
The game shows promise in its early preview
Since it first launched in 2007, the Assassin’s Creed series has sold more than 200 million games worldwide. The franchise is now established as one of the best-selling series in video game history. Recognized for having some of the richest, most engrossing storytelling in the industry, Assassin’s Creed transcends video games, branching out into numerous other entertainment media. It’s no wonder then that anticipation is high for the latest installment in the Assasin’s Creed universe.
Set in feudal Japan, more specifically toward the end of the Sengoku period, Ubisoft’s team has already upped the playing level with the introduction of a dual-protagonist system. One of the protagonists is the noted Yasuke of legend, who served under the famous feudal lord Oda Nobunaga. This gives us an immediate inside look into how much research Ubisoft has done to tackle the era’s history.
After playing the preview, our reviewer had much to say: “From just a single mission and a small sliver of the map, Assassin’s Creed Shadows promises to be an excellent entry in the series’ open-world RPG iterations. The story feels as complex as its central characters and their lived experiences. The endless fight between free will and determinism rages on between opposing forces from across Japan and beyond its shores. At the heart of it will be two distinct and equally engaging character archetypes.”
With Mackenyu entering what may be the most exciting addition to the franchise to date, fans of his work and Assassin’s Creed will have much to celebrate.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows releases on Xbox Series S|X, PlayStation 5, Amazon Luna, Mac, and PC on March 20, 2025.
