Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Unraveling the Timeline of Feudal Japan

Feudal Japan, long desired as a setting by fans of the stealth-based Assassin’s Creed series, is now available in the new game titled Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

Fans have been eagerly waiting for the Assassin’s Creed franchise to explore Feudal Japan, and that wait is over with the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

In a fresh take on the Assassin’s Creed series, we’ve journeyed from ancient Greece to Victorian London, with the latest installment placing us in the footsteps of two intriguing characters: Yasuke, a historically accurate African samurai, and Naoe, an assassin who is also the daughter of the renowned ninja, Fujibayashi Nagato.

In this article, we’ll be delving into the specific time and location of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, along with its position within the Assassin’s Creed (AC) chronology and other media related to historical Japan such as Ghost of Tsushima and Shogun.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows setting explained

Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes place in the year 1579, during the Azuchi-Momoyama period, marking the close of the Sengoku era.

1579 holds significant historical events in Japan, such as the second assault on Arioka Castle and the appearance of Yasuke, an African samurai who is your character in a game.

Meanwhile, across the globe, Elizabeth I sat upon the English throne, while Francis Drake set foot in California, naming it “New Albion.

Where is it set?

In a more precise location, Assassin’s Creed Shadows unfolds within the heart of Japan.

As a gamer eagerly anticipating the upcoming release, I’m excited to share that Takeda Castle will be featured in the cinematic trailer. It’s clear that Kyoto and Osaka will be key destinations within the game world. Moreover, the Claws of Awaji expansion is set for later in 2025, and if you pre-order now, you can claim this island adventure free of charge! So, don’t miss out on this fantastic bonus – secure your pre-order today!

Shadows place in the Assassin’s Creed timeline

  • Assassin’s Creed Odyssey – 431-422 BC
  • Assassin’s Creed Origins – 49-38 BC
  • Assassin’s Creed Mirage – 861
  • Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – 872-878
  • Assassin’s Creed – 1191 
  • Assassin’s Creed II – 1476-1499
  • Assassin’s Creed movie – 1492
  • Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood – 1499-1507
  • Assassin’s Creed Revelations – 1511-1512
  • Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China – 1526
  • Assassin’s Creed Shadows – 1579
  • Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag – 1715-1722
  • Assassin’s Creed Rogue – 1752-1776
  • Assassin’s Creed III – 1754-1783
  • Assassin’s Creed Unity – 1789-1794
  • Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: India – 1841
  • Assassin’s Creed Syndicate – 1868
  • Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: Russia – 1918

In the game Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, the storyline falls between Revelations and Black Flag, but there is a 200-year time difference between those titles, so you won’t find many familiar characters in this Japanese setting. However, you might encounter Kassandra, who was introduced in Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows setting compared

  • Ghost of Tsushima – 1274
  • Shogun: Total War – 1467
  • Total War: Shogun 2 – 1545
  • Nioh 2 – 1555
  • Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice – ~1570
  • Assassin’s Creed Shadows 1579
  • Shogun – 1600
  • Nioh – 1600
  • Onimusha: Way of the Sword – Edo era (1600-1868)
  • Ghost of Yotei – 1603
  • Like a Dragon: Ishin! – 1860s
  • Rise of the Ronin – 1863
  • A Total War Saga: Fall of the Samurai – 1864

Even though these games (including the Shogun TV series) don’t share a direct connection, playing them gives you a sense of where the story of Shadows fits into Japanese history. While Sekiro is a fantasy tale, its setting during the late 1500s is almost contemporaneous with Shogun, making it just 21 years prior. This allows us to gain insight into Japan’s political landscape during those preceding years.

In Ghost of Tsushima, the action takes place centuries earlier, whereas Rise of the Ronin occurs three hundred years onward. If you’re seeking a comparable title from roughly the same period, keep an eye out for Ghost of Yotei, expected to release in 2025.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’m super excited that Assassin’s Creed: Shadow drops on my radar (screen) come March 20th! While we eagerly await that day, let’s keep ourselves busy by exploring the release times and diving into a ranking of every Assassin’s Creed game out there. Can’t wait to see where this new adventure takes us!

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2025-03-14 18:21