Assassin’s Creed Shadows' two protagonists, historical figure Yasuke and assassin Naoe, are the beating heart of this entry. Not only does the story and dynamic build an important friendship between the two characters, but their tale serves an important role behind the scenes: a lifetime friendship between Yasuke and Naoe actors,Tongayi Chirisa and Masumi Tsunoda, respectively.
Tsunoda, who stylizes her name MASUMI as a performer, spoke to Game Rant ahead ofAssassin’s Creed Shadows' release. Among other things, she spoke about her first experience acting in a video game and the fast friendship that developed with fellow actor Chirisa.
The Dual Leads of Assassin’s Creed Shadows
The protagonists ofAssassin’s Creed Shadowsare a study in contrasts. Yasuke isan actual historical figure, while Naoe is a more typicalAssassin’s Creedprotagonist. Yasuke is about force, while Naoe is lightfooted and agile. Yasuke is a foreigner, while Naoe is local. Yasuke’s story is told at ground level, while Naoe flies from rooftop to rooftop. It’s their shared experience and principles that bring the two characters together, MASUMI explained:
“In the beginning, Yasuke basically invades my hometown of Iga. He is not somebody that I consider a friend, and we have our whole journey that eventually leads to us working together. I really enjoy that story because we have a lot of principles and values, but we start at completely opposite ends. When we come together, it’s just such a beautiful story behind that, which I hope you’ll get to see. The dynamic is really interesting because he’s this big samurai with this armor, and he can never hide anywhere. Naoe’s character is always in the shadows, and she’s very light-footed and very quiet. And that sort of dynamic is interesting coming together.”
That’s a great way to treat any game with dual protagonists, ahallmark of Ubisoft Quebec’sAssassin’s Creedgames. The distinct experiences ensure players are never bored and are constantly exposed to both the performances of MASUMI and Chirisa. Beyond gameplay, their shared themes also play an important role in the game and the acting experience. Both characters, as well as the actors, deliver an experience of revenge, forgiveness, and community, while also breaking from a cycle of violence that defines the period. Together, Naoe and Yasuke forge a different path together; In the real world, their story led to a new path for MASUMI and Chirisa as well.
The Voices Behind the Dual Leads
Behind the scenes, the distinction and initial tension between Yasuke and Naoe simply didn’t exist for MASUMI and Chirisa. MASUMI instantly enjoyed Chirisa’s company, viewing him as a brotherly figure fairly quickly in the process. Her final audition was a scene opposite Yasuke, and she found herself imagining the person who would play him, only to be fairly accurate with her estimation when she finally met Chirisa.
“When I actually met him, after I booked the job, he was exactly how I thought he was going to be–these warm brotherly vibes. We got along right away. I would say my friendship with Tongayi is one of the highlights of this video game because I gained such a gift of a lifetime friend. Yeah, working with him was always a joy. You know, it was so easy. I’m really glad that I was working with him throughout this project.”
That brotherly feeling was very helpful to MASUMI, for whomAssassin’s Creed Shadowswas a debut as a video game actor. She wasn’t used to things like motion capture, and Chirisa was a major part of the learning experience she had enjoyed so much working on the title. The friendship she’s forged over the past two years with Chirisa was a highlight of the experience.
She also glowingly reviewed Chirisa’s performance, an echo of how associate narrative directorBrooke Davies spoke highly of bothAssassin’s Creed Shadowsactors. Both actors wore emotion so clearly that they earned praise from the developers, but combining that talented performance with the personal bond the actors formed was key to it all.
“He’s an amazing actor. He’s very connected to his emotions. He’s always talking about how he can make it better, always joking at the same time, and making the work time very easy because eight hours of cinematic with mocap can get pretty tiring, right? The headgear is kind of heavy, and you have to get used to it. All the scenes that we’re playing are very emotionally heightened. Having worked with him–he’s just so professional, and with so much experience, I felt like I learned a lot from him.”
Despite having a more comfortable start than their characters, the bonds formed both by Chirisa and MASUMI and by Yasuke and Naoe define the experience of Assassin’sCreed Shadowsclearly, both on and off-screen, and is the result of years of hard work and skill from dedicated performers.
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.
