Summary
Any good visual story, whether it’s a film, television series, or video game, needs great talent to make its characters both believable and relatable.Assassin’s Creed Shadowsis no different, in that if it hopes to stick the landing with itsstory set in feudal Japan, it will need a stellar cast of voice actors and actresses who can not only deliver the lines on a script but deliver them in a convincing and meaningful way.
Assassin’s Creed Shadowshas an extensive list of talent behind each of its characters, but fans are likely to remember the story’s biggest characters more than the rest — especially those characters whose voices are familiar enough to conjure certain memories and feelings in players.Assassin’s Creed Shadows' Naoe, Yasuke, Gennojo, Fujibayashi Nagato, and Odu Nobunaga are all voiced by some impeccable talent, many of which players are likely to know from their favorite television series and films.
The Most Familiar Roles of Assassin’s Creed Shadows' Biggest Voice Actors
Masumi Tsunoda as Naoe
Arguably,Assassin’s Creed Shadows' Naoeis the game’s star, as players not only spend most of the early game with her, but she also represents traditionalAssassin’s Creedstealth gameplay. Her voice actress, Masumi Tsunoda (known professionally as MASUMI), is also quite the star, with a background that even includes singing and songwriting. MASUMI made her acting debut as Akemi in the 2021 filmYakuza Princess, where she played the role of a young woman uncovering her heritage within the Yakuza underworld.
Tongayi Chirisa as Yasuke
Yasuke is Naoe’s samurai counterpart inAssassin’s Creed Shadows, and he, for better or worse, has earned a major reputation as a character in the game. Yasuke is played by Tongayi Chirisa, whose diverse acting portfolio includes roles like Father Nicholas in the horror filmThe Darknessand Hekule in the adventure moviePalm Springs. He also appeared in the science fiction filmNext Exit, showing his versatility across genres. He does an excellent job as Yasuke inAssassin’s Creed Shadows, so his previous success as a film actor has certainly paid off.
Mackenyu as Gennojo
Gennojo is an integral character inAssassin’s Creed Shadowswho players can recruit as an ally after completing a series of quests in the game. He is also a potentialromantic interest for Naoe, and he can provide support during missions by distracting enemies and aiding in stealth operations. His voice actor, Mackenyu, is widely recognized for his portrayal of Enishi Yukishiro in the live-action adaptation ofRurouni Kenshin: The Final. Mackenyu also starred as Seiya in the filmKnights of the Zodiac, bringing the iconic anime character to life.
Peter Shinkoda as Fujibayashi Nagato
Fujibayashi Nagato plays the role of Naoe’s father inAssassin’s Creed Shadowsand is loosely based on the real-life historical figure of the same name. Nagato is primarily seen in flashbacks duringAssassin’s Creed Shadows' narrative, but his impact on the story and Naoe’s life is still very much felt. Nagato is played by Peter Shinkoda, who is best known for his role as Nobu Yoshioka in the Marvel seriesDaredevil. He also appeared as Dai in the seriesFalling Skies, adding to his repertoire of science fiction roles.
Hiro Kanagawa as Oda Nobunaga
Oda Nobunaga isAssassin’s Creed Shadows' overarching antagonist, and thanks to an excellent performance by Hiro Kanagawa, he makes a solid impression right from his introduction. Kanagawa has an extensive career that includes roles such as Lieutenant Suzuki in the filmGodzilla(2014) and Captain Tanaka inMan of Steel. He has also appeared in various television series, includingThe X-Files,Smallville,Star Trek: Discovery,The Man in the High Castle, and most recently,Night Agent. Needless to say, Kanagawa was chosen to playAssassin’s Creed Shadows' Oda Nobunaga for a reason, and there arguably couldn’t have been a better choice.
