The US is finally getting the manga comic book Assassin’s Creed: Blade of Shao Jun, which was previously released in China back in 2019.
The manga was written by Minoji Kirata and was based on a character from the popular Assassin’s Creed video game series.
If you’re scratching your head wondering which game the character of Shao Jun appeared in, it’s understandable.
She was the main protagonist of the 2015 game Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China, which was a sub-series of games. Shao Jun was also featured in the 2011 short film Assassin’s Creed: Embers, where she meets Ezio Auditore, the main character in Assassin’s Creed 2, Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, and Assassin’s Creed Revelations.
Blade of Shao Jun follows Shao Jun, now a master assassin in the Chinese brotherhood in 1526. Shao Jun is the last assassin in China. She returns to her homeland on a quest for revenge against the new emperor, who is responsible for the deaths of the other assassins.
The year 1526 puts it at the same time period as Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China.
“A gripping manga based on Ubisoft‘s Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China video game, featuring iconic Assassin Shao Jun,” the official synopsis reads. “Unveil a tale that will engulf the world. 1526 AD – China is ruled by the Great Ming Empire. Though the empire flourishes, the winds of the new Emperor’s political purge are sweeping over the land, and turmoil is brewing. With the decimation of her comrades, Shao Jun has become China’s last Assassin. After escaping to Europe, she has now returned alone to her homeland. Her purpose: vengeance!”
When Blade of Shao Jun was first released in China, it was published in the Sunday GX magazine under the title Assassin’s Creed: China. The first collected volume of this story was released in Japan earlier this year.
It makes sense that Ubisoft would want to feature a strong central female character at this time. The developer recently came under fire for a slew of allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct. This led to the resignation of many top Ubisoft personnel, including Ashraf Ismail, the director of the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
There were also rumors circulating that Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, Origins, and Odyssey were all pitched to have a lone central female protagonist, but this idea was scrapped by Ubisoft officials who believed that women “don’t sell.” Ubisoft has denied these allegations.
In the case of Syndicate and Origins, the female characters shared time with male assassins, and the player switched back and forth between them. Odyssey and the upcoming Valhalla give players the option of whether to play as a male or female assassin.
