BODY: Japanese fans got an unexpected jolt on May 22 when Ubisoft unveiled the Japanese dub cast for "Assassin's Creed Black Flag RE:Synchro," the upcoming remake of the beloved 2013 pirate adventure. The headline change: Edward Kenway will no longer be voiced by Kenjiro Tsuda, who originated the role in the Japanese dub of the original game.
Stepping into the captain's boots is Eiji Hanawa, a respected voice actor whose credits include roles in long-running anime franchises. Ubisoft offered a notably cryptic explanation for the swap, stating only that the decision came "as a result of various deliberations and consultations during production." No further details were provided about why the original casting could not be retained.
The reveal also confirmed the broader supporting cast for the Japanese version, with Ubisoft positioning the remake as a fully re-recorded experience rather than a simple visual upgrade. "RE:Synchro" is slated for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with Ubisoft promising overhauled visuals, refined gameplay systems, and expanded narrative content built on the foundation of the original Caribbean-set adventure.
For Japanese players who spent dozens of hours sailing the Jackdaw with Tsuda's gruff, charismatic Edward in their ears, the recast lands as a genuine emotional pivot โ Tsuda has since become one of Japan's most in-demand voice actors, making his absence particularly conspicuous.
The insider take
Recasting a beloved Japanese dub role is rarely a creative decision in isolation here in Tokyo โ it's almost always a scheduling, agency, or rights issue dressed up in diplomatic language. Tsuda's career has exploded since 2013 (he's now a fixture in major anime like "Jujutsu Kaisen" and "Mashle"), and his rates and availability have shifted accordingly. Ubisoft's vague "various deliberations" phrasing is the standard Japanese corporate formulation when the real reason โ typically cost, scheduling conflict, or agency negotiations โ cannot be stated publicly. Expect fan discourse on X and 5ch to dissect this for weeks.
Originally reported by GAME Watch (Japanese).