BODY: Ubisoft dropped a bombshell on Japanese fans this morning: the beloved pirate Edward Kenway will sound noticeably different in the upcoming remake of "Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag." The publisher confirmed on May 22 that voice actor Kenjiro Tsuda, who originally portrayed the Welsh buccaneer in the 2013 release, will be replaced by Eiji Hanawa in "Assassin's Creed Black Flag RE:Synchro."
The announcement came alongside the reveal of the full Japanese dub cast for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC remake. Ubisoft offered a carefully worded explanation, stating the change was made "as a result of various considerations and discussions during production." The publisher stopped short of providing specific reasons for parting ways with Tsuda, leaving fans to speculate.
Hanawa, while less of a household name than his predecessor, brings solid credentials to the role. The casting shift represents one of the more significant voice changes in a major remake for the Japanese market in recent memory, particularly given Tsuda's massive following in the country.
The remake itself promises overhauled visuals, refined gameplay systems, and modernized naval combat โ the feature that made the original a fan favorite over a decade ago.
The insider take
In Japan, Kenjiro Tsuda has become something close to a national institution over the past five years, voicing everything from Jujutsu Kaisen's Satoru Gojo's brother to countless prestige anime leads. His gravelly baritone is instantly recognizable, which makes Ubisoft's vague "various considerations" statement particularly conspicuous to Japanese audiences. Scheduling conflicts are the most common culprit in cases like this โ Tsuda's calendar is famously packed โ but the publisher's measured phrasing suggests something more deliberate. Whatever the reason, Japanese fan forums are already lighting up with mixed reactions, and Ubisoft will need Hanawa's performance to win over a vocal community that grew attached to the original dub.
Originally reported by GAME Watch (Japanese).