You Won’t Believe Who Luis Frois Really Was in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

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The foundational element of the Assassin’s Creed series has always been its historical context. Although it doesn’t claim to be the most historically precise, the Assassin’s Creed franchise immerses itself deeply in history, with each installment taking place in a different era and location, and drawing heavily from real-world events, characters, and periods for inspiration. In line with this tradition, Assassin’s Creed: Shadows is no exception to this historical immersion.

In a groundbreaking move for the Assassin’s Creed series, I find myself stepping into the shoes of a character inspired by a true historical figure named Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows. However, it’s important to note that Yasuke isn’t alone in his journey, as he interacts with an array of characters rooted in history, including Naoe, my companion. Among these historical figures, I’ve encountered Luis Frois, a Portuguese man whose life is filled with tales worth retelling.

The Real-World History of Assassin’s Creed Shadows Luis Frois Explained

Luis Frois’ Early Life

In the year 1532, Luis Frois made his entrance into the world, right in Lisbon, Portugal’s capital city. The first 16 years of his life were dedicated to learning at the court of King John III. Subsequently, he opted to be part of the Jesuit Order, a relatively new Catholic group of clerics established only eight years prior. The main objective of this order was to act as missionaries and propagate Catholicism in various foreign regions around the globe.

Following his entrance into the Jesuit order, Luis Frois ventured to Portuguese India, encountering fellow Jesuit Francis Xavier who was on a mission to Japan. By 1561, having successfully completed his Jesuit education, Frois had matured into a fully ordained priest, well-versed in both speech and penmanship.

Luis Frois’ Life in Japan

Back in the year 1563, I found myself embarking on a missionary journey to the mysterious land of Japan. As fate would have it, my path led me to the bustling city of Kyoto, where I crossed paths with two historical figures: Ashikaga Yoshiteru, the shogun, and Oda Nobunaga, a man whose name was synonymous with intrigue and civil strife among Japan’s powerful daimyos and their clans.

Over time, Frois managed to earn Nobunaga’s confidence, eventually transforming into a close associate. As Nobunaga grew more powerful and pursued his goal of unifying Japan under a single standard, Frois (in tandem with fellow Jesuits like Alessandro Valignano) was granted the autonomy to propagate Catholicism across Japan.

In the year 1583, Luis Frois was directed by his higher-ups to document the daily activities of Jesuit missionaries in Japan, along with significant happenings within the country itself. The chronicles penned by Frois – eventually known as “History of Japan” – were quite comprehensive and remain a valuable resource for understanding the Sengoku era of Japan today. Tragically, Frois passed away in Nagasaki in July 1597.

In past Assassin’s Creed productions, both Francis Xavier and Alessandro Valignano have been depicted as Templars. However, their roles are not explicitly defined in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. It appears doubtful that Luis Frois is a Templar within the context of Shadows, given his assistance to Yasuke during the game’s conclusion and his role in supporting Yasuke’s personal journey.

Luis Frois’ Records Mention Yasuke’s Presence in Japan

There isn’t much information available about Yasuke’s life in Japan, with most of what we know stemming from the records and letters of Luis Frois. As per Frois’ narratives, Yasuke traveled alongside Frois and Italian Jesuit Alessandro Valignano during their encounter with Oda Nobunaga in 1581. During this meeting, Nobunaga asked Valignano to release Yasuke, which he consented to. The first scene depicting this encounter can be found in the video game Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

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2025-03-26 22:08