Naoe: A Shinobi Assassin & MASUMI’s Perfect Match in AC Shadows

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In the game “Assassin’s Creed Shadows”, the traditional hero is a shinobi named Naoe. She’s bright-eyed, young, and maybe a bit out of her depth in this latest addition to the longstanding series. Unlike Yasuke who embodies the samurai dream in “Assassin’s Creed Shadows”, Naoe embodies the stealthy aspect that is characteristic of the assassin franchise.

Game Rant interviewed Masumi Tsusnoda (styled as MASUMI in her performances), before the launch of ‘Assassin’s Creed Shadows’. They discussed her relationship with the character Naoe, as well as her debut role as an actor within a video game and what that process involved.

Connecting With Naoe

From the very beginning, MASUMI felt a profound bond with Naoe. She identified with strong characters who were confident yet had a touch of human fragility, and she believed this fit perfectly with Naoe. Acting as the character felt instinctive to her. What particularly resonated with her was Naoe’s personality, which she went on to explain.

From the get-go, I found her easy to comprehend, which was quite fortunate for me. This understanding was largely due to the captivating tales we shared, as I was quickly able to establish a connection with her through them. In addition, I desired Naoe to be both robust and delicate, as this balance is significant to me. When portraying strong female characters, I always aim to incorporate vulnerability as well…I believe Naoe to be straightforward and sincere. She doesn’t mince words, she’s honest, passionate about her family, and she unwaveringly stands by what she believes is right. She values herself highly and has a deep self-awareness.

Naoe’s narrative delves into ideas of revenge and forgiveness, resonating strongly with MASUMI. As a musician, she has penned a song titled “Sinking Boat” that mirrors these themes, which she sees as parallel to Naoe’s voyage. Additionally, she immersed herself in her family’s historical accounts of war and hardship to gain insight into surviving during the tumultuous Sengoku era, similar to the challenges faced by characters like Naoe.

In a previous interview with Game Rant, the associate narrative director of AC Shadows, Brooke Davies, commended MASUMI’s portrayal of Naoe, highlighting her ability to convey youth, optimism, and innocence. MASUMI was so certain of her performance that she was asked to audition again, yet she chose to stick with her initial delivery, eventually landing the role. As MASUMI shared, this was due to her confidence in her original performance.

Initially, I attended the casting call, instantly resonated with the role, and felt I gave a commendable performance. I was content with my submission, but didn’t receive any feedback. A considerable amount of time passed, approximately six months, then they reached out again with the same audition opportunity. At that point, I had already been pleased with my initial tryout, so I politely turned them down, stating “I’ll stick with what I submitted initially.” I assumed I had no further chances for the role. However, around three to four months later, I received an unexpected call-back for the same audition. I was taken aback because I hadn’t anticipated getting a second chance at it.

For the past two years, she’s dwelled more in the world of Naoe than with any other character. This extended stay has left MASUMI captivated by the art of video game acting, following her initial appearance.

Debuting in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Most of MASUMI’s career has been focused on movies and TV, so starring in the video game “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” was a fresh and exciting departure for her. It wasn’t just the length of time she spent as Naoe that was challenging, but rather the opportunity to bring a video game character to life had long been a dream of hers. Specifically, she found the use of motion capture rigs and studios to be quite different from her previous work in film and television.

In this role, I was embarking on uncharted territory as I hadn’t done voiceovers or motion capture before. The experience was exhilarating, as there were numerous facets to delve into and learn. Although I have a background in film and television, the true essence of these techniques eluded me until I donned the motion capture suit. There were instances where physical contact was required, yet due to cameras positioned between us, actual touch wasn’t feasible. We had to maintain distance, but I needed to simulate intimacy. To surmount these challenges and deliver an authentic performance, I had to conjure up intense emotions and vivid imagination.

In simpler terms, she pointed out that working in motion capture studios, where large, bare rooms replace sets, props, and cameras that typically facilitate actor interaction, created difficulties for her. As a result, she found herself asking numerous questions to maintain consistency. For example, instead of experiencing the sensation of a door’s weight on a traditional set, she had to ask about its details so that her push would match the door’s weight.

For MASUMI, this was more than just a realization of a wish; it felt like she had manifested the opportunity to star in Assassin’s Creed Shadows through sheer determination. Her longing to act in video games was profound, and she eagerly anticipates taking on similar roles in future projects.

It seemed as if I brought this opportunity into my life because I’ve always aspired to be a video game character, and when it presented itself, it was like a long-cherished dream realized. My experiences have undoubtedly expanded since then, given that I had none prior. Indeed, I would relish the chance to revisit this role…I believe I would forever cherish playing a character who stands for something significant, regardless of what that might be. I’m drawn to characters who must confront their inner battles and face their own shadows in order to overcome obstacles greater than themselves.

What draws her to acting challenges are the deep, human layers and emotions found in characters like Naoe. She mentioned that it doesn’t necessarily require a character to be a powerful assassin like Naoe, but what’s essential is for the character to be strong-willed and complex. These kinds of roles are the ones she cherishes the most, and they might be the types of roles her fans can anticipate seeing her in the future.

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2025-03-19 18:47