You’ve probably heard the name Hattori Hanzo a thousand times. He’s the "Demon Ninja," the guy who pops up in every piece of Japanese media from Kill Bill to Nioh. So, when Ubisoft announced Hattori Hanzo in Assassin's Creed Shadows, the hype was real. People expected a mentor, a master, maybe even the guy who hands Naoe her first hidden blade.
But honestly? The way the game handles him is a massive curveball.
If you're looking for the typical "legendary hero" trope, you're in for a surprise. Hanzo isn't just some background NPC or a simple quest-giver. He’s a complicated, deeply flawed figure whose history with the Brotherhood is... well, it’s messy. Let's get into what actually happens with Hanzo in the game and why some fans are calling it a "betrayal" of his legend.
The Hanzo You Didn't Expect
Basically, in Assassin's Creed Shadows, Hanzo isn't the invincible god of war you see in other games. He's a man burdened by his past. When you first encounter him, it’s not as a teacher. He’s serving Tokugawa Ieyasu, which is historically accurate, but his ties to the Assassins—or the Kakushiba—are where things get dark.
The game reveals that Hanzo was once a core member of the Japanese Brotherhood. But he didn't leave on good terms.
He was jealous.
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Specifically, he was jealous of Naoe’s father, Fujibayashi Nagato. It turns out Hanzo had feelings for Naoe’s mother, Tsuyu, but she chose Nagato instead. That petty, human resentment led to a catastrophic choice: Hanzo betrayed the Assassins. He leaked the location of the Imperial Regalia to the Shinbakufu (the game's version of a shadow Templar-adjacent group).
That "Kill or Forgive" Choice (The Meaning of the Blade)
Toward the end of the game—specifically in the epilogue mission called The Meaning of the Blade—everything comes to a head. Naoe finally corners Hanzo at the Sakafuneishi stones in the Asuka Rocks Basin. This is where he spills the truth. He admits his role in the downfall of the Iga province and the betrayal of Naoe's family.
You're hit with a prompt: Forgive or Attack?
If you choose to forgive him right away, Naoe suppresses her rage. It's a quiet, tense moment. Hanzo tells her that Ieyasu was right about her being the future of Japan. He agrees to rejoin the remnants of the Iga Kakushiba to help find Naoe's mother, who might still be alive.
But if you choose to attack? Man, be ready.
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The Boss Fight
Hanzo is easily one of the hardest fights in the game. He doesn't fight like a samurai; he fights like a high-level Assassin.
- Smoke Bombs: He’ll vanish constantly, breaking your lock-on.
- Kunai Spams: He throws them in a wide cone that’s hard to dodge if you're too close.
- Unblockable Feints: He has this nasty combo where the first hit is red (unblockable), the second is parriable, and the third is unblockable again. If you mess up the timing, Naoe is basically toast.
The weird part? Even if you "kill" him in the fight, Naoe doesn't actually finish the job. She stops the blade at the last second. Regardless of your choice, the narrative forces a path where Hanzo lives to seek redemption. Some players found this frustrating—like their choice didn't "matter"—but from a lore perspective, it keeps Hanzo alive for the historical role he has to play in the upcoming Tokugawa Shogunate.
History vs. The Game: What’s Real?
Ubisoft loves to play with the "Oni no Hanzo" (Demon Hanzo) persona. Historically, the real Hattori Hanzo wasn't strictly a "ninja" in the way we see in movies. He was a high-ranking samurai who led a group of Iga shinobi. He was famous for saving Tokugawa Ieyasu’s life during the treacherous trek through Iga after the Honno-ji Incident.
Assassin's Creed Shadows keeps that Ieyasu connection but adds the Assassin flavor.
- The Iga Connection: The real Hanzo definitely had Iga roots. The game uses this to explain his initial membership in the Brotherhood.
- The 1581 Invasion: The game's depiction of the Second Tensho Iga War is the catalyst for everything. Hanzo’s guilt stems from not doing enough—or actively sabotaging—the defense against Nobunaga’s forces.
- The "Demon" Nickname: In history, he was called the "Demon" because of his ferocity in battle. In the game, it feels more like a commentary on his "dark" betrayal of his own kind.
Why This Matters for the Lore
A lot of people are asking why Hanzo isn't the main mentor. That role actually goes more toward Momochi Sandayu, who is depicted as the true leader of the Iga Kakushiba until his death. By making Hanzo a "fallen" member who needs redemption, the writers gave him more depth than just being a generic legendary ninja.
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It links the Japanese branch of the Assassins directly to the political rise of the Tokugawa. If you've played the older games, you know the Assassins usually thrive in the shadows of new empires. Hanzo is the bridge between the old, destroyed Iga traditions and the new world order.
Actionable Insights for Players:
If you're currently playing through the Hanzo storyline or just starting, keep these tips in mind to get the best experience:
- Don't Rush the Epilogue: You need to defeat the 12 Shinbakufu members before "The Meaning of the Blade" even triggers. Take your time with the world first.
- Level Up Your Stealth: Even though the Hanzo "choice" leads to a fight, the lead-up involves investigating the Asuka Rocks. Having a high stealth rating makes navigating the Yamato outposts much easier.
- Weapon Choice: If you plan on fighting him, use the Kusarigama for distance. Hanzo's close-range sword combos are frame-perfect and will punish you for using a standard Katana if you aren't a parry god.
- The "Forgive" Ending: If you care about the "feel-good" (or at least productive) ending, forgiving him leads to him actively helping the Brotherhood again. It feels more in line with Naoe's growth from a vengeful survivor to a true Master Assassin.
Hanzo's role in Shadows is definitely a departure from the "invincible hero" we see in most games, but it fits the Assassin's Creed vibe of "history is written by the people who survived the mess." He’s a broken legend, and helping him find his way back to the Creed is one of the more emotional beats in the late game.
Next time you see him standing next to Ieyasu, just remember: that guy is carrying a lot of secrets.
Next Steps for Your Playthrough:
Check your quest log for "The Meaning of the Blade" once you've finished the main Shinbakufu hunt. Make sure Naoe is at least Level 45 before attempting the "Attack" option, or the boss fight will be a one-shot nightmare. Focus on upgrading your Perfect Parry skills in the Shinobi skill tree specifically for this encounter.