The creative director of Assassin's Creed Shadows says that the decision to feature two distinct characters is part of the Assassin's Creed fandom's desire for two different types of main character. In an interview with GamesRadar+,

We went hands-on with Assassin's Creed Shadows, spending nearly four hours in Japan. And Yasuke feels the most different the series has been in years.

It took me all of five minutes with Assassin’s Creed Shadows to get it: We’re so back, y’all. Also: You get a grappling hook. Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set in Japan near the end of the 16th century,