Assassin’s Creed Shadows Tongayi Chirisa is not done with Yasuke just yet

Now that the proverbial dust has settled following the launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, I had the opportunity to chat with Tongayi Chirisa, the actor who plays one of the two protagonists, Yasuke.

Born in Harare, Zimbabwe, Tongayi began his acting career in his homeland before moving to the USA around 2009 and has featured in popular productions, including NCIS: Los Angeles and American Horror Story: Asylum.

However, for many of you reading this, Tongayi is known for the role he played as the charismatic Yasuke in Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Before establishing his name in the entertainment industry and moving to a foreign country of a very different culture, I was curious to know what life was like for Tongayi as a young actor in the USA.

“Let's just say, acting and filming in Zimbabwe taught me how to be patient on set and not to worry about things outside of my control. We really don't have film production in Zimbabwe, like they do in the West,” he explains.

“There was a soap opera I was working on, and to take the cast to the set, we had one van that would pick us all up at 7am. It would take us to a small farmhouse to shoot the TV show. The final pickup for the van would be 5pm. So, if you’re shooting your scenes between 7am to 12pm, you’d automatically have to wait until 5pm, if your work was finished early.”

“Most of us didn't own a car, so we’d have to take our packed breakfast and lunch, just in case. When I came to America, when I was told on-set that I’m gonna be held back for another hour, I had a trailer with free food and they’re paying me to wait,” he continues with a big smile. “My background taught me how to appreciate the small things, and where others might get frustrated, I take things in my stride. I have no complaints.”

Paramount Pictures

Tongayi's biggest break came when he landed the role of Cheetor in the 2023 blockbuster, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.

“This is going to make you laugh when I tell you how I found out that I landed the role in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts,” Tongayi beams. When I got the audition, I only just started getting voice-over gigs. When I auditioned, I had no recording or mic equipment, so my agent told me to use my phone. Luckily, it was only four lines to record.”

“I never knew what the audition was for, and it was shrouded in NDA, but I assumed that it would be for an animated TV series or something. I thought it would be a nice little project to warm up my vocal skills. So I recorded my lines on my phone and sent it over. Not long after that, I received an email asking if I’d like to visit the studio.”

“When I got to the studio, I wasn't paying too much attention to those on set, I was just so happy to be there. A man introduces himself to me and starts to explain what they’re trying to do with the production and what the end goal is. He then starts telling me what the movie is about, and then he says, ‘You have no idea who I am, do you?’. It was Steven Caple Jr., the director of the movie.”

“Then I go into the booth and they show a small clip of the movie, and I see Optimus Primal beating his chest. I’m suddenly hit with all these emotions,” recalls Tongayi. “I want to scream and cry. I’m now looking for the director, because I realise it’s Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. I’m a big Transformers fan, and I still get goosebumps talking about it today. So, that’s how I found out that I landed a role in this movie.”

Ubisoft

Despite seeing plenty of great performances over the years, there have been cases of actors being cast in roles that may not be authentic to their origin and background, a topic discussed during my interview with Naoe actress Masumi, the co-star of Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

“In the 90s, ideologies were very different to what they are in the 2020s. I think when changes come, it will be a natural shift in how we want to see certain beloved characters portrayed. I wouldn't necessarily say it's a good or bad thing. How we then receive that change is up to us as human beings.”

“Some people might flare up, while others are okay with it, but it's a natural reaction either way. I think the only thing that I would say is when people are making changes, I hope that change is coming from a pure heart, and there's no malice behind it. Because human beings can be quite diabolical, and you never know why people do what they do. That's where I'll leave that.”

Having already worked on movies, TV and stage, I’d assume that switching to the world of video games must be quite the shift.

Ubisoft

“It wasn't much of a change, in principle,” he says. “You’re still an actor and still have a job to do. You still have to research and prepare just like you would on a TV and movie set or in a theatre. The only major difference is that I learned a new technique from my director of breathing, which I consistently used to shift and emphasise certain words.”

“That lesson was priceless. Because in TV and movies, you can express with your face, and your eyes can convey a message. In a video game, that’s not necessarily always the case, but with those techniques, you can hear what you're thinking through my breathing, and not just words. Now I can apply that in live-action and theatre.”

Having spent many hours playing Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Yasuke is a character that quickly won my heart. Sure, he’s a total badass, but he’s also a teddy bear with a sensitive side and a quirky sense of humour.

As with any story, every Assassin’s Creed tale is an interpretation, whether it portrays a historical or nonhistorical character.

While there’s no concrete evidence that Yasuke was a samurai, historical details suggest that he was from Mozambique, a servant to Lord Nobunaga and was given a sword by him, implying that he may have been a fighter of sorts. Which is where interpretation comes into play.

“I play an African samurai, you gotta be kidding me!” says an overjoyed Tongayi. “To play a real historical person of colour, regardless of whether someone says this or that, this man did exist. Looking at what information is out there, it all traces back to Yasuke being truly badass.”

Ubisoft

“Playing a legend from Mozambique, a country that shares a border with Zimbabwe, playing Yasuke is all kinds of special for me. He’s probably closer to home than most might realise; there’s a connection. Then, just imagining what kind of journey Yasuke must have had, whether he went to Japan freely or was captured, and had to go there against his will. It isn't hard for me to imagine that kind of emotional journey.”

“Yasuke may not have been known to many until Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and now, he’s kinda becoming part of pop culture. It’s fantastic to see, and I got the honour of being his voice. This is something that I can put a feather in my cap and look forward to more of, because we need more.”

“We need more folklore heroes from Africa, and I think Yasuke is leading the pack in that capacity. I’m here for it. I’m not about to give up on Yasuke just yet. No, sir,” he teases.

To end my conversations on my newly found tradition, I asked Tongayi what, over the last 12 months, whether it’s something professional or personal, has given him the most pride and joy in life.

“I think it's the ability to help take care of my family from the work that I do. I've got a bunch of nephews and nieces that I'm helping through school, and helping to give them a better education. So there's nothing more gratifying than knowing that my hard work is helping to change their lives for the better.”