Some Ghost of Yotei players believe a specific detail in the game confirms which of the two endings from the first entry in the franchise is considered canon. The theory continues a years-long pattern of Sucker Punch sending mixed signals regarding the canonicity of Ghost of Tsushima’s endings.
Ending spoilers for Ghost of Tsushima and minor spoilers for Ghost of Yotei ahead.
Sucker Punch was upfront about Ghost of Yotei taking place over 300 years after Ghost of Tsushima from the moment it revealed its latest game in September 2024. This timeline confirmed that Jin Sakai, the protagonist of the original title, would not be alive during the sequel’s events. However, the developer did not reveal whether the second game would mention him beyond superficial, Easter egg-like references. As it turns out, it would.
Ghost of Yotei Possibly References Ghost of Tsushima’s ‘Spare’ Ending
Ghost of Yotei contains Jin’s final resting place. Without spoiling anything else, it can be said that the location is difficult to miss. Some players exploring the grave area have observed that it is filled with red leaves from Japanese maple trees (Acer palmatum), a visual motif prominently featured in Ghost of Tsushima’s ending where Jin spares Lord Shimura. This has led some to interpret the detail as evidence that the “spare” ending is canon. However, others argue that the Japanese maple is simply a symbol associated with the Sakai family and appears in both endings, even if not with equal emphasis.
Sucker Punch Keeps Sending Mixed Signals About Ghost of Tsushima Canon Ending
Shortly after the first game’s July 2020 release, director Nate Fox said that sparing Lord Shimura in Ghost of Tsushima was the game’s “true ending” during a Kinda Funny Gamescast interview. That comment would have settled the canonicity debate for good had the developer not later appeared to reverse course, sending mixed signals regarding which ending is the true one. Most recently, Fox asserted that “both endings are valid” in a MinnMax interview conducted shortly before the launch of Ghost of Yotei, declining to confirm either as canon.
GoT Director Saying Sparing Lord Shimura Is the ‘True Ending’ (July 2020)
GoT Director Saying ‘Both Endings Are Valid’ (September 2025)
Whether the red leaves genuinely confirm that Lord Shimura survived the events of the first game or not, Fox’s most recent comments suggest it ultimately doesn’t matter, at least not in the context of the sequel. The series is envisioned as more of an anthology, so fans may never receive a definitive answer on canonicity from Sucker Punch, or at least not one that is not prone to change. The choice to set the sequel three centuries later means Ghost of Yotei can be played even without experiencing Ghost of Tsushima, thus being maximally accessible.
Released
July 17, 2020
ESRB
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity
Source: TheGamer
