The Ghost of Yotei detail seemingly confirms which ending of Tsushima is Canon

Some Ghost of Yotei players believe that 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 the age-old Sucker Punch pattern of sending mixed signals regarding canonicity Ghost of Tsushima's end.

Spoilers for Ghost of Tsushima and minor spoilers for Ghost of Yotei end ahead.

Sucker Punch was spot on Ghost of Yotei set over 300 years after Ghost of Tsushima since 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 events of the sequel. However, the developer has not revealed whether the second game will mention him beyond cursory Easter egg-like references. As it turns out, it would.

Ghost of Yotei possibly refers to the “alternate” ending of Ghost of Tsushima

Ghost of Yotei contains Jin's final resting place. Without spoiling anything else, the location is hard to miss. Some players exploring the grave area have noticed that it is filled with red leaves of Japanese maples (Acer palmatum), a visual motif that features prominently in Ghost of TsushimaThe ending where Jin saves Lord Shimura. This has led some to interpret the detail as evidence that the “alternate” ending is canon. However, others argue that the Japanese maple is simply a symbol associated with the Sakai family and appears at both ends, though not with equal emphasis.

Sucker Punch keeps sending mixed signals about the Ghost of Tsushima Canon Ending

Shortly after the release of the first game in July 2020, director Nate Fox said that to spare Lord Shimura in Ghost of Tsushima was the “real ending” of the game during a Kinda Funny Gamescast interview. This comment would have definitively settled the canonicity debate if a developer hadn't later popped up in the opposite direction and sent mixed signals about which ending was the right one. Most recently, Fox claimed that “both ends are valid” in an interview with MinnMax shortly before the launch Ghost of Yoteirefusing to confirm either as canon.

GoT director says Sparing Lord Shimura is the 'real ending' (Jul 2020)

GoT director says 'Both endings are valid' (September 2025)

Whether or not the red sheets actually confirm that Lord Shimura survived the events of the first game, Fox's latest comments suggest that it ultimately doesn't matter, at least not in the context of the sequel. The series is conceived as more of an anthology, so fans may never receive a definitive answer on canonicity from Sucker Punch, or at least one that isn't prone to change. The choice to set the sequel three centuries later means Ghost of Yotei can be played even without experience Ghost of Tsushimamaking them as accessible as possible.