Computer Entertainment Rating Organization

CERO logo

The Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (Japanese: 特定非営利活動法人コンピュータエンターテインメントレーティング機構, Hepburn: Tokutei Hieiri Katsudō Hōjin Konpyūta Entāteinmento Rētingu Kikō) (CERO {セロ, Sero}) is a rating system that is exclusively used in Japanese video games, except for PC games (which are rated by the Ethics Organization of Computer Software). It was originally founded in July 2002, though it was not officially recognized as its own organization until 2003. Like other video game rating systems such as the ESRB (USA, Canada and Mexico) and PEGI (Europe), it determines the content of video games and what ages they are best suited for.

Ratings[]

A (全年齢対象) - This rating indicates the video game is for all ages, and contains almost nothing that would be unsuitable or inappropriate for minors under 12. Its corresponding background color is black. Example: Raiden V
B (12才以上対象) - This rating indicates content suited best for ages 12 and over. Its corresponding background color is green. Example: Vollion Chronicles Remastered
C (15才以上対象) - This rating indicates content suited best for ages 15 and over. Its corresponding background color is blue. Example: Kissbell
D (17才以上対象) - This rating indicates content suited best for ages 17 and over. Its corresponding background color is orange. Examples: Dead or Alive 5 Plus and Attack on Titan: The Game
Z (18才以上のみ対象) - This rating indicates content suitable only for ages 18 and over. Being the only legally restricted rating, it is illegal to supply a Z-rated video game to a person younger than 18 years. Its corresponding background color is red. Examples: The Surge, Assassin's Creed Origins, Styx: Shards of Darkness, Wolfenstein 2, Iwaihime -Matsuri-, Shin Hayarigami 2, Resident Evil 7 (even the grotesque version), Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, Call of Duty: Black Ops III, Doom (VFR2016), The Elder Scrolls V VR, and Assassin's Creed III Liberation

All CERO Z-rated products must bear a notice, often containing the text “本商品は18才未満の方には販売しておりません” (This product is not for sale to persons under the age of 18). Take Two titles L.A. Noire and BioShock: The Collection did not have these notices, as these are all photoshopped of a CERO D cover.

Other ratings[]

教育・データベース (Kyōiku dētabēsu, Education & Database) - The rating is intended for video games which include edutainment content and/or contents including spreading knowledge. Example: PS Vita educational games
審査予定 (Kitei tekigō, Rating Scheduled) - Games which have not yet been assigned a final rating by the CERO. It is used in trailers and advertisements.
規定適合 (Shinsa yotei, CERO Regulation-Compatible) - Games which are passed under CERO rating standards. It is used in demo version games.

Equivalents[]

A: ESRB's E/E10+; PEGI's 3/7.
B: ESRB's E10+/T; PEGI's 7/12.
C: ESRB's T/M; PEGI's 12/16.
D: ESRB's M; PEGI's 16/18.
Z: ESRB's M/AO; PEGI's 18.
審査予定: ESRB's RP.

Descriptors[]

There may be content descriptors for games rated B, C, D, or Z by the CERO. A-rated games will have no descriptors at all. Descriptors used by the CERO rating system:

Love/Romance
Sexual content
Violence
Horror
Drinking/Smoking
Gambling
Crime
Controlled substances (drugs)
Language and others

Content descriptors at higher ratings are usually more impactful.

Old rating system[]

This was the rating system used by CERO prior to March 1, 2006:

全年齢 (for all ages)
12: Ages 12 and up
15: Ages 15 and up (Example: Castlevania: Curse of Darkness)
18: Ages 18 and up (Example: Berserk: Millennium Falcon)

Video games produced before 2006 may carry the old CERO rating labels. Unlike the current rating system, there was no legal enforcement for games rated "ages 18 and up".

Censorship and controversies[]

CERO's guidelines regulate video game content released in Japan, resulting in video games in console platforms being censored there. This includes indecent nudity such as exposed breasts and explicit dismemberment of human body parts.

Games that have a Z rating are still subject to censorship. This mainly has to do with CERO being strict when it comes to explicit nudity and violence. For example, The Last of Us 2 was rated Z, but cut some scenes of violence and nudity.

Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland had a rating problem; one month after its initial release, its original CERO rating of A was revoked and was subsequently re-rated B.

The regular Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack was rated C by CERO, but since Jet Force Gemini and GoldenEye 007 was released on the Nintendo 64 (a platform where games on this system were available on the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack) but had receive a CERO Z rating, Nintendo can add neither of the aforementioned games to their regular service, since the CERO Z category is legally enforced and restricted to adults only, and later released Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack 18+ in Japan in the 4th quarter of 2023.

Culture factor differences[]

Cultural factors unique to Japan have caused discord among rating systems. Some games have gotten A or B ratings in Japan but received Mature (17+) in North America, while on the other hand, some games are getting Teen (13+) in North America, while getting a Z rating in Japan (e.g. Infamous, Goldeneye 007 on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack 18+, Jet Force Gemini on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack 18+, etc.), or sometimes even games with an E rating will get a CERO B rating.

Trivia[]

Nintendo Wii, 3DS, and Wii U games rated C or higher by CERO's rating system had special packaging requirements enforced by Nintendo's policies for game packaging. To make them stand out, they were given darker or black packaging designs.

Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO)