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CERO

CERO logo

The Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (or also abbreviated as CERO) is a rating system that is exclusively used in Japanese video games, except for PC games (which are rated by the EOCS, or the Ethics Organization of Computer Software). It was originally founded in July 2002, though it wasn't officially recognized as its own organization until 2003. Like other video game rating systems such as the ESRB (USA and Canada) and PEGI (Europe), it determines the content of the video game and what ages it's best suited for.

Ratings[]

CERO A CERO B CERO C CERO D CERO Z
  • 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.
  • B (12才以上対象) - This rating indicates content suited best for ages 12 and over. Its corresponding background color is green.
  • C (15才以上対象) - This rating indicates content suited best for ages 15 and over. Its corresponding background color is blue.
  • D (17才以上対象) - This rating indicates content suited best for ages 17 and over. Its corresponding background color is orange.
  • 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.
    • All CERO Z-rated products must bear the following notice: 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) .
CERO Education & Database CERO Pending CERO Pass
  • 教育・データベース (Education & Database) - The rating is intended for the console entertainment software which includes edutainment content and/or contents including spreading knowledge.
  • 審査予定 (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 (Complaint to Regulation) - Games which are passed under CERO rating standards. It is used in demo version games.

Equivalents[]

  • A: ESRB's E and ESRB's E10+; Eirin's G for movies.
  • B: soft ESRB's T; Eirin's PG12 for movies.
  • C: hard ESRB's T and soft ESRB's M; Eirin's soft R15+ for movies.
  • D: hard ESRB's M; Eirin's hard R15+ for movies.
  • Z: ESRB's AO; Eirin's R18+ for movies.

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:

CERO Love CERO Sex CERO Violence CERO Fear CERO Tobacco and Alcohol CERO Gambling CERO Crime CERO Drugs CERO Bad Language
  • 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[]

CERO All old
CERO 12 old
CERO 15 old
CERO 18 old

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

  • 全年齢 (for all ages)
  • Ages 12 and up
  • Ages 15 and up
  • Ages 18 and up

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".

Trivia[]

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

Censorship and controversy[]

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 ratings problem; one month after its initial release, its original CERO rating of A was revoked and was subsequently re-rated B.

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), or sometimes even games with an E rating will get a CERO B rating.

Ninja Gaiden 3 CERO Rating

Example of video game cover with CERO rating in bottom-left corner.

Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO)
80px-CERO A.svg 80px-CERO B.svg 80px-CERO C.svg 200px-CERO D.svg 80px-CERO Z.svg
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