Assassin’s Creed fans are in for a double dose of high-seas adventure this spring, as Ubisoft’s beloved pirate saga, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, prepares to make waves in both print and pixels. With rumors swirling about an imminent remake announcement and a new manga sequel set to hit shelves in May, the franchise’s most iconic swashbuckler, Edward Kenway, is poised for a grand return. Let’s dive into what’s fueling the current surge in Black Flag excitement—and what it means for the future of the franchise.
According to reports from outlets such as VIZ and CBR, Ubisoft is expected to officially announce the long-awaited remake of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag—reportedly titled Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced—as early as April 16, 2026. The reveal is rumored to take place during a State of Play event, though, as of April 14, nothing has been confirmed by the publisher. Still, the anticipation is palpable. For years, fans have clamored for a modern reimagining of what many consider the franchise’s finest hour, and the mere possibility has set social media abuzz.
Black Flag, originally released in October 2013, dropped players into the rollicking Golden Age of Piracy. Set in the early 1700s, the game introduced Edward Kenway—a Welsh privateer turned pirate and, eventually, Assassin. Players navigated the Caribbean, commanding their own ship, engaging in naval battles, and crossing paths with legendary figures like Blackbeard and Calico Jack. With its open-world naval exploration and rich historical tapestry, Black Flag quickly became a fan favorite and is widely regarded as the last truly great entry in the series by many longtime followers.
But while the remake’s timeline remains uncertain, there’s another way for fans to revisit Kenway’s world this spring. On May 19, 2026, Assassin’s Creed: Forgotten Temple Vol. 3, an officially licensed manga sequel, will be released by VIZ Signature. Written by ARC with art by Tabii, this series picks up directly after the events of Black Flag, offering an entirely new adventure for Edward Kenway and, for the first time, introducing a modern-day protagonist named Noa Kim.
The manga’s third installment—available for pre-order at major retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble for $19.99—continues a story that’s already won over many in the community. The first volume debuted in November 2025, followed by a second in February 2026. In this latest chapter, Noa Kim is kidnapped by the shadowy Abstergo Corporation in Macau and forced to relive the memories of his ancestor, Kenway, through the Animus program. As VIZ describes it, "Noa Kim is kidnapped by Abstergo in Macau and forced to explore the memories of one of his ancestors through their Animus program. That ancestor turns out to be Edward Kenway, the legendary pirate and Assassin! Held under Abstergo’s thumb, Kim finds himself thrust into an adventure that spans Southeast Asia as Kenway searches for vaults from the First Civilization."
This narrative twist not only deepens the lore of the franchise but also expands the geographical scope, taking Kenway’s adventures beyond the Caribbean and into Southeast Asia. The manga serves as a direct sequel to the original video game, giving fans a chance to see how Kenway’s story evolves while tying in the series’ perennial Assassin/Templar conflict and the ever-elusive secrets of the First Civilization.
For those who might not be familiar, the Assassin’s Creed franchise has long used the Animus—a device that allows users to relive ancestral memories—as a narrative bridge between past and present. In Forgotten Temple, this device becomes a literal lifeline for Noa Kim, whose fate is now intertwined with Kenway’s quest for ancient vaults. The manga’s creative team, ARC and Tabii, have been praised for their ability to capture the spirit of the original game while pushing the story into new and uncharted waters.
The timing couldn’t be better for Black Flag enthusiasts. As speculation about the remake reaches fever pitch, the manga offers a tangible, immediate way to return to Kenway’s world. According to CBR, "The series has been well received by fans, given that Black Flag is among the most popular chapters of the franchise." With the third volume’s release just around the corner, it’s the perfect time for newcomers to catch up on the first two installments and for longtime fans to see what new secrets the saga has in store.
Meanwhile, Ubisoft’s plans for the broader Assassin’s Creed universe remain ambitious. The company has confirmed that Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced is in development, though a release date has yet to be announced. This follows statements from Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot, who last year indicated that multiple remakes were in the pipeline. Black Flag was always at the top of fans’ wish lists, and its inclusion in the remake lineup comes as no surprise. However, until Ubisoft makes things official and provides a concrete timeline, the community remains in a holding pattern—albeit an optimistic one.
Looking further ahead, the next flagship entry in the franchise will be Assassin’s Creed: Codename Hexe, which is rumored to be set in Central Europe during the 16th century, at the height of the Holy Roman Empire. This follows the 2025 release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which took players to Japan near the close of the Sengoku period. The franchise’s willingness to explore new eras and locations is part of what has kept it fresh and relevant for nearly two decades.
But for now, all eyes are on Edward Kenway and the legacy of Black Flag. Whether through the pages of a manga or the anticipated remake, his story continues to inspire both nostalgia and excitement. For fans old and new, this spring offers a rare chance to set sail once again—either by pre-ordering Forgotten Temple Vol. 3 or by keeping a weather eye on Ubisoft’s next move. As the tides of gaming and graphic storytelling converge, it’s clear that the legend of Edward Kenway is far from over.
With new adventures on the horizon and a beloved classic poised for renewal, the Assassin’s Creed community has plenty to celebrate—and even more to look forward to.