The series of early-game quests known as The Butterfly Collector in Assassin’s Creed Shadows begins innocuously, reminiscent of a child’s game, but soon spirals into a complex conspiracy that protagonists Naoe and Yasuke must untangle. Set in the captivating environment of Izumi Settsu, this side-quest chain offers players an engaging experience in the early stages of the game. In this comprehensive guide, we will detail the locations and strategies to successfully complete every quest associated with The Butterfly Collector.
Getting Started with The Butterfly Collector
Visit Katano
The quest initiates in Katano, to the west of Katano Castle, where you will encounter an NPC known as the Gamemaker. She is located near the Ornament Vendor adjacent to the castle and can be approached without meeting any prerequisites—allowing you to start at any point in the storyline.
Initially, the quest presents itself as a straightforward scavenger hunt for 10 Origami Butterflies scattered throughout western Osaka. Completing this first task introduces a “Butterfly Collector” wheel on your Objectives board, unlocking further steps in the quest line.
Locating All 10 Origami Butterflies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
You are free to collect the Origami Butterflies in any order, allowing flexibility as you uncover crucial notes connected to the overarching conspiracy in western Osaka. Below is a detailed list of locations for each butterfly:
Origami Butterfly 1
The first butterfly can be found in the northeastern corner of the Temple of Osaka grounds, pinned to a large tree.
Origami Butterfly 2
The second butterfly is located in a fenced yard across the street from the southwestern corner of the Temple of Osaka. Look for a Torii gate leading to a little garden, where it can be found on the right tree.
Origami Butterfly 3
The third butterfly is along the southern shore of western Osaka island, tucked between two structures towards the southeastern corner.
Origami Butterfly 4
This butterfly is situated along the eastern shore, hidden among tall weeds on the riverbank, and contains the Secret Origami Letter From Shucho, implicating a child’s escape from abduction.
Origami Butterfly 5
The fifth butterfly is located in the backyard of a home in the first neighborhood square on the eastern riverbank, requiring you to jump over a fence to reach it without any accompanying message.
Origami Butterfly 6
This butterfly can be found just to the west of the fifth, pinned high in a tree on the north side of the central bridge, containing the Secret Origami Letter from Richo.
Origami Butterfly 7
Origami Butterfly 8
To find this butterfly, head southwest from the seventh until you reach the shoreline, where it is hidden among bushes and contains the Secret Origami Message from Mucho.
Origami Butterfly 9
The ninth butterfly rests in the southwestern part of western Osaka island, just across the inlet from the Kata point, with no accompanying note.
Origami Butterfly 10
The last Origami Butterfly is placed at the far end of the neighborhood on the eastern riverbank, without any additional note.
Targets Revealed & Back to the Gamemaker
Once all ten Origami Butterflies are collected, Naoe (or Yasuke) will suggest returning to the Gamemaker for your rewards. However, upon your return, you will discover that she has vanished. This absence signifies the uncovering of a child kidnapping operation, with each note from the butterflies disclosing names of targets that Naoe or Yasuke are tasked to eliminate, thus propelling you into the next segment of the quest.
List of Butterfly Collector Targets
In total, there are four targets linked to the Butterfly Collective in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Access the Butterfly Collector wheel on your objectives board to start taking down these adversaries.
Shucho – The One That Escaped
Shucho is the first target, connected to the side quest “One That Got Away.”She can be spotted in a stable in the southwestern part of western Osaka island. Speak with the child there and ensure they return home safely; keep an eye on the child as they run past Shucho—using Observation will reveal her location for a clean assassination. Defeating Shucho grants you:
- Ink Spiller – Uncommon Tanto
- Mastery Point x1
- 285 Mon
- 2000 XP
Mucho – The Child’s Captor
Mucho finds herself in the process of trying to abduct a child. You must eliminate her before the child is harmed. She will be located over the bridge leading from the northwestern edge to the long peninsula north of western Osaka.
Killing Mucho and then ensuring the child’s safety will swiftly complete one of the four side quests leading to the leader of the kidnapping group known as “For the Sake of Sake.”After this interaction, follow the child back to their father, at which point Naoe reveals insights gathered from previous notes, concluding the “Home and Dry“quest while unlocking the “Paper Trail“quest. The rewards for eliminating Mucho are:
- Hidden Pleat – Rare Tanto
- Mastery Point x1
- 230 Mon
- 2000 XP
Richo – All Will Be Well
To find Richo, you will first need to uncover a well mentioned in the butterfly notes, located at the northern end of western Osaka among dilapidated ruins. After finding the well, you overhear a gardener mention a woman frequently visiting a nearby bamboo grove, which will lead you to Richo.
The bamboo grove is positioned northeast of Noda Village, where a cabin can be located. Richo will be outside; approach delicately to execute a stealth kill. After eliminating her, talk to the child inside the cabin to complete this task, securing you valuable items such as:
- The Dog-Ear – Uncommon Tanto
- Trinket/Amulet of Childlike Bravery – reward from the child
- Mastery Point x1
- 290 Mon
- 2000 XP
Kacho – The Leader of the Butterfly Collector
After dealing with the other targets, engage in the remaining sub-quests “Paper Trail”and “Chrysalis”to finally reveal Kacho’s whereabouts. You will find her inside Nishinomaru Garden, a restricted area located west of Osaka Castle. Be tactical in your approach; note that Kacho cannot be assassinated directly, as a cutscene will trigger upon your arrival. This encounter culminates in a challenging boss fight, during which Kacho imparts critical information before her defeat. Once the battle concludes, return to the Gamemaker to finalize the quest.
Should You Spare or Eliminate the Gamemaker?
Upon your return to the Gamemaker, a dialogue reveals her dual role as both a victim of Kacho and a contributor to her schemes. At this juncture, you must make a pivotal decision: will you choose mercy or vengeance?
From a strategic perspective, sparing her is advisable as it grants you additional rewards. By choosing to spare the Gamemaker, you can receive a unique Butterfly of Benevolence Rare Trinket/Amulet while the other rewards remain unchanged. There are no additional benefits to her demise. Rewards for sparing her include:
- Butterfly of Benevolence – Rare Trinket/Amulet (exclusive if spared)
- Ebisu’s Gamble – Rare Bow
- 225 Mon
- 5000 XP