The highly anticipated sequel project "Shibuya Scramble Stories," led by director Jiro Ishii, has been caught in a financial dispute despite a successful crowdfunding campaign.
Inspired by the cult classic "428: Shibuya Scramble," the project raised approximately 54 million yen through Ubgoe, exceeding its original funding goal. However, the situation has since escalated into controversy over reportedly missing funds.
Ubgoe Fund Transfer Issues Seem Questionable
According to reports, the development team encountered serious problems when attempting to access the full amount raised through Ubgoe. While the platform confirmed the campaign's success, only part of the funds was allegedly transferred.
Ubgoe CEO Kazuo Okada reportedly stated that the remaining funds had been mistakenly sent to the wrong account and could not be fully recovered.
Since then, the explanation has raised major concerns, especially as the development team claims it has not received sufficient documentation to verify what happened.
Developers Question Transparency and Consider Legal Action
Skeleton Crew Studio, which is handling the project, has grown doubtful about how the situation has been managed. The lack of clear financial records has led to questions about accountability and whether the missing funds were mismanaged.
As a result, the studio is now considering legal action to investigate the issue further, according to Kotaku. Despite the uncertainty, the team has reassured backers that development of "Shibuya Scramble Stories" will continue.
Crowdfunding Rewards Add Further Pressure
The campaign also included multiple backer rewards, such as merchandise and collectible items. While these are standard in crowdfunding projects, they now introduce additional complications.
Under Ubgoe policies, developers are expected to fulfill all promised rewards, but the current financial situation raises doubts about whether this will be possible.
For now, both backers and developers are awaiting a clearer answer. If the two parties do not come up with a harmonious solution, it would mean a legal strike anytime soon.
