Jiro Ishii, the producer behind the cult classic '428: Shibuya Scramble,' and his development team have found themselves embroiled in a bizarre financial dispute. Last year, Ishii launched a crowdfunding campaign on the platform Ubgoe for a sequel titled 'Shibuya Scramble Stories,' which successfully raised ¥54 million—far exceeding its original goal.
However, when the development team attempted to withdraw the funds, Ubgoe provided a shocking explanation: the money was gone.
Platform’s 'Transfer Error' Sparks Skepticism
According to a report by Automaton Media, Ishii’s partner studio, Skeleton Crew Studio, noted that only half of the funds—which were intended to be delivered by September 2025—have been received. Ubgoe CEO Kazuo Okada informed the team that the remaining balance had been transferred to the wrong account due to an operational error and could not be recovered.
Ubgoe has refused to accept liability for the loss and has failed to provide any transaction records or documentation regarding where the money went. Ishii’s team has expressed deep skepticism regarding this explanation and is currently preparing to seek a resolution through legal channels, as they suspect the funds may have been misappropriated.
Despite the financial crisis, Ishii stated that development on 'Shibuya Scramble Stories' is continuing. The team’s primary concern has now shifted to the physical rewards promised to backers, such as stickers and tote bags.
Although Ubgoe’s terms of service claim that these rewards are legally protected, the platform’s failure to fulfill even basic financial obligations has cast doubt on the enforceability of these clauses. The matter is currently under legal review as the development team works to recover the remaining funds to ensure the project remains on track.
