Shibuya Scramble Stories Regains Momentum
The development of Shibuya Scramble Stories, the planned sequel to the cult Japanese visual novel 428: Shibuya Scramble, appears to be back on track after many setbacks. A recent showcase highlighted new gameplay, and the team says they are moving past unexpected legal issues.
Development has been marked by a roller‑coaster of events. The game first generated excitement in Japan, raising 55 million yen on the Ugboe crowdfunding platform, only to discover the funds had been sent to the wrong account, leaving half of the promised money missing. A legal dispute over the misdirected funds is still ongoing.
To address the shortfall, the team started a new crowdfunding drive while development continued, earning 436 percent of its requested 10 million yen in additional fan backing (43 million yen, roughly $260 k). However, the project’s lead director, Jiro Ishii, had to be rushed to the hospital.
Despite the turmoil, the ensemble narrative featuring five characters from varied backgrounds is back on schedule. New gameplay footage shown at a Shibuya talk event suggests that fans of the original 428 will feel right at home with this sequel.
Two fresh cast members have been added: influencer Namae wa Mada Nai and professional wrestler Unagi Sayaka. Indicative of the game’s balance between the dramatic and absurd, the former plays a college student aspiring to be a journalist, while the latter is a member of a so‑called Banana Cult.
The announcement coincided with additional crowdfunding to expand the cast, and the team explained how the raised funds are being allocated as they work to recover the withheld money. According to 4Gamer, the footage shown at the event was made possible through a partnership with the owners of the Tokyu building on Shibuya Scramble Crossing, a relationship that will carry over to the full game as an official supporter.
The original 428: Shibuya Scramble remains a beloved 2000s visual novel, praised for its live‑action photography and a story that captures a snapshot of Shibuya at the time of its creation. While the crowdfunding journey has exposed the risks of such financing, the community’s sustained support has kept the project moving forward, shaping a unique and promising title.
