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The Ikaruga successor Ubusuna continues its turbulent journey, with development hopes rekindled despite setbacks. Here’s what’s really happening.
Ikaruga successor Ubusuna’s fate hangs in the balance, as Hiroshi Iuchi and his team fight to bring the unique shooter to life. Will this cult favorite’s spiritual successor finally see the light of day?
A Flicker in the Darkness: Ubusuna’s Uncertain Path
Every retro gamer knows the ache of waiting for a spiritual successor—especially when the original is Ikaruga, a game that redefined what a shmup could be. The news that Ubusuna, helmed by the legendary designer Hiroshi Iuchi, had been cancelled by studio M2 hit the scene like a cold shower. Yet, in the way that all good stories refuse to end on a downbeat, hope has flickered back to life.
Behind the Curtain: Hiroshi Iuchi Speaks Out
Most fans only hear the headlines—game cancelled, designer leaves, hopes dashed. But Iuchi finally broke his silence, and his words paint a picture far more nuanced than anyone expected. According to his personal post, Ubusuna isn’t being abandoned. Instead, Iuchi is working hard to ensure that everyone involved—fans included—doesn’t suffer from the project’s numerous stops and starts.
What really stands out is that Iuchi himself owns the rights to Ubusuna’s core concepts, predating his time at M2. The assets made during his stint with the company, however, aren’t his to freely use, meaning any revival has to navigate a legal obstacle course.
“The instruction [from M2] was to ‘take the necessary time to solve the problem until Inouchi can do what he wants,’ so it could be said that the problem was that we continued to try to improve the quality through trial and error without any real purpose. … I also bear some responsibility for taking the words at face value. In any case, it’s true that the team became complacent due to the long duration of the project, and there was a vicious cycle of factors, including the fact that the team wasn’t assembled until recently.”
— Hiroshi Iuchi
Too Long in the Oven: Perfectionism’s Double-Edged Sword
It’s tempting to think of Ubusuna as a game that’s been in development for twelve long years. The reality, as Iuchi admits, is much messier. This isn’t the first, or even the third, time the project has hit a wall. Perfectionism—always the blessing and the curse of great game design—seems to have played a starring role in every delay.
He compares the challenge to “a company that has never made a 3D game before gathering two or three people to create a AAA title like Call of Duty (and occasionally helping out with other projects). They would cover the lack of personnel and technical skills with time.” For any developer, that’s an almost comical mismatch of ambition and resources.
Looking back on those years, I find my own excitement for Ubusuna’s promise has sometimes given way to skepticism. Was the vision too big? Were the expectations set by Ikaruga simply unattainable?
A Change in Course: Leaving M2 and Seeking New Allies
When Iuchi decided to leave M2 at the end of 2025, it was less a dramatic exit and more a quiet acknowledgment that the traditional company structure no longer fit his creative needs. The fact that his wife is the main programmer on Ubusuna gives the project an almost indie-game intimacy—something that, for better or worse, shapes its journey.
For a brief moment, the pair considered moving on to something else entirely. But then came a lifeline: Rin Kususaga, freelance designer and longtime collaborator, suggested seeking funding from another company to keep Ubusuna alive. Not only did Kususaga offer help with financing, but with sales too.
Suddenly, the project wasn’t just on life support. A wave of support rolled in, as others in the community rallied behind Iuchi’s vision.
“And then other people gathered around saying, ‘If we’re going to make Ubusuna, I’ll help,’ and we started moving forward with the idea of resuming Ubusuna production. I can only express my gratitude for having people around me who had such determination and took action. I am truly thankful.”
— Hiroshi Iuchi
Tempered Optimism: The Long Road Ahead
Before anyone gets too excited, Iuchi is quick to ground expectations. Ubusuna’s completion isn’t guaranteed, and if it does get finished, fans shouldn’t expect a quick turnaround. The team has begun discussions with interested companies, but a positive outcome is far from certain.
Still, the commitment is real. Iuchi and his small band of faithful collaborators are putting in the work, with the hope that patient fans will still be there when (or if) Ubusuna finally arrives.
Is It Still Ikaruga’s Heir? The Game’s True Shape
Let’s talk about the experience that matters most: is Ubusuna still going to deliver the kind of clever, challenging gameplay that made Ikaruga a classic? According to Iuchi, the answer is a cautious yes.
“While Ubusuna itself is a somewhat unique shooting game and difficult to adjust, the concept itself hasn’t changed at all since 2006, and there are no problems. I don’t mean to sound boastful, but even after playing the game as it is now, I think it’s quite fun. (I think it’s probably easier for most people to play than Ikaruga.)”
— Hiroshi Iuchi
This is where my own expectations wavered. I went in thinking Ubusuna might be a grueling gauntlet, perhaps even more unforgiving than its predecessor. But hearing that the game is actually “easier for most people to play than Ikaruga” is a welcome surprise. Maybe this shooter won’t be a niche artifact, but a new classic that more can appreciate.
The Sting of Cancellation: M2’s Official Word
Of course, all these hopes and plans come against the reality of M2’s official cancellation notice, which landed with finality in May 2026. The announcement confirmed both Ubusuna’s cancellation and Iuchi’s departure from the company—his last major project being Night Striker Gear.
Notice Regarding the Cancellation of “UBUSUNA”
— M2 Co., Ltd. (@mtwo-game.bsky.social) 2026-05-23
It’s hard not to feel a pang of disappointment. Yet, there’s something stubbornly hopeful in the way Iuchi and his team refuse to give up. After all, the world of retro gaming is full of games that almost didn’t happen—until someone, somewhere, pushed through.
Conclusion: Will Ubusuna Fly Again?
Ubusuna’s journey reads like a saga—full of false starts, creative ambition, and the relentless pursuit of a singular vision. It’s never simple when a spiritual successor tries to live up to a beloved classic, and Ubusuna has stumbled more than once. But with Hiroshi Iuchi at the helm, the dream isn’t dead. If anything, its survival feels all the more compelling for its struggles.
Would you still line up for Ubusuna after all these years? Or has the long wait dulled your anticipation? Sound off with your thoughts below!
FAQ
- Is Ubusuna officially cancelled?
The game was cancelled by M2, but Hiroshi Iuchi and his team are actively seeking ways to revive and complete it. - Will Ubusuna be similar to Ikaruga?
Ubusuna is a unique shooter, but Iuchi says it will likely be more accessible than Ikaruga, with a different core concept. - Who is developing Ubusuna now?
Hiroshi Iuchi, along with his wife (the main programmer) and other supporters, are pushing the project forward independently. - What caused Ubusuna’s long delays?
A mix of perfectionism, shifting team structure, and limited resources led to repeated stalls over the years. - When can fans expect Ubusuna to release?
There’s no set date, and Iuchi has cautioned that completion is not guaranteed or imminent, but the team remains hopeful.
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