Ubusuna: M2 abandons Ikaruga successor after 12 years of development

Ubusuna, the shoot 'em up developed in secret at M2 since 2014, is officially canceled. The Japanese company apologized on May 24, 2026, after the departure of Hiroshi Iuchi, its creative director and creator of the legendary Ikaruga and Radiant Silvergun.

Twelve years of work reduced to nothing

The project had everything to appeal to shoot 'em up fans: Hiroshi Iuchi at the helm, the renowned M2 studio for its Sega Ages ports and M2 ShotTriggers collection, and over a decade of quiet development. However, Iuchi's departure sounded the death knell for the project. In a statement, M2 explained that it had seriously considered continuing without him before concluding that it was impossible.

"We are deeply sorry to everyone who was waiting for this game. We explored the possibility of continuing Ubusuna without Hiroshi Iuchi, but determined that it was too difficult in his absence." - M2

A glimmer of hope

Iuchi himself declared that he had "not given up all hope" of leading the project to completion, potentially independently. No timetable or concrete details are known at this time, but the door remains ajar. Ikaruga fans, who have been waiting for 25 years for a true successor, still hope.

Source: Time Extension - AUTOMATON Media