M2 Cancels UBUSUNA After Renowned Director Hiroshi Iuchi Resigned

By Nathalie Duke Gaming News
25 May 2026 no comments

Developer M2 officially cancels shoot ’em up UBUSUNA after director Hiroshi Iuchi leaves the company, ending 12 years of development limbo.

In a disappointing turn of events for shoot ’em up fans, developer M2 has officially announced the cancellation of its long-awaited project, UBUSUNA. The decision comes on the heels of the sudden resignation of the game’s director, the legendary Hiroshi Iuchi. The news brings a sudden and quiet end to a project that has spent over a decade in development limbo.

M2 Cancels UBUSUNA After Hiroshi Iuchi Leaves the Company

UBUSUNA, widely regarded as the spiritual successor to Ikaruga, has now officially been cancelled. According to the announcement made by M2, legendary creator Hiroshi Iuchi, who had been developing the game, has left the company.

M2 explained that while they explored possible ways to continue development, they ultimately decided that without Iuchi, it would be difficult to bring the game to the level it was meant to reach. Considering how closely tied the project was to his creative direction, the decision, while disappointing, does make sense.

First announced back in 2014, the project spent twelve years in the making. Over time, many fans had already started losing hope that the project would ever make it to release. But while this is the case, the official cancellation was still a tough pill to swallow. Twelve years of development, gone.

It is also especially disappointing for fans of Ikaruga, many of whom were looking forward to seeing another shoot ’em up shaped by Iuchi’s style and design philosophy.

M2 did not disclose the specific reasons behind Iuchi’s departure. Naoki Horii, the Representative Director of M2, also requested that fans refrain from spreading rumors or making speculative posts online. Horii noted that the situation has already taken a toll on those connected to the project “both emotionally and physically.”

While this may be the end for UBUSUNA as it currently exists, there is still a small bit of hope left. Iuchi has apparently not entirely given up on completing the game independently or through other means down the road. Only time will tell. But for now, fans can check out Iuchi’s other masterpieces including Ikaruga, Radiant Silvergun, Gunstar Heroes, and most recently Night Striker GEAR which launched in October 2025.

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Nathalie Duke

Sending some gaming news your way from a surfing paradise island. Loves creating content, and researching informative facts and useless trivia. A novice in the gaming industry but a veteran in communications and publication.

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