Hibagon Film Crowdfunding Hits 324 Percent of Target
The successful crowdfunding, which follows a failed attempt in 2025, shows that direct involvement from a national mystery magazine and local government can turn a niche local legend project into a funded film.
Reporting from 1 sources: ASCII.jp.
The first phase of the Mu Japan Mystery Revival Crowdfunding Plan, a film adaptation project for the Hibagon cryptid of Hiroshima Prefecture, raised 3.24 million yen against a 1 million yen goal, ending May 31. The project exceeded its initial target in under two weeks and also cleared a stretch goal of 2 million yen. The second phase will focus on the Tsuchinoko cryptid.
The Tourism Association of Saijo-cho, Shobara City, launched the Hibagon film crowdfunding on April 5, 2026. The project aimed to record and spread the history of Hibagon, a humanoid beast first reported in 1970 that became a national media phenomenon. A prior crowdfunding in 2025 did not reach its goal.
This time, the magazine Mu provided full cooperation, including producing Hibagon footprint replicas as supporter rewards. Stretch goals included location shooting at the Mu editorial department and an appearance by Mu editor-in-chief Takeharu Mikami as himself; both were achieved. Filming is planned for summer 2026.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.