Hiroshima's UMA 'Hibagon' Film Project Hits 324% Funding Goal! First Phase of 'Mu Japan Mystery Revival' Crowdfunding Exceeds Targets

The first project of the 'Mu Japan Mystery Revival' collaboration between 'Mu,' a super mystery magazine published by One Publishing Co., Ltd., and the crowdfunding service 'CAMPFIRE'—titled 'Hibagon Theatrical Film Project! ~Bringing the Legend to the Screen~'—has achieved a 324% funding rate. The project, led by the Shobara City Saijo Town Tourism Association in Hiroshima Prefecture, launched on April 5, 2026. It surpassed its initial goal of 1 million yen in less than two weeks and broke through the next goal of 2 million yen. It concluded on May 31 with a final total of 3.24 million yen. The 'Mu Japan Mystery Revival' project is currently preparing for further collaborations with multiple municipalities and local businesses. The second phase is planned to feature the 'Tsuchinoko' in collaboration with a specific town. Hibagon is a mysterious humanoid that appeared in Hiba District (now Shobara City), Hiroshima Prefecture, in 1970. It is a representative Japanese UMA (Unidentified Mysterious Animal) that caused a nationwide sensation known as the 'Ape Incident.' The 'Hibagon Film Project' aims to record and promote the history and charm of the town, with Hibagon now serving as a symbol of Shobara City. Although this is an unprecedented attempt to 'record an unidentified animal,' the project had previously failed to meet its goal on another crowdfunding platform in 2025. This time, 'Mu' provided full cooperation to ensure success. First, they collaborated with a modeling company to produce 'Hibagon footprint replicas' as rewards for supporters. They also interviewed the director and screenwriter to highlight the film's goal of being a 'UMA film for the local community.' From a plan raised during interviews to 'have the Mu editorial department appear in the film,' the next goals of 'filming at the Mu editorial department' and 'Editor-in-Chief Takeharu Mikami appearing as himself' were set. Both were successfully achieved! Although the project ended on May 31 with more support than imagined, 'Mu' will continue to support the 'Hibagon Film' through its scheduled filming this summer and its future release.