On the new streaming hub Shibuya, fans decide which stories continue on

Shibuya is launching a namesake streaming service that puts viewers in control of the renewal decisions. The self-proclaimed “crowdfunding storytelling platform” has premiered with six original programs, including a proof-of-concept film from Shibuya Co-Founder Emily “pplpleasr” Yang and five new shorts directed by digital content creators.

The five projects that have joined Yang and Maciej Kuciara‘s White Rabbit on Shibuya make up the platform’s “Season One” lineup. The 30-minute shorts effectively function as pilots; if Shibuya viewers like what they see, they can put their financial support behind the creator-led projects to fund more episodes or full-length films. In the simplest terms, Shibuya is Kickstarter with a distribution platform built in.

With White Rabbit, Yang provided a proof-of-concept to show that her platform’s innovative crowdfunding model had legs. The initial short raised $1.2 million in just 20 minutes, Shibuya stated in a press release.

Shibuya takes its name from an area in Tokyo where many footpaths and roads converge at a famous crossing. The company’s geometric logo alludes to that intersection, and for good reason — the Shibuya crossing is an apt metaphor for a streaming hub whose stories can follow many different branching paths. The viewers who backed White Rabbit received some say in the plot of the ensuing film.

“We built Shibuya to disrupt the traditional studio system and put power back into the hands of creators and fans,” Yang said in a statement. “With the launch of Season One, we’re spotlighting bold, original work and inviting fans to decide what comes next.”

The Season One lineup includes Don’t Forget About Me, a coming-of-age story from one-time YouTube star Elle Mills. With a tale about two teens and their favorite TV character, Mills is harkening back to her vlogging career.

Mills knows first-hand that the omnipresent production cycle can take its toll on creators. She believes Shibuya offers an alternative to platforms that frustrate viewers and showrunners alike with befuddling cancellations. “What’s been so cool about working with them is how much they care about creative integrity,” Mills told Variety. “They actually want artists to take risks and stay independent, which feels super aligned with where media is heading.”

Shibuya is supported by the $6.9 million seed round it raised in 2022. a16z and Variant Fund led the investment, with participation from firms like Kevin Durant’s Thirty Five Ventures and Paris Hilton’s 11:11 Media. Those backers have given Shibuya the resources it needs to set up shop. The next step will be in the hands of the fans.