Berserk Fans Got SCAMMED

Summary

Studio Eclipse, initially praised for its *Berserk* fan animation project, has faced significant scrutiny after being called out by the official *Berserk* copyright holders. Accusations suggest that the studio misled fans by claiming to be a nonprofit, with no legal registration or financial transparency. Despite promises of reanimating iconic scenes and creating original content, their projects, including *Berserk* and *Attack on Titan*, were abandoned, leading to questions about whether Studio Eclipse is a scam or simply mismanaged. The situation has left the *Berserk* community feeling betrayed and cautious about fan-led animation projects.

Takeaways

• 😀 Studio Eclipse initially gained attention from the Berserk community with their Black Swordsman trailer, but soon faced controversy after being called out by Hakua, the official Berserk copyright holder.
• 😀 Hakua's Twitter post clarified that the Berserk animation project from Studio Eclipse was unauthorized and violated copyright, warning fans that the project was not official.
• 😀 Studio Eclipse claimed to be a nonprofit, but investigations revealed that they had not legally registered as one, and their financial transparency was highly questionable.
• 😀 The studio's Patreon's vague financial practices raised concerns, as they did not disclose how funds were being used and relied on recurring monthly payments without clear accountability.
• 😀 Estimations suggested that Studio Eclipse could have generated significant funds from their Patreon, potentially leading to a major scam, though actual numbers remain unclear due to lack of transparency.
• 😀 Studio Eclipse had previously worked on an Attack on Titan fan project that also faced criticism for its lack of progress and unclear direction, leading to the abandonment of the project.
• 😀 The team behind Studio Eclipse is highly mysterious, with some key figures, like Justin (True Requiem), appearing across multiple projects and social media platforms, making it difficult to verify their roles and credibility.
• 😀 The founder of Studio Eclipse, Shabu Rash, claimed to have founded the studio at age 17, yet there were discrepancies regarding the company's official location and structure, casting doubt on their legitimacy.
• 😀 Despite claims of being a nonprofit, Studio Eclipse's organizational structure seemed unprofessional, with many members listed as freelancers rather than as formal employees or legal entities.
• 😀 The controversy surrounding Studio Eclipse negatively impacted other fan projects, leading to shutdowns or hesitations from other creators like Studio Taco and Studio Arch, further damaging trust within the Berserk community.

Q & A

What led to the controversy surrounding Studio Eclipse?

The controversy surrounding Studio Eclipse began after the official Berserk company, Hakua, called out the studio in September 2023 for creating an unauthorized Berserk animation project. Hakua clarified that the project had no official affiliation with the Berserk franchise and warned the public about the studio's lack of authorization.

What red flags were raised about Studio Eclipse?

Several red flags were raised about Studio Eclipse, including their misleading claims about being a nonprofit, lack of legal nonprofit registration, vague financial disclosures on their Patreon, and the absence of transparency about how the funds were being used. Additionally, they had not produced any substantial work despite promising projects in the past.

How did Studio Eclipse's financial handling raise concerns?

Studio Eclipse's financial handling raised concerns due to their use of Patreon, a subscription-based platform, to fund the Berserk project without disclosing how much money was being raised or how it was spent. This lack of transparency, combined with their vague financial statements, made it difficult for fans to track the legitimacy of their fundraising efforts.

What was the response from the Berserk community and Hakua?

The response from the Berserk community was largely skeptical, with many fans expressing concern over Studio Eclipse's claims and lack of accountability. Hakua's warning on social media emphasized that the project was unauthorized and not affiliated with the official Berserk franchise, which only added to the doubts about the studio's intentions.

Why was the concept of a 'nonprofit' important in this context?

The concept of a 'nonprofit' was important because Studio Eclipse claimed to be a nonprofit, but their lack of legal nonprofit registration raised concerns. In many jurisdictions, organizations must be formally registered as nonprofits to claim such status, and failure to do so could be misleading or even illegal, especially when public funds are being solicited.

How did Studio Eclipse's previous projects contribute to the skepticism?

Studio Eclipse's previous projects, such as their Attack on Titan fan project, also faced similar issues of unfulfilled promises and a lack of substantial output. Despite releasing concept art and teasers, they had not delivered on their initial promises, leading to further skepticism about their ability to complete the Berserk project.

What is the significance of Justin in the Studio Eclipse controversy?

Justin, who appears as the producer, sound director, and voice of Guts for the Berserk project, is a central figure in the controversy. Despite his significant presence on social media and his active promotion of the project, there are concerns about his role in the studio and the legitimacy of the project itself, especially given his young age and lack of industry credentials.

Why did Studio Eclipse's claim of having 150 members seem dubious?

Studio Eclipse's claim of having 150 members was considered dubious because many of the people listed were freelancers, and the studio was officially registered as self-employed, not as a nonprofit or even a legitimate business entity. This raised questions about the studio's operational structure and its ability to manage a large-scale project.

What impact did Studio Eclipse's actions have on other fan projects?

Studio Eclipse's actions negatively affected other Berserk fan projects, as some studios, like Studio Taco, decided to shut down their own projects in light of the controversy. Additionally, other studios such as Studio Arch stated that they would stop their projects if requested by Hakua, whereas Studio Eclipse's lack of transparency caused distrust in the fan community.

What were the ultimate outcomes of the Berserk project by Studio Eclipse?

As of the latest updates, Studio Eclipse has faced significant backlash and has taken down most of their public content related to the Berserk project, including their Patreon page and trailers. Despite promises to release the project in 2025, there are still many questions about their transparency and ability to complete the animation, leading some to question whether the project was ever a legitimate endeavor.