[Team Yu]

~ Introducing the Shenmue Heart of Gold campaign ~

We had hoped to be launching this new branch of the #SaveShenmueHD tree under happier circumstances, but nature recently had a cruel twist of fate in store which reminded us all how quickly life can be turned upside down and inside out.

In April, the month of our fiftieth Shenmue Tweetathon, a series of earthquakes up to 7.0 magnitude struck Japan, killing dozens and leaving thousands without homes. Fathers lost their sons, daughters lost their mothers, and entire neighborhoods were left sleeping in their cars and tents beyond the rubble.

The wide scale tragedy has brought back raw memories of an even bigger earthquake just five years ago, which unleashed a catastrophic tsunami that in turn caused a level 7 nuclear meltdown at a flooded power plant.

Then as now, vast numbers of evacuees relied on volunteers, officials, and international support to help them cope with losing everything they had. The strength of community and the kindness of strangers is never more apparent than in times of crisis.

However, evacuation centers following the tsunami were sadly unable to house pets alongside their owners, leaving many animals abandoned in the exclusion zones. Forced to fend for themselves, domesticated cats struggled to survive while the feral population grew out of control.

That's when the Japan Cat Network stepped in, opening a shelter to rescue and neuter strays before hopefully rehoming them to a safe and loving environment. Like Ryo Hazuki and his young friend Megumi, these volunteers have shown a heart of gold, and we believe that by acting without hesitation to do the right thing, they embody the true spirit of Shenmue.

And so it's with great anticipation that we officially launch the Shenmue Heart of Gold campaign, with a fundraiser to help the Japan Cat Network continue the great work they do on behalf of each one of us who frequented the Tomato Convenience Store - every single day - to pick up virtual dried fish and virtual milk for a virtual kitten we named either Mimi, Tama, or Chibi.

Did we mention the shelter has a real cat named Chibi? Check their website and see her for yourself!

But on your way there, stop by the fundraising page to learn more about the campaign, meet its official four-legged royal ambassador, and see what you can do to help:

https://www.gofundme.com/Shenmue-for-JCN

The irrepressible energy of the Shenmue fan community can prove to the world once again that there is light at the end of even the longest tunnel, and passion conquers adversity every time. An especially important message for Japan right now.

So let's demonstrate that famous Shenmue Heart of Gold and together we can pay forward to others just a little bit of that Shenmue III feeling we were gifted last year.

Starting where the game did: with the feline friends we love, and those who kept close to them when their families no longer could.

[Team Yu]

One of the many people helping to spread the word on Friday about the new Shenmue Heart of Gold campaign was Ryuji Iuchi, the man behind some of the most iconic tunes on Shenmue's illustrious soundtrack.

"Amazing!" he said on Twitter when sharing the link to the fundraising page owned by Japan Cat Network.

We encourage all fans to get behind this as well, demonstrating the valuable lessons of Shenmue and a reason why the next generation of gamers should have the chance to be inspired by Ryo Hazuki's encounters at the beginning of the series.

To share in Iuchi's enthusiasm and also read comments from Shenmue II voice actress Lisle Wilkerson, please check out the official donations page.

Thank you!

[Team Yu]

Meet Princess Genki.

As you can see, she knows hardship. She knows emptiness. She knows what it's like to be underprivileged.

In fact, she really does. Because Genki was a rescue cat, without a home to call her own, until voice actress Lisle Wilkerson took her in and changed her life forever.

Now as the official ambassador for the Shenmue Heart of Gold campaign, Princess Genki is a shining example of the difference your support can make to shelters like the one run by Japan Cat Network in Fukushima, caring for abandoned pets for as long as it takes until they find their new forever home.

Shenmue fans have so far raised nearly $350 in honor of Ryo Hazuki's heroic treatment of an orphaned kitten in Yamanose. On behalf of the Princess and her human aide (the voice of Xiuying and Joy in Shenmue II), we invite you to add your support and show once again what this community is capable of.

To learn more and donate any amount directly to the shelter, please visit gofundme.com/Shenmue-For-JCN

By royal decree!

[Team Yu]

Japan Cat Network have posted an update on the Shenmue Heart of Gold campaign, raising funds for their animal shelter in Fukushima.

Please check out the full update here.

Thank you for your continued support!