Elona 2 attracts more controversy for using Undertale and SoraMafuUraSaka tracks in trailer, seemingly without permission 

Elona 2, the disputed “sequel” to cult classic JRPG Elona, has become the subject of controversy again recently. The game was released on iOS and Android on October 10, with its launch trailer soon attracting attention, but not for a good reason. The trailer uses music by SoraMafuUraSaka as well as Toby Fox, with no visible acknowledgement to either. 

“Elona 2 ~Pixel Art x Isekai x Adventure RPG” or Elona 2 for short, is being distributed by Hong Kong Kunpan Culture Entertainment (hereafter Kunpan Games). It was developed by Digital Dog, the same developer who made Elena Mobile.  

However, the game quickly became the subject of controversy. When Elona 2 was announced back in August this year, Japanese solo developer Noa (Lafrontier) who created the original Elona game revealed that they were not involved in Elona 2. What’s more, Noa claims that Elona 2 was made without their permission, and took issue with it being called a “successor” to the original game. In response to this, Elona 2’s official X account has posted parts of the contract for Elona Mobile that Noa is said to have signed with Digital Dog. They claim that “Digital Dog has obtained the exclusive and perpetual license for the mobile platform related to “ELONA”,” giving them the rights to make more mobile games based on the Elona IP. 

Elona 2

Despite this statement, discourse on social media remains distrustful of the companies behind Elona 2 and their alleged over-riding of the original creator’s wishes. Elona 2’s launch trailer below caused controversy yet again, as it uses a combination of SoraMafuUraSaka’s track “Role-Playing Game” and Toby Fox’s “Bonetrousle” from Undertale. 

First, the song Role Playing Game by SoraMafuUraSaka is used at the beginning of the trailer. Those familiar with the track will notice that the Elona 2 trailer uses the interlude part after the second chorus (which can be heard at around the 2:50 timestamp in the song’s original music video below). The trailer seems to have increased the tempo while turning down the sound. What’s more, the way the Elona 2 characters move to the rhythm seems to imitate the pace and style of the original music video for Role Playing Game.  

The latter part of the Elona 2 trailer has Toby Fox’s Bonetrousle playing in the background- a popular song from Undertale associated with the skeleton character Papyrus.  

Bonetrousle from Undertale

Although it is possible that permission was obtained to use these tracks in Elona 2’s trailer- neither song is credited in the trailer. The slight tempo increase and quiet volume also suggest that permission might not have been obtained. 

It is not unheard of for Chinese social games to use other companies’ IPs in promotional trailers without permission. Earlier this year, Koei Tecmo settled a lawsuit against Yoozoo Games for repeatedly using assets and music from Koei Tecmo games (like Nobunaga’s Ambition and Taiko Risshinden) in advertisements for unrelated apps.  

It could be the case that Elona 2’s trailer is also using music without permission. Either way, this has only contributed to the controversy surrounding this title. 

Written by Verity Townsend based on the original Japanese article (original article’s publication date: 2024-10-21 12:59 JST)