The Los Angeles leg of the Umamusume: Pretty Derby world tour is hours away from a possible cancellation. Cygames announced on October 19 that the U.S. work permits needed to bring the franchise's voice actors and live-singing performers into the country for the 7th EVENT concert at the Peacock Theater on October 22-23 are still pending, despite having been filed more than half a year ago.
"The visas have yet to be approved," the company's statement began. Cygames said it is coordinating with all parties to explore every possible option to get the permits approved in time, and apologized in writing for the situation. A hard cutoff has been set: the go-or-no-go announcement is due Monday night at 10 p.m. Pacific.
The Los Angeles shows were meant to be the franchise's first world-tour stop outside Japan, with later London and Seoul dates still on the calendar. Swapping in replacement performers is not straightforward: the cast is doubled up, with the same performers who voice the characters in the game also singing the soundtrack live on stage.
Fans holding tickets for the two Peacock Theater nights will learn the shows' fate tonight. Later stops on the tour, including London, are not affected by the U.S. permit decision.
