It's done. Shenmue III will happen.
I put in $100 without even peeking at the video this morning, on pure faith alone.
On viewing the video that was such a nostalgia trip with Shenhua/Ryo, that Ryo jumping over the creek was a QTE opportunity truly missed, but the test footage looked fantastic, the characters are just as I remembered them 13 years ago (EU Dreamcast)
Yu Suzuki mentioned that he heard of Kickstarter 3 years ago so it probably took him that time to get the ducks lined up (especially Sega for the IP)
Thanks so much Schafer, DoubleFine, and even to Fargo et al for starting the Kickstarter mania that, despite many highs and lows, have led to this point. THIS POINT.
From the DF Adventure kickstarter thread 3 and a bit years ago:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=34975987&postcount=913
Yu Suzuki should try this with Shenmue 3. Like really.
Now that it's funded, I can worry about other things, like the development team involved (need more resources for an ambitious game), lack of robustness in the Kickstarter itself (seems a bit sparse on what's being offered), and obviously, scope.
The video didn't look like it'll finish the saga, so as a backer I'll say -
Please Yu, finish it.