Lollipop Chainsaw is getting a sequel and anime spin-off, greater than a decade after the unique launched.
The brand new online game is being developed by Dragami Video games, successor to the unique’s Kadokawa Video games, which launched remaster undertaking Lollipop Chainsaw RePop final 12 months for PC and consoles.
Lollipop Chainsaw received over a cult viewers again in 2012 for its cheerleader-starring undead-slicing hack-and-slash gameplay. Notably, the undertaking was directed by No Extra Heroes’ Suda51, and written a minimum of partially by James Gunn. Sure, that James Gunn — lengthy earlier than his days making Superman and working the DCU, and nonetheless a few years earlier than the primary Guardians of the Galaxy.
Right now’s press launch states that the franchise has up to now shifted 1.5 million models, although the overwhelming majority of those — a minimum of 1.24 million — are gross sales for the unique recreation, slightly than its current remaster.
That remaster drew one thing of a blended response, because it lacked the unique recreation’s licensed music soundtrack and arrived later than anticipated — after Dragami switched from its unique plans to completely remake the sport. This preliminary concept was ditched, purportedly after followers mentioned they had been eager to play a remastered model of Lollipop Chainsaw as near the unique as attainable.
Right now’s announcement of a sequel once more makes point out of a need to develop a second recreation that was in keeping with fan needs. There’s additionally point out that “key workers members” who labored on the unique recreation had been again for the sequel, although no point out, as anticipated, of any involvement by Suda51. Or James Gunn.
“Below the sturdy partnership between Nada Holdings and Dragami Video games, improvement is already underway on a brand-new Lollipop Chainsaw title that each preserves and builds upon the enchantment of the unique,” right now’s announcement reads.
“With a agency dedication to honoring the spirit of the unique work, the event staff consists of key workers members who had been concerned within the earlier title. The brand new undertaking can also be being developed with shut consideration to fan suggestions.”
The assertion then concludes with this — an oddly-worded affirmation that the sequel will proceed the “distinctive tone” of the unique and never tone it down on account of “DEI”. Is that this a reference to Suda51’s most up-to-date No Extra Heroes letting Travis Landing put on a “F**okay Racism” hoodie, or one thing to do with James Gunn’s Superman, which appears to have upset Fox Information?
Or, maybe, it is merely a suggestion that followers of the unique’s skimpy cheerleader costumes will not go away empty-handed.
“As with the unique, the brand new title goals to recreate a world wealthy in darkish humor,” the announcement concludes. “The event course of will prioritize staying true to the distinctive tone and spirit of the unique work, with out imposing extreme inventive restrictions within the identify of DEI (Variety, Fairness, and Inclusion).”
There isn’t any phrase but on when Lollipop Chainsaw 2 will launch.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s Information Editor. You may attain Tom at [email protected] or discover him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social