Lollipop Chainsaw Sequel Revealed: Publisher's Unique Stance on Creativity

Lollipop Chainsaw is receiving a sequel alongside an anime spin-off, marking its return more than ten years after the original release.

The upcoming video game is being crafted by Dragami Games, which succeeded Kadokawa Games (the developer of the original title) following last year’s launch of Lollipop Chainsaw RePop for PC and consoles.

Since 2012, Lollipop Chainsaw has cultivated a dedicated fanbase thanks to its hack-and-slash action featuring an undead-slaying cheerleader protagonist. The project was helmed by Suda51, known for No More Heroes, with writing contributions from James Gunn—yes, that James Gunn—long before he directed Superman and headed the DCU, and prior to his work on Guardians of the Galaxy.

According to today’s press release, the franchise has sold 1.5 million units in total, though approximately 1.24 million of those sales come from the original game rather than its recent remaster.

The remaster received mixed reactions due to missing licensed music and a delayed launch after Dragami Games abandoned plans for a full remake in favor of polishing the original experience based on fan requests.

Today’s announcement highlights that the sequel aims to align with fan expectations, featuring returning "key staff members" from the first game, though Suda51 and James Gunn are not mentioned as contributors.

"Leveraging our strong partnership between Nada Holdings and Dragami Games, development is already underway on a brand-new Lollipop Chainsaw title that preserves and expands upon the appeal of the original," the announcement states.

"Dedicated to honoring the spirit of the source material, the team includes key personnel from the previous game, while closely incorporating fan feedback into the new project."

The statement notably emphasizes that the sequel will maintain the "distinctive tone" of the original without toning down content due to DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) trends. While not explicitly detailed, this suggests fans can expect the return of the cheerleader’s iconic skimpy outfits.

"As with the original, the new title aims to recreate a world rich in dark humor," the announcement concludes. "The development process will prioritize staying true to the distinctive tone and spirit of the original work, without imposing excessive creative restrictions in the name of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion)."

No release date has been announced for Lollipop Chainsaw 2 yet.