New Lollipop Chainsaw Game Already Sounds Like A Bad Idea

27 July 2025

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new-lollipop-chainsaw-game-already-sounds-like-a-bad-idea — New Lollipop Chainsaw Game Already Sounds Like A Bad Idea

Before James Gunn was running DC Studios, he teamed up with beloved video game director Goichi Suda, aka Suda51, to create Lollipop Chainsaw. The 20121 hack-and-slash game follows 18-year-old cheerleader Juliet Starling, who moonlights as a zombie hunter. After garnering average reviews, Lollipop Chainsaw gained a cult following and was even remastered in 2024.

Now, in July 2025, Lollipop Chainsaw has had not only a legacy sequel announced, but an anime adaptation of the original game as well. Very little has been divulged about the project, with developer Dragami Games simply providing a press release of the announcement alongside some posts online. There has so far been no trailer for the new Lollipop Chainsaw, but I’m already quite concerned about its direction.

James Gunn & Suda51 Aren’t Involved In The New Lollipop Chainsaw

Two Key Figures Are Missing

Most immediately, it’s hard to ignore the fact that James Gunn and Suda51 are not involved in the Lollipop Chainsaw sequel. Neither is mentioned in the press release, nor any other official material for the project. Suda51 was co-director of the original Lollipop Chainsaw, and James Gunn was the co-writer. They had no involvement with Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP‘s release either.

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James Gunn opens up about how the hack-and-slash video game Lollipop Chainsaw inspired Harley Quinn’s hallway fight scene in The Suicide Squad.

Most video games are clearly the products of large teams of developers, but Lollipop Chainsaw owes a lot of its identity to Gunn and Suda51. Gunn has seen immense success in filmmaking since Lollipop Chainsaw‘s release – his well-received Superman movie being the latest example – and Suda51 has similarly become a well-known name in the gaming industry. I’m skeptical that the new Lollipop Chainsaw can live up to its predecessor’s legacy without those two key people.

New Lollipop Chainsaw Has A Concerning Tone

A Disaster Of A Press Release

Lollipop Chainsaw Return New Game Remaster Remake Sequel

Even more concerning is specific points raised by the new Lollipop Chainsaw‘s press release. Near its end, it reads, “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).” DEI broadly refers to initiatives looking to promote the fair treatment of minority groups, whether that be regarding ethnicity, sexuality, or physical ability.

However, DEI has more recently become a dog whistle routinely invoked by those championing regressive causes like white nationalism in the United States. Dragami Games is headquartered in Japan, but the irreverent humor and general sexualization of Lollipop Chainsaw‘s protagonist is ripe for celebration by those who rail against DEI – the same crowd that believes DEI consultancy groups have a nefarious “woke agenda.”

The press release also has a notable emphasis on Lollipop Chainsaw‘s “dark humor,” which has similarly been twisted to be little more than a synonym for “offensive humor.” All things considered, I don’t have high hopes that the new Lollipop Chainsaw will do anything but pander to regressive sentiments, overly sexualize its young protagonist, and become a rallying point for those on the more skin-crawling side of the hobby.