Lollipop Chainsaw Sequel Teases "DEI-Free" Vision at Tokyo Game Show 2026

Juliet Starling is ready for her chainsaw massacre once more, as a brand-new Lollipop Chainsaw title from Dragami Games and Nada Holdings is confirmed for a "world premiere demo" at Tokyo Game Show 2026. Set to debut at the SEGA/Atlus booth, the upcoming game is already drawing significant attention, not just for its return to the beloved, bizarre franchise, but also for its developers' explicit commitment to a "DEI-free" creative process, a statement that has sparked industry debate.

Confirmation of the new game comes from multiple outlets, including Bloody Disgusting, which reported on Dragami Games' plans for "multiple new projects" back in July 2025. PlayStation Universe and Indiatimes cemented the news on September 3, 2026, highlighting the playable demo, while Nintendo Life announced, "Juliet Is Back! Lollipop Chainsaw's New Game Gets A 'World Premiere Demo' At TGS 2026."

What will be unveiled at Tokyo Game Show 2026?

The Tokyo Game Show 2026 will host the first public demonstration of the new Lollipop Chainsaw game at the SEGA/Atlus booth. Fans can look forward to a "Lollipop Chainsaw New Project Main Stage Event" on September 19, 2026, running from 9:40 AM to 10:30 AM JST, where a "major announcement" is anticipated. PeachMilky, the official Lollipop Chainsaw ambassador and cosplayer, will be present at the booth dressed as Juliet Starling, joined by an official cosplayer with a life-sized replica of Juliet's iconic pink chainsaw. Visitors to the booth will receive a logo sticker, and those who play the demo can get an original keychain. Juliet herself will be sporting a "brand new outfit" in the game.

Dragami Games, led by President and CEO Shohei Sato, is developing the title in partnership with Taiwan-based Nada Holdings, whose Chairman is Joe Teng. The development team includes "key staff members who were involved in the previous title," and Hajime Tabata, director of Final Fantasy XV, is noted as a "high-profile development partner." Mr. Nasu is identified as the game's director.

Why is the new game described as "DEI-Free"?

In a joint statement issued in July 2025, Nada Holdings and Dragami Games explicitly stated that the new Lollipop Chainsaw title "aims to recreate a world rich in dark humor" and that its "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)." This statement, according to Push Square, was "needlessly tone deaf" and has generated considerable controversy among fans and industry observers. Yoshimi Yasuda, the former President and CEO of Dragami Games, had previously voiced concerns about modern game developers' creative freedom, a sentiment that appears to be carried forward under the new leadership of Shohei Sato.

What was the original Lollipop Chainsaw known for?

The original Lollipop Chainsaw, released in 2012, was a cult classic known for its "bizarre and raunchy" nature, "dark humor and graphic gore," and an "over-the-top humor with a striking aesthetic of stylish violence." Developed by Suda51's Grasshopper Manufacture and co-written by film director James Gunn, the game embraced its outlandish premise, even featuring an in-game achievement for looking up the protagonist's skirt. This distinctive, often provocative style is what Dragami Games is aiming to preserve with its new, explicitly "DEI-free" approach.

The game's popularity led to the remastered edition, Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP, which was released in September 2024 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, and PC, with later releases for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch 2. The RePOP remaster alone has crossed 400,000 sales, contributing to the entire Lollipop Chainsaw franchise's cumulative sales of over 1.5 million units. Dragami Games CEO Yoshimi Yasuda previously cited expired music licensing contracts for the original game's discontinuation, with fan requests driving the RePOP remaster and subsequent new projects.

Are the original creators involved?

While Dragami Games confirms the new development team includes "key staff members who were involved in the previous title," it remains unconfirmed whether original writer James Gunn or director Suda51 are involved in this new Lollipop Chainsaw game. TheGamer argues that a sequel is "nothing without James Gunn and Suda51," and Indiatimes notes that fans are questioning the absence of Suda51 and Grasshopper Manufacture. A Reddit user has also clarified that Dragami Games itself is composed of original staff and developers from Kadokawa, who were involved with Grasshopper Manufacture's original development, suggesting it's not an entirely new team but a new partnership. Yoshimi Yasuda had previously debunked rumors about keeping Suda51 uninformed regarding the remaster project.

What happens next for the Lollipop Chainsaw franchise?

A "major announcement" regarding the new Lollipop Chainsaw game is expected during its main stage event at Tokyo Game Show 2026. More details, including potentially available platforms and a release date, may be shared at the event and on official Lollipop Chainsaw social channels. Beyond the game, an anime adaptation is also planned as part of the new IP development, further expanding Juliet Starling's darkly humorous universe.