ACG anime and game IP company Zhibao International made its grand debut at the Sega stage of Tokyo Game Show 2026 (TGS 2026), officially announcing the development plan for its self-produced console game Lollipop Chainsaw 2 Back2Back (hereinafter referred to as Lollipop Chainsaw 2) to a global audience, and offering the first playable demo at the event. The showcase featured the free camera angle, rich character expressions, roller skate chainsaw dash, and the new move and blocking system.
Lollipop Chainsaw is an action game developed by Grasshopper Manufacture and published by Kadokawa Games, released in 2012. It centers on Juliet Starling, a cheerleader from a family of zombie hunters who wields a chainsaw. She joyfully slashes through swarms of zombies, delivering an extremely satisfying combat experience. The game uniquely blends 1980s American pop culture with B-movie style, creating a worldview that is both comedic and impactful, becoming a one-of-a-kind title in the industry and achieving sales of over 1.5 million copies.
Lollipop Chainsaw 2 is clearly positioned as the "true sequel" to the original, developed by the Japanese game team JP UNIVERSE, led by international producer Hajime Tabata, formerly of Final Fantasy XV. Under the guidance of the Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP team, original writer Masahiro Yuki and character designer Nekobusou were invited to join, carrying forward the original spirit and intent. Based on loyalty to the worldview and characteristics of the work, they have further expanded the new storyline, character settings, and gameplay experience, creating a new sequel that satisfies the desire for freshness among new-generation international players.
Three major highlights: "Character Charm, B-Movie Violent Aesthetics, and Thrilling Satisfaction"! Solid production aimed at creating a brand-new experience
The Lollipop Chainsaw 2 production team shared that the three core charms they focused on most during development are:
· The "character charm" of the protagonist Juliet, widely loved and supported by fans
· A "worldview" that combines American B-movie black humor with the violent aesthetics of zombie slaying
· The "thrilling satisfaction" in terms of moves, feel, and fluidity when slaying zombies
The developers emphasize that since the project's inception, they have insisted on not using generative AI. The entire development process relies on the team's solid craftsmanship and technology, injecting creative soul into every aspect, including art, writing, and action design. Under this principle, achieving top-tier graphics on next-gen consoles has become a major technical challenge for the game as it targets the global markets in America, Europe, and Japan.
Within the story framework of this true sequel, Lollipop Chainsaw 2 retains the core spirit of being unrestrained, rebellious, darkly humorous, and challenging societal values, while deeply portraying the character charm of the protagonist Juliet. Juliet is not only the soul of the story but also the most representative symbol in the hearts of players. Through the latest game development technologies, her unique appeal is fully presented, showcasing her growth and strength in the new story context.
Juliet is even more charming!
Four major game features: Free Camera Angle, Rich Facial Expressions, Skating Techniques, New Moves and Blocking
Free Camera Angle – Appreciate Juliet's charm from various perspectives
Lollipop Chainsaw 2 further enhances the freedom of camera control, allowing players to freely adjust the camera angle and distance according to the battle situation, providing a more intuitive grasp of zombie positions and the overall battlefield. Whether it's the action details during intense combat or appreciating Juliet's outfit, figure, and agile movements up close from various high and low angles, players can adjust the perspective to their liking, fully showcasing the unique charm of the cheerleader protagonist, Juliet.
Rich Facial Expressions – Every expression of Juliet fighting zombies is more vivid and cute
Juliet features rich facial expressions, including vivid reactions when pinned down by zombies. She frowns and grits her teeth to break free in the moment she's tackled, then instantly returns to her energetic smile. With the free camera angle, players can see Juliet's changing expressions up close during combat—sometimes stubborn, sometimes cute—making her not just a character to control, but a warm and distinctive heroine. This is the core of Lollipop Chainsaw's long-standing reputation for character charm.
Roller Skate Chainsaw Dash – Agile and graceful high-speed movement, a flamboyant performance unleashed
Juliet has a new dash move combining roller skates and a chainsaw. Gliding at high speed through zombie hordes on skates, the roar of the chainsaw, trailing sparks, and splashing blood form a trail of light behind her, with her short skirt and ponytail swinging with the motion, creating a light, agile, and rhythmic posture. This serves as a rhythmic tool for entering combat and escaping encirclement, extending into numerous combo techniques and flashy slashing moves—gliding slashes, spinning tail whips, and dash-to-air combos are executed seamlessly, with the camera flowing along, making every move Juliet makes feel like a flamboyant performance.
New Moves and Blocking – Backflips and spins showcase the rhythmic tension between offense and defense!
New moves like backflips and spins have been added! Juliet performs a backflip over lunging zombies, lands with a spin, and clears the area with an arc of her chainsaw—the movements carry the rhythm of cheerleading, reflecting her character setting and enriching combo possibilities. Players can string together movement, jumps, and slashing into their own rhythm, making the slashing process visually more dynamic. Additionally, there is a blocking mechanism. When facing hordes of zombies, players can freely switch between attack and defense rhythms, adding tension and depth to the combat beyond just satisfying slashes.
Inheriting the legacy, the new stage "Jaredwood" and the threat of Rotworld zombies promise surprises everywhere
Lollipop Chainsaw 2 is the true sequel to the original, fully inheriting the series' core elements: black humor, gore, and unique pop-art design. The new storyline is built upon the original worldview, with original writer Masahiro Yuki expanding and developing the content and original settings from back then. While preserving the core charm, the development team has invested significant effort into expanding the plot, making the worldview more complete and continuing Juliet's story.
The game takes place in "Jaredwood," a rebuilt metropolis centered around the film industry. The protagonist Juliet is trapped in a twisted zombie movie by a mysterious director and must join forces with her partners to uncover the conspiracy and stop the new threat of Rotworld zombies.
In the new boss level "Zombie" of this demo, the scene and boss are designed in a pink Barbie style, cleverly incorporating the pun between "Zombie" and "Barbie" into the boss's name. Not only is it visually stunning; the zombies' humorous and unpredictable appearances create a strong contrast with the flashy slashing gameplay, allowing players to feel full of surprises while stylishly slaying zombies.
Furthermore, the design of the gameplay experience and newly added skills make the controls smoother, allowing players to enjoy richer strategy and satisfaction in combat. Through these new elements, the Bloody Sexy charm of Lollipop Chainsaw is displayed to players in full force, making the entire gameplay process filled with exhilaration and humor, with fun and surprises around every corner.
