After splitting with NetEase earlier in the year, Suda51 has explained that Grasshopper Manufacture wants to return to its roots, or potentially make the next GUNDAM.
In case you missed it, in 2021, Grasshopper Manufacture, alongside prolific game developer Suda51, decided to join forces with NetEase in a publisher deal that saw Grasshopper retain almost full autonomy over their production. This means that Grasshopper Manufacture had the support of NetEase in the developer-friendly deal, while being able to develop games however they please. Recently, Suda51 and Grasshopper Manufacture announced they were separating from NetEase (with its blessing) and regaining independence as a developer, while thanking the company for its support over the years. The September announcement is below.
NEXT FUCKING ADVENTURE. https://t.co/gsiLXM3TGT— SUDA51/須田剛一 (@suda_51) September 30, 2026
Regardless of whether they’re independent or not, Suda51’s latest interview with Famitsu paints a new start for Grasshopper Manufacture, and they may be headed back to the beginning. In the interview, Suda51 mentioned many directions the developers can head in next. First, Suda51 mentions two series he’d love to work with: Mobile Suit Gundam and Marvel’s Deadpool, and while that may feel like a natural fit, nothing has been confirmed. On top of the dream franchise mention, Suda 51 also mentioned that one of the biggest shifts, being independent and lacking financial backing, is in the scale of the games the studio can develop. Namely, they will be smaller in scale, especially when compared to Romeo is a Dead Man.
Suda51 still has ideas; in the interview, he states, “I have a few ideas of what to make next, but one thing I’m thinking about is a game I made while I was still at Human, called Moonlight Syndrome. That was the game that started my career, and from there I made The Silver Case, Flower, Sun and Rain and Killer7.”
He continues with, “I really want to channel that idea once again if I can. I think No More Heroes has given many people the impression of Grasshopper as a bright and flashy action game studio, but I want to return to the side of the studio that specializes in the dark, serious, and chaotic ideas that we worked on until Killer7.” So while Grasshopper Manufacture has been known for over-the-top flashy gameplay recently, Suda51 may want to return the studio to its less flashy roots, considering they’ve returned to the independent scene.
Considering next year is the 20th anniversary of No More Heroes, Suda51 said Marvellous (who owns the No More Heroes IP) is “very aware” of the anniversary, and said “I’d love for us to do something to mark the occasion. I’m hoping to do something special, so please look forward to it. Travis Touchdown is definitely coming back!” While no concrete announcement has been given in the interview, Suda51 and Grasshopper Manufacture appear to be stoked that it’s back on the independent circuit, and its next steps could involve former (and darker) developments like No More Heroes, Killer7, and Moonlight Syndrome (or even GUNDAM or Deadpool).
