Lollipop Chainsaw 2 Back2Back: Sequel Revealed for PS5
Juliet Starling is officially back with her trademark chainsaw and cheerleading spirit. Publishers Dragami Games and Nada Holdings have announced Lollipop Chainsaw 2: Back2Back, a full-fledged sequel to the 2012 cult classic action title.
Following the release of Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP, the franchise is taking a major leap forward with an all-new installment scheduled for a 2027 release on PlayStation 5.
Final Fantasy Director Hajime Tabata Heads Development
The biggest reveal surrounding the sequel is its development team. Grasshopper Manufacture is not handling this entry. Instead, development has been entrusted to JP Universe.
The studio was founded and is led by Hajime Tabata, the veteran director behind Square Enix blockbusters like Final Fantasy XV and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. Seeing a director renowned for sweeping cinematic RPGs tackle an over-the-top zombie slasher is an unexpected development that has quickly sparked discussion across the action game community.
Key creative voices from the original game are returning to preserve the franchise's identity. Masahiro Yuki, co-producer and original writer, is penning the new story, while artist NekoshowguN returns to handle Juliet Starling's character design.
Moving Forward Without Suda51 and James Gunn
Despite those returning veterans, the sequel will move forward without its two most famous architects. Neither Goichi Suda (Suda51) nor filmmaker James Gunn, who co-wrote the irreverent dialogue of the 2012 original, are involved in this production.
This creative shift means JP Universe and Dragami Games must demonstrate they can capture the series' unique blend of grindhouse humor and punk attitude on their own merits.
Rollerblades and Zombie Slicing in Jaredwood
Juliet leaves the ruins of San Romero High School behind for a massive movie metropolis known as Jaredwood, built atop the old city's remains.
Gameplay is also receiving a significant mechanical overhaul. Juliet is now equipped with rollerblades, allowing players to skate through zombie hordes at high speed while chaining acrobatic chainsaw slashes.
Attendees who experienced the closed-door playable demo at the Tokyo Game Show reported a faster, momentum-driven combat loop, as highlighted in our full Tokyo Game Show 2026 recap.
Live-Action R-Rated Movie in Pre-Production
Dragami Games and Nada Holdings are also expanding the property beyond consoles. A live-action feature film is currently in pre-production, conceived as an R-rated action-comedy that aims to preserve the gore and eccentric humor of Juliet's adventures.
With a planned 2027 launch on PS5, Lollipop Chainsaw 2: Back2Back faces high expectations. The mechanical upgrade to rollerblade combat sounds promising, and players will soon see whether Tabata's team can deliver the stylish chaos fans expect.
SEO consultant for over 20 years and digital entrepreneur, Charles 'Grimtag' Ronchain is the founder of Pro-Gamer.gg, Retrocharting.com, and Gamescharting.com. A competitive gamer, streamer, and retro game collector, he has worked in the video game industry for over 15 years, notably as a consultant for leading price comparison platforms. Passionate about real-time performance data and gaming technology, he analyzes competitive esports, gaming hardware benchmarks, and creator workflows on Pro-Gamer.gg with an authentic player perspective.
