Lollipop Chainsaw’s Sequel Risks Missing Its Own Joke

The first time I came across an advertisement for a Lollipop Chainsaw in a magazine, my heart began racing and fear crept in. I knew I was in for trouble if my mom noticed me peeking at it. In a hurry, I hid the magazine beneath my childhood bed, attempting to mask the fact that I had unwittingly purchased it and dared to glance at its audacity. To this day, I recall Juliet Starling’s intense stare: the lollipop-sucking, chainsaw-wielding cheerleader who seemed to look straight into me, as if she knew my intentions. “You want to play this game,” she seemed to say, only smirking.

During middle school, I became overly preoccupied with doomsday theories triggered by a video game advertisement, which I think my caring mother is still blissfully unaware of. Fortunately, the world didn’t perish on that ominous day. Instead, I progressed through life, completing college, getting married, and carrying on without a hitch. However, like many other older Gen-Zs, I was plagued by an unusual sense of nostalgia driven by fear of missing out (FOMO). In my quest to reconnect with the games I had been forbidden from playing during my strict upbringing (such as Mass Effect and Assassin’s Creed), I purchased a copy of Lollipop Chainsaw. It turned out to be an enjoyable diversion, offering a lively and colorful gameplay that appealed to both my 13-year-old and 23-year-old selves. As it turns out, Juliet Starling was correct all along: I indeed wished to play this game.

By 2025, I receive delightful news that brings a smile to my face. It’s confirmed that there will be a new installment of “Lollipop Chainsaw” and an accompanying anime series, which has long been anticipated by dedicated fans. However, the announcement ended on a cryptic note, casting a shadow over what could have been an unquestionable success. Now, I find myself concerned that the remake might fall short of expectations.

What’s Going On With Lollipop Chainsaw and DEI?

As per a recent announcement by Dragami Games, the creators of Lollipop Chainsaw REPOP, they have teamed up with Nada Holdings, a Taiwanese investment firm, to develop several projects based on the IP (intellectual property). While the details aren’t finalized yet, hints about a “brand-new Lollipop Chainsaw game that maintains and expands upon the charm of the original” lead us to speculate that a sequel could be in production.

What’s grabbing attention is a point hidden towards the end of the statement. Nada Holdings explains that their development process will emphasize maintaining the unique style and essence of the original work, while avoiding overly restrictive creative limitations under the banner of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion).

Record Scratch. What Am I Missing?

Similar to some fans of the game “Lollipop Chainsaw”, I find it puzzling as to why a political coded message would be included in an announcement that is meant to be joyful and celebratory. For me, “Lollipop” serves as an emblematic example of one of the most distinctive hack-and-slash titles, known for its offbeat humor and defiance of conventional expectations, even though it initially appears quite innocent. This led me to question if the game had ever been associated with or catered to a culture war in any way.

Lollipop Chainsaw is a Campy, Bizarre Time Capsule

A few years prior to the launch of Lollipop Chainsaw REPOP, I stumbled upon the enjoyment of Lollipop Chainsaw around three years ago. However, the encounter with the Juliet ad had almost slipped my memory before then. The IP wasn’t on my radar when I rekindled my passion for video games in my early 20s. It was only during brainstorming cosplay ideas that a friend suggested I try Juliet Starling, which promptly brought back memories of Juliet’s teasing face from the ad, transporting me back to being 13 years old once more.

Remembering Lollipop Chainsaw felt like recollecting a long-forgotten, somewhat awkward experience – the kind of game typically associated with adults who frequented stores like Hot Topic. However, as I sat there, three thoughts suddenly struck me:

1. It’s been ages since I last played Lollipop Chainsaw, and I’ve missed its unique blend of action, humor, and… well, chainsaws!
2. I never fully appreciated the game back then, but revisiting it now makes me realize how ahead of its time it was.
3. Maybe it’s time to dive back into the world of Juliet Starling and see if the charm still holds up!

I was now an adult.
Lollipop Chainsaw was clearly no longer a game that was off-limits.
I fulfilled the prophecy: I was an adult who shopped at Hot Topic.

Initially, I hesitated to include it among my favorite games that I must play due to several reasons. Firstly, the visual portrayal of a high schooler dressed in minimal cheerleader attire made me uncomfortable. Secondly, the hack-and-slash genre wasn’t something I was accustomed to or thought I would enjoy. Lastly, I had doubts about the game’s ability to maintain a balanced tone given its marketing, as it seemed more suited for someone else. However, in an effort to make informed decisions, I managed to find an affordable copy on eBay to play on my outdated Xbox 360.

Go, Team, Go!

When I first picked up Lollipop Chainsaw for a spin, I thought I had it all figured out – after all, the main gal is a scantily-clad blonde cheerleader with a chainsaw as big as her waistline. But boy, was I wrong! Sure, at first glance, it might seem like a superficial game, trying to lure players in with skimpy outfits and sneaky achievements that require peeking upskirts. However, Lollipop Chainsaw cleverly turns the tables on us players, revealing a depth that had me chuckling at my own initial misconceptions.

The game, “Lollipop Chainsaw,” challenges conventional gender roles in an unusual yet brilliant manner. Instead of being solely admired for her looks, Juliet is portrayed as strong, witty, resourceful, and a remarkable female protagonist in video games. In contrast, her male counterpart is merely presented as a talking head attached to Juliet. This game may not be subtle, but it is more intelligent than it appears at first glance. The humor in “Lollipop Chainsaw” is the work of James Gunn and Suda51, which can be crude and chaotic, yet smart enough to avoid the most offensive jokes. It wasn’t mocking the stereotypical damsel-in-distress; it was satirizing those who underestimated her strength in 2012, making it seem surprisingly clever at the time.

I Wish I Had Played Lollipop Chainsaw Sooner

In the early 2010s, the gaming industry was an unusual period for female representation. The landscape was dominated by women characters who were either excessively serious or overly lighthearted. Yet, Lollipop Chainsaw stood out as a peculiar exception. It embodied elements of grindhouse films, teen comedies, and a self-aware yet not overly cynical portrayal of hyperfemininity. Juliet was characterized by her pink, glittery, and absurd personality, but she was also highly proficient. To a specific type of gamer, myself included, this was quite appealing.

People found appeal in Lollipop Chainsaw due to its unique balance – it didn’t demand a serious approach, yet it didn’t underestimate its audience. It was chaotic, boisterous, and rough around the edges, but these imperfections added to its allure. It captured the essence of its time period, perhaps even subtly challenging it in a sweetly rebellious manner. It knew its identity well, and then invited gamers to embody the character they might have dismissed initially.

So Why Are We Dragging Lollipop Chainsaw Into A Culture War?

As a gamer, I can say that Lollipop Chainsaw didn’t feel the need to make a political statement or lecture me. Instead, it playfully jabbed at common tropes with its sticky bubblegum fingers, flipping them on their heads while performing a high kick. Some of the jokes and tropes used in this game, especially the dark humor, haven’t aged well, and some were confusing from the start. Yet, that was all part of its chaotic mix. It was a game that satirized sex, violence, and pop culture without claiming to fix any issues it highlighted.

Misconstruing the revival of Lollipop Chainsaw as a counterargument against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) misses the point entirely. The game wasn’t a feminist declaration, but it was undeniably part of a broader discussion about women’s portrayal in gaming. Juliet, the protagonist, wasn’t groundbreaking, but she was self-aware. She embodied contradiction: she could be alluring, playful, competent, and kind, without the game reducing her to a single stereotype. This wasn’t tokenism. It was deliberate, conscious design.

Is The New Lollipop Chainsaw’s Anti-DEI Stance A Red Flag?

When Dragami Games declared their upcoming sequel while also emphasizing they wouldn’t let Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) factors control their creative direction, it seemed less like a brave statement and more like a warning signal. It didn’t appear anyone had requested or pressured them to do so. It was reminiscent of someone angrily securing a door that had never been open, arguing with invisible entities. In truth, the topic hadn’t even been under discussion.

The constant association of cult-classic games like Lollipop Chainsaw with controversial issues is tiresome, as this game was never intended to be part of that debate in the first place. Instead, it aimed to bring some lighthearted fun to a chaotic situation by using irony as a protective shield during cultural upheavals. Misinterpreting this as a call for exclusion not only fails to grasp the essence of the game, but also tramples on its unique, subversive spirit that refused to take itself too seriously. If the upcoming sequel adopts an offensive tone under the pretext of authenticity and dark humor, it will lose its original charm and feel like a hollow imitation wearing a cheerleader’s uniform.

2025-07-26 19:04