Suda51: Killer is Dead won't be a sequel but still follows No More Heroes, Killer 7 in style

First details and screenshots for Grasshopper Manufacture's upcoming Killer is Dead have arrived, following an interview with visionary Goichi "Suda51" Suda. The upcoming action title is a collaboration between Suda51's Grasshopper and publisher Kodakawa Games, the same industry duo that brought us Lollipop Chainsaw; take that as you will.

In his talk with Japanese publication Famitsu, Suda noted that Killer is Dead was indeed a follow-up to Killer 7 and No More Heroes, but that doesn't exactly mean it's a sequel to either. Rather, he's referring more toward the style of the games and how they've evolved over time.

"Development has already been ongoing for an extended period of time. It's the first game in the 'assassin' series that Grasshopper Manufacture has worked on in a while, a title that picks up where Killer7 and No More Heroes left off."

That's a concept that Suda is keen on sticking with, even knowing there's a community interest in sequels for both. He points out that the pointi s trying not to get stuck in the past, and instead developing a game that suits the here and now.

"It's not trying to regress into the past. We're trying to make a game that we'd only be able to make right now, at this point in time. The result is seen in our unique high-contrast shading seen in the graphics, as well as the high speed wrestling-like action."

Killer is Dead stars an assassin of assassins, a 35-year-old fellow named Mondo Zappa. He's sent around the world to hunt down targets, in a near-future where lunar tourism and cyber implants are rather common. Yeah, the gaming industry really seems to be on a sci-fi kick as of late -- not that I'm complaining.

The plot is somewhat reminiscent of No More Heroes, clearly. In addition to his sword, Mondo has an Swiss army arm, capable of changing into a gun, drill, and other items.

Says Suda:

"It's the story of a man who doesn't show himself much in the public world, but still worms his way into society and mercilessly eliminates the evil dispersed in it. It's a personal story, not one that's conscious of the chaos going on in the real world at the moment, but you might get more than a taste of that in the end anyway."

Japan will be getting Killer is Dead this summer, and we're keeping our fingers crossed for a release out here. In the meantime, dig these new screenshots, and head to the source if you're curious to look at a few character artworks as well. Just keep in mind it's all in Japanese.