Grasshopper Manufacture

Grasshopper Manufacture is a Japanese development studio founded in 1998 in Tokyo by the legendary game designer Goichi Suda, also known by the nickname Suda51. The studio has built a unique reputation thanks to its original action games, distinctive visual style, unconventional humour and bold storytelling.

Its first international success was the cult action-adventure game Killer7, which captivated players with its unique cel-shaded graphics, surreal storyline and unconventional gameplay. The game became one of the most distinctive titles of its generation and still has a strong fan base today.

The studio’s best-known franchise is the No More Heroes series, in which players control the hitman Travis Touchdown. The games combine fast-paced katana combat, a more open-world environment, absurd humour, pop-culture references and an unmistakable stylised aesthetic. The series has become a hallmark of the studio’s work and one of Nintendo’s most distinctive action franchises.

Other notable titles include the horror action game Shadows of the Damned, created in collaboration with Shinji Mikami, the zany zombie action game Lollipop Chainsaw, the futuristic action game Killer Is Dead, and the psychological adventure game The Silver Case and its sequel The 25th Ward: The Silver Case.

Grasshopper Manufacture is renowned for its experimental approach to game design, its distinctive stylisation inspired by comics and anime, its cinematic storytelling, and its unforgettable characters. The studio’s games often transcend the boundaries of traditional genres and achieve cult status amongst fans of original video games.

Thanks to the No More Heroes, Killer7 and The Silver Case series, as well as games such as Lollipop Chainsaw, Shadows of the Damned and Killer Is Dead, Grasshopper Manufacture ranks among Japan’s most significant independent game studios. Their titles have been released for PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and PC.