The popular anime franchise “Zombieland Saga” announced his unexpected return, but not in the way many fans expected. Instead of a new season or the long-awaited movie, the series will be relaunched as a pachinko machine, set to launch in Japan this July. This announcement left many fans with mixed feelings, as while it shows that there is still interest in the franchise, it also reignites concerns about the future of the promised “Zombieland Saga” film.

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The “Zombieland Saga” film was announced in October 2021, generating great excitement among fans. However, since then, there have been no significant updates regarding its production. This lack of news has led to speculation and fears that the project could be at risk of being canceled. MAPPA’s recent decision to cancel production of the film “Yuri!!! on ICE” after several years of no news has heightened these fears. Fans of the “Zombieland Saga” fear their beloved franchise could meet a similar fate.

“Zombieland Saga,” which premiered in 2018, quickly won the hearts of many with its unique combination of idol anime and horror and comedy elements. The series follows a group of zombie girls who are resurrected to form an idol group in an attempt to revitalize Saga Prefecture. The second season, “Zombieland Saga: Revenge”, continued the success of the first, cementing the series as a cultural phenomenon.

Despite initial enthusiasm for the film, the lack of updates and now the focus on the pachinko machine has left fans unsettled. Japan's pachinko industry is known for using popular franchises to attract players, but this rarely translates into new film or animation productions. Fans fear that the more time passes, the more people will forget about the series, thus reducing its profitability and the chances of the film seeing the light of day.

Fans' concerns are understandable, especially considering the volatility and competition in the anime industry. Long waits and lack of communication can erode the interest and passion of the fanbase, making promising projects less commercially viable. The sector has already seen several examples of projects that fell into oblivion due to these factors.

However, the release of the pachinko machine could also be a strategy to keep the franchise alive in the public's mind and attract new attention while the film's production details are worked out. The creators and producers may be using this break to ensure the film lives up to fans' high expectations.

Source: Otakomu