The popular anime franchise “ Zombieland Saga ”
has announced its 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, scheduled to come out in Japan in
July of this year. This announcement has left many fans with mixed
feelings, since although it shows that there is still interest in the
franchise, it also revives concerns about the future of the promised
“Zombieland Saga” film.
The “Zombieland Saga” movie was
announced in October 2021, generating great expectation among fans. However,
there have been no significant updates on its production since then. This lack
of news has led to speculation and fears that the project could be in danger of
cancellation. MAPPA's recent decision to cancel production of the
“Yuri!!!” film on ICE” after several years without news has intensified these
fears. “Zombieland Saga” fans fear their beloved franchise could face
a similar fate.
“Zombieland Saga,” which debuted 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 have left fans uneasy. The
pachinko industry in Japan is known for using popular franchises to attract
players, but this rarely translates into new animated or film 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' concern is understandable, especially
considering the volatility and competition within the anime industry. Long
waits and lack of communication can erode the interest and passion of the fan
base, causing promising projects to become less commercially viable. The
industry has seen numerous examples of projects fading into obscurity 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 details of the film's production are worked out. The
creators and producers may be using this pause to ensure that the film meets
the high expectations of the fans.
Source: Otakomu
