For Grasshopper Manufacture, 2027 could be about much more than revisiting an old favorite. The No More Heroes anniversary arrives at a particularly interesting moment: Travis Touchdown is expected to return, while the studio behind his adventures is beginning a new chapter as an independent developer.
Goichi Suda, better known as Suda51, has confirmed that he wants to celebrate the franchise’s 20th anniversary alongside Marvelous, which owns the series. However, his comments raise a bigger question than whether fans will see Travis again: what form could that comeback take now that Grasshopper controls its own future?
Why the No More Heroes anniversary matters more in 2027
The original No More Heroes launched in Japan on December 6, 2007. Consequently, December 2027 will mark two decades since Travis Touchdown first appeared. According to Suda, Marvelous is already aware of the approaching milestone, and both parties want to work together on a celebration.
During an interview conducted in early October and published by Famitsu on November 2, 2026, Suda encouraged fans to anticipate the occasion. More importantly, he made clear that Travis Touchdown will definitely return. That is a meaningful statement for a franchise whose most recent main installment, No More Heroes 3, arrived in 2021.
Nevertheless, there is an important distinction between promising a character’s return and announcing a new video game. Suda has not revealed whether the anniversary will involve a sequel, remake, remaster or another kind of project. No platforms have been identified either.
The series currently includes three main games and the spin-off Travis Strikes Again. With no major developments since No More Heroes 3, the anniversary offers a natural opportunity to bring the franchise back into public view. Still, the exact nature of the celebration remains unknown.
Grasshopper’s independence changes the picture
The timing becomes even more interesting when considering Grasshopper Manufacture’s recent corporate changes. After joining NetEase Games in May 2021, the developer officially became independent again on October 1, 2026.
Unlike a complete studio rebuild, this separation preserved several important elements. Grasshopper retained its name, employees and offices. NetEase also transferred development equipment to the company. Suda described the negotiations as amicable, suggesting that the studio’s departure was not accompanied by the kind of operational disruption that might otherwise complicate its immediate plans.
That creates an interesting contrast with the uncertainty surrounding GANG OF DRAGON and Nagoshi Studio, another Japanese development story connected to NetEase’s changing international presence. Grasshopper, by comparison, has continued as an independent business with its existing team and resources.
However, independence does not automatically solve every commercial challenge. Suda has openly welcomed potential investors, partnerships and work-for-hire opportunities. The company may have greater freedom to explore different arrangements, but the No More Heroes intellectual property still belongs to Marvelous.
That ownership distinction matters. Grasshopper’s independence does not mean it can unilaterally decide the franchise’s future. Instead, the anniversary plans will depend on cooperation between Suda’s team and the publisher.
Romeo is a Dead Man revealed a challenge beyond development
Grasshopper’s first self-published title, Romeo is a Dead Man, offers another reason to pay attention to the studio’s next decisions. Released on February 11, 2026, the game achieved a Very Positive Steam reception, with 87% favorable reviews in late October.
Yet positive feedback did not eliminate the difficulties of bringing the project to market. Suda acknowledged that promotion had been challenging. In fact, he encountered people who were unaware that Romeo is a Dead Man had already launched.
This experience highlights a practical issue for an independent developer: creating a game and ensuring potential customers discover it are two different tasks. Grasshopper had to manage publishing responsibilities itself, and Suda recognized that reaching audiences required more attention.
For that reason, the No More Heroes anniversary presents an interesting contrast. Travis Touchdown is an established character with a history stretching back to 2007. Even so, recognition alone cannot determine how a future release would be marketed, distributed or financed.
There is no confirmation that Grasshopper intends to self-publish another No More Heroes project. Nevertheless, its experience with Romeo is a Dead Man helps explain why the relationship with Marvelous could be particularly important if the celebration eventually involves a commercial release.
Suda51 has other ambitions beyond Travis Touchdown
While the No More Heroes anniversary is approaching, Suda is also looking toward a different side of his creative career. He has begun developing an idea for a darker project reminiscent of Moonlight Syndrome, The Silver Case and killer7.
Unlike the flamboyant action associated with Travis Touchdown, this planned work would revisit the unsettling atmosphere and storytelling that characterized those earlier titles. Suda intends to write the script himself, although he emphasized that the project remains at a very early stage.
He has also expressed interest in bringing Moonlight Syndrome to audiences outside Japan. Separately, he reiterated two longstanding ambitions: creating a Gundam game and working on a Deadpool game. These remain personal wishes rather than confirmed productions.
Another milestone is already on the horizon. Grasshopper Manufacture will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2028, and Suda hopes to have a major announcement ready by then. However, he has not identified what that announcement might involve.
Taken together, these plans suggest a studio considering several creative directions rather than concentrating exclusively on one franchise. The challenge will be deciding which ideas become actual projects and which partnerships can help bring them to players.
Ultimately, the No More Heroes anniversary could become the first major opportunity to see how Grasshopper’s independent future intersects with one of its best-known creations. Travis Touchdown’s return has been promised, but its format, timing and platforms remain unannounced. Will 2027 bring a new adventure, a return to an existing game or something entirely different?
Source: Famitsu interview with Goichi Suda, published November 2, 2026.
Creator of the website, Pokemon trainer by nature. Trying to report on everything related to the world of video games, series and movies. Yu-Gi-Oh is my weakness, collecting cards since the dawn of time.
