What Grasshopper Manufacture does

Grasshopper Manufacture is an independent Japanese video game developer founded on March 30, 1998, by Goichi Suda (須田剛一), known professionally as Suda51. The company plans, researches, and develops video game software, primarily original action and adventure titles for home consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) and PC (Steam). Its portfolio spans more than 25 titles across nearly three decades, anchored by recurring franchises such as No More Heroes (four main entries plus spin-offs), The Silver Case / 25th Ward, killer7, Shadows of the Damned, and Lollipop Chainsaw. Its most recent release, Romeo is a Dead Man, launched in February 2026 across PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam.

The studio's technology base is centered on Unreal Engine 4 and Unreal Engine 5, supplemented by proprietary creative techniques such as the "Film Window" storytelling method (debuted in The Silver Case, 1999) and a signature "Bloody Action" combat system featuring swords and firearms. The team is small — approximately 40–50 employees — and is described as internationally composed, with staff recruited from Japan, China, Spain, and elsewhere. Suda51 personally directs or writes the majority of the company's titles, providing a consistent auteur-driven creative voice described in the company's own materials as "punk"-inspired.

Grasshopper Manufacture operates a hybrid monetization model. The studio self-publishes digital titles on PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, and Steam (Romeo is a Dead Man at 5,500 JPY / USD 49.99 MSRP), while working with publisher partners — including Marvelous, NetEase Entertainment, Nintendo, Capcom, Bandai Namco, Electronic Arts, and Active Gaming Media — for physical distribution and certain platform releases. Historically free-to-play title Let it Die (over 9 million downloads since 2016) is being transitioned in 2026 to a premium offline model with no microtransactions. A direct-to-consumer merchandise storefront (GhM STORE) provides ancillary revenue. Headquarters are in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, relocated to the Korakuen area in March 2022.

Name

Grasshopper Manufacture

Legal name

株式会社グラスホッパー・マニファクチュア

Website

https://grasshopper.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Grasshopper Manufacture is an independent Japanese video game developer founded in 1998 by Goichi Suda (Suda51), producing distinctive action and adventure titles for PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC using Unreal Engine.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Game Sales (Direct Publishing): Direct sales of games published by Grasshopper Manufacture, primarily through digital storefronts (PlayStation Store, Steam, Xbox Store) and limited physical releases. One-time purchase model with MSRP ranging from 1,029 JPY to 8,360 JPY depending on title.
2. Game Sales (Via Publisher Partners): Revenue sharing through publisher partnerships with Marvelous (No More Heroes series), NetEase Entertainment (Shadows of the Damned), Capcom (Killer7), Bandai Namco, and others who handle physical distribution and retail relationships.
3. Free-to-Play Monetization (Former): Let it Die operated as free-to-play with microtransactions from 2016 until planned server shutdown in 2026. The game accumulated over 9 million downloads before transitioning to premium offline model.
4. GhM STORE (Merchandise): Direct-to-consumer online store selling stickers and potentially other merchandise to fans.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Grasshopper Manufacture is a Japanese video game developer that plans, researches, and develops original action and adventure video game software for home consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) and PC (Steam). Founded in 1998, the studio has created over 25 titles including the No More Heroes assassin-action franchise, the Silver Case crime-suspense series, and 2026's Romeo is a Dead Man, alongside collaborations like Killer Is Dead, Lollipop Chainsaw, and Shadows of the Damned.

Product overview

Grasshopper Manufacture is a Japanese video game developer founded in 1998 by Goichi Suda (Suda51). The company develops original action and adventure games for home consoles under a 'punk' creative philosophy. Their portfolio spans over 25 titles including the No More Heroes series (assassin action games featuring Travis Touchdown), the cult classic The Silver Case series (crime-suspense adventures), Romeo is a Dead Man (their latest 2026 sci-fi action title), and various collaborations like Killer Is Dead, Lollipop Chainsaw, and Shadows of the Damned. The company operates independently, publishing games across PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Romeo is a Dead Man A hyperviolent sci-fi action game featuring FBI Space-Time Special Agent Romeo Stargazer hunting fugitives across the multiverse. Released for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in February 2026.
• Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered A remastered 2011 hell-traversing road movie action-adventure featuring demon hunter Garcia Hotspur rescuing his love from a demon king in a 'Hell + rock & roll' themed world.
• No More Heroes 3 Slash-action title where legendary assassin Travis Touchdown returns to fight his way to the top of the Galactic Superhero Rankings to prevent Earth invasion by alien prince FU.
• The Silver Case 2425 Complete edition combining The Silver Case (1999) and The 25th Ward: The Silver Case (2005). Crime-suspense adventure featuring mysterious scenarios and stylish direction set in the Kanto 24th/25th Ward.
• Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes Action game where Travis Touchdown is sucked into the world of a legendary video game console and must battle through various game genres to escape.
• Killer Is Dead Action game where players take on the role of Mondo Zappa, an executioner who executes assassins, featuring katana combat and transforming weapons.
• Lollipop Chainsaw Zombie chopping action game starring Juliet, a cheerleader from a family of zombie hunters who wields a chainsaw to mow down hordes of zombies.
• Shadows of the Damned Original 2011 action-shooting game featuring demon hunter Garcia Hotspur journeying through hell to rescue his girlfriend Paula from demon king Fleming.
• Let it Die Premium Offline Version Premium offline version of the Let it Die roguelike, offered as a one-time purchase with no DLC or microtransactions after the online servers shut down.
• GhM STORE Merchandise Direct-to-consumer online store selling Grasshopper Manufacture branded merchandise including stickers and other fan products.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 9 million downloads for Let it Die
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Marvelous Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLong-standing publishing partner for the No More Heroes series, handling physical and digital distribution. Also published Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes (Nintendo Switch version) and No More Heroes 3.
• Active Gaming Media Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for The Silver Case 2425 Nintendo Switch version under PLAYISM label.
• Nintendo Co., Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPlatform holder partner for No More Heroes series and other titles on Nintendo platforms. Also developed Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse for Wii under Nintendo publishing.
• NetEase Entertainment Interactive Pte. Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublisher of Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered (2024) across PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and Steam platforms.
• CapcomminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOriginal publisher of Killer7 for Nintendo GameCube in 2005, handling physical retail distribution.
• Bandai Namco EntertainmentminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublished multiple Grasshopper Manufacture titles including Samurai Champloo: Sidetracked, Lollipop Chainsaw, and Evangelion 3nd Impact.
• Sony Interactive EntertainmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPlatform holder and publisher partner providing PlayStation store distribution and featured placement opportunities for Grasshopper Manufacture titles including Romeo is a Dead Man.
• Microsoft (Xbox)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPlatform holder partner for Xbox distribution of Romeo is a Dead Man and other compatible titles.
• Electronic ArtsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOriginal publisher of Shadows of the Damned (2011) for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• PlatinumGames: Japan-based boutique action game developer of comparable size, also known for stylized, high-octane action titles (Bayonetta, NieR, Astral Chain). Closely comparable in studio scale, genre focus, and reliance on publisher partnerships for distribution.
• Tango Gameworks: Japanese boutique action/survival developer (The Evil Within, Hi-Fi Rush, Ghostwire: Tokyo). Similar small-team scale, action-genre focus, and history of being acquired by larger strategic owners (now under Krafton after Microsoft closure).
• Vanillaware: Osaka-based boutique Japanese developer of stylized 2D action games (Odin Sphere, Dragon's Crown, 13 Sentinels). Comparable in size, handcrafted visual identity, and auteur-driven development philosophy; acquired by Atlus/Sega in 2021.
• Acquire Corp: Japanese boutique developer (Tenchu, Way of the Samurai, co-developer of Octopath Traveler). Comparable boutique scale and niche Japanese game studio identity with deep publisher relationships.
• CyberConnect2: Fukuoka-based Japanese boutique developer of action titles (.hack series, Naruto Shippuden games, Dragon Ball Z games). Comparable in studio scale, Japanese boutique identity, and reliance on IP licensing/publisher relationships.
• ArtPlay: Japanese boutique studio led by Koji Igarashi, developer of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. Closely comparable in size, auteur-driven action design, and crowdfunding-to-publisher trajectory in the Japanese indie scene.
• Spike Chunsoft: Japanese developer/publisher of stylized narrative and adventure titles (Danganronpa, Zero Escape, 428: Shibuya Scramble). Comparable in Japanese boutique identity, distinctive creative voice, and multi-platform distribution strategy.
• Arc System Works: Japanese boutique game developer known for stylized fighting/action titles (Guilty Gear, BlazBlue, Dragon Ball FighterZ). Comparable in boutique Japanese scale, auteur-driven visual identity, and strong publisher partnership model.

Broad incumbents

• Team Ninja (Koei Tecmo): Larger Japanese action game developer (Ninja Gaiden, Nioh, Wo Long) operating under Koei Tecmo. Overlaps strongly in action genre and Japanese auteur sensibility but operates at substantially greater scale with corporate parent support.
• FromSoftware: Major Japanese action RPG developer (Elden Ring, Dark Souls, Sekiro), now owned by Sony. Overlaps in auteur-driven action design and Japanese studio identity, but operates at AAA scale and global blockbuster reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Grasshopper_EN
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCdFWi9TS_dV_mSW25RFc6Kg
• Facebookfacebook.com/grasshopper.manufacture
• Instagraminstagram.com/grasshopperm
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/grasshopper-manufacture-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Grasshopper Manufacture