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# Grasshopper Manufacture becomes independent after splitting from NetEase
- URL: https://www.verticalslice.news/grasshopper-manufacture-becomes-independent-after-splitting-from-netease/
- Published: 2026-10-02T14:39:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-09T10:36:10.000Z
- Description: The No More Heroes and Romeo is a Dead Man developer said it has improved its "self-publishing know-how" under NetEase.
- Author: Chris Kerr
- Tags: News, Business

*Romeo is a Dead Man* developer Grasshopper Manufacture has split from parent company NetEase Games after five years to become independent. 

The Japanese studio celebrated its 28th anniversary in March 2026 and is known for working on projects such as *No More Heroes*, *Killer is Dead*, and *Lollipop Chainsaw*.

Grasshopper Manufacture CEO and representative director Goichi Suda (often known by his alias 'Suda 51') said the company will officially become independent on October 1, 2026.

He explained the decision was made after "thorough discussions with NetEase Games and with their generous cooperation."

"We continue to cherish the amazing relationship our companies have built, and look forward to further collaboration when the opportunity arises," [added Suda in a press release](https://www.gamespress.com/Announcement-of-Grasshopper-Manufacture-Becoming-Independent?ref=verticalslice.news). 

"Having improved our own self-publishing know-how, we now have a broad range of options available to us, and regardless of how our games may be published we remain committed to creating unique titles featuring the 'NO GAME NO LIFE' gaming experience expected of Grasshopper Manufacture with our own signature flavor and further enhanced quality." 

Grasshopper Manufacture was [acquired by NetEase in October 2021](https://x.com/suda%5F51/status/1451354036142149633?ref=verticalslice.news) from GungHo Group for an undisclosed fee.

[According to a Bloomberg report published in 2024](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-08-30/tencent-netease-rethink-japan-approach-as-game-strategy-stalls?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTcyNDk3ODYwMSwiZXhwIjoxNzI1NTgzNDAxLCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJTSVVYOExUMVVNMFcwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJBRDcxOUY5NDBGRTk0MzNBOERCNzI2OEJDOTY3NzY3QyJ9.NXgxdAhnQilzn9xmn3yS-AAgzBHV84%5F10DD-MHWBs7M&ref=verticalslice.news), the Chinese conglomerate soon became unsure as to whether its investments in Japan would pay off.

At the time, sources familiar with the matter told the publication that NetEase and rival Tencent were prepared to scale back many of their investments in Japanese studios, starting with layoffs at Tokyo-based Ouka Studios. 

Last year, [Game File also reported](https://www.gamefile.news/p/netease-studio-cuts?ref=verticalslice.news) that NetEase was "shopping around" many of its non-Chinese studios, including Skybox Labs, Quantic Dream, T-Minus Zero Entertainment, GPTRACK50 Studio, and more.

Although some of those businesses remain operational under NetEase, the company severed ties with (and effectively shuttered) many of its studios including [T-Minus Zero](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/an-update-on-t-minus-zero-every-journey-share-7365874625366405120-m8d5/?ref=verticalslice.news), [Bad Brain Game Studios](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/an-update-on-t-minus-zero-every-journey-share-7365874625366405120-m8d5/?ref=verticalslice.news), and [Fantastic Pixel Castle](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/greg-street-b356447%5Ffantastic-pixel-castle-will-close-its-doors-share-7391147463421837314-XmVv/?utm%5Fsource=social%5Fshare%5Fsend&utm%5Fmedium=ios%5Fapp&rcm=ACoAAAYEk8QBeLXdNR6x%5FIxJzXOQtE5T3v8Nj%5F0).