GungHo revealed plans for Ninjala 2: The Uncharted Planet during Tuesday's Nintendo Direct presentation, confirming the sequel will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 next spring.

The new game marks a major evolution for the free-to-play franchise that debuted in 2020. This time, players will explore the series' first-ever open world after their character breaks a forbidden seal and gets transported to an unknown planet. The core "Ninja Gum" action remains central to gameplay, but now expands into vast landscapes where you'll master abilities like Gum Hook, Gum Boost, and Gum Balloon to traverse terrain and engage enemies.

Combat brings the signature IPPON victory system from the original, letting you battle with weapons ranging from katanas and hammers to rockets. The game also supports up to four-player co-op, allowing teams to tackle giant boss encounters together.

GungHo describes Ninjala 2 as the first half of a two-part saga, suggesting plans for additional content or sequels down the line.

The original Ninjala built a dedicated community beyond just gaming. A net anime launched on the official Ninjala YouTube channel in 2020, followed by a full TV anime that premiered on TV Tokyo and affiliated stations in January 2022. That series also streamed globally with English subtitles, introducing the franchise to anime fans who'd never touched the game.

With the Switch 2's enhanced hardware, GungHo has the opportunity to deliver the open-world experience at a scale that wasn't feasible on the original Switch. The spring 2027 window gives the studio time to polish what sounds like an ambitious expansion of the Ninjala formula.

For longtime players and anime fans curious about the game that inspired an actual series, Ninjala 2 represents a significant moment for the franchise's future.