We're actually, finally, truly witnessing an attempt to rewrite history into claiming DEAD OR ALIVE was secretly about empowerment and virtue all along, none of that yucky anime fan-service stuff.
When do we get to Leisure Suit Larry and Duke Nukem 3D? Can those be next please?
Sexiness has always been part of DOA, but under Itagaki it felt confident, empowering, rock n roll. Later entries leaned harder into anime tropes that alienated many people.
It’s not about “core values”, it’s about tone and execution.
Viva la jiggle 🍈🍈