Bloody Chainsaw Girl Returns: Giko Awakens (2019)

Whilst Bloody Chainsaw Girl Returns: Revenge of Nero is a remake of BLOODY CHAINSAW GIRL with a new cast, Giko Awakens continues the story with new characters and a new location - the school prison, where Giko is sent for the supposed "crime" of killing her classmates with a chainsaw.

It feels like the cast and crew had settled into their groove more and the film ups the ante in terms of violence and gore, so all in all it's a more satisfying watch - but still inferior to the original. Considering the lengths it perhaps makes sense to consider Revenge Of Nero and Giko Awakens as two halves of one film, though they do feel quite distinct.

I still suspect the intention was to make a series, as there is a post-credits scene that is not exactly a cliff-hanger, but does leave a door open for the story to pass through. So far it hasn't happened, though whether that's due to COVID-19 or commercial failure I couldn't say. I suspect the moment has passed for a follow-up either way.

Maybe they can reboot it again in another couple of years though!