Pocky the shrine maiden and her best friend, the precious tanuki Rocky, are returning to the gaming scene for the first time in over twenty years! Natsume Inc. announced this week that its multi-directional scrolling shooter series is getting a new installment this coming spring called Pocky & Rocky Reshrined.

Fans of the SNES title Pocky & Rocky or its sequels will remember the chaotic fun of blasting through levels based on traditional Japanese aesthetics and folk monsters. A new trailer was also recently released which shows the new and returning characters in action.

In addition to the returning titular duo, Pocky & Rocky Reshrined brings new characters to the table like Ame-no-Uzume, said to be the founder of the shrine maiden order that Pocky is part of, as well as Ikazuchi, a monster weasel from the war-torn world that uses incredible thunder powers. While the game revisits its roots with pixel art and familiar-looking gameplay, perhaps the addition of new characters can prove to add some life to the franchise beyond a simple remake.

Pocky & Rocky Reshrined launches in Spring 2022 and is available for pre-order on Amazon for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4. A collector’s edition is also available through Strictly Limited Games.