Blast Zero

Blast Zero is an independent Rotterdam-based game development studio focused on energetic 2D action games, beat ’em ups and anime-inspired interactive entertainment. Originally established as Tanuki Creative Studio in 2016–2017, the team began full-time production in 2018 and rebranded as Blast Zero in 2024.

The studio’s work combines arcade combat design with traditionally hand-drawn, cel-style character animation. Its production approach draws closely on 1990s anime and arcade aesthetics while applying contemporary development pipelines for PC, console and arcade releases. Blast Zero works with GameMaker and Unity, and develops game systems, combat, narrative, art direction, concept work, animation, music and audio production in-house.

Games and development

Its debut commercial release, Jitsu Squad, is a four-player cooperative 2D beat ’em up built around fast combat and tag-team mechanics. The game launched on PC in 2022, followed by console editions for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation and Xbox platforms. Blast Zero later co-developed the arcade release Jitsu Squad featuring Samurai Pizza Cats with arcade publisher exA-Arcadia.

The studio is also developing Samurai Pizza Cats: Blast from the Past!, a 2D action role-playing hybrid based on the 1990s anime franchise Samurai Pizza Cats (Kyatto Ninden Teyandee). The project was announced with publisher Red Dunes Games and is planned for PC and home consoles. For the production, the team studied period cel-animation techniques and Japanese regional references to recreate the series’ visual style and humour, while working with original Japanese and English voice cast members and series head writer Satoru Akahori.

Capabilities

• Full-cycle development for PC, console and coin-op arcade platforms
• 2D art direction, concept design and hand-drawn cel animation
• Action-game systems, combat and narrative design
• Original music composition and audio production
• Multiplatform development for Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and Xbox