Did you know that the lead characters in Elite Beat Agents were originally inspired by the Village People? It's true. They were even supposed to be called the Disco Rangers. Thank God for rewrites, eh?

Anyway, IGN has posted a few new bits of info regarding the sequel to the popular Nintendo DS rhythm game Osu! Takakae! Ouendan! In his GDC session entitled "From 'Ouendan!' To 'HELP!'": Inside the Elite Beat Agents", VP of Development at iNiS Corporation Keiichi Yano announced that a new rival group of cheerleaders will be introduced in the upcoming sequel. Players will be able to both encounter and play these new cheerleaders.

 

Yano also mentioned that the original Ouendan cast of characters will be returning, albeit with a subtly edgier art style. Oh, and before we all forget, the sequel will be called Moeru! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashi: Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2, which, Yano says, loosely translates to "Burn hot rhythm soul!" Nintendo is expected to release more details regarding the sequel later this week.

Keiichi Yano didn't reveal any details regarding a possible Elite Beat Agents (Elite Beat Agents = U.S., Ouendan = Japan, OK?) sequel, but IGN says that Yano did have some hopeful words that the series may continue in some capacity, either on the Nintendo DS or on another game platform. Yano also mentioned that he is currently in talks with Nintendo about developing for the Wii.

WE! WILL! CHEER! BEE-COZ! WE! CARE!

Rah-rah-RAH!

Sis-boom-BAH!

Kikov is a real great guy! (Cheer! Cheer!)
He posts on YouTube a video of great love! (Cheer! Cheer!)
Just like the Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan DS Game! (Cheer! Cheer!)

READY!? PERSONAL CHEERLEADERS FROM JAPAN!
Lightening the hearts of many a man!
Sad or Lonely, they don't care!
These Japanese cheerleaders just want to share!
THEEEIIIIR! LOVE! AND! PEACE!

Okay. Now that that's out of our system, enjoy the video.