What type of theme for a Shmup would you like to see next?

[Nuke]

We need more Man-in-a-suit Shmups, and no, not lolis-in-mechasuits but full clothed space-heroes fighting evil on the surface on some moon.

[Shatterhand]

Speaking of enlightenment, in the later shmup stages of the platformer "MYTH - History in the Making" the player levitates and glides through egyptian nightmare settings in a lotus posture, battling gods

The Amiga version looks better...

[BIL]

Goddamn, Shocky. That Myth screencap looks cool.

As for me, although it's definitely not as creative as most of the ideas already posted (or creative, period)... I just want an absolutely brutal, hi-tech military destruction-themed shooter. I've been on a slight Raiden infatuation lately, and now I just want to see batshit insane explosive violence in a semi-futuristic Earth setting, with a distinctly matte, non-cute look (sort of like Metal Slug sans the lovable character stylings). I want bullets and missiles and lasers and lots of burning metal flying everywhere, with some serious smouldering carpet burns all over the grass! >_> Sorry.

I know Raiden III (will be buying it soon) is out [edited for Raiden IV-related cluelessness, doh ], but it doesn't seem quite as gritty as what I have in mind. I dunno, I used to consider shooters of that thematic ilk bland, but these days I find their no-nonsense approach very appealing.

[Shatterhand]

Raiden IV is out?

[j^aws]

Or what do you think would be unique, like how mushi is with insects, and muchi muchi pork is with pigs.

Centipede did the 'insect' with 'mushrooms' thing in 1980... not unique... but I'd like to see more themes along those lines.

It's fascinating to see 'imagery' of microscopic scale on a macroscopic level: Especially seeing it blown-up!