Death Stranding anime confirmed as Hideo Kojima talks video game adaptations

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For quite some time now, it’s been well known that Hideo Kojima harbored a dream of filmmaking, yet fate led him down a path where he created some of the most outstanding video games ever produced instead.

Having accumulated numerous triumphs, Kojima is now equipped to make his vision a reality. This will be achieved not just through the forthcoming A24 Death Stranding movie, but also a Death Stranding anime, as disclosed in an interview with Vogue Japan that was noticed by VGC.

In an interview with Vogue, Kojima stated: “Other adaptations of video games share their own strengths, but as a cinema lover, I am driven to explore the unique capabilities of film. My goal is to produce a Death Stranding that can only thrive on the big screen – something worthy of recognition at esteemed film festivals like Cannes or Venice.

Furthermore, Kojima casually mentioned that there’s a Death Stranding anime in production, adding: “Indeed, we are actively engaged in creating an animated version as well.

This isn’t the initial talk about an anime adaptation of Death Stranding; it was hinted at back in 2024 during an interview between Kojima and Variety, but this seems to be the first solid evidence that such a venture is actually underway.

However, Kojima didn’t just stop there when discussing the realm of video games and their potential convergence with cinema. Instead, he continued to ponder on this fascinating intersection.

In an interview with Vogue Japan (translated), I, Hideo Kojima, shared that my upbringing was devoid of video games. This lack may have seeped into the cinematic style seen in my creations like the Metal Gear Solid series, which are frequently labeled as ‘visual storytelling on par with film.’

Since I don’t bring any prior assumptions about games, it was only natural for me to incorporate the insights and skills I picked up from books and films when creating video games.

This innovative platform enabled Kojima to delve into fresh narrative techniques and address themes that could prove challenging in cinema. Yet, Kojima anticipates the fusion of cinema and gaming, positioning himself as a pioneer in this emerging field.

In the coming times, the distinction between games and films will become blurred. This is my goal, and I see it happening gradually, starting from the realm of video games.” Kojima expressed this thought, but considers it as a series of stages, with gaming being the initial phase.

As a gaming enthusiast, if the initial phase of my adventure was crafting the Death Stranding IP and releasing it across multiple platforms, then producing films and potential sequels, the next chapter for me would be about creating experiences that blur the lines between gaming and cinema as much as imaginable.

It could be said that the initial signs of this emerged in the 2021 Unreal Engine 5 Matrix Awakening demo. In this demonstration, Keanu Reeves was replaced by his digital counterpart across different scenes.

Even though it’s nearly four years old, the demonstration remains incredibly impressive, and there’s no question that current and future technology will only become more awe-inspiring. Kojima is eager to witness this fusion of realities.

For instance, consider a project that aims to blend reality and illusion so seamlessly that viewers observing from afar might mistake it for a film. To achieve this, we’re intending to produce such content using the same resources and talent as the original movie.

Not only is it stunning to view this on a flattened screen, but according to Kojima, the boundaries of the traditional ‘square horizontal screen’ could soon be shattered with the advent of VR technology.

As a devoted enthusiast, I’ve noticed that virtual reality (VR) has been around for quite some time now. However, the stunning visuals we crave have been somewhat elusive due to the intrinsic demands of stereoscopic 3D. This technique necessitates rendering each frame from two unique perspectives, placing a significant strain on hardware resources. Consequently, the graphical fidelity of VR games hasn’t quite left us awestruck yet.

However, some titles like Half-Life: Alyx demonstrate that virtual reality (VR) can offer an incredibly immersive experience. This is made possible by powerful PC hardware for its graphics, but most VR headsets, including the Meta Quest 3, are standalone devices relying on mobile processors instead.

To ensure that virtual reality (VR) games can be profitable for developers, it’s essential they focus on creating content compatible with lower-specification devices. However, technology is constantly evolving, and as we speak, advancements are being made every day. Kojima envisions a promising future for VR, suggesting continued progress in the field.

With the removal of the perspective constraint, the methodology for creating art sets is bound to evolve, resulting in a shift in how the viewers’ focus is directed.

Given his deep connection with cinema and the evolution of game development over the past few decades, Kojima feels it’s unlikely he’ll be the pioneer venturing into uncharted territories. Instead, he believes it will be the upcoming generation, who are more accustomed to modern media, that will innovate using these platforms.

Instead, Kojima aims to nurture a setting where creators are motivated by creating work that may not be the most profitable but sparks thought and discomfort. He uses Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner as an example of inspiration, a fact evident in his 1988 title Snatcher.

In an interview with Edge Magazine, as reported by GamesRadar, Hideo Kojima mentioned that Death Stranding, the initial release, seemed to elicit strong opinions, with around 60% of testers expressing the view that it was a poorly made game.

As a gamer, I’ve always admired Kojima’s work, and I think he struck a great equilibrium in his past creations. However, the overwhelmingly positive reception to Death Stranding 2 has got me thinking: maybe it could have been a touch more contentious, pushing boundaries even further and sparking more heated debates among players.

Despite 30 hours of Death Stranding 2 being played by the media, there’s no denying that the game remains just as peculiar and thought-provoking as before.

Undeniably, these creations will likely serve as a source of inspiration for future generations, as the frontiers of narrative are continually expanded and surpassed.

As such, the future of games could be weird, but certainly wonderful.

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2025-05-29 15:34