The weird and wonderful mind of Hideo Kojima will soon move away from the world of video games, as Death Stranding has just been greenlit for a new anime adaptation. Kojima, the lauded video game creator behind the Metal Gear series, released Death Stranding, a trippy open-world adventure set in a post-apocalyptic America, in 2019 to incredible acclaim from fans and critics. The game is widely considered to be one of the creator’s best, and it’s already been greenllit for one adaptation. But a second Death Stranding adaptation is in the works, and it’s in the only medium that can contain Kojima’s eccentricities. Hideo Kojima announced the new Death Stranding anime in a profile piece for Vogue Japan, to promote the sequel video game, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. The video game creator expressed his goals and desires for A24’s Death Stranding movie, before casually dropping the bombshell that A24 isn’t the only studio adapting the game. “In fact, we are also currently working on an anime adaptation,” Kojima said.

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No other details about the Death Stranding anime have been revealed yet. Judging from Hideo Kojima’s limited comment, the project is still in its infancy. Fans are most eager to learn which anime studio will oversee the adaptation. Most have their fingers crossed for one of the major studios like Toei or MAPPA. Although Science SARU, best known for Dandadan, Ping Pong the Animation, and Devilman Crybaby, would also be a solid choice, as the studio is renowned for embracing unique art styles and off-beat storytelling.
Hideo Kojima Has High Hopes for A24’s ‘Death Stranding’

Kojima Productions​​​​​​​Sony Interactive

During the profile piece, Hideo Kojima also touched upon A24’s upcoming movie adaptation. The steadily growing studio is apparently looking to dominate the video game adaptation market, as it also recently announced that Civil War’s Alex Garland will be directing an adaptation of FromSoftware’s Elden Ring. “I am also currently working with A24 on a live-action film adaptation of Death Stranding,” Kojima continued. The creator explained the difference between the two types of adaptations — some directly adapt the story of the source material, while others build upon the game’s world — and how he wants to approach Death Stranding. “When it comes to film adaptations of games, there have been recent films like The Last of Us that keep the plot of the original intact, and films like The Super Mario Bros. Movie that are more like a service to game fans.” He continued:
“Each of these works has its own merits, but as a film lover, I want to pursue expression as a film. I am aiming to make Death Stranding in a way that can only be done as a film, and that will win awards at the Cannes Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival.”
A24’s Death Stranding film was announced in April this year. A Quiet Place: Day One’s director, Michael Sarnoski, is tapped to direct the film. Neither the movie nor the anime adaptations have been given release dates yet. Source: Vogue Japan

Death Stranding

Writers

Hideo Kojima

Producers

Hideo Kojima, Allan Ungar

Franchise(s)

Death Stranding