Released in 2019, Death Stranding, the brainchild of Hideo Kojima, was quick to earn both critical and fan acclaim.
Its unusual blend of action, exploration, and a deeply philosophical story about isolation and human connection stood out in the gaming world. Taking on the role of courier Sam Porter, we travelled across the desolate landscapes of a post-apocalyptic America, working to reconnect a fractured society.
While it may have seemed like the Death Stranding hype had died down lately, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Kojima Productions continues to grow and expand the franchise!
In just a few weeks, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is set to launch, picking up where the first game left off. And over a year ago, Kojima also revealed that a live-action Death Stranding film was officially in development, in collaboration with director Michael Sarnoski and renowned studio A24. But wait — there’s more.
Project Announcement
New game? Check. Feature film? Check. But there’s another surprise. In a recent Vogue Japan interview, Kojima casually dropped a big reveal— Death Stranding anime is also on the way!
Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding Anime Adaptation in the Works!
✨More: https://t.co/BXkrRh20aE pic.twitter.com/1sHEyG8o9T
— AnimeTV チェーン (@animetv_jp) May 28, 2025
The news has already made its rounds online, with media outlets and social platforms buzzing about the announcement. And while there hasn’t been an official press release yet, Kojima Productions hasn’t denied anything. In fact, all signs point to this being a very real — and very exciting — project in the works.
Production Team and Studio Involved
The live-action film is being developed by A24 (known for Uncut Gems, The VVitch, Everything Everywhere All at Once) and directed by Michael Sarnoski (Pig, A Quiet Place: Day One).
As for the anime series, specific details about the creative team or animation studio involved haven’t been revealed yet. However, given Kojima’s track record and passion for storytelling, expectations are understandably high.
Expected Plotline
While, according to the latest updates, the upcoming film is expected to be a general storyline adaptation of the original game, the anime will go in a very different direction.
According to Kojima, the anime series won’t be a simple retelling. Instead, it aims to be a fresh, original interpretation of the Death Stranding universe — one that digs deeper into its emotional and metaphorical layers.
We already know that the anime will focus on entirely new characters and storylines. Kojima has been clear: this won’t be “just a drawn version of the game”. The anime is meant to stand on its own, with its own tone, its own themes, and a distinctly anime-style narrative. It’s being designed to explore parts of the world — and the human experience — that the game and film might only hint at.
During the interview, Kojima referenced the success of The Last of Us series as a source of inspiration. While that show largely stuck to the original game’s plot, it introduced fresh storylines that won over fans and brought new emotional depth to familiar material. With Death Stranding, Kojima seems ready to do the same — only in his own unique, genre-blurring style.
One Universe, Many Forms
Between Death Stranding 2, the live-action movie, and now the anime series, Kojima isn’t just revisiting his most ambitious world — he’s rebuilding it from different angles. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the series, it’s clear: this journey is far from over.