Hideo Kojima has never been one to follow conventions, and now he is proving it again, because the visionary creator behind Death Stranding is expanding the game’s eerie, genre-bending universe with not one, but two ambitious adaptations. In addition to the already announced live-action film in collaboration with acclaimed indie studio A24, Kojima has confirmed that an anime based on Death Stranding is also in the works. Both projects are designed to stand apart from traditional game-to-screen adaptations, hinting at Kojima’s deeper creative ambitions.

Rather than replicate the original story scene-for-scene, Kojima wants these adaptations to explore the world of Death Stranding through new cinematic and narrative techniques, according to Vogue Japan. Speaking recently, he emphasized his desire to make something uniquely suited to each medium, especially the film, which he envisions not as a fan-only work but as a work worthy of the Cannes and Venice film festivals. And now, with an anime adaptation in the mix, it is clear that Kojima sees Death Stranding as a huge multimedia universe still brimming with unexplored potential.

Hideo Kojima’s Vision Beyond the Game

Death Stranding is Much More Than a Gaming Franchise to Kojima

Unlike recent video game adaptations like The Last of Us, which followed their source material closely, Kojima wants to break free of linear fidelity. He sees the Death Stranding film as an opportunity to reinterpret the game's core themes through a purely cinematic lens. That means exploring the story’s emotional weight, visual aesthetic, and philosophical questions in ways that resonate with audiences unfamiliar with the game. His goal is not just to adapt, it is to make the material into arthouse cinema levels.

This vision likely explains his collaboration with A24, known for daring, award-winning films that challenge the boundaries of genre. Kojima has been open about wanting to create a movie that feels like a “true film” rather than a commercial tie-in. That approach puts the Death Stranding movie in rare company, aiming to stand as a cinematic achievement in its own right. If successful, it could redefine expectations of how video games can be transformed on screen.

The Anime is Set to Expand the Death Stranding Universe

Fans Will Get to See Death Stranding Like Never Before In the Anime

The surprise addition of a Death Stranding anime opens up even more narrative avenues. While details are still scarce, Kojima’s involvement suggests the anime will complement rather than compete with the live-action version. It may dive deeper into ing characters, explore untold backstories, or depict events only hinted at in the game. Anime’s flexibility as a medium makes it a natural fit for Death Stranding’s surreal, fragmented world.

With its stylized visuals and complex mythology, Death Stranding could thrive in an anime format. It allows Kojima and his collaborators to experiment with visual storytelling without the constraints of live-action realism. Whether it follows Sam Porter Bridges or veers into entirely new territory, the anime has the potential to enrich the Death Stranding universe while drawing in both anime fans and gamers alike. For Kojima, this is more than an adaptation; it is world-building on a cinematic scale.