Death Stranding appears to be branching beyond its upcoming live-action adaptation, with director Hideo Kojima hinting at an anime version in development. The news comes ahead of June's planned reveal for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.

Kojima's Dual Adaptations Approach

In an interview with Vogue Japan (via VGC), Kojima discussed his current work with A24 on the live-action Death Stranding film before casually dropping the anime announcement. A machine translation of his remarks reveals his ambitious vision:

"I'm currently collaborating with A24 on the live-action 'DEATH STRANDING' adaptation. Recent game adaptations have taken different approaches - some stay faithful to the source material like 'The Last of Us,' while others like 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' focus on fan service. As a cinephile, I want to create something uniquely cinematic - a version that could potentially compete at Cannes or Venice. Interestingly, we're also developing an anime adaptation."

While Kojima didn't disclose which animation studio is involved, this confirms another medium for the Death Stranding universe.

The Live-Action Adaptation's Approach

Back in 2023, A24 officially announced its partnership with Kojima Productions for the Death Stranding movie. Kojima emphasized this wouldn't be a straight game-to-film conversion: "We're creating a Death Stranding universe specifically for cinema - something that will appeal beyond gaming fans to all movie lovers."

Early 2024 brought news that Michael Sarnoski (A Quiet Place: Day One) would write and direct the project. Original game star Norman Reedus expressed interest in reprising his role if possible.

Potential in Animation

This anime adaptation opens intriguing possibilities for exploring Death Stranding's universe. Depending on the chosen studio, we might see radically different artistic interpretations - imagine a Studio Trigger's vibrant take on Kojima's post-apocalyptic world.

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Meanwhile, in gaming news, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach arrives June 26, 2025 for PlayStation 5. For those eager for details, check out our extensive 30-hour hands-on preview of the sequel.