Kojima Announces Death Stranding Anime Adaptation

It appears Death Stranding is expanding beyond live-action and into the realm of anime. In a recent feature leading up to June's Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, director Hideo Kojima has all but confirmed an anime adaptation of Death Stranding is currently in development.

Speaking with Vogue Japan (via VGC), Kojima discussed his ongoing partnership with A24 on the live-action Death Stranding film. He wrapped up the conversation by hinting at an anime version also in the works, as per a machine translation of his comments:

"I am currently collaborating with A24 on a live-action movie adaptation of 'DEATH STRANDING'. Recent game-to-film adaptations vary in approach — some, like 'The Last of Us', stick closely to the original story, while others, like 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie', cater more directly to gaming fans. Each style has its own strengths, but as a cinephile, my goal is to explore film as a unique form of expression. For 'DEATH STRANDING', I aim to create something that could only exist as a motion picture, one worthy of awards at the Cannes and Venice Film Festivals. And yes, we are also developing an anime adaptation."

While the anime’s production studio remains unconfirmed, all signs point to another adaptation of Death Stranding—this time, as an anime series.

A24 confirmed in 2023 that it was working alongside Kojima Productions on the live-action Death Stranding movie. Kojima clarified that the project wouldn't be a straightforward retelling of the game's plot. "We want the film to appeal not only to game enthusiasts but to all movie lovers," he said. "We are building a Death Stranding universe unlike anything seen before — something that can only be fully realized through the cinematic medium."

Earlier this year, Michael Sarnoski, director of A Quiet Place: Day One, reportedly joined the project to write and direct the Death Stranding adaptation. Norman Reedus, the face of Death Stranding, mentioned he would “of course” reprise his role in the film “if given the chance.”

With yet another adaptation in the pipeline, I’m eager to see how Death Stranding translates into the anime format. Depending on the studio behind it, we could experience strikingly different interpretations of the Death Stranding world. It’s exciting to imagine, for instance, what a Studio Trigger version of Death Stranding might look like.

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Meanwhile, in the gaming sphere, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is scheduled to launch on June 26, 2025 for PlayStation 5. If you’re curious how the sequel is shaping up, check out our hands-on impressions of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach after spending a substantial 30 hours with the game.