Death Stranding Brings a New Kind of Strand with New Anime

Fans of Death Stranding are in for a treat, as they will soon receive not one, but two anime adaptations. The feature film titled Death Stranding: Moquito is already in the works, and a separate series is now also heading to Disney+. Hideo Kojima himself, the game’s iconic writer and director, made this announcement at a recent House of Mouse showcase in Hong Kong. Given that a movie is on the way, is a television show needed as well?

The World of Death Stranding Grows

Kojima revealed that he’ll serve as an executive producer for the series, which has the working title, Death Stranding: Isolations. Additionally, he confirmed a planned release window for the show in 2027. Ilya Kuvshinov, the talented artist behind Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045, created the concept art. This artwork was later shared on Kojima Productions’ Twitter account. While the art offers a first glimpse into the anime’s aesthetic, it seems the show will have a distinct visual style from the game.

Kojima’s long-standing love affair with cinema and television is seen in the development of both shows. Furthermore, the man’s enjoyment is expanding his complex worlds beyond the controller. Death Stranding‘s famously intricate and bizarre storyline about a deliveryman connecting a fractured America has connected with players. So, how will an anime series possibly explain all the ghostly BT creatures and sentient umbilical cords?

Ghosts and Babies on Disney

Given its melodramatic dialogue and convoluted sci-fi concepts, the original game already felt like a playable anime. The game being transitioned to an actual animated format seems like a natural, if ambitious, step. Interestingly, Disney+ is involved in these Death Stranding anime shows and marks a significant push for more diverse and experimental content on the platform.

The average Disney Viewer may not be familiar with a story involving spectral whales and a baby in a pod because they’re accustomed to classic musicals and Marvel superheroes. So, how will this series make delivering packages in the rain compelling to watch? With this announcement, Kojima’s unique vision continues to defy conventional genre boundaries. Ultimately, fans can likely expect another deeply strange, yet fascinating, journey.