The adaptation is titled “Death Stranding: Mosquito”
Kojima Productions has given eager fans a sneak peek at the upcoming anime adaptation of the hit AAA game “Death Stranding”. The sneak peek, which was featured during the Kojima Productions 10th Anniversary Livestream: Beyond the Strand, showed a beautifully animated battle scene.
The anime was confirmed by Kojima through an interview with Vogue Japan back in May of this year, and had initially kept production details under wraps. However, the anniversary livestream divulged the anime’s format, animation studio, director, and screen writer.
“Death Stranding” anime adaptation revealed to be a film
Renowned game developer Hideo Kojima revealed that Hiroshi Miyamoto is helming the anime as its director at ABC Animation, and that American screenwriter Aaron Guzikowski is the writer. The anime will be a movie, although its premise, save for it being a Death Stranding film, is still being kept under wraps.
ABC Animation is known for producing titles like “A Silent Voice”, “Violet Evergarden”, “Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai”, and “Darling in the FranXX”. Director Miyamoto is known for the anime films “Hugtto! Procure Futari wa Precure All Stars Memories”, “Pretty Cure Dream Stars!”, and “Go! Princess Pretty Cure: Go! Go!! Gouka Sanbon Date!!!”.
On the other hand, Aaron Guzikowski is known for writing hit television shows and movies, with some of those titles being “Raised by Wolves”, “The Red Road”, and “Prisoners”. Kojima himself is producing the film.
The livestream also went in depth about the choice of animation, which director Miyamoto stated was an “analog-style”. The “analog-style” leans towards textured, imperfect details, and relies heavily on hand-drawn elements.
He further revealed additional behind-the-scenes footage that showcased his unique approach to the adaptation, which included fluid ink brush strokes by Japanese artist and longtime Kojima collaborator Yoji Shinkawa, which were used on the characters; and penciled background sketches from Studio Easter, the same studio that worked on DAN DA DAN’s backgrounds. Miyamoto divulged that the team had asked for over 1500 hand-drawn backgrounds that will feature in the film.
The adaptation’s working title is “Death Stranding: Mosquito”. According to Miyamoto and Kojima, the main character’s characteristics are similar to that of a mosquito, but cheekily hinted that what this character sucks “is something really important, but it’s not blood.”
Unfortunately for the video game's fans, it seems that Death Stranding’s protagonist, Sam, will not play a major role in the anime film. Other information, like a cast and premiere date, are yet to be announced.
