In an unexpected yet monumental reveal, legendary creator Hideo Kojima took the stage at the Disney+ Originals Preview event at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort to announce a groundbreaking new project: DEATH STRANDING ISOLATIONS (working title). This marks the first-ever collaboration between Kojima Productions and a global streaming platform, expanding the acclaimed Death Stranding universe into the realm of hand-drawn animation.
A Bold New Frontier for the Death Stranding Universe
The original Death Stranding video game, released in 2019, redefined the gaming landscape with its unique fusion of cinematic storytelling, philosophical undertones, and emotional depth. With more than 20 million players worldwide, the title became a cultural touchstone for interactive art. Its highly anticipated sequel, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, launched exclusively for PlayStation 5 in June 2025, further expanding the mythos of Kojima’s post-apocalyptic world.
Now, in partnership with Disney+, Kojima Productions aims to reimagine that universe through traditional Japanese animation. The new series, DEATH STRANDING ISOLATIONS, will tell an entirely original story, separate from the video games, while staying true to the themes of isolation, connection, and human resilience that define the franchise. The production will be handled by Japan’s rising studio E&H Production, with direction by Takayuki Sano and original character designs by Ilya Kuvshinov—renowned for his work on Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045.
The Story: Another Explosion in a Fractured World
The narrative of DEATH STRANDING ISOLATIONS is set in the same haunting universe as the games—a world devastated by supernatural events known as “Death Stranding.” These cataclysmic phenomena blur the boundaries between life and death, as the souls of the deceased manifest in the physical world and trigger devastating explosions that obliterate everything in their wake.
In this universe, remnants of humanity struggle to reconnect amid the ruins of civilization. The animated series follows a young man and woman embarking on an emotional journey through isolation, survival, and discovery. While the mainline games follow the journey of Sam Porter Bridges across a fragmented America, the series introduces new characters who face their own interpretations of solitude: an elderly man seeking redemption, a female warrior bent on rekindling chaos, a vengeful youth, and a girl who finds solace in loneliness. As their stories converge, a new “explosion” of fate and consequence begins.
Artistry and Production: Hand-Drawn Emotion and Cinematic Vision
Unlike the photorealistic visuals of the Death Stranding games, ISOLATIONS will embrace a fully hand-drawn 2D animation style—an artistic choice that bridges traditional craftsmanship and Kojima’s cinematic vision. E&H Production, a rapidly ascending force in Japan’s animation industry, is leveraging top-tier illustrators and animators to recreate Kojima’s surreal landscapes with fluid, emotional detail.
Director Takayuki Sano emphasized that the project seeks to capture “the soul of Death Stranding” through minimalistic yet evocative animation. The use of traditional techniques allows the studio to focus on human expression, subtle movement, and environmental storytelling—qualities that align perfectly with the introspective themes of connection and detachment at the heart of Kojima’s universe.
Character designer Ilya Kuvshinov brings his distinct blend of realism and stylized beauty to the production, ensuring that each frame reflects both vulnerability and mystery. His work promises to enrich the atmosphere of ISOLATIONS, blending ethereal landscapes with fragile human emotion.
The Legacy of Kojima Productions and the Expansion of Vision
Founded in 2015 under the motto “From Sapiens to Ludens,” Kojima Productions has always pushed the boundaries of interactive entertainment. With Death Stranding, Hideo Kojima redefined what a video game could be—a deeply human narrative disguised as a courier simulator set against a dystopian backdrop.
Over the years, Kojima’s work has transcended genres, earning him numerous accolades, including the BAFTA Fellowship Award in 2020 for his contribution to storytelling in gaming. With ISOLATIONS, Kojima not only extends his creative reach into animation but also forges a bridge between cinematic art and serialized storytelling, making this his most ambitious transmedia project to date.
The partnership with Disney+ marks a significant milestone for both parties. For Disney, it signals a growing interest in premium Japanese storytelling; for Kojima Productions, it represents an opportunity to reach a global audience beyond the gaming community, transforming Death Stranding into a multimedia universe.
Event Highlights and the Broader Disney+ Vision
The announcement took place during the 2025 Disney+ Originals Preview at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, a showcase that celebrated upcoming Japanese, Korean, and global series set to debut through 2026 and beyond. The event highlighted Disney’s commitment to innovative, boundary-pushing storytelling, with appearances from leading creators across the entertainment industry.
By integrating projects like DEATH STRANDING ISOLATIONS into its portfolio, Disney+ continues to diversify its content offerings, merging mainstream appeal with auteur-driven artistry. The move reinforces the platform’s strategic expansion into mature, globally resonant narratives that complement its core lineup from Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and National Geographic.
Credits and Production Team
- Executive Producer: Hideo Kojima
- Director: Takayuki Sano
- Original Character Design: Ilya Kuvshinov
- Animation Production: E&H Production
- Produced by: KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS Co., Ltd.
DEATH STRANDING ISOLATIONS (Working Title) ©KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS Co., Ltd. / HIDEO KOJIMA
Streaming Exclusively on Disney+ in 2027
Conclusion: A New Connection Between Worlds
DEATH STRANDING ISOLATIONS represents more than a simple adaptation—it is a convergence of mediums, ideas, and artistic philosophies. Through this collaboration, Kojima Productions and Disney+ are redefining how narratives evolve across platforms, crafting a bridge between gaming, animation, and emotional storytelling.
As the boundaries between isolation and connection continue to blur, ISOLATIONS stands as a reflection of our modern world: fragile, divided, yet bound by the hope of unity. In Kojima’s words, “Once, there was an explosion…”—and in 2027, the next one arrives, not in the form of destruction, but creation.