Japanese Figures in the Video Game Industry: Hideo Kojima (III)

This article explores the creative trajectory of Hideo Kojima, one of the most influential figures in contemporary video game design. Covering his work from the Metal Gear series —including Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain— to his independent projects such as Death Stranding and Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, the text examines Kojima’s narrative strategies, cinematic techniques, and thematic obsessions. The study highlights recurring motifs in Kojima’s games: the use of the body as a battlefield and weapon, the presence of traumatic memory, manipulation of language and information, and ethical dilemmas involving soldiers and AI-controlled systems. Through an in-depth analysis of gameplay, storylines, and character arcs, the article demonstrates how Kojima pushes the boundaries of video games as a cultural medium, blending cinematic storytelling, philosophical reflection, and innovative mechanics like the “strand system” in Death Stranding. Additionally, the text contextualizes Kojima’s post-Konami works, including his collaboration with Guillermo del Toro on the canceled P.T. Silent Hills, the development of Death Stranding with the Decima Engine, and his ongoing contributions to interactive storytelling and cooperative gameplay. This work is suitable for researchers in video game studies, narrative theory, and cultural media analysis. Language: EnglishLicense: CC BY 4.0Originally published on CoolJapan.es