Kojima Productions recently dropped a bombshell, announcing that hololive production's virtual VTuber Usada Pekora will make a guest appearance in the upcoming game Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. While this news naturally piqued the interest of VTuber fans, it immediately ignited a firestorm across Japanese social media. Many players voiced their displeasure with the crossover, with some even threatening to boycott the game.
Usada Pekora, known for her signature rabbit ears and massive fanbase, is a prolific VTuber who not only sings and streams games but recently played "Elden Ring Nightrain." She's famous for her vibrant personality, exaggerated reactions, and her iconic catchphrase, "peko," which she peppers into her speech.
According to the video released by Kojima Productions, Pekora will appear in the game as a holographic projection, greeting Sam, the protagonist played by Norman Reedus, with a phrase akin to "Otsukaresama deshita" (a Japanese expression often used to acknowledge someone's hard work).
For some fans, Pekora's character feels completely out of place with Death Stranding's signature heavy, philosophical atmosphere. Critics on social media slammed the move as "pandering to VTubers," with some outright declaring, "I'm definitely not buying this game."
However, plenty of other players pushed back against the critics, arguing, "If you don't like it, don't buy it," and even quipping that this is "classic Kojima" style.
In fact, Pekora's connection with Kojima Productions isn't new; she visited Kojima Productions and even snapped a photo with Hideo Kojima himself back in 2024.
And let's be real, Kojima's past works are no strangers to wild Easter eggs and real-world product placements. The Metal Gear Solid series, for instance, is packed with them – think Calorie Mate (Otsuka Pharmaceutical's energy bar) and Kerotan frogs in "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater," or even "Ape Escape" characters popping up in "Snake vs Monkey."
Even the original Death Stranding featured crossover Easter eggs with titles like "Horizon Zero Dawn" and "Cyberpunk 2077."
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is slated for an official release on June 26, 2025. Beyond Pekora's cameo, Hideo Kojima is also busy with a live-action "Death Stranding" film and an animated series, alongside the PlayStation-exclusive "Physint" and the Xbox-published "OD," both still in development. Despite the divided fan reactions, Kojima's signature "flights of fancy" once again prove he's never strayed from his original vision.
via： IGN