- Death Stranding Isolations is a new hand-drawn 2D animated series for Disney+, targeting 2027.
- It tells a new story with two unnamed leads and fresh supporting characters; not a retread of Sam Bridges.
- Hideo Kojima is executive producer.
Kojima Productions is taking Death Stranding back to screens - this time as a hand-drawn anime for Disney+. The studio announced Death Stranding Isolations (working title), with a 2027 release window and a standalone story set in the same world, not a straight retelling of the games. Here's what's official so far, how it sits alongside the other Death Stranding adaptations, and what it means for fans of the game.
What is Death Stranding Isolations?
The basics you need in one place.
- New animated series, targeting Disney+ in 2027
- Traditional, hand-drawn 2D style
- All-new cast led by a young man and woman
- Standalone plot set during Sam Bridges’ cross-country trek
The series uses a classic 2D approach rather than CG and focuses on fresh faces dealing with isolation, conflict, and survival across North America. It runs parallel to the events of the original game, with threads that nod to its themes without rehashing its plot.
Who’s making it?
A strong creative team is attached.
- Executive producer: Hideo Kojima
- Director: Takayuki Sano (Attack on Titan: The Final Season, Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods)
- Character design: Ilya Kuvshinov (Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045)
- Animation: E&H Production (noted for hand-drawn work)
Kojima is overseeing the project, while Sano leads direction with experience across high-profile anime productions. Ilya Kuvshinov’s design work should give the show a clean, modern look, and E&H Production brings the hand-drawn craft the announcement promises.
How does it connect to the games?
Short answer: spiritually, not literally.
- The story runs alongside Sam Bridges’ journey
- New characters include an old man seeking “salvation” and a female warrior pushing for endless war
- Themes echo the games: connection, loneliness, and “another explosion”
Expect nods and world-building that fans will recognise: timefall, fractured communities, and people trying to reconnect. But don’t wait for Norman Reedus to carry a pod on screen — this is a parallel story in the same universe with its own cast and conflicts.
Where does it sit with the other Death Stranding screen projects?
There are three different things in motion.
- Anime series: Death Stranding Isolations → Disney+ in 2027 (this article)
- Animated film: Death Stranding: Mosquito → written by Aaron Guzikowski, directed by Hiroshi Miyamoto, produced with ABC Animation Studio
- Live-action film: A24 project written and directed by Michael Sarnoski (Pig, A Quiet Place: Day One)
Isolations is separate from both the animated film and the live-action feature. Kojima has said he isn’t directing the A24 movie, preferring a different approach to a big-budget action adaptation — hence handing the reins to Sarnoski.
Is Death Stranding Isolation canon?
It tells a new, parallel story inside the same universe. It lines up with the games' timeline but focuses on different characters rather than retelling Sam Bridges' journey.
Will Norman Reedus or the game cast appear?
No cast has been announced. The premise centres on new leads, so don't assume returning actors or cameos until confirmed.
Who is animating it and what's the style?
E&H Production is handling animation using traditional, hand-drawn 2D. Expect a cleaner, design-forward look from Ilya Kuvshinov.
