Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding Isolations Anime Arrives on Disney+ in 2027, Expanding the Mysterious Universe

Hideo Kojima's epic post-apocalyptic world is breaking free from game consoles and landing on Disney+ with a brand-new animated series, Death Stranding Isolations, set to drop in 2027. Get ready for a fresh take on connection and solitude.

TL;DR: Here's the Quick Scoop

• Legendary game creator Hideo Kojima has confirmed an all-new original animated series, Death Stranding Isolations (working title), will stream exclusively on Disney+ in 2027.
• The series will feature a completely new, standalone story set within the Death Stranding world, told through traditional hand-drawn 2D animation.
• Kojima himself is serving as executive producer, aiming to share the deeply philosophical world of Death Stranding with a wider, non-gaming audience.

A New Chapter for the Iconic "Death Stranding" Universe on Disney+

Imagine a world where touching a lost soul could trigger an explosion that wipes out cities, leaving humanity scattered and isolated. That’s the haunting reality of Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding, a universe so rich it's now breaking free from game consoles and landing on Disney+. Announced on November 13, 2025, at the Disney+ Originals Preview in Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, a new animated series, currently titled Death Stranding Isolations, is heading exclusively to Disney+ in 2027.

This groundbreaking partnership marks Kojima Productions’ first collaboration with a global streaming platform. Hideo Kojima himself, known for his visionary storytelling and intricate world-building, appeared on stage with series director Takayuki Sano to share the exciting news and unveil concept art from Ilya Kuvshinov, character designer for Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045. Source: [IGN, "Death Stranding Anime Series Confirmed for Disney+ in 2027, Concept Art by Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Character Designer Released", November 13, 2025]

The Visionaries Bringing "Isolations" to Animated Life

The animated series is set to capture the unique essence of Death Stranding through a traditional, hand-drawn 2D animation style. This artistic choice promises a distinct visual experience, different from the game's photorealistic graphics. Japan's top animation talent at E&H Production, known for their work on series like Ninja Kamui and Red Cat Ramen, are diligently working to bring this vision to life under the direction of Takayuki Sano, whose previous credits include episodes for Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods and Jujutsu Kaisen 0: The Movie.

Hideo Kojima is stepping into the role of executive producer for Death Stranding Isolations. His deep involvement ensures the series will uphold the complex themes and narrative depth that fans expect from the franchise. The concept art by Ilya Kuvshinov offers a tantalizing glimpse of the series' aesthetic, depicting what appears to be the two main protagonists.

“I grew up loving Japanese anime, and it has shaped my worldview. I’ve always been a fan of Disney, since I was small, and I was glad that they showed my documentary on the platform. When they approached me, I decided to work with them.”

— Hideo Kojima, Executive Producer (Source: Deadline, "Disney Unveils ‘Death Stranding Isolations’ From Game Creator Hideo Kojima – APAC Showcase", November 12, 2025)

Expanding Beyond the Controller: Why Kojima Chose Disney+ for this Anime Adventure

Kojima's decision to bring Death Stranding to Disney+ and to embrace animation stems from a desire to reach a broader audience. While the original video game, released in 2019, has captivated over 20 million players worldwide, he recognized that many people who appreciate rich storytelling may not engage with video games. Animation, he noted, allows for creative expressions that are simply not possible in other mediums. "He wanted to expand his franchise into anime as it would allow him to do things you can only do with animation," according to The Hollywood Reporter. Source: [The Hollywood Reporter, "Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding Franchise Expands With Animated Series at Disney+", November 12, 2025]

His long-standing admiration for Disney, evident from his collaboration on the 2023 documentary Hideo Kojima: Connecting Worlds, further solidified this partnership. When Disney approached him, the decision felt natural, marrying his artistic ambitions with a platform known for global reach and quality animation.

Unraveling "Isolations": A Completely New Story Within the "Death Stranding" World

Unlike many video game adaptations that retell existing plots, Death Stranding Isolations will weave a completely new narrative, separate from the video games. The series is set to follow a young man and woman on an adventure in North America, unfolding parallel to Sam Bridges' epic journey to reconnect a fractured continent. The synopsis teases a rich ensemble of characters grappling with their own forms of isolation:

• An old man seeking salvation through unconventional means, distinct from the connections Sam Bridges advocates.
• A female warrior driven to ignite a world of constant fighting.
• A boy harboring a deep grudge against Sam Bridges.
• A girl who has learned to embrace her loneliness.

As humanity stands on the precipice of its end, their individual fates and hopes will converge, adding another layer to the complex tapestry of the Death Stranding universe. This approach allows both longtime fans and newcomers to delve into the world's lore without needing prior knowledge of the games.

The Ever-Expanding Universe: Distinguishing "Isolations" from Other "Death Stranding" Projects

For fans, it might feel like the Death Stranding universe is exploding with new content – and they'd be right! The original game creator, Hideo Kojima, is currently juggling multiple expansions of his beloved franchise. Aside from Death Stranding Isolations on Disney+, there are two other major projects in the pipeline:

1. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach: The highly anticipated sequel game, which recently launched exclusively on PlayStation 5 on June 26, 2025. This continues the main storyline that gamers know and love.
2. Death Stranding: Mosquito: A separate animated film, unrelated to Isolations. This project is being written by Aaron Guzikowski (Raised by Wolves) and directed by Hiroshi Miyamoto of ABC Animation Studio. Details remain sparse, but a teaser offered a glimpse of a man with tentacles on his face. Source: [GamesRadar+, "Death Stranding has two anime adaptations in the works, with a series coming to Disney Plus in 2027", November 13, 2025]
3. Live-Action Death Stranding Movie: Being produced by the acclaimed studio A24, with Michael Sarnoski (A Quiet Place: Day One) set to direct. Kojima confirmed this film will also tell a new story, rather than directly adapting the game's plot. He specifically chose A24 because he sought "a slightly different kind of film" and didn't want an "expensive blockbuster action movie" filled with explosions. Source: [VGC, "Death Stranding anime series announced for Disney+," November 13, 2025]

It's crucial to understand that Death Stranding Isolations is distinct from these other projects. It's not a re-telling of the game, nor is it the same as the Mosquito animated film or the A24 live-action movie. Each expansion serves a unique purpose, exploring different facets of the Death Stranding world and its underlying themes of connection and isolation.

Addressing Potential Questions About This Multi-Platform Expansion

While the prospect of more Death Stranding content is exciting, some might wonder about the potential for oversaturation or dilution of the brand. However, Kojima's stated goal of reaching diverse audiences, combined with the distinct creative teams and narrative approaches for each project, suggests a well-considered strategy. By offering different experiences across games, animated series, animated films, and live-action features, the franchise caters to varied tastes without simply rehashing old ground.

For example, imagine a casual viewer who's never picked up a game controller but was captivated by Netflix's acclaimed video game adaptations like Arcane or Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. The hand-drawn 2D animation style and fresh storyline of Death Stranding Isolations on a widely accessible platform like Disney+ provide a perfect entry point into Kojima's complex universe. They might discover a love for its philosophical depth and unique aesthetic without ever needing to understand game mechanics, proving Kojima's vision of expanding reach a success.

Practical Takeaways for Fans and Newcomers Alike

• Mark Your Calendars for 2027: That's when Death Stranding Isolations officially drops on Disney+. Plenty of time to catch up on the games or simply prepare for a fresh narrative experience.
• Prepare for a New Story: Don't expect a rehash of Sam Bridges' adventures. This anime offers a distinct storyline with new characters, making it accessible even if you haven't played the games.
• Embrace Hand-Drawn Animation: The 2D traditional animation style promises a unique visual interpretation of the Death Stranding world, emphasizing artistry and distinct creative freedom.
• Part of a Bigger Picture: Remember, this is just one piece of a rapidly expanding Death Stranding universe, alongside a recent game sequel, another animated film, and a live-action movie. Each project stands on its own.

Frequently Asked Questions About "Death Stranding Isolations"

Q: When will Death Stranding Isolations be released? A: The animated series is scheduled to premiere exclusively on Disney+ in 2027.

Q: Will I need to play the games to understand the anime? A: No, the series will tell a completely new, original story set within the Death Stranding world, separate from the video games’ narrative. It’s designed to be accessible to everyone.

Q: What kind of animation style will it use? A: It will be presented in a traditional, hand-drawn 2D animation style, brought to life by Japan’s E&H Production.

Q: Is this the same as the live-action Death Stranding movie or the Death Stranding: Mosquito animated film? A: No, Death Stranding Isolations is a completely separate project. There are multiple Death Stranding adaptations in the works, each with its own story and creative team.

Sources:

• IGN, "Death Stranding Anime Series Confirmed for Disney+ in 2027, Concept Art by Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Character Designer Released", November 13, 2025.
• Kojima Productions, "DEATH STRANDING ISOLATIONS (WORKING TITLE) STREAMING EXCLUSIVELY ON DISNEY+", November 13, 2025.
• Deadline, "Disney Unveils ‘Death Stranding Isolations’ From Game Creator Hideo Kojima – APAC Showcase", November 12, 2025.
• The Hollywood Reporter, "Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding Franchise Expands With Animated Series at Disney+", November 12, 2025.
• GamesRadar+, "Death Stranding has two anime adaptations in the works, with a series coming to Disney Plus in 2027", November 13, 2025.
• VGC, "Death Stranding anime series announced for Disney+", November 13, 2025.