By Death Stranding 2 is bizarre. This isn’t a condemnation, merely an observation. I’ve been assigned to dissect some of the strangest occurrences in this game I haven’t experienced yet, so let’s explore together, friend.
To start, because this relates to a few other peculiar aspects, there’s a V-tuber director Hideo Kojima featured in the game. A cameo from a Kojima acquaintance isn’t odd in itself, but their dialogue is. They repeatedly say peko, which actually turns rather charming during the main task when you encounter them.
The true strangeness emerges when, after delivering enough cargo for them, they present you with a delightful little bunny hat. It prompts Sam to also say peko and other related expressions while donning it. I can’t help but laugh envisioning Norman Reedus having to repeatedly utter “peko” in the recording studio.
Fortunately for Sam, he doesn’t utter it in other cutscenes, but even if he did, I don’t believe this upcoming moment would be any less ludicrous. One cameo character is Japanese director Mamoru Oshii. He directed one of my all-time favorite films, Ghost in the Shell, a highly successful anime feature. Yet, in Death Stranding 2, he makes pizza.
Highly celebrated Japanese director, Mamoru Oshii battling Norman Reedus adorned with a hat Pekora gifted him that induces him to peko uncontrollably, while crafting pizza Death Stranding 2 may be Kojima’s masterpiece ngl pic.twitter.com/gYLFFtdf9jJune 26, 2025
When Sam encounters him, the two partake in a hilariously absurd, slapstick confrontation, all the while aiding each other in crafting the ideal pizza. And in the clip we uncovered, Sam’s sporting that peko hat. See, I mentioned that V-tuber was linked to other odd facets of the game.
I also now comprehend why the audience was repeatedly chanting “pizza!” during the Death Stranding 2 World Tour event I attended, where Kojima disclosed he was “so disappointed” that all the Easter Eggs are being spoiled – even though he acknowledges that he himself retweets many of them.
Next, we have a couple of Dollman – a tiny sentient doll who’s also a guy, duh – scenes. One features Sam and the puppet performing together in a hot spring. It genuinely appears quite soothing.
The next segment has Dollman taking center stage, literally. A streamer is questioned if she’s played Dollman’s preferred song in Sam’s room – Horizon Dreamer by Daichi Miura – and when she does, he jumps off the shelf and begins to dance. Following that, several puppet backup performers join him, along with a real person. It’s chaotic. “I think Sam just imagined that,” the streamer remarks while chuckling.
Finally, we reach the last piece of amusement in this roundup. We are all aware that Kojima possesses a fondness for Hollywood and global cinema. He enjoys collaborating with directors, as demonstrated by Pizzaman, George Miller, and Guillermo del Toro. But for this Easter egg, he’s cast himself as a star. Well, multiple stars, to be precise.
When Sam is in those tranquil hot springs but not singing with Dollman, you can gaze up at the starlit sky. Within it, you’ll notice a notably bright constellation, and if you focus on it, an image of Kojima himself will emerge.
The fantastic part is that Kojima claims he incorporates all these references into the game personally, His team doesn’t humor him, they merely allow him to proceed if he desires to. I suppose when your name is on the office, you can do as you please. Keep being you, Kojima.
If, like me, you haven’t played the game yet, check out our Death Stranding 2 review. If you’ve already completed it, look at our Death Stranding 2 ending explained guide to resolve any remaining inquiries you might have.