**Death Stranding 2: On The Beach – An In-Depth Exploration of Kojima’s Personal Imprints and Casting Decisions**

Hideo Kojima, famed for his distinctive narrative style and complex game mechanics, has once more infused his distinctive essence into his newest work, *Death Stranding 2: On The Beach*. Recognized for embedding a multitude of references to himself and his studio, Kojima has meticulously ensured that these aspects are incorporated into the game. In a translated conversation with Gamespark, Kojima amusingly stated, “I included all of these elements myself. Even if I told the team, ‘Please insert these,’ they would respond, ‘Huh?’ and feign ignorance.” He even went to the extent of featuring his likeness as a constellation in the night sky, admitting that “Some individuals might find it somewhat off-putting (laughs).”

Aside from these self-referential cues, Kojima has offered perspectives on his casting choices, particularly the scarce representation of Japanese actors in his titles, despite his studio being located in Tokyo. In a dialogue with IGN Japan, Kojima clarified the technical hurdles, stating, “It’s challenging to render Asians to resemble their actual CG versions.” He added, “Women and younger individuals especially display such an attractive, smooth complexion. Asians, and not merely Japanese individuals, are recognized for their beautiful, smooth skin, which often leads to a CG-like appearance.” However, Kojima emphasized the selection of Shioli Kutsuna as Rainy, highlighting her upbringing in Australia, fluency in English, and amiable nature as crucial factors in the choice.

Kojima has conveyed his continuous efforts to elevate the authenticity of character models, remarking, “I’ve attempted to utilize Japanese actors in the past, but it’s challenging to depict them accurately.” He pointed out that individuals with more defined facial characteristics tend to translate better in-game but expressed satisfaction with the advancements made utilizing new technology in *Death Stranding 2*. He remains hopeful for further improvements, stating, “Well, I aim to achieve even greater success next time.”

The game is abundant with whimsical references, featuring hats emblazoned with the company logo and a character named Dollman, who draws comparisons to the eclectic crew of *Moby Dick* and Kojima Studios. Players can also uncover a reference to singer Daichi Miura, which grants them a PlayStation trophy.

*Death Stranding 2: On The Beach* has received extensive critical acclaim. In a review, it was lauded for expanding upon its predecessor’s foundation, enhancing all elements that succeeded, and dramatically improving what did not. This sequel serves as a testament to Kojima’s groundbreaking vision and commitment to crafting engrossing gaming experiences.

The anime community makes its way back to Los Angeles for yet another year of festivities! The SPJA (Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation) has unveiled its comprehensive programming for Anime Expo 2025, showcasing prominent industry figures, esteemed guests, and various panels. Anime Expo 2025 is set to occur from July 3-6 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. This year’s contributors facilitating this event include Aniplex of America, Arc System Works America, ATLUS/SEGA, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Crunchyroll, Funko, Hulu, KADOKAWA WORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC, Konami, Netflix, Square Enix, Takaratomy, VIZ, Webtoon, and many more.

Launching the remarkable lineup of events and guests at Anime Expo 2025, the creative mind behind both FINAL FANTASY XIV and FINAL FANTASY XVI, Naoki Yoshida, will be a distinguished guest at the convention. The president of MAPPA Co., Ltd., Manabu Otsuka, along with Vice President Hiroya Hasegawa, will also be special guests, discussing Chainsaw Man—The Movie: Reze Arc and other related subjects.

The manga artist of The Summer Hikaru Died, Mokumokuren, will make an appearance to chat about the impending anime adaptation debuting on July 5th on Netflix. In addition, Netflix will showcase the premiere of SAKAMOTO DAYS Cour 2, Record of Ragnarok III, My Melody and Kuromi, along with additional surprises!

A multitude of significant events and panels will be held to honor some of the most popular anime series, like Jujutsu Kaisen, My Hero Academia, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, among others. Anime Expo stands as one of the largest anime community gatherings worldwide, which is why the voice of Saitama, Makoto Furukawa, will share what One Punch Man enthusiasts can anticipate from Season 3. Moreover, the recently popular series, DAN DA DAN, will celebrate the premiere of Season 2 with Fuga Yamashiro from Science SARU and Abby Trott (Momo), A.J. Beckles (Okarun), & Aleks Le (Jiji) from the English voice cast. Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpse as DAN DA DAN begins its second season.

Anime Expo 2025 also boasts an exhilarating SEGA and ATLUS panel that will reveal the behind-the-scenes narrative of Persona 5: The Phantom X’s creation. SEGA and ATLUS will celebrate its global launch with exclusive giveaways and a special live performance by Lyn Inaizumi, featuring original compositions from the Persona 5 series. On the gaming front, Konami will unveil SILENT HILL f—the latest installment in the SILENT HILL franchise, with producer Motoi Okamoto, writer Ryukishi07, and composer Akira Yamaoka each providing exclusive insights and never-before-seen clips from the game.

Spike Chunsoft Inc. will return to Anime Expo with an official panel focusing on its 2025 video game offerings, including No Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES and SHUTEN ORDER. The panel will feature Director and Scenario Writer for No Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES, Kazuya Yamada, along with the voice of Kaname Date, Greg Chun. This panel is scheduled for Saturday, July 5, at 10:30 AM PT, in the Diamond Ballroom. The company will be giving away a limited quantity of T-shirts at the entrance on a first-come, first-served basis.

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. is granting Anime Expo 2025 participants the opportunity to be among the first in the world to experience DIGIMON STORY TIME STRANGER and TOWA AND THE GUARDIANS OF THE SACRED TREE. The forthcoming PAC-MAN inspired 2D action game SHADOW LABYRINTH and the remaster of the beloved rhythm action-adventure series, PATAPON 1+2 REPLAY, will have their initial playable consumer demos at the event. Attendees will also step into the eerie world of the upcoming action RPG CODE VEIN II with a memorable photo opportunity, alongside playing various titles from Bandai Namco’s game collection. Explore all this at Booth #2106 in South Hall.

For the Hatsune Miku enthusiasts, the beloved rhythm game, HATSUNE MIKU: COLORFUL STAGE! will host a one-day fan meeting event exclusively at Anime Expo 2025. The gathering will feature a talk show with the voice actors from the game, musical performances, a special announcement, and more! Come meet special guests including the voices of Akito Shinonome, Toya A

With the launch of a new console arises the inevitable query regarding which accessories and peripherals are essential to grab alongside your shiny new system. The Nintendo Switch 2 has arrived, and this truth resonates even more for the hybrid handheld, as you’ll want to equip it for outings.

Here are some of our top accessory picks for the Nintendo Switch 2:

One of the most noticeable enhancements you’ll observe with the Nintendo Switch 2 straight out of the box is its impressive 7.9” LCD display, which you’ll definitely want to safeguard during portable gaming sessions and also from frequent dock use, as it may be at risk for scratches or marks. There are numerous choices available when it comes to screen protectors, but one that stands out as both easy to apply and budget-friendly is the JSAUX Anti-Glare Screen Protector for the Nintendo Switch 2, which includes two glass screen protectors and a handy alignment tool that eliminates the guesswork during installation.

Naturally, if you’re willing to invest a bit more, another alternative that alleviates the worry of misapplication or bubbles underneath your brand-new Nintendo Switch 2 is another two-pack option, specifically the Spigen Tempered Glass Screen Protector. Like JSAUX’s offering, this also comes with an easy-fit installation and alignment tray that makes achieving a perfect fit a breeze every single time.

Depending on your location, the Nintendo Switch 2 retails at around $400+, making it essential to opt for a carrying case if you plan to take the handheld on the go, especially if, like me, you aim to bring along some physical games as well. For a comprehensive solution, Genki has you sorted with their Day 1 Kit, which includes screen protectors, a 36-game cartridge case, and what I received directly from Genki: their Attack Vector Modular case and Stealth case, featuring a sleek wool-covered grey design that complements the modern aesthetic of the Nintendo Switch 2.

While the Attack Vector case provides a detachable bracket for the Nintendo Switch 2 tablet to protect the back from scratches and smudges, it also comes with an integrated magnetic ring compatible with an upcoming portable battery, which will likely aid in addressing the Nintendo Switch 2’s mediocre battery life. Additionally, the Attack Vector modular case includes three distinct grips for your Joy-Con 2 controllers, adding three levels of weight to the base controllers, providing the perfect remedy for those seeking something more substantial in hand.

If you’re seeking a more rugged and less modular option, keep an eye out for the JSAUX Protective Case for the Nintendo Switch 2. This case offers durability with built-in slots for extra game cartridges, making it perfect for physical game collectors who also want the reassurance that your console is protected in case of a fall or bump.

Lastly, with all the added bulk of extra cases and accessories, a solid choice when taking your Nintendo Switch 2 out on lengthier trips is the System Organiser S2 from Snakebyte, which, much like the console itself, features a sleek modern design with various compartments ready to carry your Switch 2, docking station, all necessary cables, and additional controllers to ensure you’re ready to game away from home.

Nintendo has kindly permitted legacy controllers, including third-party options, to be compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2, meaning new accessories designed for Joy-Con 2 controllers hold just as much importance as legacy controllers intended for the original Nintendo Switch. This includes the newly released Rematch controller line from Turtlebeach, showcasing iconic Mario artistry that glows in the dark. More crucially, these controllers perform as well as OEM Switch Pro controllers while also incorporating new rear bumper buttons for extra remappable functionality.

Lastly, if you’re in a household with multiple individuals eager to engage with the Nintendo Switch 2’s motion controls, then the Snakebyte Twin Charge S2 charging dock for the Joy-Con 2’s presents a simple yet elegant solution for charging additional Joy-Con 2 controllers, enabling quick entry into a game of ARMs, one of the many titles launched alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 that received a performance patch to leverage Nintendo’s new hardware.

Despite its built-in 256GB storage, the Nintendo Switch 2 system can swiftly reach its storage limit due to games being larger on the new system and many releases now requiring the game Keycard method, which essentially obligates players to download the full game even when owning a cartridge, a situation that undeniably leads to the need for extra storage.