Hideo Kojima Fans Spot a Fun Similarity Between Death Stranding 2's Box Art and Metal Gear Solid 2

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach’s new trailer, complete with a release date, collector’s edition details, box art, and more, has sent ripples of excitement through the fanbase. One particularly observant fan, Reddit user ReverseTheFlash, noticed a fascinating connection to director Hideo Kojima’s past work: Metal Gear Solid 2.

The striking similarity lies in the box art for Death Stranding 2. It depicts Sam “Porter” Bridges (Norman Reedus) holding the child “Lou,” a familiar image to players of the first game. ReverseTheFlash’s post, titled “He did it again,” juxtaposes this artwork with a Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty slipcase featuring a remarkably similar composition: Japanese singer Gackt holding a child.

While not an exact replica, the compositional parallels are undeniable and a fun Easter egg for fans. This visual echo also serves as a reminder of a quirky, and somewhat obscure, piece of Metal Gear Solid lore.

Gackt’s prominent role in the Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty promotional campaign, including region-specific slipcases, has generated curiosity and speculation over the years. Kojima himself shed light on this unusual collaboration in 2013, explaining that he chose Gackt because “MGS1” was about DNA (AGTC) and “MGS2” about memes. Adding his initial, “K,” to the DNA sequence, resulted in “GACKT.”

Given the noticeable Metal Gear influences in Death Stranding 2’s new trailer, these visual similarities aren’t entirely surprising. While these parallels may simply reflect recurring thematic elements within Kojima’s creative vision, the connection remains a fun point of discussion and a nostalgic trip down memory lane for fans who remember Gackt’s memorable appearance on the Metal Gear Solid 2 promotional materials.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is set to launch exclusively on PlayStation 5 on June 26, 2025.