In a surprise move that has delighted gaming fans as well as the recently emerged virtual entertainment crowd, Kojima Productions just revealed in its official stature that Usada Pekora, the extremely popular Hololive VTuber, would be a part of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Released on May 29th, the reveal guarantees Pekora would be a Prepper NPC, forming part of the game’s already multicultural roster of characters.
The inclusion of Usada Pekora is in line with the precedent of the original Death Stranding, which left room for celebrity appearances in short non-player character cameo roles. That heritage continues here, delivering a new, modern take on the singular narrative world of Hideo Kojima. The news comes approximately two and a half weeks after Kojima Productions announcing Death Stranding 2 had gone gold, the culmination of its central development cycle. The game is due for release on June 26th.
Usada Pekora, one of Hololive Production’s top “Hololive Fantasy” third generation Virtual YouTubers, first appeared in July 2019. The popularity is highlighted through a YouTube subscriber count of over 2.7 million. In addition, Pekora even became most popular at the 2024 Game Awards, where she was nominated for Content Creator of the Year, after peer VTuber Ironmouse took it in 2023. Her acting in Death Stranding 2 brings her among other A-listers like Conan O’Brien and Geoff Keighley, both of whom have contributed their appearances and voices to the gaming industry.
Kojima Productions posted a short gameplay clip on social media, hyping Pekora’s inclusion in the game. The cut is a photo of Pekora’s voice coming from a projector, which responds to the game’s protagonist Sam. Although her exact purpose as a Prepper NPC is unknown, the news has generated much buzz from both communities of Death Stranding fans and of the Hololive movement. As the launch date approaches, fans are eagerly anticipating a thrilling mix of proven gaming craftsmanship and contemporary digital culture in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.
