Death Stranding 2: On the Beachcontinues Hideo Kojima’s tradition of featuring celebrity cameos as Preppers scattered throughout its expansive world. They appear as isolated characters who assist Sam Porter Bridges on his journey, bringing their unique backstory and rewards. From legendary anime directors to internet personalities, here’s a full breakdown of every known cameo and what they add to Sam’s journey inDeath Stranding 2.
Directors and Filmmakers
Mamoru Oshii as The Pizza Chef
Perhaps the most iconic celebrity cameo comes from Mamoru Oshii, the legendary director behindGhost in the Shelland other influential anime films. Oshii appears asThe Pizza Chef, complete with an elaborate cooking sequence that transforms into an unexpected martial arts battle with Sam. This cameo serves as both entertainment and tribute, given thatGhost in the Shellhelped inspire some of Kojima’s earliest work.
Mike Flanagan as Mike Northcoate
Horror television auteur Mike Flanagan, ofThe Haunting of Hill HouseandMidnight Massfame, appears at the Northern Environmental Observatory as Mike Northcoate. Flanagan’s inclusion representsDeath Stranding 2’s connection to contemporary horror storytelling, fitting perfectly with thefranchise’s themes of isolation and existential dread.
Kate Siegel as Olivia Westbury
Kate Siegel, Flanagan’s frequent collaborator and wife, appears as Olivia Westbury at West Fort Knot. Known for her roles in horror films likeHushandThe Haunting of Hill House, Siegel’s presence alongside Flanagan creates a horror power couple withinDeath Stranding 2’s world.
S.S. Rajamouli and S.S. Karthikeya as The Adventurer and The Adventurer’s Son
S.S. Rajamouli, the Indian director behindBaahubaliandRRR, makes his gaming debut alongside his son, S.S. Karthikeya, as The Adventurer and his son. The collaboration originated from Rajamouli’sRRRpromotions in Japan in 2022, where he met Kojima. Players must rescue them from an Armed Survivalists' base during one of the main missions, with Rajamouli’s character reportedly named “Jakka”.
The game features several other notable directors and film industry figures: Kevin Ko, director of horror films Incantation and Invitation Only, Yusaku Matsumoto, director of Noise and House of the Owl, and directors from the acclaimed indie game Stray, Colas Koola and Vivien Mermet-Guyenet, also make appearances.
Musicians and Internet Culture Personalities
CHVRCHES at the Animal Shelter
The Scottish synth-pop band CHVRCHES—comprising Lauren Mayberry, Iain Cook, and Martin Doherty—operatesDeath Stranding 2’s Animal Shelteras staff members Lauren, Martin, and Iain. Players encounter them during Order No. 015, where they must rescue a kangaroo and deliver it to the shelter before connecting it to the chiral network.
Gen Hoshino as The Musician
Japanese singer-songwriter and actor Gen Hoshino appears asThe Musician. Known for performing the ending theme ofSpy x Familyand acting in various Japanese television series, Hoshino’s inclusion connects the game to Japanese popular culture.
Woodkid as The Mechanic
Yoann Lemoine, better known as Woodkid, appears as The Mechanic despite being the co-music director ofDeath Stranding 2. Widely acclaimed for his work with major artists like Lana Del Rey and Harry Styles, and his recent contribution to Netflix’sArcaneSeason 2, Woodkid’s mechanical role represents an interesting departure from his musical persona.
Usada Pekora as The Data Scientist
In one of the most unexpected cameos, Usada Pekora, thepopular Japanese VTuber from Hololive Production, appears as The Data Scientist. Pekora interacts with Sam primarily in Japanese and provides assault rifle upgrades, dog mines, and other equipment. Her inclusion demonstrates Kojima’s awareness of internet culture and the growing influence of VTubers in entertainment.
Danny and Michael Philippou as Mr. Impossible
The Philippou Brothers, known as RackaRacka on YouTube and directors of the horror filmTalk to Me, share the role of Mr. Impossible. Their presence bridges the gap between internet content creation and traditional filmmaking.
International Actors and Creative Ambassadors
Ma Dong-seok as Samson Hook
South Korean actor Ma Dong-seok (also known as Don Lee) appears as Samson Hook at the F2 South Distribution Center. Known internationally forTrain to Busanand his role as Gilgamesh inMarvel’s Eternals, Ma Dong-seok is referred to as “the Golden Fist” within the game, referencing his reputation for powerful action sequences.
Lauren Tsai as The Artist
Visual artist, model, and actressLauren Tsai appears as herself, The Artist. Known for her appearances inTerrace House: Aloha Stateand inLegion, Tsai provides cosmetic customization rewards, including new colors for gear. Her bunker is located atop a massive hill between the C1 South Distribution Center and the Geophysics Lab.
Fashion and Design Representatives
Errolson Hugh, founder of ACRONYM clothing, appears as Alex Weatherstone at the Former Geophysics Research Lab. His inclusion represents the intersection of fashion and functional design, particularly relevant given ACRONYM’s focus on technical apparel.
Scientific and Academic Cameos
The game features several characters representing scientific and academic pursuits, including Liv Corfixen as The Hydrologist at Heartman’s Lab (notably, she’s married to Nicolas Winding Refn, who provided Heartman’s likeness).
