Given Hideo Kojima has become an icon of the gaming industry, he just can’t help but put some of his celebrity friends in his work. Here’s the full rundown on every famous person you come across in Death Stranding 2.
After 100 hours in Death Stranding 2, we’re still yet to fulfill every order and become the one true Legend. Yet, throughout our travels, both across Mexico and Australia, we’ve bumped into our fair share of notable figures.
From film directors to musicians, long-time Death Stranding fans will certainly recognize, and even a few faces you might not have recognized at first glance, there are a ton of fun cameos in Kojima’s new release.
So if you’re curious as to who made the list, well, wonder no longer. Below is the full overview of every celebrity that made the cut.
It goes without saying, but obvious spoiler warning from this point on. Coming across these cameos is well worth experiencing with blind eyes, so we recommend playing the game yourself first. But if you’re just dying to know, then read on.
Every celebrity in Death Stranding 2
CHVRCHES – Animal Shelter
Kicking off the list is Scottish band CHVRCHES. After performing a title track for the first game, they’re back here in hologram form. Together, the three musicians run the local Animal Shelter, allowing Sam to rescue endangered wildlife on his travels.
Although the band may currently be on hiatus, their presence is nonetheless felt throughout the world of Death Stranding 2. Not only are they at the Shelter, but a few of their songs can be found on the MP3 Player as well.
Gen Hoshino – The Musician
Kojima ProductionsNext is another musician, as Japanese singer Gen Hoshino can be found quite early into Sam’s trek across Australia.
Evidently a big fan of his work, Kojima has included the hugely famous pop star not just in hologram form, but also through the MP3 Player with a number of licensed tracks.
Lauren Tsai – The Artist
Kojima ProductionsWe’ve seen Kojima standing alongside Lauren Tsai on the red carpet, so it was a no-brainer she’d eventually find her way into one of his games. That time is now as she runs a very early facility in Mexico, displaying a batch of her artwork directly inside the facility itself.
As you progress and level up this location, Tsai or just ‘The Artist’, will be sending you pictures of her works in progress until eventually, you see the finished piece of art.
Ma Dong-seok – F2 South Distribution Center
Kojima ProductionsIconic South Korean movie star Lee Dong-seok, known by his stage name of Ma Dong-seok, also makes an appearance in Death Stranding 2. In fact, he was one of the very first side characters revealed in early marketing material, so this one should come as no surprise.
For the Western audience, you may best know Ma Dong-seok from Marvel’s Eternals film where he portrayed Gilgamesh. One layer deeper and you might be familiar with his work in Train to Busan. Beyond that, he has dozens of film credits across for roles in South Korean action flicks.
Naturally, his character in Death Stranding 2 revolves around combat, particularly close-quarters combat, providing Sam with all manner of melee-focused benefits.
Mamoru Oshi – The Pizza Chef
Kojima ProductionsIt’s been a while since Mamoru Oshi has been in the spotlight for his own work, but this legendary anime director is stepping back out thanks to an appearance in Death Stranding 2. Having helmed the original Ghost in the Shell movies, along with the likes of Patlabor, he’s a renowned creative in Japanese cinema.
In Death Stranding 2, well, let’s just say you’re best off learning about his character in your own time. Just remember that not everything is what it seems at first glance.
Mike Flanagan – Northern Environmental Observatory
Kojima ProductionsKojima couldn’t help but show even more love for the horror genre by including one of the very best contemporary directors, Mike Flanagan. Known for the likes of Midnight Mass, Doctor Sleep, and The Haunting of Hill House, he’s become an icon of the genre, so he was a natural fit for Death Stranding 2.
Leading the Northern Environmental Observatory, you’ll come across this Prepper by following the main story, so you won’t have to go out of your way to find Flanagan in-game.
The Philippou Brothers – Mr. Impossible
Kojima ProductionsDanny and Michael Philipou, up-and-coming Aussie horror directors, make their video game debuts here in Death Stranding 2. We saw the pictures after Talk to Me’s viral success, when they visited Kojima in Japan, and as it turns out, they weren’t just there for fun. They recorded plenty of material for use in Kojima’s newest game and they certainly bring the energy.
Collectively known as Mr. Impossible, the directors of one of 2025’s freakiest films, Bring Her Back, task Sam with some of the most difficult deliveries in the game. From taking down bosses to travelling across the entire continent in record time, their orders can be incredibly demanding as they seek to ‘push beyond the limits’ of humanity.
Usada Pekora – The Data Scientist
Kojima ProductionsVTuber Usada Pekora was also revealed prior to the game’s launch and as you can no doubt surmise, they’ve been brought to life in Death Stranding 2 with all their energetic charm.
With over 2.7 million subscribers on YouTube alone, Pekora is among the most popular members of VTuber group Hololive.
Woodkid – The Mechanic
Kojima ProductionsLast but not least, one more musician made the cut as none other than Woodkid can be found a bit later into Death Stranding 2. Woodkid, real name Yoann Lemoine, is a French musician who has been making music for the best part of 14 years.
While his solo records are certainly captivating, Woodkid is arguably best known for his work helping compose the soundtrack for Arcane, Netflix’s League of Legends animated series. And of course, he’s also made plenty of meaningful contributions to Death Stranding 2 itself, creating some of the most emotionally charged songs on the score. To the Wilder will be on repeat for the foreseeable.
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