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 keen-eyed fan, Reddit user ReverseTheFlash, noticed a fascinating parallel between the game's box art and a piece of Metal Gear Solid 2 history.

The Death Stranding 2 box art depicts Norman Reedus as Sam “Porter” Bridges cradling the child, Lou, a familiar sight to players of the first game. ReverseTheFlash’s post, titled “He did it again,” juxtaposes this image with a Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty slipcase featuring a strikingly similar composition: Japanese singer Gackt holding a child.

While not an exact replica, the resemblance is undeniable and sparks fun speculation. This visual echo also serves as a reminder of a peculiar, and somewhat obscure, aspect of Metal Gear Solid 2's promotional history.

Gackt’s prominent role in the Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty marketing campaign, including region-specific slipcases, has long been a source of both intrigue and confusion among fans. The explanation, offered by Kojima himself in 2013, is as quirky as the promotional material itself: He chose Gackt because “MGS1” was about DNA (AGTC), and adding his initial (“K”) resulted in “GACKT.”

Given the noticeable Metal Gear influences in Death Stranding 2’s new trailer, the connection isn’t entirely surprising. While the similarities might simply reflect recurring thematic elements in Kojima’s work, the parallel is undeniably fun to explore, offering a nostalgic trip down memory lane with a promotional image featuring the iconic Gackt.

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