Death Stranding is Just Hideo Kojima Creating His Own Ships, and We Can Prove It

Hideo + Andrew House

How it Started: After Kojima’s departure from Konami, everyone was wondering just where he’d go next. Perhaps unsurprisingly, last December, he announced that he’d be partnering with Sony on a new game franchise, which we now know to be Death Stranding. He did this with a video where he and PlayStation Global CEO Andrew House sat down to discuss the exclusivity. And in that video, you can clearly tell that House is so happy to be near this man. Just look at his smile. He’s so happy.

Ship name: Hidedrew

Where are they now? Sadly, neither Kojima or Andrew have been seen together since. No parties, no emails, nothing. While they’re sure to be in contact with each other for work purposes, what about when they’ve clocked out for the day? Are they on a break? Did they completely split?!

Hideo + Norman Reedus

How It Started: The Walking Dead star first became tangled into the web of Kojima’s love life in September 2014, when he was revealed as the lead in Silent Hills. Many were devastated when it was canceled, and none more so than Reedus, who flat out said that Silent Hills “needs to happen.” When Death Stranding was revealed earlier this year, it turned out that the ship was still going strong; Reedus takes on the role of the game’s protagonist, where he’ll no doubt be collecting babies or whatever else the Metal Gear creator thinks of.

Ship Name: Dead Hills

Where are they now? Considering that the two undoubtedly work together every day, because of voice acting and motion capture, it’s safe to say that the ship is still going strong. Whether it’s quick glances when others are in the room, or late night dinners, there’s no denying that they’ll be together for as long as the franchise lasts. I bet they watch Walking Dead together during breaks.

Hideo + Guillermo del Toro

How it Started: The creator of beloved films such as Hellboy, Pan’s Labyrinth, and Crimson Peak first came into Kojima’s life during Silent Hills began production, where they both served as directors. After its cancellation, all seemed lost, until it was revealed at the Game Awards that del Toro was also in Death Stranding as a character. As an apparent baby smuggler, but either way, he’s in it, and he’s none too happy with Konami having killed his and Hideo’s first baby.

Ship Name: DelJima

Where are they now? Exactly how much involvement del Toro has in Stranding beyond just being a character isn’t entirely clear, but one has to imagine that it’s substantial. Regardless, del Toro’s passionate tweets  a few days ago make it clear that the ship is totally going strong, and nothing can ever break that.

Hideo + Geoff Keighley

How it Started: Kojima and Keighley have met each other on and off due to the latter’s TV show, but it was only when Keighley made the Game Awards that the true love came through. We all know how Hideo wasn’t allowed to accept an award for his work on Metal Gear Solid V last year, but the fates corrected that this year, where he received the Industry Icon Award. There, Keighley practically proposed to the man, and Hideo responded with those three words that everyone wants to hear.

Ship Name: The Game Awards

Where are they now? Dude, c’mon, they’re straight up married. Look at that GIF. During their honeymoon, Hideo reciprocated by singing his heart out. Man’s got some pipes.

Hideo + Mads Mikkelsen

How it Started: Death Stranding is the first project that Kojima and Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen have worked on together, where the latter will presumably be serving as the game’s antagonist. We all first suspected it some months back when Mads said that he was working on a “Japanese game,” and Hideo himself is a fan of Mads’ work, saying that he’s “sexy in blood”. And as we all know, if Hideo’s a fan of an actor’s work, they’re probably gonna end up in one of his games. Plus, Kojima totally drew Mads along with his other baes (minus Andrew, sadly) back in September.

Ship name: Eyeshadow

Where are they now? Aside from working together on Stranding, it’s incredibly likely that the two are sitting together on the couch, curled up in a blanket and watching all three seasons of Hannibal. That, or they’re watching Doctor Strange and Casino Royale over and over. Mads has probably made him his date for the Rogue One premiere.

Who do you ship Kojima with? What’s your ship name for him and his baes? Let us know in the comments below.