A panel with the Japanese voice actors was expected at the Tokyo Game Show 2024. Hideo Kojima – in collaboration with PlayStation – decided to organize something more. During the event streamed a few hours ago, Kojima Productions also revealed a new short trailer for Death Stranding 2 On The Beach, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2019 game. The unique aspect of the trailer (which starts at about 27 minutes and 50 seconds in the video) officially introduces two characters who have thus far remained in the shadows, played by Shioli Kutsuna and Elle Fanning.
“I was criticized for not adequately introducing a character,” Kojima said from the stage, “so here it is.” The Game Director is likely referring to Shioli Kutsuna. Although the Japanese actress, already seen as Yukiko in Deadpool, was one of the first new names associated with the project, she had not yet been shown within the game world. We could almost say the same for Elle Fanning, except that her character was revealed for a few seconds at the end of the lengthy State of Play trailer in May.
Despite her brief appearance, her role remained shrouded in mystery. Now, however, we know the names of both characters: Shioli Kutsuna will play Rainy, while Elle Fanning will portray Tomorrow. As always, our director chooses names that are direct and immediately evocative. So in Death Stranding 2, we can expect names to somewhat describe the nature of the various characters.
In this regard, the video (unfortunately available only in Japanese with Close Caption subtitles) provides insight into the context of the game world. It seems that Death Stranding has fundamentally interrupted childbirth. Nevertheless, Rainy presents herself as a new mother. This surprises Sam, but even more so Tomorrow, who is described as having returned from the realm of the dead. What could this mean? And who can know what’s going on in Kojima’s mind?