Hideo Kojima, the acclaimed Japanese game designer, has offered a rare glimpse into the considerations that shape the casting decisions for his highly cinematic video games. Despite his Tokyo-based studio, Kojima Productions, his titles, including the recently released Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, predominantly feature Western actors. This has prompted questions about the comparatively limited presence of Japanese performers.
Speaking in an interview with IGN Japan, Kojima cited two primary factors: the necessity of native-level English skills for actors and unexpected technical hurdles in digitally rendering Asian facial features.
The Language Barrier and Global Production
Kojima explained that his team conducts recording sessions in a studio located in Los Angeles. This logistical arrangement places a significant emphasis on English proficiency. “We record with other actors in a studio in Los Angeles, so it’s a bit of a problem if they don’t have native-level English skills,” he stated.
He indicated that finding Japanese actors who also possess native-level English has proven challenging. This was a key factor in the casting of Shioli Kutsuna for the role of Rainy in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, the primary Japanese actor in the main cast. “Kutsuna grew up in Australia, can speak English, and when I met her, I found her to be a nice person, so we decided to work together,” Kojima noted.
Beyond language, Kojima raised a more intriguing and unexpected technical dilemma related to digital scanning. He claimed that achieving a realistic likeness of Asian individuals in computer graphics (CG) presents unique difficulties, particularly for younger subjects.
“It’s difficult to make Asians look like their real-life counterparts,” Kojima suggested. He elaborated: “Women and young people in particular have such beautiful, smooth skin. Asians, and not just Japanese people, are known for their beautiful, smooth skin, so it ends up looking like CG.”
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Conversely, he observed that capturing minute details in the appearances of older individuals or those with more pronounced features like freckles, tends to be more successful. “On the other hand, it’s easier to bring out the details in older people or people with lots of freckles,” he said. While acknowledging past struggles, Kojima expressed optimism about recent advancements. “I’ve tried to use Japanese people in the past, but it’s hard to make them look like their real-life counterparts. However, this time I used new technology, and I’m quite satisfied with the results. Well, I’d like to do even better next time.”
This perspective offers an interesting commentary on the cutting edge of digital human rendering, where imperfections can paradoxically enhance realism.
Looking Ahead: More Japanese Voices and Settings?
Despite these perceived challenges, Kojima expressed a desire to continue collaborating with Japanese actors. He even hinted at the possibility of setting a future game within Japan, a notable departure given that the vast majority of his previous titles have been set outside his home country.
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Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, which has received strong reviews, features highly realistic character models, and its visual fidelity has been a point of critical acclaim. Its primary cast includes Western actors such as Norman Reedus, Léa Seydoux, and Elle Fanning, alongside Shioli Kutsuna. The ongoing technical evolution of game graphics suggests that developers continue to grapple with the nuances of digital representation.
