Hideo Kojima Revealed as Hideyoshi Oshima in ‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ Season 2

Avatar photoValentina Kraljik
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Night City has always embraced notable personalities. The vibrant world of ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ has seen an array of crossovers, cameos, and tributes from various gaming and anime realms. Few figures blend into this universe as seamlessly as one of the most renowned game creators today.

This is particularly true now that ‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ is set to make its return on Netflix. The upcoming season, which presents a standalone narrative from CD Projekt RED and Studio Trigger, will be available on October 20, featuring all 10 episodes at once. The anime has been generating buzz for weeks, and a recent surprise has fans abuzz.

Hideo Kojima is reprising his role as Hideyoshi Oshima in ‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ Season 2, and the first look at his animated counterpart has been unveiled. The character card features a photo of Kojima in his signature glasses and dark jacket alongside a stylized animated version of him seated at a restaurant table. Oshima is described as a Japanese braindance director, with his birthday and blood type marked as confidential.

Oshima first appeared in ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ during ‘The Heist’ at Konpeki Plaza. Players can find him at a table in the back, discussing his work with others. He produces braindance, the technology that allows individuals to record and replay another person’s experiences, including their emotions and thoughts.

The extent of his role in this season remains uncertain, leaving open the possibility of either a brief cameo or a more significant presence. CD Projekt RED co-CEO Michał Nowakowski expressed that it is always a pleasure to collaborate with Kojima, suggesting the studio is pleased to have him back.

This cameo aligns perfectly with Kojima’s long-standing connection to the genre. Before the ‘Metal Gear Solid’ series made him a household name, he created ‘Snatcher’, a cyberpunk graphic adventure that has garnered acclaim as one of the best in its field. In 2020, a free update for ‘Death Stranding’ on PC included missions featuring characters and lore from ‘Cyberpunk 2077’.

Kojima is also known for making appearances in various projects. He previously mentioned on his radio show that he had been invited to feature in a major live-action film and a significant anime title. This announcement seems to confirm the anime aspect of that tease, and he has indicated a preference for not playing himself, making the role of Oshima a fitting choice.

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The second season is not a direct continuation of David’s story. Instead, it tells a standalone tale of revenge and redemption featuring an entirely new cast of characters navigating Night City. The main characters include veteran edgerunner Weak Kingsley, voiced in English by Clancy Brown, along with D, Roman Carax, and Talia Yang.

Kai Ikarashi is directing, marking his debut in this role for the series. Bartosz Sztybor and Masahiko Otsuka return as the creative forces behind the story, with Sztybor describing the sequel as reminiscent of 90s films like ‘Pulp Fiction’ and ‘Léon: The Professional’. The official site promises an even grittier and more brutal interpretation of the dark future.

Expectations are high. The first season premiered on Netflix on September 13, 2022, receiving widespread acclaim for its writing, characters, action, and animation. Its success also led to a resurgence in interest for ‘Cyberpunk 2077’, significantly boosting its sales and player base.

While a cameo may seem like a minor detail, for fans of both gaming and anime, Kojima’s return to Night City feels like a rewarding nod to the most dedicated viewers. It also highlights how seamlessly the series integrates game lore with its own narratives.

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