Kojima Hideo of DEATH STRANDING Makes a Cameo in Zootopia 2: “It will undoubtedly be a ‘new Zootopia’ that surpasses the previous work!”

Game creator Kojima Hideo’s cameo in Zootopia 2 has boosted the film’s reputation and anticipation.

Game creator Kojima Hideo is set to make a special cameo appearance in the upcoming Disney Animation film, Zootopia 2, which premieres in Japanese theaters this Friday, December 5, 2025. This remarkable collaboration came to fruition following a direct invitation from the film’s director, Jared Bush.

The original Zootopia took the world by storm, set in a vibrant metropolis where animals live and thrive just like humans, a paradise where anyone can become anything. Its compelling and mysterious narrative, alongside its unique and diverse characters, resonated deeply with audiences. The film’s profound message, cleverly delivered with a “fluffy yet deep” touch (mofumofu nanoni fukai), became a social phenomenon. It was the first Disney Animation feature since Ana to Yuki no Joou (known globally as Frozen) to surpass a global box office of 1 billion US dollars, equivalent to over 150 billion Japanese Yen.

Now, the highly anticipated sequel, Zootopia 2, is finally opening in Japan this week, on December 5.

The dream city of Zootopia, where animals live like humans, faces a new challenge. Judy, the hardworking rabbit police officer, and Nick, the cynical yet kind-hearted fox, are adored as investigative partners, tackling various cases. However, one day, the unexpected appearance of a snake named Gary – an animal not supposed to be in Zootopia – uncovers a shocking secret behind the city’s creation. Why are there only mammals in this city? What happened to the snakes? As Zootopia’s greatest mystery unfolds, the bond between the contrasting Judy and Nick will be put to the ultimate test.

For the Japanese dub of Zootopia 2, many beloved voice actors from the previous film are returning, including Ueto Aya-san, Morikawa Toshiyuki-san, Miyake Kenta-san, Takahashi Shigeo-san (Savanna), Dream Ami-san, and Yamaji Kazuhiro-san. Furthermore, the film introduces an impressive lineup of new voice talents for its new characters, featuring Shimono Hiro-san, Eguchi Noriko-san, Yamada Ryosuke-san, Takashima Masahiro-san, Mizuki Nana-san, Emoto Akira-san, Kumamoto Pro-wrestling (Benishoga), Jumbo Takao (Rainbow), Takagi Wataru-san, and Umezawa Tomio-san. This star-studded cast has garnered significant attention and excitement.

Adding to the already impressive Japanese voice cast, it has just been announced that game industry trailblazer and world-renowned game creator Kojima Hideo will make a cameo appearance in the film. Known for iconic stealth game franchises like Metal Gear Solid and the wildly popular Death Stranding series, Kojima-san is also celebrated as one of the gaming world’s foremost film aficionados. His cameo came about through a direct offer from Jared Bush himself, who is one of the film’s directors and the Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Kojima-san enthusiastically accepted the offer, stating he “accepted immediately without a second thought.” He will be lending his voice to Paul Mauldebrandt, a mole working within the Zootopia Police Department, where Judy and Nick are employed. This marks Kojima-san’s first venture into voice acting for an animated feature film.

“While I’ve had numerous cameo experiences in live-action films and games, dubbing for an animated theatrical film is a completely new experience for me. And to think it’s from Disney! For a sequel to my beloved Zootopia, no less! Furthermore, receiving a direct offer from Director Jared Bush himself was an immense honor, which led me to accept without hesitation,” Kojima-san shared, expressing his joy at receiving the offer.

Approaching the recording session not as a game creator, but as a Disney voice actor, Kojima-san reflected on his unique experience. “Although my role is for a brief scene, the attention to detail during the recording was truly impressive, as expected. Having the visuals greatly streamlined the recording process. As someone who usually directs, experiencing the acting side taught me many things. I re-recognized how much care voice actors put into fundamental things like turning script pages and avoiding noise,” he explained, offering insights from a creator’s perspective on his debut.

Looking ahead to the impending release of Zootopia 2, Kojima-san shared his immense anticipation: “I watched the Japanese version of the first Zootopia with my children when they were young. It was, in a sense, a pinnacle of Disney Animation, a film that subtly touched upon social themes, making audiences of all ages laugh and enjoy, and leaving the theater with a sense of hope. Honestly, I wondered if a sequel could ever surpass it. However, from what I experienced during the recording, I am convinced that this will undoubtedly be a ‘new Zootopia’ that surpasses its predecessor! My children have grown up, and we watch fewer Japanese dubs now, but this time, I plan to see the Japanese version in theaters.”

With an emphatic seal of approval from a world-class creator like Kojima Hideo, Zootopia 2 promises an overwhelming scale that far exceeds the original, complete with unique and adorable characters, and a story full of intriguing mysteries. Don’t miss its release on Friday, December 5!

Production & Cast Information

Staff

Japanese Voice Cast

Zootopia 2 (Original Title: Zootopia 2)
U.S. Release: November 26, 2025
Distributed by: Walt Disney Japan
(C)2025 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Authored by: Murata Makoto