If you had "rabbit-eared anime girl" on your 2025 bingo card for a gritty post-apocalyptic sequel, congratulations. You’re either a psychic or you just know Hideo Kojima way too well. The internet basically melted down when the news hit that Usada Pekora, the chaotic face of Hololive, would be officially appearing in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.
Honestly, it’s one of those things that sounds like a fake leak until you see the actual in-game footage of Sam Porter Bridges waving at a holographic bunny girl. For some, it’s a brilliant crossover of two massive Japanese cultural pillars. For others? It's a "immersion-breaking" disaster. But if we look at the history of Kojima Productions, this Death Stranding 2 Pekora collaboration isn't just a random marketing stunt—it's peak Kojima.
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Who Exactly Is the "Data Scientist" in Death Stranding 2?
In the original game, we had cameos from Geoff Keighley and Conan O’Brien. This time around, the roster is even weirder. Pekora appears as a character known as The Data Scientist. She’s one of the "Preppers" scattered across the rugged landscape of Australia, which serves as the sequel's primary setting.
You don't just see her once and move on. Sam interacts with her at her terminal, and she speaks to him in her signature high-energy Japanese. And yes, for those wondering: she does say "Peko." In fact, her dialogue is peppered with the linguistic quirks that made her famous on YouTube and Twitch.
What do you actually get from her?
If you spend enough time delivering cargo to her bunker and leveling up your affinity, she gives you some pretty specific loot. The most notable is the Nousagi Hat. When Sam wears it, his voice lines actually change. You’ll hear Norman Reedus—the man who played Daryl Dixon—grunting out "Otsupeko" (a play on the Japanese phrase for "thanks for your hard work") while trekking through the mud. It is as surreal as it sounds.
The affinity rewards also include:
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- Customizable Private Room wallpapers featuring her streaming setup.
- Exclusive photo frames for the game’s Photo Mode.
- Direct messages (emails) sent to Sam’s terminal that read like a Pekora stream transcript.
Why Kojima Chose a VTuber Over a Hollywood Star
Kojima has been a fan of Pekora for years. This isn't a secret. He’s been spotted on social media holding Pekora plushies and retweeting her Metal Gear Solid streams. To him, VTubers aren't just "cartoons"; they are the modern evolution of celebrity.
The theme of Death Stranding is "connection." In a world where people are isolated in bunkers, they rely on digital avatars to interact with the world. When you think about it, a VTuber is the most "Strand-type" profession possible. They are real people connecting with millions through a digital shell.
Cover Corp (the parent company of Hololive) actually revealed that discussions for this started back in 2023. They didn't just hand over a 3D model; they worked with Kojima Productions to record specific sample footage so the game's engine could replicate her "streaming" vibe. They wanted her to feel like a real person living in that world, not just a static 2D sticker slapped on a wall.
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The Backlash: Is the Cameo Too Much?
Not everyone is happy. A vocal slice of the fanbase—particularly on the Japanese side of X (formerly Twitter)—voiced some pretty heavy frustration. Some players argued that having a bright, carrot-themed rabbit girl in a game about the extinction of humanity ruins the "vibe."
"Death Stranding 2 is done for. I definitely won't buy it now," one user wrote.
It’s a fair point if you’re looking for a 100% serious military simulation. But Death Stranding has never been that. This is the same franchise where you can throw grenades made of your own urine at ghosts. It’s a series where you deliver literal pizzas to a guy who sounds like a legendary film director. Kojima has always balanced high-concept sci-fi with absolute absurdity.
Pekora fits into that "weird Japan" niche that has been part of Kojima’s DNA since the Metal Gear days. Remember the Ape Escape crossover in MGS3? Or the Calorie Mate snacks? This is just the 2025 version of that.
How to Find Pekora in Death Stranding 2
If you're looking to track her down, you'll need to progress into the mid-game sections of the Australian map. She isn't part of the "critical path," meaning you can finish the main story without ever meeting her.
- Look for the Data Scientist's terminal: She is located in a relatively secluded area of the Northern Environmental Observatory region.
- Focus on Side Orders: To unlock the best rewards (like that hat), you have to do "Standard Orders" specifically for her.
- Read your mail: Her personality really shines in the text messages she sends. They provide a bit of "lore" on how a virtual idol survives in a world plagued by Timefall and BTs.
The Bigger Picture for Gaming and VTubers
This Death Stranding 2 Pekora cameo is a massive milestone for the VTubing industry. It marks the first time a VTuber has been integrated into a major AAA Sony-published title as a literal character, rather than just a skin or a background poster.
It signals a shift where digital creators are being given the same weight as traditional actors. If Norman Reedus can share a screen with Usada Pekora, the line between "internet subculture" and "mainstream entertainment" has officially evaporated.
Practical Steps for Players
If you’re a fan of the "serious" tone, you can honestly just ignore her bunker. The game doesn't force you to engage with her. But if you want the full, unfiltered Hideo Kojima experience—the one that embraces the weird, the digital, and the chaotic—make sure you pack some extra boots and head toward the Data Scientist.
You might find that a little "Peko Peko" makes the end of the world feel a lot less lonely. Check your map for the Data Scientist's icon once you reach the second major hub; it’s worth the detour just to see the sheer absurdity of the encounter yourself.