What Is Hideo Kojima’s Favorite Anime? Norman Reedus Has the Answer

Hideo Kojima’s love for anime is no secret. The legendary video game creator often shares his thoughts on manga, anime, movies, and TV shows on social media, sometimes even helping lesser-known titles gain more attention. Over the years, many fans have followed his recommendations.

However, thanks to long-time collaborator Norman Reedus, fans may finally have insight into one of Hideo Kojima‘s personal favorites. In an interview conducted at Comic-Con Hong Kong, the actor revealed that Kojima himself told him that Chainsaw Man is one of his personal favorites.

Norman Reedus Reveals How Hideo Kojima Introduced Him to Chainsaw Man

The friendship between Hideo Kojima and Norman Reedus goes beyond Death Stranding. The two have frequently spoken about their shared interests in movies, art, and pop culture, making Reedus one of the few Hollywood stars with direct insight into Kojima’s personal entertainment preferences.

That’s what makes Reedus’s comments especially interesting for anime fans. During an interview at Comic-Con Hong Kong with GQ Hong Kong, the actor was asked if he watches anime. He quickly brought up Chainsaw Man, the critically acclaimed manga and anime series created by Tatsuki Fujimoto. Reedus mentioned that Hideo Kojima was the one who introduced him to the title.

Norman said the director informed him about the anime series and stated that it is his favorite one. When he was looking for different IPs to bring them to life via his own production company, Kojima recommended the actor to check it out. This way, Reedus managed to read the manga while in Tokyo, while looking for something interesting.

However, despite the fact that he discovered the IP thanks to his friend, Norman Reedus managed to see it as an anime only recently while flying over Japan, calling it a particularly cool experience.

These comments highlight how much influence Kojima’s recommendations carry. Kojima, who is known for some of the best games such as Metal Gear and Death Stranding in the industry, has built a reputation for spotting unique entertainment long before they become global hits. Chainsaw Man is widely regarded as one of the standout manga series of recent times.

Reedus’s appreciation for the series goes beyond casual viewing. When asked what anime power he would choose if given the opportunity, he immediately referenced Reze, one of Chainsaw Man‘s most popular characters.

Though he initially struggled to remember her name, Reedus described her as the “bomb girl” from the series and said she was probably the coolest character, joking that he himself is “very destructive.”

For fans, the choice made perfect sense. Reze’s Bomb Devil abilities remain among the most visually spectacular powers introduced in Fujimoto’s story, making her one of the franchise’s most memorable characters despite her relatively brief appearance.

The exchange not only confirmed Reedus’s growing appreciation for anime but also offered one of the strongest indications yet regarding Kojima’s personal admiration for Chainsaw Man.

Chainsaw Man Isn’t the Only Anime Kojima Has Publicly Praised

While Chainsaw Man may hold a special place in Kojima’s entertainment lineup, it is far from the only anime he has enthusiastically endorsed.

Kojima has become one of the anime industry’s most recognizable celebrity supporters, regularly using social media to share recommendations and reactions to both mainstream and niche productions. His posts often generate significant discussion among fans because of his reputation as a storyteller and creative visionary.

Most recently, Kojima recommended Nippon Sangoku, helping bring additional attention to the adaptation. The recommendation continued a long-running trend of him spotlighting projects that he believes deserve wider recognition.

His praise extends across multiple genres and generations of anime. In 2025, Kojima described Lazarus, the science-fiction series directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, as “nostalgic” after watching it. Kojima has also spoken positively about Dandadan, praising the anime’s visual presentation and animation style.

Perhaps even more notably, Kojima reserved especially high praise for Look Back, the animated adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s acclaimed one-shot manga. He described it as the “most remarkable anime of the past decade,” (via @HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN/X), an endorsement that carried significant weight given the vast number of anime releases he consumes each year.

Taken together, these recommendations paint a clear picture of Kojima’s tastes. Whether it is the emotional storytelling of Look Back, the visual creativity of Dandadan, the retro-futuristic atmosphere of Lazarus, or the chaotic brilliance of Chainsaw Man, Kojima consistently gravitates toward works that push creative boundaries while maintaining strong artistic identities.

With Norman Reedus now revealing just how highly Kojima regards Chainsaw Man, fans have gained another fascinating glimpse into the inspirations and interests of one of gaming’s most influential creators.

Series Title	Chainsaw Man
Manga Author	Tatsuki Fujimoto
Anime Rating (MAL) – as of May 31, 2026	8.42 / 10
Manga Rating (MAL) – as of May 31, 2026	8.63 / 10

Now the big question – what anime do you think Hideo Kojima will recommend next? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Chainsaw Man anime, along with the Reze movie are currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.