“KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS 10th ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION BEYOND THE STRAND: The Odyssey of Creation and Endeavor” is being held at Azabudai Hills Gallery from Saturday, October 31 to Sunday, December 20, 2026.
Official “BEYOND THE STRAND” exhibition website (Japanese): https://beyondthestrand.kojimaproductions.jp/ja/
I went on opening day. It made me want to play the games all over again! I was moved by how complex game development is, and by the early-stage illustrations and videos on display.
From “GARDEN PLAZA A” in Azabudai Hills to the Venue
Azabudai Hills Gallery is reached through the “GARDEN PLAZA A” entrance. Next to the entrance there is an exhibition poster and a sign pointing the way to the gallery. This is where the fans’ “journey along the strand” begins.
The Creators’ Autograph Wall Is a Thrill
The first thing that caught my eye near the start of the exhibition was a wall covered in autographs and illustrations by the creators who worked on the games. Just hunting for readable names such as “LE GALL YANN,” “TAKAYUKI SANO,” “Tomoyuki Miyake” and “Yohei Miyazaki (宮崎 陽平)” is exciting. It felt as if the “handprints” of the people behind the game had been left right there on the wall.
FIRST PHASE: Meeting Ludens
The hanging signs in the exhibition room start with “01 FIRST PHASE.” The first to greet you is a statue of Ludens in a white suit with gold parts, holding a spear with a black flag. Up close, even the bolts, the belts and the small stains on the parts are carefully crafted, and it is hard not to stand there staring.
The other Ludens statue is a special version with a gold “10th anniversary” part on its head.
The flag carries the KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS logo. Knowing it was prepared to celebrate the 10th anniversary makes it even more delightful. On the monitor behind the statue, a congratulatory message from an overseas creator was also playing.
Original Logo Art and Suit Sketches: Where Design Is Born
I couldn’t help but stop in front of the framed sketches. The upper row shows a helmet design sketch and the original artwork of the KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS logo.
The lower row shows drawings of Ludens’ suit, where you can read the handwritten “EXTRA VEHICULAR CREATIVE ACTIVITY SUIT” and “ECA suit.” Thinking that the famous logo and suit were first drawn like this is something fans will treasure.
Character Portraits and the Raw Ink Lines
Anyone who has played the game will surely exclaim “That’s them!” at the wall of character portraits with names attached: “HIGGS,” “AMELIE,” “HEARTMAN,” “FRAGILE,” “SAM,” “DIEHARD MAN” and more.
Inside the cases, rough sketches and storyboards drawn in ink are also on display. The energy of the brush has been preserved just as it was, and you can almost see the path from an image in someone’s head to the finished game footage.
They look different from the in-game characters, and made me think, “So this is how it all started!”
Concept Art and Video: The World Beyond the Wasteland
Concept art covers the walls: wastelands, misty landscapes, and figures standing before huge structures. The large central monitor was showing CG footage of BB. Smaller monitors are scattered around too, so you can take your time moving between game footage and production materials. A huge “DEATH STRANDING 2 ON THE BEACH” banner hangs from the ceiling of the room, a sight that will lift any fan’s spirits.
Puppets, Props and a Mysterious Black Statue
Inside the glass case is an eerie Dollman with red eyes and fangs, along with props that evoke scenes from the game.
Further back there is also a costume display for the next title, which is exciting just to look at.
In one corner of the room there is a large statue too. Up close, even the fine details of its surface are crafted with care, and its expression changes depending on the angle you look from.
Music and Sound: Don’t Miss the Records
The music displays are not to be missed either.
Inside the case are soundtrack records and CDs, including the “DEATH STRANDING – SONGS FROM THE VIDEO GAME” record released by “Mondo / Death Waltz.”
There are also unexpected records, such as B.J. Thomas’s “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” and the jacket of “Ii Yu da na” by The Drifters, which hint at the breadth of the music selection.
There are also a corner where you can put on headphones and listen to sound effects, and a corner where you can pick up a controller and experience haptic feedback. Please try this one for yourself.
It is fun to feel with your own body how the game’s “sound” and “touch” are made.
Soak Up the Afterglow at the Collaboration Café “GALLERY CAFE”
After the exhibition, I recommend savoring the afterglow with the collaboration menu at “AZABUDAI HILLS GALLERY CAFE.”
The menu is available for a limited time from October 31 to December 20, and it is introduced on the sign at the shop front.
- Seafood Pizza by Pizza ATAMI (¥2,420): A pizza inspired by “Pizza ATAMI” from “DEATH STRANDING 2.” It is topped with small octopus, shrimp, squid and clams, with the rich flavor of tomato koji.
- The Raspberry Cake from That Day (¥1,480): A 10th-anniversary special cake recreating the red cake that appears only on special days in the private room of the protagonist, Sam. Limited quantity.
- “BEYOND THE STRAND” Latte (Ahirudens / Director Kojima) (¥990): The latte art comes in two designs: Ahirudens and Director Kojima.
And here is what actually arrived at the table. The Ahirudens and Director Kojima lattes are so cute that they make you smile just looking at them. The raspberry cake has raspberries on a glossy red surface, and it had the air of a cake for a special day.
Original Coasters to Tempt Collectors
With every collaboration menu item you order, you receive one original coaster at random.
There are four types in total: the BEYOND THE STRAND logo, Director Kojima’s face, and two illustrations. Coasters may run out and distribution may end, so I recommend visiting early if you are interested.
Event Information
- Exhibition: KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS 10th ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION BEYOND THE STRAND: The Odyssey of Creation and Endeavor
- Dates: Saturday, October 31 to Sunday, December 20, 2026
- Venue: Azabudai Hills Gallery (GARDEN PLAZA A, Azabudai Hills, Tokyo)
- Official website: https://beyondthestrand.kojimaproductions.jp/ja/
Some exhibits in the room carry a “No Photography” sign. When you visit, please follow the venue’s guidance and the staff’s instructions when taking photos.
