Learn more about the music, movies, and books that fuel Kojima’s creative fire
I enjoy reading Hideo Kojima’sthoughts on movies– enough to warrant buying a book? Sure!
The Gifted Gene and my Lovable Memes, a collection of essays from theMetal GearandDeath Strandingcreator published in 2019, “explores the influences and inspirations that shape his work.” It might ring a bell if you keep Twitter tabs on Kojima, but the book has been out of reach for English readers until now.
Announcement: Hideo Kojima, creator of Death Stranding and Metal Gear Solid, explores the influences and inspirations that shape his work. The Creative Gene drops Fall 2021.pic.twitter.com/VKL6yXtK79
— VIZ (@VIZMedia)July 10, 2025
Per Polygon,Viz Media is releasing a translated version calledThe Creative Geneon October 12.
The English adaptation’s full long-winded title –The Creative Gene: How books, movies, and music inspired the creator of Death Stranding and Metal Gear Solid– is a better indication of what to expect. More to the point, there’sthis translated excerptof Kojima’s “What Memes Connect Us To” introduction.
Are you down for this trip, or are you fine sticking with his games and watching his antics unfold online?
