Hideo Kojima Is Blown Away by AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH and It’s Fueling His Next Creative Push

Hideo Kojima has always worn his love of cinema on his sleeve, and longtime fans have learned to read between the lines of his social media movie reactions.

A few polite sentences usually mean a film didn’t quite land for him. A long, passionate post means the opposite. That’s exactly what happened after he watchedAvatar: Fire and Ash, the latest chapter in James Cameron’s epic sci-fi saga.

Kojima took to X with a response that made it clear Cameron’s third Avatar film left a serious impression. He didn’t hold back in his admiration, opening with high praise for the sheer ambition behind the project.

“This film shows absolutely no compromise, right down to the finest details, in the construction of the Avatar 'universe,'” Kojima wrote. “It was magnificent.”

For Kojima, the experience went beyond simple fandom. He reflected on Cameron’s career and how it mirrors his own path as a creator, especially when it comes to blending cutting-edge technology with artistic expression.

“For the past 40 years, I’ve been weaving entertainment and art alongside the evolution of cutting-edge digital technology. I’m a creator on the ‘digital side.’ DEATH STRANDING was also shot and produced using technologies developed for Avatar.”

As the mind behind Death Stranding, Kojima has spent decades pushing interactive storytelling forward, often standing at the crossroads of entertainment, art, and tech innovation.

In a creative landscape increasingly shaped by AI debates and digital backlash, Kojima also used his post to defend the human craftsmanship behind CG-heavy productions

“Lately, films shot entirely in analog, without CG or VFX, have been increasingly praised. Even movies shot on film are celebrated, while digital works are sometimes dismissed with comments like, ‘Anyone can make it easily if it’s digital.’ But that is a serious misunderstanding. CG works are also created by people. Countless actors, artists, and programmers pour their thoughts and passion into them, breathing life into the work.”

That appreciation for the people behind the pixels is something Kojima has long championed, and Fire and Ash reinforced that belief. He wrapped up his thoughts by acknowledging the emotional boost the film gave him as a creator.

“Today, this film gave me renewed pride and courage as we look toward the future. It made me feel positive again about continuing to pursue new things using digital technology. Thank you, James Cameron.”

Over the past year, the legendary developer has been unusually open about his age, his health, and the pressure he feels to keep creating. In a previously he admitted the clock is very much on his mind.

“I feel nervous. I feel rushed. I still have a lot of things I want to do – that I need to do.”

He even revealed he keeps a USB drive filled with game ideas, just in case he doesn’t get the chance to make them himself.

Thankfully, Kojima isn’t slowing down. He’s currently juggling multiple ambitious projects, including Physint and OD, the latter starring Sophia Lillis and Hunter Schafer.

If his reaction to Fire and Ash is any indication, Cameron’s film seems to have reignited his drive to keep experimenting, to keep challenging how technology and storytelling intersect in games.