Hideo Kojima’s games have always had an eclectic cast of characters. From the dweebish intelligence of Otacon in the Metal Gear Solid series to the brooding hero Sam Porter Bridges in Death Stranding, I’ve seen a lot of standout personalities across his games. But of them all, my new favorite has got to be Dollman.
He’s the perfect companion in a game that thrives on its solo experience. He’s the Mimir to Sam’s Kratos. Whenever I bring this little guy along, I always feel like I’m not completely alone, despite the many player structures and lovecraftian horrors that populate the world.
Yes, Dollman is meant to be a comic relief who loves to break the fourth wall, but he also comes with a surprisingly dark backstory. It’s not something I’d casually explain without diving into spoilers, but to put it simply: Dollman is Dollman because his soul is trapped in a doll’s body. That’s just how it is. And while it sounds absurd, his story is pretty tame compared to the rest of the characters.
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+ 2He actually gets his own dedicated chapter in Death Stranding 2’s 16-episode story. So one could say that there’s more to him than just being decorative or quirky.
And with Kojima’s love for films, Dollman’s appearance is actually modeled after German-Turkish filmmaker Fatih Akin, known for award-winning films like The Edge of Heaven and Head-On. He may look like a caricature of Akin, though he’s not voiced by him.
Jonathan Roumie voices Dollman in English, and honestly, he brings the character to life. His performance is phenomenal. Whenever Dollman’s on screen, I know I’m in for a standout moment. The intentional 14fps animation when he moves always cracks me up, as it’s such a sudden shift in tone that never fails to land.
click to enlarge+ 2As I build roads and increase my Preppers to 5-Stars, Dollman has made my Death Stranding 2: On the Beach journey feel less lonely. Sure, he can be pretty condescending when I accidentally drop my cargo, especially when I’m frantically falling down a snowy mountain after misjudging the terrain.
But I digress, he’s not just a talking doll. He’s pretty useful in combat, too. You can toss Dollman into the air to scout areas, scanning for enemies and threats, and then pull him back instantly. His long wire makes it easy to use this ability again and again. You can even throw him at enemies to stun them momentarily, though he doesn’t love being used that way repeatedly and comments about it to Sam.
What I love most about Dollman is how he feels like Sam’s personal therapist. Even though he’s trapped in a doll’s body, he seems to know a lot about psychoanalysis. He talks to Sam about dreams, nightmares, and the human condition.
In a game filled with darkness and emotional weight, he’s a rare source of levity and wisdom. He never tries to steal the spotlight. He’s just there, helping Sam make sense of the world and easing the pain after a major tragedy.
That’s why Dollman is my new favorite Hideo Kojima character. This little fella has a massive impact on the game’s emotional core. He’s not just a quirky sidekick reminding Sam to take a shower and eat, he’s a constant, comforting presence who helps him survive the long road across Australia by just being a friend.
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