Waifu in Hideo Kojima's game goes viral

A curious clip of "Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain" has gained popularity on social networks, showing the protagonist Venom Snake using one of his iconic cardboard boxes to hide from his enemies. However, what has captured the public's attention is not the box itself, but its decoration: a poster of an anime girl that has generated funny and nostalgic reactions among players, who have shared the clip with comments such as: "Hideo Kojima was really ahead of his time".

The girl in the poster is an illustration of Paz Ortega Andrade, one of the characters in the franchise. Although the anime-style illustration doesn't exactly depict Paz, you can notice the similarity in color and hairstyle, evoking the original character in an ingenious way. This version of Paz is found in two collectible posters in the game, and by using them, Venom Snake can attract soldiers specialized in certain abilities, a strategic detail that has added a humorous touch to the context of the viral clip.

The inclusion of these posters also works as a nod to otaku culture and the work of Mino Taro, the illustrator behind "LovePlus," another Konami game. His signature can be seen on the posters within the game, adding a touch of authenticity to this internal reference. Also, in a curious interaction in the Diamond Dogs base of operations, if the player repeatedly removes the posters of Paz, a random soldier will exclaim, "Hey, who keeps taking down my posters? Those cost a lot!", referring to the sentimental value that these small details have for the characters within the game.

These types of elements and humorous details are one of the hallmarks of Hideo Kojima, the creator of the Metal Gear saga. Kojima is known for including cultural references and small "easter eggs" that expand the player's experience and connect them to aspects of everyday life and pop culture. The recent viralization of this clip is a reminder of how Metal Gear Solid continues to resonate in the community, even years after its release.

Source: Twitter