“I gave him a nickname. I call him Refn-chan. I have the best relationship with Refn-chan.”
When a listener requested Nicolas Winding Refn on the podcast, Kojima described the intimacy of their bond: he gave him the nickname Refn-chan and said Refn is perhaps the person he is closest to among creators. They message each other about every two days, sending silly content mostly in pictures, videos and emojis — selfies and things to brag about, such as when Refn buys a new Japanese anime, after which Kojima sends items to try to top him and Refn responds with more. Kojima said the exchanges are not deep or socially themed but mainly bragging and updates. On inviting Refn, Kojima reported that Refn himself said he wants to come and Kojima believes he would accept immediately, offering to ask him.
“He sends me messages like every other day. Silly ones too. […] Like when he buys a new Japanese anime or something. So I send him stuff to try and top him, and then he sends me more stuff. […] Mostly just bragging and whatnot.”