Photo courtesy of THE GHOST IN THE SHELL -Promotion Team. ©2026 Shirow Masamune/KODANSHA/THE GHOST IN THE SHELL COMMITTEE

 

THE GHOST IN THE SHELL -Promotion Team has provided SciFi Japan with press notes, promotional artwork and images from the highly-anticipated new anime series, THE GHOST IN THE SHELL (攻殻機動隊, Kōkaku Kidōtai). The show will premiere internationally July 7, 2026, on Prime Video.

The following text is courtesy of THE GHOST IN THE SHELL -Promotion Team...

Photo courtesy of THE GHOST IN THE SHELL -Promotion Team. ©2026 Shirow Masamune/KODANSHA/THE GHOST IN THE SHELL COMMITTEE

INTRODUCTION

The Legendary Cyberpunk Saga Returns
A Brand-New Anime Series Produced by Science SARU

“Ghost in the Shell” is a landmark work of cyberpunk science fiction set in a near-future when information networks envelop the world and highly advanced cyborg augmentation technology has enabled the creation of the cyberbrain. Featuring an innovative, one-of-a-kind sci-fi world combined with spectacular visual imagery, the series has had an immeasurable cultural impact and influenced countless creators around the world. Since Masamune Shirow first introduced the original manga in in 1989, the franchise has evolved through various animated works and even a Hollywood live-action adaptation, building a massive legacy that has influenced countless creators around the world.

The new TV anime series, THE GHOST IN THE SHELL, is the latest chapter in this storied legacy. It is directed by Mokochan, making his directorial debut after serving as assistant director on titles like DAN DA DAN (ダンダダン, 2024-). The script is handled by acclaimed science fiction author EnJoe Toh, known for works like Self-Reference ENGINE (2007) and for his work on GODZILLA SINGULAR POINT (ゴジラ S.P ＜シンギュラポイント＞, Gojira S.P < Shingyura Pointo >, 2021). Character design and executive animation direction are handled by Shuhei Handa, known for Netflix's SCOTT PILGRIM TAKES OFF (2023) and SPRIGGAN (スプリガン, Supurigan, 2022). Animation production is by Science SARU, known for internationally acclaimed works such as the Golden Globe-nominated film INU-OH, the Shanghai International Film Festival Best Animation Award-winning THE COLORS WITHIN (きみの色, Kimi no Iro, 2024), and the TV anime DAN DA DAN.

 

What is the “Ghost in the Shell” SeriesPhoto courtesy of THE GHOST IN THE SHELL -Promotion Team. © Shirow Masamune/KODANSHA

In May 1989, Masamune Shirow began serializing The Ghost in the Shell in Young Magazine Kaizokuban (ヤングマガジン増刊 海賊版, Yangu Magajin Zōkan Kaizokuban). The story follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, cyborg leader of Section 9, combating cyberterrorism. The series features cyberpunk elements and philosophical themes, and explores the fusion of humans and technology, identity, and consciousness. It has influenced creators worldwide and been adapted multiple times.

 

Adaptations

◼Directed by Mamoru Oshii

・GHOST IN THE SHELL (1995) Animated Film|
・GHOST IN THE SHELL 2: INNOCENCE (イノセンス, Inosensu, 2004) Animated Film

◼Directed by Kenji Kamiyama
・GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX (攻殻機動隊 STAND ALONE COMPLEX, Kōkaku Kidōtai STAND ALONE COMPLEX, 2002) TV Animation

・GHOST IN THE SHELL: S.A.C. 2nd GIG (攻殻機動隊 S.A.C. 2nd GIG, Kōkaku Kidōtai S.A.C. 2nd GIG, 2004) TV Animation

・GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX – SOLID STATE SOCIETY (攻殻機動隊 STAND ALONE COMPLEX Solid State Society, Kōkaku Kidōtai STAND ALONE COMPLEX Solid State Society, 2006) OVA
・GHOST IN THE SHELL: SAC_2045 (攻殻機動隊 SAC_2045, Kōkaku Kidōtai SAC_2045, 2020-22) Netflix

◼Directed by Kazuchika Kise × Written by Tow Ubukata

・GHOST IN THE SHELL: ARISE (攻殻機動隊ARISE, Kōkaku Kidōtai ARISE, 2013-15) OVA
・GHOST IN THE SHELL: THE NEW MOVIE (攻殻機動隊 新劇場版, Kōkaku Kidōtai Shin Gekijō-ban, 2015) Animated Film

◼Other
・GHOST IN THE SHELL (1997) PlayStation

・GHOST IN THE SHELL (2017) Feature Film|

Photos courtesy of THE GHOST IN THE SHELL -Promotion Team. ©1995 Shirow Masamune/KODANSHA, Bandai Visual, Manga Entertainment ©2004 Shirow Masamune/KODANSHA, IG, ITNDDTD ©Shirow Masamune, Production I.G /KODANSHA, Ghost in the Shell Production Committee ©Shirow Masamune, Production I.G /KODANSHA,, Ghost in the Shell: Arise Production Committee ©Shirow Masamune, Production I.G /KODANSHA,, Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Production Committee

 

Photo courtesy of THE GHOST IN THE SHELL -Promotion Team. ©2026 Shirow Masamune/KODANSHA/THE GHOST IN THE SHELL COMMITTEE

PLOT

The year is 2029. In near-future Japan, where the world has become highly information-intensive, with a vast corporate network covering the planet, electrons and light pulsing through it. But the nation-state and ethnic groups still survive.

Motoko Kusanagi, a full-body cyborg, leads an elite combat unit, including Batou. While commanding her team, Kusanagi envisions the creation of a specialized task force to preemptively strike against emerging threats.

Meanwhile, Daisuke Aramaki of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, who had been planning to establish a similar unit, recruited Kusanagi and her team. Together, they begin operations as Public Security Section 9—an offensive tactical unit known as “Shell Squad.”

As they confront complex cybercrimes and international conspiracies, the existence of a mysterious, unidentified hacker known as The “Puppet Master” emerges on the horizon of their investigation.

What fate awaits Kusanagi? And what is the Puppet Master’s true objective? A new era of cyberpunk action begins.

 

Photo courtesy of THE GHOST IN THE SHELL -Promotion Team. ©2026 Shirow Masamune/KODANSHA/THE GHOST IN THE SHELL COMMITTEE

CHARACTERS

Photo courtesy of THE GHOST IN THE SHELL -Promotion Team. ©2026 Shirow Masamune/KODANSHA/THE GHOST IN THE SHELL COMMITTEE

■Motoko Kusanagi

A full-body cyborg with exceptional combat and cyberbrain skills. Following a military restructuring, she joined Public Security Section 9 at Aramaki's request to lead the “Shell Squad” as its tactical commander. 

  

Photo courtesy of THE GHOST IN THE SHELL -Promotion Team. ©2026 Shirow Masamune/KODANSHA/THE GHOST IN THE SHELL COMMITTEE

■Daisuke Aramaki

Public Security Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs. He recruited Kusanagi’s team to form the “Shell Squad,” the offensive unit he envisioned. A master of political intrigue and the strategic brain of Public Security Section 9.

 

Photo courtesy of THE GHOST IN THE SHELL -Promotion Team. ©2026 Shirow Masamune/KODANSHA/THE GHOST IN THE SHELL COMMITTEE

■Batou

A former Ranger with prosthetic eyes. An elite combatant and electronic warfare expert, he is the unit’s second-in-command and occasionally serves as an instructor at the training academy.

 

Photo courtesy of THE GHOST IN THE SHELL -Promotion Team. ©2026 Shirow Masamune/KODANSHA/THE GHOST IN THE SHELL COMMITTEE

■Togusa

A former detective recruited by Kusanagi. Despite having a cyberbrain, his body is mostly organic. He is the unit’s only married man and a rookie who favors using a revolver.

 

Photo courtesy of THE GHOST IN THE SHELL -Promotion Team. ©2026 Shirow Masamune/KODANSHA/THE GHOST IN THE SHELL COMMITTEE

■Fuchikoma

AI “think tanks” used by the unit. They can be piloted by squad members or function autonomously. They are equipped with thermal optical camo and wire launchers. 

 

Photo courtesy of THE GHOST IN THE SHELL -Promotion Team. ©2026 Shirow Masamune/KODANSHA/THE GHOST IN THE SHELL COMMITTEE

STAFF PROFILES 

Photo courtesy of THE GHOST IN THE SHELL -Promotion Team.

■Director: Mokochan

Studied under director Masaaki Yuasa as an assistant director along with Fuga Yamashiro. He worked as storyboarder and episode director on THE HEIKE STORY (平家物語, Heike Monogatari, 2022), THE TATAMI TIME MACHINE BLUES (四畳半タイムマシンブルース, Yojōhan Taimu Mashin Burūsu, 2022) and SCOTT PILGRIM TAKES OFF; he also storyboarded and directed the opening of SPTO. On DAN DA DAN (season 1), he served as assistant director, in addition to storyboarding and directing both an episode and the ending animation. This animated TV series THE GHOST IN THE SHELL marks his debut as director.

 

 

 

 

 

 

■Script: EnJoe Toh

Born in Sapporo in 1972, he made his debut as a writer with 2007’s Self-Reference ENGINE, which went on to win a special citation at the Phillip K. Dick Awards.

His writings have won many awards: Harlequin's Butterfly won the Akutagawa Prize, The Empire of Corpses (co-written with Project Itoh) won the Nihon SF Taisho Special Award, Mojika won the Kawabata Yasunari Prize for Literature and Nihon SF Taisho Prize, and Code Buddha won the Yomiuri Prize for Literature. He handled scripts and SF advising on the animated series GODZILLA SINGULAR POINT, and he also works as a translator. Some of his translations include Charles Yu’s How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe, Lafcadio Hearn’s Kwaidan (into Japanese), and Ugetsu Monogatari (into modern Japanese).

 Photo courtesy of THE GHOST IN THE SHELL -Promotion Team.

■Character Design & Executive Animation Director: Shuhei Handa

Born in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka in 1984. Originally an employee at Gainax, he is currently a freelance animator at TRIGGER.

After participating in LITTLE WITCH ACADEMIA (リトルウィッチアカデミア, Ritoru Witchi Akademia, 2013, Anime Mirai version), KILL la KILL (キルラキル, Kiru Ra Kiru, 2013~2014), ONE-PUNCH MAN (ワンパンマン, Wanpanman, 2015), and SPACE PATROL LULUCO (宇宙パトロールルル子, Uchū Patorōru Ruruko, 2016), he served as character designer and chief animation director on LITTLE WITCH ACADEMIA (2017, TV series). Continuing to further branch out, he served as character designer on SPRIGGAN and SCOTT PILGRIM TAKES OFF, but his battle continues...

 

 

 

 

 

 Photo courtesy of THE GHOST IN THE SHELL -Promotion Team.

■Anime Producer (Science SARU): Shuhei Shindo

 Photo courtesy of THE GHOST IN THE SHELL -Promotion Team.

■Manga Editor (Kodansha): Takeshi Katsurada

Photo courtesy of THE GHOST IN THE SHELL -Promotion Team.

■Producer (Bandai Namco Filmworks): Kengo Abe