A New ‘Ghost in the Shell’ Anime Series
Motoko Kusanagi and Section 9 return in this latest installment of the franchise, set to air on television in 2026.
In the teaser image, a red Fuchikoma stands behind the heroine Motoko Kusanagi, whose cyborg body is brought to the fore. The visual treatment and atmosphere, paying homage to the original manga, have already drawn significant attention from fans of the series. ©︎2026 Shirow Masamune / KODANSHA / THE GHOST IN THE SHELL COMMITTEE
The original manga was serialized from 1989 to 1990 in the supplement ‘Weekly Young Magazine Kaizokuban’ (Kodansha), then collected in a single volume in 1991. Its appeal remains undiminished to this day. © Masamune Shirow / Kodansha
Following the initial announcement in May 2024, it was confirmed that production on a new Ghost in the Shell work began in April 2025, with the television series scheduled for broadcast in 2026.
Animation production is entrusted to Science SARU. The studio’s recent works, such as Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, DanDaDan, and SANDA, demonstrate an approach that balances deep respect for the original material with a freely inventive expansion of the story, expressed through a striking visual palette and meticulous composition. This unique method merges fidelity and reinvention, blending a profound attachment to the source with the production team’s exacting standards.
Direction is handled by Moko-chan, for whom this marks a debut as lead director. Previously, he served as assistant director on the first season of DanDaDan, notably overseeing the storyboard and direction for episode four, as well as the ending animation. He belongs to a new generation of creators distinguished within Science SARU productions, as exemplified by his work on The Heike Story.
Series composition and script are handled by Toh EnJoe, Akutagawa Prize-winning novelist whose work explores science-fiction worlds at the crossroads of history, religion, and philosophy. He previously held similar roles on the animated television series Godzilla Singular Point.
The convergence of a new generation of animation creators, a science-fiction writer exploring possible futures, and a studio renowned for its distinctive visual language gives rise to a next-generation Ghost in the Shell. The moment to experience this world is now approaching.
Below are several original drawings from materials still in production, a selection of which has been made public. Other sketches hint at an approach noticeably different from previous animated adaptations: members of Section 9 are depicted with more nuanced, emotional expressions, while the combat scenes unfold with a dynamic that fills the entire screen.
Major Motoko Kusanagi, field commander of Section 9, displaying an energetic expression. ©︎2026 Shirow Masamune / KODANSHA / THE GHOST IN THE SHELL COMMITTEE
Daisuke Aramaki, leader of Section 9, observing the situation on the ground. ©︎2026 Shirow Masamune / KODANSHA / THE GHOST IN THE SHELL COMMITTEE
The Fuchikoma, a multi-legged autonomous tank equipped with artificial intelligence, indispensable for both infiltration missions and combat operations. ©︎2026 Shirow Masamune / KODANSHA / THE GHOST IN THE SHELL COMMITTEE
Advanced technologization, the rise of artificial intelligence, and the redefinition of human roles: these are among the pressing issues that have emerged in recent years. Ghost in the Shell may well offer a lens through which to examine them. ©︎2026 Shirow Masamune / KODANSHA / THE GHOST IN THE SHELL COMMITTEE