The 1995 sci-fi classic Ghost in the Shell has enjoyed an enduring legacy, and the upcoming reboot from Science Saru (Dandandan, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off) continues to reinforce its timeless nature. Following an announcement post last May, The Ghost in the Shell is gearing up for its 2026 premiere with a second teaser trailer that brings a stylish cyberpunk flair to various concept art and storyboard visuals.
Mokochan, assistant director of Dandadan, will make his directorial debut on the brand-new anime series, while acclaimed sci-fi novelist Toh EnJoe (Space Dandy, Godzilla Singular Point) serves as a scriptwriter and series composer. Shuhei Handa (Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, Spriggan), who pulls double duty as character designer and chief animation director, also revealed an official illustration of Major Makoto Kusanagi in a new retro aesthetic:
The upcoming show marks the first anime instalment for the franchise since 2020’s Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045. Science Saru is joined by Bandai Namco Filmworks, Kodansha, and Production I.G. on the production committee for the reboot, which sports the following synopsis:
“Deep into the twenty-first century, the line between man and machine has been inexorably blurred as humans rely on the enhancement of mechanical implants and robots are upgraded with human tissue. In this rapidly converging landscape, cyborg superagent Major Motoko Kusanagi is charged to track down the craftiest and most dangerous terrorists and cybercriminals, including “ghost hackers” who are capable of exploiting the human/machine interface and reprogramming humans to become puppets to carry out the hackers’ criminal ends. When Major Kusanagi tracks the cybertrail of one such master hacker, the Puppeteer, her quest leads her into a world beyond information and technology where the very nature of consciousness and the human soul are turned upside down.“
As part of the announcement, original manga artist Masamune Shirow shared a comment on X/Twitter: “Considering the shift in production staff, one could even consider this the first instalment of a second generation. The original manga is quite old, so I ask for your understanding on that point (sorry!). That said, I sincerely hope this will once again be an enjoyable visual experience in some form.
Of the various adaptations over the years, Mamoru’s Oshii’s original animated feature remains the most popular, and is considered one of the best sci-fi movies of all time. The manga was published in 1989, introducing fans to Public Security Section 9, a counter-cyberterrorist organisation led by Major Mokoto Kusanagi. It went on to spawn four more manga entries, five animated films, a live-action adaptation featuring Scarlett Johansson, and four anime series.
The Ghost in the Shell debuts sometime in 2026.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
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