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Ghost in the Shell
Science SARU's Ghost in the Shell: THE GHOST IN THE SHELL finished its 10-episode run on September 8, 2026, with the finale airing on Kantele and Fuji TV and streaming on Prime Video. The franchise is now in a merchandise cycle spanning December 2026 candy toys, the ONLINE PARCO exhibition goods sale, and an ongoing re-release of Kotobukiya's Stand Alone Complex Tachikoma model.
Synthesized from 30
Yomimono stories · updated
2d ago
Science SARU's adaptation of Masamune Shirow's first volume ran ten episodes on Kansai TV and Fuji TV, finishing September 8. The finale put Motoko Kusanagi, in a brain-only state after losing her prosthetic body, against the Puppeteer, and the episode aired on Kantele and Fuji TV with same-night streaming on Prime Video. Episode 8 had already confirmed that Section 6 developed Project 2501, an anime-original expansion of the AI's origins. Across the run, reviewers singled out the collaborative soundtrack from Taisei Iwasaki, Ryo Konishi, and Yuki Kanesaka, while the subtitled version's failure to translate on-screen text drew criticism in an episode 6 review that otherwise rated the installment 4.6.
The series reworked details from the source. Episode 9 renamed the manga's real nations, Israel to Gerantl and Russia to Volgarena. Episode 7 introduced the Puppeteer with Kikuko Inoue voicing the character, a departure from the 1995 film's male portrayal. ANN readers ranked the show second for the week of August 12 to 18, behind Saga of the Tanya the Evil II. King Gnu's opening theme GO GHOST was digitally released July 29 and passed one million domestic streams on its first day.
With the broadcast done, merchandise is the main channel. Epoch ships two December 14 lines: Nikoichi! Clear Sticker Gum and a foil-stamped Square Coaster Gum set, both with 20 types built around the TV anime. A Ghost in the Shell Exhibition ran at Tokyo NODE from January 30 to April 5, drew 110,000 visitors across Tokyo and Hyogo, and sends a selection of goods to ONLINE PARCO on September 28. Kotobukiya's 1/35 Tachikoma kit returns in April 2027, and Bandai Spirits' S.H.Figuarts Motoko ships in January 2027. Kodansha and Dentsu now route Americas brand licensing for Ghost in the Shell alongside Attack on Titan and Blue Lock.
Key facts
- Series finale
- The TV anime finished its final episode on September 8, 2026, streaming on Prime Video and other services. ↗
- Episode count
- The run is 10 episodes, airing Tuesdays at 23:00 on Kansai TV and Fuji TV's Fire Animebaru!! slot. ↗
- Studio
- Science SARU produced the adaptation, which covers Masamune Shirow's first volume. ↗
- Soundtrack
- The score is a collaboration from Taisei Iwasaki, Ryo Konishi, and Yuki Kanesaka. ↗
- Puppeteer voice
- Kikuko Inoue voices the Puppeteer, who debuts in episode 7. ↗
- English dub lead
- Suzie Yeung voices Kusanagi in the English dub. ↗
- Opening theme
- King Gnu's GO GHOST is the opening theme; it was digitally released on July 29 and passed one million domestic streams on its first day. ↗
- Exhibition attendance
- The Ghost in the Shell Exhibition drew 110,000 visitors across Tokyo and Hyogo. ↗
- Americas licensing
- Kodansha and Dentsu signed a partnership covering brand use of Ghost in the Shell in the Americas, alongside Attack on Titan and Blue Lock. ↗
- Tachikoma model re-release
- Kotobukiya's 1/35 scale Tachikoma kit from Stand Alone Complex is scheduled for release in April 2027 at 4,950 yen. ↗
Timeline
- Sep 25, 2026 Kodansha And Dentsu Open Americas Brand Deals For Three Titles
- Sep 24, 2026 Ghost in the Shell Nikoichi! Clear Sticker Gum Ships With 20 Types
- Sep 22, 2026 Ghost in the Shell Coaster Gum Set Includes 20 Foil-Stamped Types
- Sep 21, 2026 Ghost in the Shell: THE GHOST IN THE SHELL Gets Amazon Merch on Demand Designs
- Sep 19, 2026 Kyomafu 2026 Report Lists Gabriel, Mash and Nabeshima Ware Tachikoma on Display
- Sep 14, 2026 Ghost in the Shell Exhibition Goods Go on Sale at ONLINE PARCO
- Sep 11, 2026 ANIAFF Returns in November with Kenji Kamiyama All-Night Retrospective
- Sep 10, 2026 Aichi Nagoya Film Festival Adds Kenji Kamiyama All-Night Feature
- Sep 9, 2026 Ghost in the Shell Anime Closes Out With a Soundtrack Built for Repeat Listening
- Sep 7, 2026 Ghost in the Shell Finale Stills Show Motoko and the Puppeteer Face Off
- Sep 7, 2026 Actor and Voice Actor Toru Shinagawa Dies at 90
- Sep 7, 2026 R WEAR Teams With Ghost in the Shell TV Anime for Limited Recovery Wear
- Sep 2, 2026 Ghost in the Shell Episode 9 Puts Kusanagi on Trial and Sets up Her Escape
- Sep 1, 2026 Ghost in the Shell Disaster Backpack Puts Solar Power and Starlink in One Bag
- Aug 29, 2026 Dynabook Unveils Ghost in the Shell S.A.C. Model Laptop
- Aug 28, 2026 New Ghost in the Shell Anime Casts Chikahiro Kobayashi as Lee
- Aug 28, 2026 Ghost in the Shell Episode 8 Expands Project 2501 Origins
- Aug 28, 2026 Ghost in the Shell Episode 8 Preview: Motoko Senses the Puppeteer
- Aug 21, 2026 ANN Readers Rank Saga of Tanya the Evil II Top for Week of August 12-18
- Aug 20, 2026 Kotobukiya Re-Releases Tachikoma Plastic Model With Motoko Kusanagi and Batou Figures
- Aug 20, 2026 Ghost in the Shell SAC Tachikoma Model Returns With Motoko and Batou Figures
- Aug 19, 2026 Ghost in the Shell Episode 7 Adapts Shirow's Consciousness Thesis
- Aug 19, 2026 Ghost in the Shell Episode 7 Debuts the Puppeteer, Voiced by Kikuko Inoue
- Aug 18, 2026 Ghost in the Shell Anime Releases Episode 7 Scene Photos
- Aug 16, 2026 Ghost in the Shell: The Ghost in the Shell Motoko Kusanagi Joins S.H.Figuarts Line
- Aug 15, 2026 King Gnu's 'GO GHOST' Carries the Ethnic Sound of 'Ghost in the Shell'
- Aug 15, 2026 Science SARU Director Abel Gongora on Tentai no Jardugal's New Expression
- Aug 14, 2026 Ghost in the Shell Exhibition Shows Franchise's Full Reach
- Aug 14, 2026 Ghost in the Shell Episode 6 Review: Kusanagi's Cold Brutality
- Aug 12, 2026 King Gnu Opens YouTube Station Page With 24-Hour Video Stream
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself
sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every
fact links the story it came from.
Facts
- Announced
- Nabeshima Ware Tachikoma on display at Kyomafu 2026 · 2026-09-19
- Announced
- collaboration backpack with BUNKER · 2026-09-01
- Announced
- original soundtrack release on September 9, 2026 · 2026-07-15
- Announced
- two-disc vinyl edition release on September 30, 2026 · 2026-07-15
- Announced
- soundtrack streaming availability starting September 9 · 2026-07-15
- Announced
- Science SARU adaptation · 2026-05-20
- Release
- tv · 2026-09-09 · 2026-09-09
- Release
- tv · 2026-07-07 · 2026-08-28
- Release
- tv · July 2026 · 2026-07-18
- Release
- tv · July 7, 2026 · 2026-05-20
- Release
- tv · July 8, 2026 · 2026-07-16
- Release
- tv · 2026-07 · Japan · 2026-07-15
- Release
- tv · 2026-07-10 · 2026-07-10
- Release
- tv · July 7 · Japan · 2026-07-09
- Release
- tv · 2026-08-28 · 2026-08-28
- Release
- tv · 2026-08-19 · 2026-08-19
- Noted
- Episode 9 puts Kusanagi on trial for manslaughter. · 2026-09-02
- Noted
- Aramaki and Batou back Kusanagi's escape. · 2026-09-02
- Noted
- The adaptation renames real nations to avoid controversy. · 2026-09-02
- Noted
- a commercial for the backpack will air during the Ghost in the Shell anime broadcast on Fuji TV at 11 p.m. the same day. · 2026-09-01
- Noted
- Episode 7 scene photos and visuals released · 2026-08-18
- Noted
- based on the original 1989 manga · 2026-08-10
- Noted
- aims for a retro future feel · 2026-08-10
- Noted
- AI the most relevant theme, presented as neither positive nor negative · 2026-08-10
- Noted
- deliberately avoid modernizing its source material · 2026-08-10
- Noted
- leaning into a retro-future aesthetic · 2026-08-10
- Noted
- matches the original manga's 1989 setting · 2026-08-10
- Noted
- official watch released · 2026-08-10
- Noted
- The series is streaming worldwide · 2026-07-15
- Noted
- The score is composed by Taisei Iwasaki, Ryo Konishi, and Yuki Kanesaka · 2026-07-15
- Noted
- The soundtrack jacket features a new illustration by tarou2 from Science SARU · 2026-07-15
- Noted
- First-press CD copies come in special packaging · 2026-07-15
- Noted
- the first direct cel-animated adaptation of Shirow's manga stories rather than a reinterpretation · 2026-05-20
- Noted
- The Ghost in the Shell and Goodbye, Lara close behind in the top three · 2026-08-21
- Noted
- Episode 7 adapts most of manga chapter nine, introducing the Puppet Master as a new form of intelligence born within the net. · 2026-08-19
- Licensed by
- Amazon Prime Video (Japan) · 2026-08-04
- Licensed by
- DMM TV (Japan) · 2026-07-16
- Licensed by
- U-NEXT (Japan) · 2026-07-16
- Licensed by
- dAnime Store (Japan) · 2026-07-16
- Licensed by
- Netflix (Japan) · 2026-07-16
Connections
- Voice cast of
- aya hisakawa, niina kumagaya, maaya sakamoto, kazuhiro yamaji, hiroki yasumoto, yuichi nakamura, chikahiro kobayashi, kenichi ogata, masashi ebara, suzie yeung, sungwon cho
Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/ghost-in-the-shell.
CC BY 4.0.
Claim activity
When a claim about Ghost in the Shell was confirmed, debunked, or disputed against
open-web sources. The record stays even after a claim drops off the facts list.
- Confirmed tv 2026-09-09 9h ago · source
- Confirmed tv July 8, 2026 9h ago · source
- Confirmed tv 2026-08-05 9h ago · source
- Disputed tv 2026-09-09 Sep 19 · source
- Confirmed tv July 2026 Sep 12 · source
- Confirmed platform: DMM TV; region: Japan Sep 12 · source
- Disputed tv July 8, 2026 Sep 12 · source
- Confirmed two-disc vinyl edition release on September 30, 2026 Sep 11 · source
- Confirmed original soundtrack release on September 9, 2026 Sep 11 · source
- Confirmed tv 2026-07 Japan Sep 11 · source
- Confirmed tv 2026-07-10 Sep 11 · source
- Confirmed tv July 7 Japan Sep 11 · source
All coverage
2d ago
Kodansha and Dentsu have signed a partnership that gives marketers across the Americas access to three of the publisher's anime and manga properties: Attack on Titan, Ghost in the Shell, and Blue Lock. Dentsu is the primary contact for brands that want to use the Kodansha-owned intellectual property in advertising campaigns, sponsorships, promotional work, and fan events across the region. Cartoon Brew reported the agreement on September 24, 2026. OtakuKart Anime followed on September 25, 2026, describing the three franchises as globally recognized and framing the deal as a route to advertising campaigns and fan-focused experiences in the Americas. The arrangement covers promotional use of Kodansha IP. It does not name specific partner brands, campaign dates, or the terms of the agreement. The three titles are the only Kodansha properties the reports name.
3d ago
Epoch (Eftoys) will release Nikoichi! Clear Sticker Gum for the TV anime Ghost in the Shell: The Ghost in the Shell on December 14, 2026. Each pillow bag holds one sheet of two peel-and-stick stickers and one piece of gum, sold blind. The lineup has 20 types: Motoko Kusanagi, Daisuke Aramaki, Batou, Togusa, and Fuchikoma, plus three key visuals and 12 scene shots. A 20-piece box contains all 20 types.
5d ago
EPOCH will release the TV Anime 'Ghost in the Shell: THE GHOST IN THE SHELL' Square Coaster Gum on Monday, December 14, 2026. The set has 20 types: character designs of Motoko Kusanagi, Batou, Togusa, and Fuchikoma, plus 3 key visuals and 13 scene shots. All types have foil stamping. Each pack is 110 yen, and a 20-piece box that contains all 20 types is 2,200 yen.
6d ago
The TV anime Ghost in the Shell: THE GHOST IN THE SHELL finished its final episode on September 8 and is streaming on Prime Video and other services. Amazon Merch on Demand has revealed new exclusive designs for official apparel and goods: Opening, Jumping Fuchikoma, Motoko2, and All Character. T-shirts, pullover hoodies, and smartphone cases go on sale September 9, with more designs planned.
Sep 19
Kyomafu 2026 runs September 19 and 20 at Miyako Messe and ROHM Theatre Kyoto, with the Kyoto International Manga Museum as a second venue. Displays include a life-size Gabriel from Rakuen Tsuiho: Kokoro no Resonance, a Nabeshima Ware Ghost in the Shell Tachikoma, and Anis from Goddess of Victory: NIKKE in kimono at the Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts. FGO's Mash [Paladin] life-size figure, JOJOLands original artwork, and Nogizaka46 member standees are also on display, with Love Live! and My Dress-Up Darling figures taking preorders.
Sep 14
A selection of goods from the Ghost in the Shell Exhibition Ghost and the Shell will go on sale at ONLINE PARCO from 12:00 on September 28, 2026. The lineup includes apparel such as T-shirts and hoodies, plus plush charms, posters, stickers, accessories, a knapsack, a keychain, and a ring notebook. Details on eligible items and sales conditions will be posted on ONLINE PARCO later.
Sep 11
The Aichi Nagoya International Animation Film Festival announced its second edition, running November 13 to 18, 2026, at venues in Nagoya. The all-night program centers on a Kenji Kamiyama retrospective, including The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim and selections from Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, with Kamiyama attending. Honami Yano, whose Eri was selected for Cannes Directors' Fortnight, created the main visual.
Sep 10
The Aichi Nagoya International Animation Film Festival will devote its second all-night screening to director Kenji Kamiyama. The lineup includes The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex episode 12 Tachikoma's Homecoming: The Movie Director's Dream, two episodes of S.A.C. 2nd GIG, and Solid State Society. Kamiyama will speak at a talk event with guest Sanpo Sakai.
Sep 9
The final episode of Science SARU's Ghost in the Shell adaptation wraps the series, covering Masamune Shirow's first volume in a concise runtime. The review highlights the collaborative soundtrack from Taisei Iwasaki, Ryo Konishi, and Yuki Kanesaka, alongside the episode's closing track by Yuki Kanesaka, as a highlight of the production.
Sep 7
Advance stills for the final episode of the Ghost in the Shell TV anime show Motoko, in a brain-only state after losing her prosthetic body, facing the Puppeteer. Episode 10 airs September 8 on Kantele and Fuji TV, with streaming on Prime Video the same night.
Sep 7
Toru Shinagawa, the actor and voice actor known for roles in Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Fancy Lala, and the Fullmetal Alchemist live-action films, died on August 29. He was 90. His agency Knockout announced the death on Monday, stating he had been undergoing treatment for lymphoma. Shinagawa was born in Hokkaido in 1935 and worked across stage, film, television, and voice acting.
Sep 7
R WEAR, the recovery wear line from SapplyM, a Sony Group and M3 joint venture, is releasing a limited collaboration model with the TV anime Ghost in the Shell THE GHOST IN THE SHELL. Pre-orders run September 7 to September 30 on the R WEAR official EC site, with shipping from early December. The black wear carries the anime logo, and a bonus set adds an eye mask and pouch. Prices are 45,000 yen with bonus, 42,000 yen without.
Sep 2
Episode 9 of Ghost in the Shell finds Major Motoko Kusanagi changed since meeting the Puppet Master, colder and more pensive, and on trial for manslaughter in the line of duty. Her boss Aramaki prompts her to escape before the verdict, playing it off as her going rogue while secretly backing her, with Batou in on the ruse. The adaptation renames the manga's real nations, Israel to Gerantl and Russia to Volgarena, to avoid political controversy.
Sep 1
T-Five Project, the company behind the disaster-preparedness brand BUNKER, began accepting reservations on September 1 for a Ghost in the Shell collaboration backpack. The BUNKER SIGNAL PACK THE GHOST IN THE SHELL EDITION is priced at 39,800 yen and is based on the standard SIGNAL PACK, a 25-liter disaster backpack designed to carry power and communication gear. It includes a built-in solar panel and enough space for a Starlink Mini terminal. The collaboration model reflects the visual world of the anime, and each order includes one randomly selected original collection card from a set of five. The release is timed to Japan's Disaster Prevention Day, and a commercial for the backpack will air during the Ghost in the Shell anime broadcast on Fuji TV at 11 p.m. the same day. The concept of carrying power and connectivity mirrors the series' recurring theme of equipment for staying connected.
Aug 29
Dynabook announced the dynabook XPZ Series Ghost in the Shell S.A.C. Model XP/ZAE, a laptop with a design inspired by the cyberpunk anime. It meets the Copilot+ PC standard, includes an Intel Core Ultra 5 226V with a 40TOPS NPU, weighs about 958 grams, and offers up to roughly 30 hours of battery life. Dedicated collaboration wallpapers are preinstalled.
Aug 28
Bandai Namco Filmworks announced that Chikahiro Kobayashi plays Lee in the eighth episode of the new Ghost in the Shell television anime from Science SARU. The staff also shared the episode's end card, illustrated by animator and director Shingo Natsume. The series premiered on July 7 on the new Ka-Anival!! programming block from Kansai TV and Fuji TV.
Aug 28
Episode 8 of Science SARU's Ghost in the Shell adaptation features its most prominent anime-original material so far, expanding on the origins of Project 2501. The episode confirms Section 6 developed the AI, showing its early days and its escape into the wider web, tying into current AI concerns.
Aug 28
The preview cuts and synopsis for Episode 8 of the TV anime "Ghost in the Shell: The Ghost in the Shell," titled "INTERMISSION + BRAIN DRAIN i," have been released. Episode 8 is scheduled to air from 23:00 on August 25, with fastest streaming on Prime Video starting at 24:35 the same day. Due to the Asian Volleyball Championship, the broadcast start time may shift to between 23:00 and 24:05. The synopsis reveals that after diving into the Puppeteer, Motoko awakens and comes to understand the truth of the incident, but she begins to sense the Puppeteer's presence. During an operation to suppress terrorists on a ship, Section 9 advances, but Motoko accidentally shoots and kills the leader. The episode visual is part of a weekly initiative where each episode gets an alternative design poster, with Episode 8's design handled by Cota Kira. The anime airs every Tuesday at 23:00 on Kansai TV and Fuji TV's "Fire Animebaru!!" slot. Other streaming services begin distribution sequentially from August 26 at 24:35. The series has three episodes remaining after this one, making it a 10-episode run.
Aug 21
Anime News Network published its weekly reader rankings for the week of August 12-18. Saga of Tanya the Evil II holds the number one spot, followed by The Ghost in the Shell and Goodbye, Lara. The list covers 38 ranked series based on episode ratings from legally streaming titles in North America.
Aug 20
Kotobukiya is re-releasing the plastic model "Tachikoma with Motoko Kusanagi & Batou" from Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. The 1/35 scale kit features opening hatches, a movable head sensor, and optional parts including a gatling gun and unpainted figures of Batou and Miki. Reservations close September 15, with release scheduled for April 2027 at 4,950 yen.
Aug 20
Kotobukiya is re-releasing its 1/35 scale plastic model of the Tachikoma from Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. The kit includes unpainted figures of Motoko Kusanagi in a riding position, Batou, and Miki, the girl the Tachikoma met. It is scheduled for release in April 2027.
Aug 19
Episode 7 of Science SARU's Ghost in the Shell adapts most of manga chapter nine, introducing the Puppet Master as a new form of intelligence born within the net. Section 9 retrieves a rogue android containing a ghost, which is identified as the Puppet Master. The episode explores consciousness and transhumanism through Kusanagi's surreal odyssey into fractal mindscapes.
Aug 19
Episode 7 of the new Ghost in the Shell anime aired August 18, introducing the Puppeteer, voiced by Kikuko Inoue. Viewers reacted to the character's voice, the return of Willis's branching fingers, and the episode's dense plot, which left many struggling to follow the story.
Aug 18
Scene photos and episode visuals for episode 7 of the TV anime Ghost in the Shell: THE GHOST IN THE SHELL have been released. The episode reveals the Puppeteer inside a robot, demanding political asylum before being seized. The episode's alternative design poster is by Kano Kameda.
Aug 16
Bandai Spirits' S.H.Figuarts line is releasing an action figure of Motoko Kusanagi from the TV anime Ghost in the Shell: The Ghost in the Shell. The figure is based on the new anime's character design and features a flexible articulation system that captures the movements of her full-body prosthetic. It includes four interchangeable face parts, multiple hand options, a Seburo M5 and C-25, a replacement gun holster, and a bangs part with visor. The figure stands about 140mm tall and is made of PVC and ABS. It is priced at 9,900 yen including tax and is scheduled for release in January 2027. Pre-orders are open at retailers including Amazon, AmiAmi, Bic Camera, and Yodobashi Camera. The new anime, produced by Science SARU, has been airing since July. Motoko Kusanagi is voiced by Maaya Sakamoto, with Daisuke Aramaki voiced by Daisuke Yamaji, Batou by Hiroki Yasumoto, and Togusa by Yuichi Nakamura. The figure is designed to pair with the separately sold ROBOT魂 <SIDE GHOST> Tachikoma, which can carry the figure in its rear cockpit.
Aug 15
The TV anime 'Ghost in the Shell: THE GHOST IN THE SHELL' is airing about 30 years after the original manga's release. King Gnu's opening theme 'GO GHOST' opens with an ethnic chorus that signals the franchise's signature sound. The piece traces that sound from Kenji Kawai's 1995 score to Yoko Kanno's work on 'STAND ALONE COMPLEX.'
Aug 15
In an interview with Real Sound Anime, director Abel Gongora and animation producer Mitsuru Triangle discussed Science SARU's approach to the Tentai no Jardugal TV anime. The studio took on the project not to extend its history anime legacy, but to pursue new visual expression. The team consulted Mongolian and Persian experts to balance historical fidelity with animation.
Aug 14
An immersive Ghost in the Shell exhibition ran at Tokyo NODE in Roppongi Hills from January 30 through April 5, covering every major anime iteration of the franchise. The multi-room show featured an interactive Tachikoma, a wrap-around data screen with touchscreen search kiosks, key art posters, and production materials from every major entry. The exhibition plans to open at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art in Kobe this summer.
Aug 14
Anime News Network rates episode 6 of Ghost in the Shell 4.6. The episode adapts the manga chapter 'Dumb Barter' with brutal efficiency, featuring Major Kusanagi under heavy attack, a betrayal, and a revenge-driven antagonist. The review notes the subtitled version fails to translate on-screen text, while the dub handles it.
Aug 12
King Gnu activated YouTube's new Station feature on their official channel on August 7, allowing 24-hour real-time video streaming with chat. The page includes the music video for "GO GHOST," the opening theme for the anime "Ghost in the Shell: THE GHOST IN THE SHELL." The song was digitally released on July 29 and surpassed one million domestic streams on its first day.
Aug 11
Anime News Network's This Week in Anime column examines director Kenji Kamiyama's filmography in light of his new Gundam series, XARX-ZERO, revealed at San Diego Comic-Con. The column traces his path from late-80s background artist on Akira and Kiki's Delivery Service to director of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex and projects tied to Star Wars, Ultraman, and Blade Runner.
Aug 10
At Anime Expo, The Ghost in the Shell director Mokochan and character designer Shūhei Handa discussed the new Science SARU series. Mokochan said it is based on the original 1989 manga and aims for a retro future feel, not modernization. Handa called AI the most relevant theme, presented as neither positive nor negative.
Aug 10
Bandai Namco Filmworks released the advance cuts, synopsis, and episode visual for episode 6 of the TV anime Ghost in the Shell: THE GHOST IN THE SHELL on August 10. Titled DUMB BARTER, the episode is scheduled to first broadcast on August 11 at 23:00 on Kansai TV and the Fuji TV national network in the Hi Anime Bar!! slot, with fastest streaming on Prime Video starting at 23:30 the same day. In the episode, Motoko and her lover are suddenly attacked and taken to the hospital. The suspected culprit is terrorist Soma Toru, who has a connection to Motoko. After leaving the hospital, Motoko and Togusa end up in a fierce battle with an armed group at an abandoned factory. The episode visual was designed by Mizuho Hayashi (maxilla). A special collaboration illustration with the TV anime The Tents of Jardugal, also animated by Science SARU, was released. The illustration, drawn by Jardugal director Abel Gongora, depicts Tachikoma offering Shitara a red flower. Both series began airing in July.
Aug 10
PREMICO released an official Ghost in the Shell watch inspired by Motoko Kusanagi on August 10, 2026. The limited edition of 1,989 mechanical watches features a skeleton dial and case back, a blue dial ring, bullet casing indices, and a Tachikoma-inspired display case. It costs 54,780 yen.
Aug 8
Bandai Spirits is releasing two Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex figures. The S.H.Figuarts Motoko Kusanagi and ROBOT魂 Tachikoma open for preorder at general retailers on August 3, 2026. Both figures ship in January 2027. The Tachikoma's rear cockpit hatch opens to seat the separately sold Motoko figure.
Aug 8
Anime Tokyo Station in Tokyo is hosting the Takayuki Goto Exhibition, Animator 45th Anniversary, from August 8 to October 12. The free event displays original drawings, chief animation director corrections, and panel exhibits covering Goto's career, including work on Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Zillion, and Please Save My Earth.
Aug 6
The official website for the TV anime Ghost in the Shell: The Ghost in the Shell released cast comments and an end card for episode 5, PHANTOM FUND. Aya Hisakawa, voicing Annapurna, and Nina Kumagaya, voicing Unipuma, shared their thoughts. Mahiro Maeda provided the illustration.
Aug 6
The cast and end card for Episode 4 of the TV anime Ghost in the Shell: THE GHOST IN THE SHELL have been revealed. Kenichi Ogata voices Colonel Tonda, and Masashi Ebara voices the president of Banka Seiki. Tetsuya Nishio drew the episode's end card.
Aug 6
The Ghost in the Shell television anime from Science SARU has added Aya Hisakawa and Niina Kumagaya as the Puma sisters, crossover characters from the New Dominion Tank Police anime. The characters appeared in the fifth episode, which aired Tuesday. The staff also shared an end card by Mahiro Maeda.
Aug 5
Anime News Network reviews episode 4 of the Ghost in the Shell adaptation, which adapts the Robot Rondo chapter from Masamune Shirow's manga. The review praises Science SARU's handling of the disturbing content, noting the episode explores themes of dehumanization through discarded sex bots and a child trafficking storyline involving Hanka Precision Instruments.
Aug 5
The TV anime Ghost in the Shell: The Ghost in the Shell has released preview stills, a synopsis, and an episode visual for its fifth episode, titled PHANTOM FUND. The episode is scheduled to air on August 4 at 23:00 in the Hi Anime Bar!! slot on Kansai TV and Fuji TV's national network, with a same-day streaming release on Prime Video at 23:30. In PHANTOM FUND, Motoko and her team head north to monitor the combat cyborg Coil Krasnov. To expose Coil's objectives and the corruption hidden behind Sagawa Electronics' underground factory expansion, Motoko goes to Sagawa Electronics headquarters while Batou and the others head to the underground factory. The episode visual is part of a special initiative that produces alternative-design posters for each episode, with the fifth episode's design by Daiya Tanabe of maxilla. The anime, based on Masamune Shirow's original manga, is directed by Moko-chan, with series composition and scripts by SF novelist Tow Ubukata, character design by Shuhei Handa, and animation production by Science SARU.
Aug 4
Bandai Namco Filmworks announced two new cast members for The Ghost in the Shell television anime from Science SARU on Thursday. Kenichi Ogata voices Col. Tonoda, and Masashi Ebara voices the president of Hanka Precision Instruments company. Both characters appeared in the anime's fourth episode, which aired on Tuesday. The staff also shared an end card for the episode, illustrated by animator Tetsuya Nishio, known for his work on Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. The anime premiered on July 7 on the Ka-Anival!! programming block on Kansai TV and Fuji TV, airing Tuesday nights at 11:00 p.m. JST. It began streaming on Amazon Prime Video Japan the same day, and is available simultaneously on Prime Video in over 240 countries and regions, excluding mainland China, Russia, and Vietnam. The first two episodes screened at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June and at Anime Expo on July 4. The series marks Mokochan's directorial debut, with Toh Enjoe writing and overseeing scripts, and Shuhei Handa designing characters and serving as chief animation director.
Jul 22
Science SARU's new Ghost in the Shell anime adaptation, directed by Mokochan, covers the first three episodes with a faithful but frenetic approach. The series bursts with light, color, and an eclectic jazz soundtrack, offering a stark contrast to Mamoru Oshii's 1995 film. New viewers may find the dense information overwhelming, but the result is a kinetic and entertaining experience.
Jul 22
The latest TV anime adaptation of Masamune Shirow's manga, Ghost in the Shell: The Ghost in the Shell, has released cast details and an end card for its third episode. Akio Otsuka voices Colonel Mares in Episode 3, titled JUNK JUNGLE ii + MEGATECH MACHINE i + ii, which began airing and streaming on July 21. Otsuka commented that the series was created under the concept of keeping the original flavor intact, and he expressed his love for the Ghost in the Shell franchise. The episode also features an end card illustrated by Kunio Okawara. The series is produced by Science SARU, with direction by Mocochin and series composition and script by Tow Ubukata. Maaya Sakamoto stars as Motoko Kusanagi, with Hiroki Yasumoto as Batou and Yuichi Nakamura as Togusa. The anime airs on Kantele and Fuji TV's Hi Anime!! slot on Tuesdays at 11:00 PM, and streams on Prime Video and other services. The story is set in 2029 and follows Public Security Section 9 as they confront cyber crimes and the mysterious hacker known as the Puppet Master.
Jul 18
JINS has released a collaboration eyewear line with the TV anime Ghost in the Shell, including a limited edition of 1,000 electronic light-adjusting sunglasses. The collection also includes two models of optical glasses inspired by goggles from the series. The eyewear launched on July 16, 2026, at select JINS stores and online.
Jul 16
The 2026 TV anime Ghost in the Shell: The Ghost in the Shell, produced by Science SARU, began streaming on July 7 via Amazon Prime Video, with other services following on July 8. The series is a new interpretation of Shirow Masamune's manga. Streaming options include DMM TV, U-NEXT, dAnime Store, Netflix, and others, with various free trial periods and pricing.
Jul 15
An op-ed on Anime News Network examines Masamune Shirow's Ghost in the Shell and its technological predictions, particularly the cyberbrain, comparing them to current brain-computer interface developments like Neuralink. The piece argues that Shirow's cyberpunk vision remains prescient in 2026 as society faces AI and digital interconnectivity.
Jul 15
The new Ghost in the Shell TV anime by Science SARU is being praised as the most faithful adaptation of Masamune Shirow's original manga. The series depicts character expressions and storylines directly from the source, including the Tachikoma and old-fashioned wired hacking. It contrasts with previous adaptations by Mamoru Oshii and others, finally delivering the manga's vision 37 years after its release.
Jul 15
The new Ghost in the Shell television anime has started airing in Japan and streaming worldwide, marking the franchise's return to TV. Alongside the premiere, label FlyingDog announced the original soundtrack, The Ghost in the Shell O.S.T., as a two-disc CD album set for release on September 9, 2026, priced at 3,960 yen. A two-disc vinyl edition will follow on September 30, 2026, at 7,700 yen. The score is composed by Taisei Iwasaki, who is also the music director, along with Ryo Konishi and Yuki Kanesaka. Iwasaki won the Japan Academy Award for Best Music for Belle. The soundtrack jacket features a new illustration by tarou2 from Science SARU. First-press CD copies come in special packaging. The soundtrack will also be available on streaming platforms including Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube Music starting September 9. The global streaming launch and the detailed music release schedule together indicate the franchise's continued international reach.
Jul 14
JINS will release collaboration eyewear with Ghost in the Shell on July 16, including JINS' first electronic dimming sunglasses limited to 1,000 units worldwide and four models of glasses with cyberpunk design. Prices are 29,900 yen for sunglasses and 19,900 yen each for glasses. The collaboration commemorates the latest TV anime.