Maaya Sakamoto is the new voice of Motoko Kusanagi in Science SARU's Ghost in the Shell 2026 TV anime, which began airing and streaming in July 2026. She also attended the opening ceremony of the Fate/Grand Order Exhibition -Stargazing Corridor- in Tokyo the same month.
Maaya Sakamoto took on a landmark franchise role in July 2026 when she voiced Motoko Kusanagi in the new Ghost in the Shell television anime from Science SARU. She succeeds Atsuko Tanaka, who died in August 2024, making this the first Ghost in the Shell anime to recast the character. The series premiered on Japanese television and began streaming on Prime Video on July 7, 2026, with a wider rollout across multiple Japanese platforms the following day. Sakamoto's casting was announced alongside the rest of the main cast, which includes Kazuhiro Yamaji, Hiroki Yasumoto, and Yuichi Nakamura.
Later that same month, Sakamoto appeared at the Fate/Grand Order Exhibition -Stargazing Corridor- in Tokyo, which opened on July 17 at the Mori Arts Center Gallery. She attended the opening ceremony with Ayako Kawasumi, and the two discussed their memories of the game and new recordings they contributed to the exhibition. The event is the first major retrospective of Fate/Grand Order since the conclusion of its 10-year second part in 2025.
The two appearances establish Sakamoto's continued involvement with major anime and game properties, but the stories do not indicate any other current projects or future plans for her.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself
sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every
fact links the story it came from.
Jul 17
The Fate/Grand Order Exhibition -Stargazing Corridor- opened on July 17, 2026 at the Mori Arts Center Gallery in Roppongi Hills, Tokyo, and runs through September 14. The exhibition spans seven areas, including a Production Materials Room filled with floor-to-ceiling development documents, an Event Story Archive with dioramas and 3D models from past limited-time events, and a Journey of Chaldea corridor featuring large illustrations and a life-sized figure of Mash Kyrielight in her Paladin form. A new animated video plays in the Opening Theater, and an audio guide with voices from Rie Takahashi and other cast members is available. Voice actors Ayako Kawasumi and Maaya Sakamoto attended the opening ceremony, where they discussed their memories of the game and the new recordings they contributed. The exhibition also includes a merchandise store and a collaboration cafe at THE SUN & THE MOON on the same floor. Tickets range from 3,500 yen for regular advance admission to 6,800 yen for same-day admission with goods. The event is produced under the concept of 'everything about Fate/Grand Order' and includes materials that contain spoilers for the Part 2 Final Chapter, which concluded in 2025.
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 9
The new Ghost in the Shell TV anime, produced by Science SARU, has revealed its main cast. Maaya Sakamoto voices Motoko Kusanagi, succeeding Atsuko Tanaka. Kazuhiro Yamaji, Hiroki Yasumoto, and Yuichi Nakamura also star. The series began airing on July 7 on the Fire Anime!! block on Kantele and Fuji TV.
Jul 7
The new Ghost in the Shell television anime from Science SARU premiered on July 7, 2026, on Japanese television and began streaming on Prime Video in over 240 countries and regions. The series, directed by Mokochan in his directorial debut, features Maaya Sakamoto as the voice of Motoko Kusanagi, taking over the role after the death of original voice actress Atsuko Tanaka in August 2024. The cast also includes Kazuhiro Yamaji as Daisuke Aramaki, Hiroki Yasumoto as Batou, and Yuichi Nakamura as Togusa. Toh Enjoe writes and oversees the series scripts, while Shuhei Handa handles character design and chief animation direction. Taisei Iwasaki composes the music with Ryō Konishi and Yuki Kanesaka. King Gnu performs the opening theme "Go Ghost," and MILLENNIUM PARADE feat. Saya Gray and Daniel Caesar perform the ending theme "Blue." The anime had its global premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June with its first two episodes, and also screened at Anime Expo on July 4. Bandai Namco Filmworks, Kodansha, Science SARU, and Production I.G are on the production committee.