New Ghost in the Shell Anime Starts July 7: A Faithful Adaptation from Science SARU!
The cornerstone of the cyberpunk genre, Ghost in the Shell, is preparing to meet its fans with a brand-new television anime. With the release of the third promotional video, it has been confirmed that the series will premiere in Japan on July 7, 2026, and will be available to viewers worldwide (excluding China and Russia) via Amazon Prime Video. This new project is generating significant curiosity regarding how studio Science SARU (Devilman Crybaby, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off) will breathe new life into the series with its unique visual language.
The director's chair is occupied by Mokochan (Toma Kimura), known for his success on projects such as Dan Da Dan and Scott Pilgrim Takes Off. The screenplay and series composition are penned by award-winning science fiction writer EnJoe Toh. While character designs and chief animation direction are entrusted to Shuhei Handa, the music side features a strong team consisting of Taisei Iwasaki, Ryo Konishi, and Yuki Kanesaka. Furthermore, it has been announced that the first two episodes of the series will have a preview screening at the prestigious Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June.
The biggest feature distinguishing this new adaptation from previous versions is its much closer adherence to the visual and tonal style of Masamune Shirow's 1989 original manga. While Mamoru Oshii's 1995 cult film and the Stand Alone Complex series offered a darker and more melancholic atmosphere, Science SARU's version embraces the more colorful, dynamic, and occasionally humorous tone found in the manga. In the character designs, Motoko Kusanagi's signature "confident" stance from the manga and the Fuchikoma tanks are featured.
