New Ghost in the Shell Anime Gets Dominion Tank Police Crossover: Puma Sisters Return
The new Ghost in the Shell anime project opens the door to a surprise crossover in the Masamune Shirow universe. According to Anime News Network, the villainous yet charismatic duo Puma Sisters from Dominion Tank Police will appear in this project. Experienced voice actors Aya Hisakawa and Niina Kumagaya will reprise the roles of the Puma Sisters.
Puma Sisters first appeared in Shirow's 1985 Dominion manga, then became engraved in anime fans' memories with the 1988-1989 Dominion Tank Police OVA series. The surprising aspect of this crossover announcement is that the atmospheres of the two series are quite different. While Ghost in the Shell focuses on a cyberpunk and philosophical future world, Dominion Tank Police stood out with its humorous tone and police team with tanks. However, both bear Shirow's signature on technology and character design.
The Ghost in the Shell series is one of the most enduring names in the anime world, with the manga starting in 1989, director Mamoru Oshii's 1995 masterpiece film, and the subsequent Stand Alone Complex, Arise, and Netflix's Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045. Although details of the new project are still limited, the announcement of Puma Sisters in this context suggests that the production could be a project woven with references to Shirow's various works.
This announcement also marks another important point in Aya Hisakawa's career. Hisakawa, widely known for her role as Ami Mizuno/Sailor Mercury in Sailor Moon, is one of the most respected voices in the Japanese anime industry with a career spanning over thirty years. Meanwhile, Niina Kumagaya's return to the series with her Puma Sisters performance is a big nostalgic moment for old OVA fans.
The release date and main story of the new Ghost in the Shell anime have not yet been announced. However, this crossover will give fans the chance to see two cult series together. Until new announcements arrive, experienced fans can go back to the original Dominion Tank Police OVA and rediscover the origins of the Puma Sisters.
