Ghost in the Shell is a familiar property to many, and a strong example of the value in transformative adaptations that create something new and interesting. Mamoru Oshii's films and Kenji Kamiyama's Stand Alone Complex series are some of the best ever in the medium, but they are not direct adaptations of Masamune Shirow's original manga. Instead, they tapped into it heavily in order to create new storylines.
If you've never read the manga, you'll recognize the core cast of characters and many of the themes, but its tone is very different. It doesn't have the somber existentialism of Oshii or the grounded realism of Kamiyama. It's a bit wild. But it certainly stands on its own merit.
Shirow is an adult creator by trade, and most of his other works are squarely in H territory, but he stepped into the mainstream for Ghost in the Shell with a huge number of ideas. It became one of the foundational cyberpunk works, directly influencing the likes of The Matrix, Avatar, and Battle Angel Alita, along with scores of others.
And now, we'll get to see it animated. Well, probably aside from the famously censored pages!
The new series, a direct adaptation, is being made by Science Saru, the studio behind Ping Pong the Animation, Devilman Crybaby, and Dandadan. Coming in 2026.
Unfortunately, Atsuko Tanaka, the iconic voice actress for Motoko Kusanagi in previous adaptations, recently passed away.
