Last year, we learned Science Saru was developing a brand new for Ghost in the Shell. It’s still a ways away, but Saru’s decided to give a cryptic first look at how it plans to adapt the beloved cyberpunk tale.
Set over haunting vocals that may end up being the anime’s main theme or opening song (or both, the teaser plays through storyboards and key animation of key scenes and characters, like the Major and Batou. As this goes on, it reveals the creative team at the helm of this new Ghost in the Shell: Toma Kimura—aka Mokochan—a storyboarder and episode director on The Heike Story and Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, will direct the entire series. EnJoe Toh (co-writer of Mojika and The Empire of Corpses) is on script duties, and Pilgrim and Little Witch Academia artist Shuhei Handa is pulling double duty as character designer and executive animation director.
There’ve been several Ghost in the Shell adaptations over the decades from Japan—according to creator Shirow Masamune in the press release, that number ranges from four to ten, depending on if you consider the films and split some adaptations into their own specific series. Either way, he thinks this new version by Saru has the potential to be something different, and considered it “the first installment of a second generation. The original manga is quite old…and I sincerely hope this will once again be an enjoyable visual experience in some form.”
Look for The Ghost in the Shell to hit sometime in 2026. Until Saru unveils more footage at a later date, here’s an official look at Motoko and the AI tank Fuchikoma.
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