New Ghost in the Shell Anime Reveals First Promo Video, July 2026 Debut
Project Overview
Science SARU is producing a new television anime titled Kōkaku Kidōtai THE GHOST IN THE SHELL. The project revealed its first promotional video, key visual, main staff details, and a confirmed premiere window of July 2026. The series is part of the long-running Ghost in the Shell franchise based on Masamune Shirow’s original manga.
Visual Direction and Character Design
The key visual features Motoko Kusanagi, illustrated by Shūhei Handa, who is serving as both character designer and chief animation director. The illustration is positioned as an homage to Masamune Shirow’s original manga artwork, signaling a stylistic reference to the source material rather than prior anime adaptations.
Music and Sound Staff
Taisei Iwasaki is serving as music director and composing the score alongside Ryō Konishi and Yuki Kanesaka. Iwasaki is known for BELLE, Konishi for work on Journal with Witch, and Kanesaka for Dr. Stone. The collaboration suggests a multi-composer approach to the series’ soundtrack.
Broadcast Schedule and Platform
The anime will premiere in July 2026 on “Ka-Anival!!,” a new anime programming block jointly run by Kansai TV and Fuji TV. The block airs on Tuesday nights at 11:00 p.m. in Japan.
Direction and Series Composition
Mokochan is making his directorial debut on the series at Science SARU. His prior work includes storyboarding and key animation roles on titles such as DAN DA DAN, The Heike Story, and Tatami Time Machine Blues. Toh Enjoe is responsible for writing and overseeing the series scripts.
Franchise Context and Adaptation Count
This project represents the fourth major anime version of The Ghost in the Shell following adaptations by Mamoru Oshii, Kenji Kamiyama, and Kazuchika Kise. When accounting for separate series entries, films, and seasons, it is considered the tenth overall adaptation. Commentary from Masamune Shirow suggests the series could also be viewed as the start of a second generation due to changes in production staff.
Production Committee and Continuity
The production committee includes Bandai Namco Filmworks, Kodansha, Science SARU, and Production I.G. A producer previously stated at Anime Expo that the anime aims to remain faithful to the original manga.
Recent Franchise History
The most recent animated release in the franchise was Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 The Last Human, a compilation film from the second season of SAC_2045, which opened in November 2023. The announcement of the new series also follows the August 2024 death of Atsuko Tanaka, the longtime voice of Motoko Kusanagi.