The Greatest Cyberpunk Franchise Returns in 2026 With a New Ghost in the Shell Series

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Few names are as iconic in the worlds of cyberpunk and anime as . Originally a popular manga created by a now-famous artist, it has grown into a huge franchise with many different adaptations. Its enduring popularity stems from its surprisingly prescient technology – some of what was once science fiction is now becoming reality – and that’s why a new version is currently in development.

The newest version of Ghost in the Shell was first announced in 2025. This iteration is visually and thematically closer to the original story, and its release marks a significant anniversary for the franchise. It’s expected to attract a new audience and further establish Ghost in the Shell as a cornerstone of science fiction.

Ghost in the Shell Birthed a Wave of International Anime Fandom in the 1990s

Masamune Shirow first created Ghost in the Shell as a manga in 1989, before it became widely popular internationally. This original manga featured Shirow’s unique and slightly more lighthearted art style and tone, differing from the grittier feel of later adaptations like the famous 1995 anime film, which most fans know best.

This film was a turning point, not only for the series itself, but for anime in general. Some call it the “Akira of the 1990s,” and it played a huge role in building the anime fanbase we see today, both in the West and worldwide. Back then, anime wasn’t as popular outside of Japan, and this film’s mature themes and unique style really captured the attention of Western viewers who were looking for something new.

While Ghost in the Shell wasn’t the only dark, futuristic anime of the 80s and 90s, that time period produced a lot of similar shows. These anime often featured intense action and mature themes, and Ghost in the Shell fit right in. What really made it special, though, were its stunning visuals and thought-provoking science fiction ideas about artificial intelligence and the future of humanity – concepts that feel particularly relevant now.

The world of Ghost in the Shell has had a huge impact on many forms of media, with the Matrix films often drawing comparisons to its concepts and imagery. In the 2000s, the TV anime Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex became the most recognizable part of the franchise, essentially rebooting it and creating three separate timelines. Many Western anime fans who discovered the series in the 2000s are actually more familiar with Stand Alone Complex than with the original movie or even the manga it’s based on.

The Ghost in the Shell series has seen many new versions since its start, but few have matched the success of the original anime film or Stand Alone Complex. Recent attempts, like the CGI anime Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 (a follow-up to the early 2000s anime), haven’t been well-received. The live-action Hollywood film was particularly divisive, largely due to the casting of Scarlett Johansson in the role of Major Motoko Kusanagi.

The Ghost in the Shell: Arise anime took place in its own separate timeline, offering a fresh take on the story. While fans enjoyed it, it didn’t quite reach the iconic status of earlier versions. Despite this, Ghost in the Shell remains beloved by anime fans across two generations, and the recent surge in anime and manga’s popularity has renewed interest in the original manga. Now, the story is being retold, and this adaptation promises to be more faithful to the manga than any previous attempt.

Science Saru is Finally Adapting the True Source Material for Ghost in the Shell

I’ve always thought of the 1995 Ghost in the Shell film as the starting point for cyberpunk anime – it’s incredibly influential, much like a classic shonen anime. That legacy makes it tough for any new version to live up to expectations, and they inevitably get compared to the original. It seems like the smartest approach is to do something different, to forge a new path. And that’s exactly what the newest Ghost in the Shell anime appears to be doing. Based on what I’ve seen so far, it might actually be the best adaptation yet.

Science Saru is animating the upcoming series, and there’s more than just a new title this time around. The character Major Motoko Kusanagi has a noticeably different design in the promotional art – she appears younger and more approachable than in past anime versions. However, this new look actually stays true to her original character design.

The Major now sports her signature light blue hair, mirroring the style of the original manga. The animation studio, Science Saru, deliberately aimed to create an adaptation that truly captures Masamune Shirow’s initial concept, which Shirow himself describes as a fresh take on his story and characters. This makes it the most accurate adaptation of his work yet, and that attention to detail extends beyond just how things look.

The upcoming Science Saru anime is striving for the same feel as the original Ghost in the Shell manga—which was funnier and more subtly critical of society than later anime versions. This approach should give the new series a strong, unique story, setting it apart from works like Stand Alone Complex and avoiding a simple rehash of familiar ideas. Ultimately, this aims to attract a broad audience, including longtime fans of the manga and anime, as well as newcomers to the world of Public Security Section 9.

The latest Ghost in the Shell film is scheduled for release in July 2026, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the original movie’s English debut. It has the potential to become as influential for contemporary anime fans as its predecessors were, solidifying Masamune Shirow’s legacy within the cyberpunk genre. While Shirow has created other notable works, such as Appleseed, Ghost in the Shell has consistently remained his most popular and impactful creation, and the new film aims to recapture that success.

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2026-02-24 05:39