Bandai Namco Filmworks has officially unveiled fresh details regarding its highly anticipated anime reboot, The Ghost in the Shell, slated for a global premiere on July 7, 2026. This ambitious project is being helmed by the renowned studio Science Saru—the creative force behind acclaimed titles like Devilman Crybaby and Inu-Oh—under the direction of Touma “Mokochan” Kimura. This series promises a comprehensive, reimagined adaptation of Masamune Shirow’s foundational cyberpunk manga, breathing new life into the franchise following its various previous iterations.
Viewers worldwide will be able to stream the series exclusively on Prime Video (excluding China and Russia). In Japan, the show will broadcast via the Ka-Aniva! programming block on Kanai TV and Fuji TV. While episodes are scheduled to air in Japan every Tuesday at 11 PM JST, the exact global release time on Prime Video remains to be finalized. Polygon has requested further information from Prime Video regarding the international broadcast schedule.
Attendees at the upcoming Annecy Animation Film Festival will be treated to a special preview featuring the first two episodes. This event, titled “Dive into The Ghost in the Shell,” will also provide fans with exclusive behind-the-scenes perspectives from director Mokochan and other key creative staff. This project marks Mokochan’s directorial debut, following his impressive tenure as a storyboard artist and lead animator on Science Saru’s previous hits, Dandadan and Tatami Time Machine Blues.
Bandai Namco Filmworks also shared a compelling logline on X: “Wired bodies. Networked Ghosts.” Faithful to the original source material, the narrative is set in 2029 and follows Motoko Kusanagi and the specialized operatives of Public Security Section 9 as they tackle high-stakes cyber-terrorism and intricate international conspiracies. Notably, the synopsis identifies the mysterious “Puppet Master” as the series’ primary antagonist, establishing thematic echoes of the iconic 1995 feature film and the initial season of Stand Alone Complex.
A striking new key visual, illustrated by chief animation director Nao Naito, was revealed alongside detailed character designs. The artwork highlights the members of Public Security Section 9 equipped with their signature weaponry. At the forefront is Motoko Kusanagi, positioned atop one of the series’ iconic tachikomas—the fan-favorite spider-like robots that perfectly balance tactical lethality with whimsical personality.
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The anticipation for this bold journey into the near-future is reaching a fever pitch, but rest assured, the wait to experience this new chapter of cyberpunk mastery is under two months away.
Source: Polygon
