To celebrate the upcoming streaming release, we are thrilled to announce a special campaign where Public Security Section 9 will "hack" a large-scale OOH (Out-of-Home) billboard in Shibuya starting Monday, July 6. Furthermore, a special store featuring exclusive merchandise will open on Amazon.co.jp.

During this special campaign, running from Monday, July 6 to Sunday, July 12, a massive poster advertisement featuring Motoko Kusanagi, Batou, Togusa, and other members of Public Security Section 9 will be displayed at the "Shibunishi Deck Sheet" inside the Shibuya Station West Exit connecting passage. Accompanied by the catchphrase, "DIVE into the cyber sea on Prime Video," the striking visual prominently features all eight members of Section 9 alongside advance screenshots from the anime, creating an immersive design that lets fans truly feel the series' world-building and character expressions.

The special Ghost in the Shell merchandise store page will offer a wide lineup of officially licensed products, including books related to the original work, figures, and miscellaneous goods. The store will also feature exclusive, Amazon-only apparel and smartphone cases that cannot be found anywhere else, with more new items scheduled to be added sequentially. Furthermore, as a special promotion, ultra-detailed, made-to-order Ghost in the Shell illustration panels (8 varieties in total) will be available for purchase. Featuring highly valuable artwork revealed for the first time in Japan, these panels are a must-have for fans and will be available exclusively on Amazon.co.jp within the domestic market.

● Public Security Section 9 Gathers at Shibuya Station West Exit "Shibunishi Deck Sheet"!

Period: Monday, July 6 – Sunday, July 12
Location: Wall of the Shibuya Station West Exit connecting passage, "Shibunishi Deck Sheet"

● Special Store Opens on Amazon!
Merchandise Lineup:

Officially licensed products, including books related to the original series, figures, and general merchandise.
25 items featuring Amazon-exclusive designs, such as apparel and smartphone cases.
Ghost in the Shell ultra-detailed illustration panels (8 varieties / fully made-to-order).

Store Page: https://www.amazon.co.jp/b?node=220461386051

It has been officially announced that the opening theme song for the latest TV anime series THE GHOST IN THE SHELL will be "GO GHOST" by King Gnu.

King Gnu is a four-piece Japanese band consisting of Daiki Tsuneta, Yu Seki, Kazuki Arai, and Satoru Iguchi. With the ending song "Blue" being performed by MILLENNIUM PARADE—a collective also led by Daiki Tsuneta—this marks the first time in history that both King Gnu and MILLENNIUM PARADE are providing theme songs for the exact same project.

This exciting news was unveiled during a special panel for the series at "Anime Expo 2026," North America's largest anime convention, currently taking place in Los Angeles. Alongside the announcement, a special comment from King Gnu was shared with the audience.

Furthermore, the 5th Promotional Video featuring the new opening song has been released. The fast-paced video perfectly matches the track, showcasing various expressions of the elite "Public Security Section 9" members, led by the full-body cyborg protagonist, Motoko Kusanagi, and beautifully depicting the grand, immersive world of the series.

With the exclusive global premiere on Prime Video rapidly approaching this Tuesday, July 7, anticipation is reaching a fever pitch. Prepare yourself to dive into the net and witness the full-scale launch of this brand-new era of cyberpunk action!

 

[King Gnu]



Daiki Tsuneta, Yu Seki, Kazuki Arai, and Satoru Iguchi make up this four-member Japanese band. King Gnu has earned widespread acclaim for their signature sound—a fusion of alternative music and unique pop sensibility—as well as their diverse and evolving catalog. Their immersive approach to music, visuals, and live performances has set them apart as true innovators. They made their major-label breakthrough in January 2019 with the album Sympa, followed by the release of "Hakujitsu" in February, which became a smash hit. Their 2020 album CEREMONY sold over 500,000 copies, solidifying their status as one of Japan's most iconic rock bands. In 2023, they embarked on a five-dome tour across Japan after dropping their album, THE GREATEST UNKNOWN. This was followed by an Asia tour spanning four cities and seven performances, drawing a total of approximately 400,000 fans. In February 2026, they launched King Gnu CEN+RAL Tour 2026, visiting more cities than ever before in the band’s history.

Official Website : https://kinggnu.jp/ 

Fans are encouraged to visit the newly launched official website and follow the series on social media for the latest updates.

For more information, please visit:
Official Website: https://www.theghostintheshell-anime.jp/
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegits_anime
Official X (Twitter): https://x.com/thegits_animeEN

The world premiere screening of the new TV anime *THE GHOST IN THE SHELL* took place in France at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, the world's largest animation festival, as part of its Special Events section. This screening marks a historic milestone as the first time in the festival's history that a TV series has been featured in this prestigious category. Prior to the screening, a talk session with the creative team was held, igniting passion among fans from around the world who packed the venue.

A Historic Return to the Original Manga Roots and Science SARU's New Challenge

The panel was introduced by Marcel Jean, the Artistic Director of the Annecy Festival, who called it "a very special day in the history of our festival." Taking the stage were director Mokochan, producer Kohei Sakita (Science SARU), producer Kengo Abe (Bandai Namco Filmworks), and producer/moderator Daichi Sasa (Kodansha).

This monumental project represents the first time in history that Shirow Masamune's iconic 1989 manga has been adapted by directly confronting it as the true source material. Producer Abe explained the background of offering the production to Science SARU, a studio renowned for capturing the core joy of animation, stating that they aimed to create a series that can serve as a hub for both longtime fans and newcomers to enjoy together, and above all, something incredibly entertaining. In response, Director Mokochan reflected on the passionate atmosphere of the studio, where a staff full of love for the "The Ghost in the Shell " gathered, saying, "Our mindset was simply to take a manga with such overwhelming energy and turn it into an extraordinary anime."

Director Mokochan Reveals World-Building Achieved Through "Human Physicality" and Pure "Guts"

During the talk session, led by Director Mokochan, behind-the-scenes secrets of the production were unveiled alongside actual production materials. Discussing the first theme, "Layout and Animation," the team introduced Japan's traditional hand-drawn workflow, spanning from storyboards to cinematography. The director emphasized her commitment to the physicality of hand-drawn animation, stating, "While the original work is sci-fi, it is also deeply spiritual. Rather than relying on the latest technology, I wanted to pursue what can be expressed through the human body." On the other hand, 3D technology was utilized for spatial expression, allowing for dynamic camera work impossible with hand-drawn methods alone.

Turning to the topic of "World-Building," the presentation revealed an extraordinary volume of detail that far exceeds standard TV anime by more than threefold, including 48 different outfit designs for Motoko Kusanagi. "We followed Professor Shirow's concept that 'the world does not exist for the sake of expression; rather, a meticulous world exists first,'" the director explained. She introduced elements such as retro-futuristic designs inspired by 1989 home appliances and the handwritten in-universe "Shirow typography," created entirely by hand without relying on generative AI. The director brought a smile to the audience's faces and drew cheers when she shared that they conquered this insane workload through pure "guts."

Meticulous Attention to Color and a Roaring Standing Ovation

The final theme, "Visual Style and Compositing," revealed that the team introduced "color scripts" from the early stages of production to determine the theme color for each episode. The director explained her unique color choices, which involved lowering the brightness while raising the saturation. She passionately discussed how the essence of Shirow Masamune’s work is embedded in every corner of the screen, adding that for the background art, "Even when drawing inorganic machinery, we depicted it like blood vessels to express a 'vitality' that blurs the line between living creatures and machines."

With the director’s final message, "Though it is a grand sci-fi epic, at its spine lies a universal human story. I hope you enjoy it to the very end," the world premiere of the special edited version of Episodes 1 and 2 (English dubbed) finally began.

The audience was instantly captivated by Science SARU's overwhelming sense of dynamism and meticulously crafted world. 

As the 45-minute screening came to a close, the venue erupted into thunderous applause and a roaring standing ovation. It was a thrilling and moving event, marking a confident first step for the new *THE GHOST IN THE SHELL* as it heads out to the world.

[Information for Japan Market]

We are excited to announce the Japanese streaming schedule for the latest TV anime series, THE GHOST IN THE SHELL. Following its broadcast on the Kansai TV and Fuji TV national network (every Tuesday at 23:00 within the "Ka-Anival!!" programming block) starting Tuesday, July 7, 2026, and its advance domestic streaming on Prime Video on the same day, the series will become sequentially available on various streaming platforms in Japan every Wednesday at 23:30, beginning July 8, 2026.

For more details regarding the domestic streaming platforms, please visit:https://www.theghostintheshell-anime.jp/on-air/

We are pleased to announce that the latest TV anime series, THE GHOST IN THE SHELL, will be available for streaming on Prime Video. The series is set to broadcast nationwide in Japan on the Kansai TV / Fuji TV network every Tuesday at 11:00 PM (JST) within the "Ka-Anival!!" programming block starting Tuesday, July 7, 2026. Prime Video will offer the fastest domestic streaming in Japan, with new episodes dropping every Tuesday at 11:30 PM (JST) starting on the same day.

Furthermore, the series will be streamed exclusively on Prime Video globally across more than 240 countries and territories (excluding mainland China, Russia, and Vietnam).

For more information about Amazon Prime and Prime Video, please visit:
https://www.amazon.co.jp/amazonprime

In conjunction with this announcement, an exclusive Prime Video version of the trailer has also been released. The new footage showcases the thrilling operations of the offensive unit “Shell Squad” led by the full-body cyborg , Motoko Kusanagi. Additionally, it features sequences hinting at the lurking presence of the enigmatic hacker known as the "Puppet Master," who holds the key to the story's overarching narrative.

With less than a month remaining until the premiere, please look forward to the full-scale launch of this new era of cyberpunk action.

THE GHOST IN THE SHELL will make its North American debut at Anime Expo 2026, the largest anime convention in North America, held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from July 2 to July 5, 2026.

On Saturday, July 4 (Local Time), the event will host the North American premiere screening of Episodes 1 and 2. The screening will be followed by an exclusive panel and Q&A session featuring Mokochan (Director), Shuhei Handa (Character Designer & Executive Animation Director), and members of the producing team.

THE GHOST IN THE SHELL × Science SARU: Special Panel ＆ Premiere
Date : July 4, 2026 START:2:45 PM END: 4:05 PM
Panel Room : JW Diamond
Panel Description: The legendary cyberpunk series "THE GHOST IN THE SHELL" returns in a bold new form, brought to life by animation studio "Science SARU". We present the U.S. premiere screening from the new series. Staff members will also share insights into the concept, and visual world behind the new series.

Anime Expo 2026
Dates: Thursday, July 2 – Sunday, July 5, 2026
Location: Los Angeles Convention Center, USA
(1201 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015, USA)

In addition, a dedicated THE GHOST IN THE SHELL exhibition space will be featured inside the Exhibit Hall at the Bandai Namco Filmworks booth. With less than a month until the broadcast premiere, the countdown has officially begun for a new era of cyberpunk tactical action.

We are thrilled to announce that "Blue" by MILLENNIUM PARADE has been selected as the ending theme song for the upcoming series. 
Led by King Gnu’s Daiki Tsuneta, MILLENNIUM PARADE returns to the franchise following their previous work on Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045.

The track features internationally acclaimed artists Saya Gray and Daniel Caesar alongside MILLENNIUM PARADE. Production initially began about three years ago as a collaboration between Daiki Tsuneta and Saya Gray, and was brought to completion with the addition of Daniel Caesar. This miraculous, cross-border collaboration will beautifully grace the ending of this new era of Ghost in the Shell. To mark this announcement, special comments have arrived from both Daiki Tsuneta and Saya Gray.

In tandem with this news, the 4th promotional video featuring the ending music has also been released. This latest PV delivers an emotional and evocative finish that uncovers the inner depths of the characters, centering around the protagonist Motoko Kusanagi—a full-body cyborg. The video offers a powerful glimpse into the profound human drama that this project promises to unfold.

MILLENNIUM PARADE

Profile
MILLENNIUM PARADE is a crew of creatives led by Daiki Tsuneta (King Gnu), merging music, video, digital art and more to make dazzling works capturing the chaotic clash of cultures in modern Tokyo. Started in 2019, the collective brings in different artists from multiple disciplines to create audio and visual experiments. 
The next era of MILLENNIUM PARADE finds Tsuneta and company building an even more immersive artistic world. 

＜Comment＞
Blue began three years ago in the studio with Saya, and was ultimately completed when Danny, whom I met while traveling, joined the project. Beyond the incredible talent of these two musicians, whom I deeply admire, the full version of the song turned out truly beautifully. I’m very excited for everyone to finally hear it.
Daiki Tsuneta

MILLENNIUM PARADE 公式WebサイトURL/SNSアカウント
Official Website：https://millenniumparade.com/
X：https://twitter.com/mllnnmprd
Instagram：https://www.instagram.com/mllnnmprd
YouTube：https://www.youtube.com/@millenniumparadeofficial
TikTok：https://www.tiktok.com/@mllnnmprd_

Saya Gray

Profile
Japanese-Canadian artist Saya Gray has a unique ability to create a collage of sounds that feel both comforting and disorienting, vast yet intimate. Her first releases, 2022’s ‘19MASTERS’ , 2023’s ‘QWERTY I’ and 2024’s 'QWERTY II' were made in periods of intense isolation, and as Saya herself describes it, she puts ‘1000 personalities in one song’. It’s this unfiltered, frenzied approach to her art that she feels is necessary to reclaim her sense of self in an ever changing world - and in the process marking her as one of the most exciting, up and coming musicians operating today. 2025 was a landmark year for Saya as she released her debut album ’SAYA” - by far her most personal and intimate project to date.

＜Comment＞
Working with Daniel and Daiki was spicy fun and the blending of worlds and cultures is very exciting.
Saya Gray

Official Website：https://www.sayagray.ca/
Instagram：https://www.instagram.com/sayagray/
YouTube：https://www.youtube.com/@sayagraymusic

Daniel Caesar

Profile
Canadian singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Daniel Caesar has established himself as one of the defining voices of contemporary R&B. Blending contemporary soul, alternative, folk-pop, and genre-defying songwriting, his work is rooted in a commitment to artistic honesty. 
His 2023 album NEVER ENOUGH became the highest-charting release of his career, debuting at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top R&B Albums chart and within the Top 15 of the Billboard 200. The album also marked the biggest sales debut by a male R&B artist in 2023. Later that year, Caesar performed his first-ever headline shows in Japan. 
In 2025, he released Son Of Spergy, his most personal and introspective project to date. Inspired by reconciliation with his father and named after his father’s nickname, the album explores identity, family, and self-reflection. The release earned Caesar his first No. 1 album on Billboard’s Top R&B Albums chart and debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, marking his first career Top 10 entry. Reflecting on the project, Caesar explains, “I have a lot of respect for my dad and I hold him in high regard. The album is about me realizing that I am exactly like him.”

Instagram：https://www.instagram.com/danielcaesar/
TikTok：https://www.tiktok.com/@danielcaesar
YouTube：https://www.youtube.com/@DanielCaesar

Today, Thursday, May 11, 2026, it was announced that the new TV anime series "THE GHOST IN THE SHELL" is scheduled to premiere in Japan on July 7, 2026. Release dates and distribution details for other regions will be announced at a later date. Alongside the premiere date, the 3rd key visual, 3rd promotional video, story details, character profiles, and new staff information have also been revealed.

Key Visual 03

The third key visual, newly illustrated by Nao Naito—who serves as Executive Animation Director for the series alongside Shuhei Handa—brings together the iconic members of "Shell Squad" and their AI “think tanks”, Fuchikoma.

Promotional Video 03

Composed entirely of brand-new anime footage, the third promotional video showcases the Shell Squad in action while teasing the intense drama surrounding the mysterious hacker known as the "Puppet Master."

CHARACTERS

Character profiles now available for full-body cyborg Motoko Kusanagi, Public Security Section 9 members—Batou, Togusa, Ishikawa, Saito, Borma, and Paz—as well as the AI “think tank” Fuchikoma and the logistical support gynoid, Operator.

http://www.theghostintheshell-anime.jp/en/character/

STAFF

Furthermore, additional staff information has been unveiled, including Emi Katanosaka as Art Director, Osamu Masuyama as Art Supervisor, Satoshi Hashimoto as Color Design, Hikari Itoh as Compositing Director, Kiyoshi Hirose as Editor, Yuji Tange as Sound Director, Shota Yaso for Sound Effects, and Hiroaki Ota for Sound Mix.

Comments from the main staff have also arrived.

http://www.theghostintheshell-anime.jp/en/staff-cast/

[TOKYO, JAPAN] – It has been officially announced that the all-new TV anime series THE GHOST IN THE SHELL (Animation Production: Science SARU), scheduled for broadcast in 2026, has been officially selected for the prestigious "Special Events" program at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France.
The "Special Events" program at Annecy is a highly esteemed section renowned for offering early, behind-the-scenes looks at the production processes of highly anticipated feature films.
For a yet-to-be-broadcast TV series to receive a special invitation to this cinematic category alongside major feature films is a testament to the extraordinary global expectations and the world-class visual quality delivered by Science SARU.

Under the ultimate theatrical environment with a massive screen and premium sound, the monumental first and second episodes of the new THE GHOST IN THE SHELL will be unveiled to the world for the very first time. We are thrilled to deliver this moment of absolute excitement—where Japan's legendary sci-fi franchise intersects with Science SARU's innovative expression—from Annecy to the rest of the world.

About Annecy International Animation Film Festival & "Screening Events":
Held annually in Annecy, France, the Annecy International Animation Film Festival was established in 1960 and stands as the world's oldest and largest animation festival. Often referred to as the "Cannes of Animation," it attracts tens of thousands of passionate fans and top industry creators.

Future Announcements:
Further details regarding the exact date and time of the screening, as well as the attending guests at the festival, will be announced in due course via the official website and social media channels. Please look forward to the global launch and further updates on this monumental series as it gears up for its 2026 broadcast.

"THE GHOST IN THE SHELL" is set to begin its global streaming journey on Prime Video in July 2026.

TOKYO — March 28, 2026 — Today, at the world's premier anime event, AnimeJapan 2026 (Tokyo Big Sight), the production team for the upcoming "THE GHOST IN THE SHELL" ignited global excitement with the reveal of its second official Key Visual and Promotional Video (PV).

The Visual: A Modern Homage to a Cyberpunk Legend
The newly released Key Visual, illustrated by Character Design and Executive Animation Director Shuhei Handa, features the full-body cyborg, Major Motoko Kusanagi, alongside the AI "think tanks", Fuchikoma.

The illustration serves as a powerful nod to the franchise's roots, capturing the iconic aesthetic first established by Shirow Masamune's original manga. For fans worldwide, this visual marks a highly anticipated return to the core imagery that made Ghost in the Shell a global phenomenon.

The Trailer: Public Security Section 9 in Motion
The second Promotional Video offers an exclusive look at new footage from the series, showcasing the high-octane action and intricate drama that define Public Security Section 9. From tactical combat to the philosophical undercurrents of a digitized society, the trailer provides a glimpse into the visionary world crafted by director Mokochan and the team at Science SARU.

Immersive Experience at AnimeJapan 2026
Fans attending AnimeJapan 2026 can find the new visuals and trailer at the Bandai Namco Filmworks Booth (East Hall 7, A22). The exhibit features:

Exclusive Artwork: A special illustration of Motoko Kusanagi by Shuhei Handa, created specifically for the event.
Life-Size Display: A life-size acrylic standee of the new Key Visual set within an immersive environment reflecting the series' world.
Behind-the-Scenes: Never-before-seen production stills and setting art.
Meet the Fuchikoma: A special "Meet & Greet" with the Fuchikoma thinking tank throughout the event duration.

"THE GHOST IN THE SHELL" is set to begin its global streaming journey on Prime Video in July 2026.