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.

The music direction for this project will be led by Taisei Iwasaki, winner of the Japan Academy Film Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Music for BELLE.

The soundtrack will be a collaborative creation featuring Iwasaki alongside Ryo Konishi, who served as Music Director for the Opening Ceremony of the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, and YUKI KANESAKA, a U.S.-based composer recently known for his work on the TV anime Dr. STONE.

◆Music Staff Profiles & Comments

Music Director & Music : Taisei Iwasaki

・Profile
Composer. Representative works include BELLE, Scarlet, The Bullet Train, TOKYO TAXI, Giant God Warrior Appears in Tokyo, Blood Blockade Battlefront series, SPRIGGAN, Marriagetoxin, First Love (Netflix), and The Naked Director series.
Awards: Japan Academy Film Prize for Outstanding Music (Moteki), Best Music (BELLE), and the 36th Japan Gold Disc Award for Soundtrack Album of the Year (BELLE).

・Comment
"In middle school, I happened to open a magazine to a color splash page featuring Motoko Kusanagi. That was the moment I first encountered The Ghost in the Shell. The style and color were unlike anything else, and the name 'Shirow Masamune' was magnetic. It was a total shock. Having experienced various iterations of Ghost in the Shell since then, I am truly honored to join this long history as a creator. My concept for the music of this 'origin and source' is 'Public Security Section 9 of Sound.' I have scouted my talented friends to dive into this project I’ve long awaited. I hope we all find a 'connection' (En) through this work."

Music: Ryo Konishi

・Profile
Born July 25, 1988, in Tokyo. Composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist (sax, flute, clarinet, synth, vocoder). A graduate of Berklee College of Music (Summa Cum Laude). Leader of the creative collective "Zominsha" and the band "CRCK/LCKS."
Credits: Opening music for the 75th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen; Music Director for the Expo 2025 Osaka "Physical Twin Symphony"; Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Opening Ceremony music. He has produced for artists including Chara+YUKI, milet, Mrs. GREEN APPLE, and King & Prince.

・Comment
"Since being captivated by Innocence in a theater as a middle schooler, I have followed everything related to The Ghost in the Shell. Its influence is deeply etched into my own creations and philosophy. I could hardly believe I would be responsible for the music of such a project... but I approached it with my whole soul, determined to handle this precious world with care. I followed the whispers of my Ghost!"

Music: YUKI KANESAKA

・Profile
A Boston-based composer and creator active across the US and Europe. He is an Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music and a consultant for Sony and AlphaTheta/Pioneer. A multi-instrumentalist proficient in approximately 74 instruments.
Recent Works: Dr. STONE, Jujutsu Kaisen, SNOWBALL EARTH (Anime); commercials for VW, Meiji, YONEX; and games like JoJo's Bizarre Adventure and Sonic Racing.

・Comment
"The moment I realized I had 'missed' the Ghost in the Shell phenomenon, I immediately ordered every original volume in English and Japanese. I dove into composing at my studio in the Boston suburbs, where countless motifs were already preparing for the journey. We did additional recordings in Nashville with my close allies, tailored the work in a hotel in Shanghai, and finally, in Tokyo, those motifs finished their long voyage, evolving from mere 'passages' into a 'suite.' It was a journey without hesitation. These tracks are a map of my passion and impulse."

TOKYO, Japan – January 30, 2026 – To coincide with today’s grand opening of "Ghost and the Shell: The Ghost in the Shell Exhibition" at TOKYO NODE, the first-ever large-scale exhibition encompassing the entire anime franchise, new details for the upcoming TV series THE GHOST IN THE SHELL have been officially revealed.

We have officially released the Music Staff information, the 1st Key Visual, and the 1st Promotional Video. Furthermore, we are proud to announce that the series will begin broadcasting in July 2026 on the nationwide "kaanival!!" block every Tuesday at 11:00 PM via Kansai TV/Fuji TV, and their affiliates.

1st Promotional Video (PV)
The 1st PV features the very first look at actual footage from the anime. It offers a thrilling glimpse into the high-stakes drama and cyberpunk SF action woven together by Motoko Kusanagi, a full-body cyborg, and the members of Public Security Section 9.

1st Key Visual
The 1st Key Visual, featuring Motoko Kusanagi, was specially illustrated by Shuhei Handa, the series' Character Design & Executive Animation Director.
This stunning visual serves as both a profound homage to Shirow Masamune’s original The Ghost in the Shell illustrations and a breathtaking icon of cyberpunk sci-fi.

Exhibition Exclusive
Both the 1st PV and the 1st Key Visual are currently on display at the "Ghost and the Shell: The Ghost in the Shell Exhibition" exhibition venue, alongside original production drawings from the series.