A brand-new installment of the iconic Ghost in the Shell series, titled GHOST IN THE SHELL, is set to air in 2026 with a new creative team. Moco-chan, known for her work on Dandadan, will take the director’s chair for the first time.

While past entries in the Ghost in the Shell franchise were helmed by industry legends such as Mamoru Oshii, Kenji Kamiyama, and Kazuchika Kise, the upcoming installment introduces a fresh perspective with Moco-chan, who previously served as assistant director on Dandadan. This will mark his directorial debut.

Animation production will be handled by Science SARU, a studio renowned for works like Inu-Oh, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, and Dandadan. Moco-chan has been deeply involved with Science SARU's projects, including The Heike Story.
Acclaimed sci-fi author Toh EnJoe, who also contributed a short story titled Shadow.net to the Ghost in the Shell novel anthology, will be in charge of series composition and scriptwriting. Character design and chief animation direction are being led by Shuhei Handa, known for his work on Spriggan and Little Witch Academia.

A second teaser video has been released, showcasing rough animation and storyboards that offer a glimpse into the upcoming drama. An exclusive version of this teaser is being screened at the ongoing exhibition The World of Masamune Shirow: The Legacy of Ghost in the Shell and Beyond.

The second teaser visual features the protagonist Motoko Kusanagi, a fully prosthetic cyborg, alongside the AI-powered think tank Fuchikoma. Drawn by Shuhei Handa, the illustration pays homage to the cover sketch of the original Ghost in the Shell manga’s first volume by creator Masamune Shirow.

Originally created by Masamune Shirow, Ghost in the Shell debuted in 1989 in Young Magazine Kaizokuban. The story follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cybernetic operative leading a counter-cyberterrorism unit called Public Security Section 9, tackling high-level crimes in a hyper-networked world.

Renowned for its meticulous detail, cyberpunk aesthetics, and philosophical themes, the series explores the intersection of humanity and technology, as well as personal identity. It has significantly influenced global creators. Kodansha has published three volumes: The Ghost in the Shell, Man-Machine Interface, and 1.5 Human-Error Processor.

The franchise has enjoyed extensive media adaptations, beginning with Mamoru Oshii’s groundbreaking 1995 anime film GHOST IN THE SHELL, and extending to animated series, films, and even a Hollywood live-action version. It remains a globally celebrated property.

■ Comment from Creator Masamune Shirow
“As far as the animated entries go, this would be the fourth Ghost in the Shell following the Oshii, Kamiyama, and Kise versions—or, if you separate GHOST IN THE SHELL and INNOCENCE, and break down the S.A.C. series into Season 1, Season 2, and SSS, and further include ARISE, The New Movie, and SAC_2045 (both seasons), it’s technically the 10th installment. From a production standpoint, with the team refreshed, you might also see it as the first of a second generation. While the original manga is admittedly dated (apologies), I hope this new anime becomes something special that audiences can enjoy in their own way.”

■ Director Profile: Moco-chan
Born in 1992, real name Shoma Kimura, Moco-chan joined Science SARU in 2015. Under the mentorship of Masaaki Yuasa alongside Fuuga Yamashiro, she contributed to projects such as The Heike Story (2022) and The Tatami Time Machine Blues (2022) as storyboard artist and episode director. She also handled storyboards and direction for the opening animation of Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (2023), and served as assistant director, storyboard artist, and ending director on Dandadan Season 1 (2024). The 2026 TV anime GHOST IN THE SHELL THE GHOST IN THE SHELL will mark his debut as a series director.

Source : ORICON NEWS