*Ghost in the Shell* is considered a masterpiece by many sci-fi fans. A new anime series has just premiered that stays much closer to the original story.
If you love sci-fi, you can’t ignore Ghost in the Shell. The 1995 anime shaped an entire genre and paved the way for films like The Matrix, A.I., Alita: Battle Angel, and even Ex Machina.
To be fair, however, Mamoru Oshii’s film adaptation also took numerous liberties with Masamune Shirow’s original work.Now, a new TV series has premiered on Prime Video, which is based much more closely on the original 1989 manga.
A true cyberpunk masterpiece is continuing (once again)
The anime, simply titled Ghost in the Shell, premiered onJuly 7, 2026with the first of a total of 12 episodes. Starting now, a new episode will be released weekly.
Here’s what it’s about:The plot of Ghost in the Shell takes place in Tokyo in the year 2029. The story centers on cyborg agent Motoko Kusanagi (also known as the Major), who fights cybercrime and cyberterrorism on behalf of the special unit Section 9. In the process, the Major and her team uncover an international conspiracy in which the mysterious and legendary hacker Puppet Master pulls all the strings.
Here’s how well the new series is being received: On IMDb , Ghost in the Shell already boasts an impressive average rating of 7.6, whileRotten Tomatoes, no ratings are available yet.
Major news sites such asGizmodoorPolygonhas already received a lot of praise, and the mood at Redditis quite positive. The new anime is being praised above all for its hand-drawn look, its faithfulness to the original manga, its atmospheric cyberpunk vibe, and its surprising humor.
Incidentally, the studio behind the Ghost in the Shell remake isScience Saru, which already has a few impressive productions in its portfolio, including Dandadan, Inu-oh, and The Colors Within.
Mokochan, who has played a key role in Dandadan, is directing, while EnJoe Toh (Space Dandy) and Shuhei Handa (Scott Pilgrim Takes Off) are handling the screenplay and character design.
Ghost in the Shell has already been adapted multiple times and now boasts six animated films, four TV series (each comprising several seasons and TV movies), several video games, and a Hollywood production starring Scarlett Johansson in the lead role.
With the latest anime for Prime Video, however, the 37-year-old sci-fi/cyberpunk franchise seems to be striking a chord with fans once again.
