Originally announced in May 2024, today we finally get some significant details behind the production of Science SARU's upcoming THE GHOST IN THE SHELL adaptation. We also get a better look at what it's going to look like thanks to a new teaser and key visual from the series' Character Designer/Executive Animation Director Shuhei Handa.

In addition to Handa, it has been announced that Mokochan, who recently participated as a key animator on Science SARU's DANDADAN anime adaptation, will be making Directorial debut with this new adaptation. Celebrated science fiction author/screenwriter EnJoe Toh has been tapped to pen the scripts.

Alongside the key staff announcement and new visuals, a statement from creator Masamune Shirow was also released:

Anime adaptation-wise, this new THE GHOST IN THE SHELL marks the fourth version following those by Oshii, Kamiyama, and Kise. Alternatively, if we separate GHOST IN THE SHELL and Innocence, categorize the S.A.C. series into Seasons 1, 2, and Solid State Society, divide ARISE into its own series along with The New Movie, and split SAC_2045 into Seasons 1 and 2, this would be the tenth adaptation overall.

Considering the shift in production staff, one could even consider this the first installment of a second generation. The original manga is quite old, so I ask for your understanding on that point (sorry!). That said, I sincerely hope this will once again be an enjoyable visual experience in some form.

Although speculated upon from the original teaser, the series does indeed seem to be focusing on being much more faithful to Masamune Shirow's original 1989 manga based on the visuals released today. Previous adaptations have carried the spirit of the original but visually and narratively have leaned a bit more serious, eschewing the visual charm and some of the humor present in Shirow's work. We would be lying if we said we weren't excited just from this alone.

THE GHOST IN THE SHELL is slated to start airing in 2026.