New Ghost in the Shell Anime Enters Production at Science SARU

A new Ghost in the Shell anime is officially in the works. Bandai Namco Filmworks confirmed the project on October 23, 2026, with Science SARU, the studio behind DAN DA DAN and INU-OH, returning to animate it following the studio’s 10-episode TV series that aired earlier this year.

The announcement came through an unusual channel: promotional flyers handed out during a press preview for the “Geeks Rule” apparel launch at Dover Street Market Ginza in Tokyo, alongside a newly released teaser visual.

What’s Actually Confirmed

Details remain thin for now. The project currently carries the working title The Ghost in the Shell, and Bandai Namco Filmworks hasn’t confirmed a release window, episode count, or even whether it’s a TV series, film, or something else entirely. It’s also unclear how this new project connects to Science SARU’s recent television adaptation, which aired its 10 episodes from July through September 2026.

Masamune Shirow’s original manga has several possible directions this new anime could take, including Ghost in the Shell 1.5: Human-Error Processor or Ghost in the Shell 2: Man-Machine Interface, both of which remain unadapted by Science SARU’s prior series, though nothing has been confirmed about which story, if any, the new project will draw from.

Building on a Strong Foundation

Science SARU’s recent Ghost in the Shell series set a high bar for this follow-up to build on. That 10-episode run was produced by Mokochan, who made his directorial debut on the project, with EnJoe Toh writing the scripts and Emi Katanosaka serving as art director. The production committee includes Bandai Namco Filmworks, Kodansha, Science SARU, and Production I.G.

The series starred Maaya Sakamoto as Motoko Kusanagi, alongside Kazuhiro Yamaji as Daisuke Aramaki, Hiroki Yasumoto as Batou, Yūichi Nakamura as Togusa, and Kōsuke Gotō as Ishikawa. It streamed on Kansai TV and Fuji TV’s “Ka-Anival!!” block in Japan and simultaneously on Amazon Prime Video across more than 240 countries and regions worldwide, excluding mainland China, Russia, and Vietnam.

A Franchise With Decades of History

Ghost in the Shell originated as Masamune Shirow’s manga in 1989, set in a near-future Japan where cyborg technology and advanced information networks define daily life, following cyborg operative Motoko Kusanagi and the Public Security Section 9 tactical unit. The franchise expanded globally after Mamoru Oshii’s landmark 1995 animated film, eventually branching into further anime, a Hollywood live-action adaptation, video games, and numerous other projects over more than three decades.

Further details on this newest entry are expected to come through Bandai Namco Filmworks’ official channels in the time ahead.

FAQ