Motoko Kusanagi is back! A brand-new Ghost in the Shell anime by Science SARU Premieres July 2026

The long-awaited new Ghost in the Shell anime is set to air in July 2026. A brand-new PV and key visual have been revealed, along with the announcement of a top-tier music team, including Taisei Iwasaki, Ryo Konishi, and YUKI KANESAKA.

The new TV anime GHOST IN THE SHELL, part of the iconic Ghost in the Shell franchise, is officially set to premiere in July 2026. It will air every Tuesday at 11:00 PM on the Kansai TV/Fuji TV nationwide network.

Alongside the announcement, the first key visual and a brand-new promotional video (PV) featuring main story footage were unveiled. The PV teases the sci-fi drama and action elements that await, showcasing the fully prosthetic cyborg protagonist Motoko Kusanagi and members of Public Security Section 9.

The first key visual, illustrated by character designer and chief animation director Shuhei Handa, portrays Motoko Kusanagi in a powerful stance.

PV

Music Team Revealed

The announcement also introduces the main music staff. Taisei Iwasaki, winner of the Japan Academy Prize for Best Music for Belle, will serve as music director and composer. He will be joined by Ryo Konishi, music director for the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo opening ceremony, and YUKI KANESAKA, a Boston-based composer known for his work on Dr. STONE. The trio will co-create the series' music under the label FlyingDog.

Comments from the Music Staff

■Taisei Iwasaki (Music Director & Composer)
“I first encountered Ghost in the Shell when I opened a magazine as a middle schooler and saw a color illustration of Motoko Kusanagi. The unique touch, the colors, and the name ‘Masamune Shirow’—it was a shock. Since then, I’ve experienced the series in many forms, and now I am honored to contribute to its legacy. My concept for this soundtrack is ‘Public Security Section 9 in sound.’ I’ve gathered talented friends and will give it everything I’ve got. I hope this work connects with you all.”

■Ryo Konishi (Composer)
“I first saw Innocence in theaters as a middle schooler. Its overwhelming charm has captivated me ever since, and Ghost in the Shell has deeply influenced my creative vision. Being entrusted with the music was unbelievable at first, but I’ve poured everything into this project. I followed the whisper of my ghost!”

■YUKI KANESAKA (Composer)
“Until recently, I hadn’t explored Ghost in the Shell at all. But soon after tweeting that, I ordered every Japanese and English volume on Amazon. I began composing in my private studio in the suburbs of Boston, where melodies were already ready to journey. After recording sessions in Nashville and production work in a Shanghai hotel, the motifs came together back in Tokyo to form a suite. This map-like soundtrack is etched with my thoughts and emotions—without hesitation, distortion, or revision.”

Series Overview

Ghost in the Shell was originally created by manga artist Masamune Shirow and began serialization in 1989 in Young Magazine Kaizokuban. The series follows cyborg Motoko Kusanagi, leader of Public Security Section 9, a unit tasked with countering high-level cybercrime in a hyper-connected world.

With detailed realism, cyberpunk themes, and philosophical explorations of identity and the fusion of humanity and technology, the series has inspired generations of creators. Kodansha has published three volumes:

THE GHOST IN THE SHELL
2 MANMACHINE INTERFACE
1.5 HUMAN-ERROR PROCESSOR

The franchise has expanded into various media, including Mamoru Oshii’s 1995 anime film GHOST IN THE SHELL, multiple TV and film adaptations, and a Hollywood live-action movie, continuing to captivate audiences worldwide.

Staff Information

Title: GHOST IN THE SHELL
Format: TV Animation
Original Work: Ghost in the Shell by Masamune Shirow (Kodansha KC Deluxe)
Director: Moco-chan
Series Composition & Script: Toh EnJoe
Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Shuhei Handa
Music Director / Composer: Taisei Iwasaki
Composers: Ryo Konishi, YUKI KANESAKA
Music Production: FlyingDog
Animation Studio: Science SARU
Broadcast: Begins July 2026, Tuesdays at 11:00 PM on Kansai TV/Fuji TV Network

Source : ORICON NEWS