Bandai Namco Filmworks has officially announced a new television anime entry in the legendary “Ghost in the Shell” franchise, set to premiere in July 2026. Tentatively titled “Kōkaku Kidōtai (The Ghost in the Shell)”, the series will be produced by Science SARU in collaboration with Bandai Namco Filmworks, Kodansha, and Production I.G., all serving on the production committee.
The new adaptation marks a significant moment for the property originally created by Masamune Shirow, reaffirming its enduring relevance within the cyberpunk canon and the broader landscape of Japanese animation. On January 30, 2026, the production unveiled its key visual and preview video, alongside the launch of the official website and social media accounts.
The series is directed by Mokochan, with acclaimed novelist EnJoe Toh handling series composition and episode scripts. Character designs and chief animation direction are entrusted to Shuhei Handa, while music will be composed by Taisei Iwasaki, Ryo Konishi, and Yuki Kanesaka.
Broadcast in Japan is scheduled for July 2026 on the Ka-Anival!! programming block across Kansai TV, Fuji TV, and affiliated networks. Notably, Amazon Prime Video has secured worldwide streaming rights and will provide an exclusive early release window ahead of the Japanese television broadcast, underscoring the franchise’s continued global appeal.
The new installment follows “Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 The Last Human”, the compilation film of the second season of “Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045”, which opened theatrically in November. The franchise’s recent iterations have been distributed globally via Netflix, with both seasons of “Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045” streaming worldwide since 2020 and 2022 respectively.
Beyond the anime announcement, Bandai Namco Filmworks also revealed that Masamune Shirow will hold a dedicated exhibition in spring 2025, further celebrating the creator’s influence on science fiction storytelling.
Science SARU’s involvement is particularly noteworthy. Founded in 2013 by director Masaaki Yuasa and producer Eunyoung Choi, the studio has built an international reputation for bold stylistic experimentation and narrative ambition. Its portfolio includes award-winning features such as “Lu Over the Wall” and the Golden Globe-nominated “INU-OH”, along with series like “Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!” and “The Heike Story”. TOHO recently announced that Science SARU will become its consolidated subsidiary beginning in the second quarter of the fiscal year ending February 2025, signaling strengthened industry backing for the studio’s future projects.
With a fresh creative team, high-profile production partners, and global streaming support, the upcoming “Ghost in the Shell” television series is poised to introduce a new generation to Shirow’s cybernetic universe while continuing the franchise’s long-standing dialogue between technology, identity, and society.
Further details, including casting and additional promotional materials, are expected in the coming months.
