The latest adaptation of the acclaimed Japanese science fiction manga Ghost In The Shell is a faithful, predominantly hand-drawn anime series that aims to capture the essence of Masamune Shirow’s 1989 original work in its entirety. Produced by Japanese animation studio Science Saru, the first season, which covers the manga’s initial volume, is now available for streaming on Prime Video. The series was recently showcased at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France.
Set in 2029, the story explores a future where cybernetic implants and “cyberbrains” allow humans to connect directly to networks, blurring the lines between man and machine. It follows Major Motoko Kusanagi and her counter-terrorism team as they confront cybercrime in a technologically advanced society. The franchise, influential in inspiring films such as The Matrix and Avatar, as well as numerous anime and video games, has seen varied adaptations over the years. Earlier interpretations ranged from the widely acclaimed 1995 film by Mamoru Oshii to the early 2000s TV series Stand Alone Complex by Kenji Kamiyama. However, a 2017 American live-action film featuring Scarlett Johansson and subsequent CGI-heavy productions received mixed reception and divided fans.
Speaking through an interpreter, director Touma Kimura—known as Motokochan—explained the intention behind the latest adaptation’s approach. Unlike previous versions that focused on fragments or new narratives within the Ghost In The Shell universe, this series strives to present the original manga’s philosophical themes, character relationships, and atmosphere with greater depth and fidelity. A particular focus is the nuanced dynamic between Kusanagi and Chief Aramaki, which the longer format allows to be explored more fully.
Motokochan emphasized the importance of retaining a 1990s aesthetic despite the story’s near-future setting. He noted that the use of technology and design reminiscent of that era helps preserve the manga’s original tone and thematic universality, which transcends the specifics of contemporary technological developments. The show draws inspiration from iconic 1980s science fiction films such as Blade Runner and RoboCop—works that initially influenced Shirow’s manga—aiming to evoke a similar ambiance.
The animation style combines traditional two-dimensional hand-drawn techniques with three-dimensional CGI, particularly for depicting robots and machines. Motokochan explained that the hand-drawn elements are crucial for conveying humanity and character emotion. For instance, the Fujikoma—small, AI-equipped robotic devices in the story—are rendered by hand when portrayed as sentient agents, while CGI is employed when they function solely as mechanical vehicles. This blending of formats presented challenges due to differing production processes, but the collaboration ensured the 3D models closely matched the hand-drawn aesthetics.
Overall, the new Ghost In The Shell series represents a concerted effort to honor the depth and complexity of Shirow’s original manga, offering fans and newcomers alike a visually striking and philosophically rich adaptation.