Screen Rant

Ghost in the Shell - Franchise

The Ghost in the Shell franchise is a Japanese cyberpunk media series based on the manga by Masamune Shirow, first published in 1989. Set in a futuristic world where cybernetic enhancements and cyberbrains are common, the franchise explores complex themes of identity, consciousness, and artificial intelligence. The story follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg and a high-ranking officer in Public Security Section 9, as she leads her team in combating cyberterrorism and uncovering political conspiracies. The series has had a significant influence on science fiction and cyberpunk genres, both in Japan and globally.

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Ghost in the Shell (1995) Movie Poster
Created by
Masamune Shirow
First Film
Ghost in the Shell
Latest Film
Ghost in The Shell: The New Movie
First Episode Air Date
October 1, 2002

Cast
Atsuko Tanaka, Richard Epcar, Akio Otsuka, Chin Han, Michael Pitt, Takeshi Kitano
Character(s)
Major Motoko Kusanagi, Batou, Togusa, Daisuke Aramaki, Kuze, The Puppet Master, Ishikawa, Saito
Video Game(s)
Ghost in the Shell, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
Batou-Togusa-Arise
Ghost in the Shell Fuses Afrofuturism & Cyberpunk in Underrated Sequel

When an investigation takes of Section 9 out of Tokyo’s familiar setting, the crew finds themselves knee-deep in an Afrofuturistic mystery.

Cyberpunk-Edgerunners-David Meets Major
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Is the Ghost in the Shell Reboot Fans Need

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners takes the standard for cyberpunk anime established by Ghost in the Shell, and gives it an enjoyably sleek, new modern shine.

Terminator Dark Fate Ghost in the Shell Easter Egg Mackenzie Davis and Atsuko Tanaka as Grace and Major Motoko Kusanagi
Terminator: Dark Fate Director Reveals Ghost In The Shell Easter Egg

Terminator: Dark Fate director Tim Miller reveals that the 2019 sequel features a Ghost In The Shell easter egg in a brutal action scene.

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Anime is now more mainstream than ever, but there are plenty of classics from the '90s worth checking out or revisiting for nostalgic fans.

Netflix New TV Shows Movies May 27
Netflix: The Best New TV Shows & Movies This Weekend (May 27)

This weekend, Netflix is adding the second season of an anime series, season 5 of a travel documentary series, & season 4 of a fan-favorite TV series.

Ghost in the Shell SAC 2045 Motoko Kusanagi
Ghost In The Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War Cast Guide

Netflix's Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 now has a film companion, Sustainable War. Here is a cast guide for Ghost in the Shell's latest installment.

Every Ghost In The Shell Movie, Ranked From Worst To Best
Every Ghost In The Shell Movie, Ranked From Worst To Best

Here's every Ghost in the Shell movie, including the 2017 live-action and 2022's Netflix CG-animated compilation, ranked from worst to best.

Is Netflix's Ghost In The Shell Movie Better Than The Original
Is Netflix's Ghost In The Shell Movie Better Than The Original

Netflix's Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War is a fast-paced version of SAC_2045 season 1, but is it better than the 1995 film?

Netflix's Ghost In The Shell Anime Learned The Wrong Original Film Lesson
Netflix's Ghost In The Shell Anime Learned The Wrong Original Film Lesson

Netflix's new Ghost in the Shell film, a compilation of SAC_2045 season 1, is a reminder of how the show fails both the manga and the 1995 movie.

ghost in the shell sac_2045 sequel
Is Ghost In The Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War A Sequel To The Netflix Anime?

The new Ghost in the Shell movie Sustainable War is connected to the Netflix SAC_2045 anime that debuted in 2020, but it isn't exactly a sequel.

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14 Best Anime Movies Of All Time (According To IMDb)

IMDb ranks the greatest anime films of all time, with many coming from Studio Ghibli. Audiences of all ages now can appreciate these top-ranked films.

V and Johnny S from Cyberpunk 2077 and Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell.
Cyberpunk 2077's Ghost In The Shell Obsession Led To 3 Easter Eggs

Cyberpunk 2077 is filled with plenty to do and see, but the best parts of Night City are the hidden homages of one of its primary inspirations.

ghost in the shell robot geisha rila fukushima
Who Played Ghost In The Shell's Terrifying Robot Geisha

2017's live-action Ghost In The Shell remake met with mixed reviews, but the robot geisha scene was cited as a highlight; here's who played the role.

Netflix shows returning in 2022 Stranger things Virgin River Ozark
Every Netflix Show Returning In 2022

Netflix still has some big new seasons of hit shows to come in 2021, but here's every Netflix original already confirmed to return in 2022.

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Cowboy Bebop Can Break The Live-Action Anime Curse

Cowboy Bebop can break the curse on live-action anime adaptations with its diverse cast and the involvement of the original composer and director.

Major in Ghost in the Shell, Neo in The Matrix, and Tequila Yuen in Hard Boiled
The Matrix: 7 Other Movies That Influenced The Franchise

The Matrix is a movie like no other, but the Wachowskis created their 1999 sci-fi masterpiece by putting these existing classics in a blender.

ghost in the shell arise poster
Ghost In The Shell: Arise - How The Major Meets Each Team Member

Ghost In The Shell: Arise is an anime TV series rebooting the classic franchise, and here's how The Major meets each member of her team.

Ghost In The Shell Game
Ghost In The Shell PS1 Game: 10 Things You Totally Missed

The PlayStation Ghost In The Shell video game adaptation has earned cult appeal over the years, though most fans know precious little about it.

Ghost In The Shell 10 Things You Didn't Know About The Laughing Man
Ghost In The Shell: 10 Things You Didn't Know About The Laughing Man

Starbucks, the original anime, the OVA and more - how much do you know about the Ghost in the Shell villain, the Laughing Man?

pilou asbæk ghost in the shell batou eyes
Ghost In The Shell: How Pilou Asbæk's Batou Loses His Eyes

The live-action Ghost In The Shell reveals how Pilou Asbæk's Batou gets his famous cybernetic eyes, but here's what happens to his original set.