Sunday, 12 July 2026
Anime, manga, and games, with a take · A Yukimedia publication

← all stories

ghost／夜の果て

Ghost / Yoru No Hate is an original feature-length theatrical anime directed by Shingo Natsume and produced by Madhouse, set for release in Japan on February 11, 2027.

Synthesized from 30 Yomimono stories · updated Jul 1

Shingo Natsume's first original feature film, Ghost / Yoru No Hate, was formally announced on July 1, 2026, with a confirmed release date of February 11, 2027. Madhouse handles animation production, reuniting Natsume with the studio behind his acclaimed TV series Sonny Boy. The film's music package includes a theme song and five other new songs from the alternative rock band Hitsujibungaku, among them the insert song "Sugar." Ohkuma Wataru composes the background music. A key visual and a super teaser video accompanied the announcement.

The project is Natsume's debut original feature, distinguishing it from his previous adaptation work. The involvement of Hitsujibungaku, a globally recognized band, and the February 2027 theatrical window position the film as a major release for the winter season. No further details about the plot, additional cast, or international distribution plans have been disclosed in the stories covered.

Key facts

Director
Shingo Natsume ↗
Animation Studio
Madhouse ↗
Release Date
February 11, 2027 in Japan ↗
Theme Song and New Songs Performer
Hitsujibungaku ↗
Background Music Composer
Ohkuma Wataru ↗

Timeline

Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.

Facts

Release
movie · 2027-02-11 · Japan · 2026-07-01

Connections

Produces of
madhouse

Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/ghost. CC BY 4.0.

All coverage

1d ago

Ghost of Tsushima, NieR Bundle, Triangle Strategy Lead Summer Sales on eShop and PS Store

The Nintendo eShop and PlayStation Store are running summer sales through July 15, offering deep discounts on several critically acclaimed titles. Sucker Punch's Ghost of Tsushima DIRECTOR'S CUT is available for 3,649 yen on PS5 and PS4, a 58% discount, with a standalone PS4 version priced at 2,504 yen. The NieR Bundle, which includes NieR: Automata Game of the YoRHa Edition and NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139..., is 60% off at 4,840 yen, down from 12,100 yen. Triangle Strategy, the HD-2D simulation RPG from Square Enix and Artdink, is discounted to 3,072 yen on both Switch and PS5, also 60% off. The articles also mention 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim in their headlines, though no specific sale details are provided in the body text. The sales are timed to coincide with summer vacation periods in Japan, when players have more time for lengthy single-player experiences.

1d ago

Science Saru's Ghost in the Shell Is a Faithful Manga Adaptation

A new Ghost in the Shell anime by Science Saru adapts the original manga closely for the first time. The first episode preserves the comic sensibility and political density of the source material, presenting Major Kusanagi as an ambivalent hero within a corrupt state. The review praises the adaptation's faithfulness and its cutting geopolitical commentary on imperialism and the slave trade.

2d ago

Ghost of Yōtei Collaboration Shop Opens in Hokkaido July 18-19

MSY announced a limited-time collaboration shop in the Mount Yōtei foothills region of Hokkaido, the setting of Ghost of Yōtei. The shop will be open July 18-19 at Niseko Takahashi Farm. It will sell items made from Hokkaido solid wood, including wood pin badges and magnets, a collection with images from the game, and lifestyle products using key visuals.

4d ago

New Ghost in the Shell Anime Premieres on Prime Video

The new Ghost in the Shell television anime from Science SARU premiered on July 7, 2026, on Japanese television and began streaming on Prime Video in over 240 countries and regions. The series, directed by Mokochan in his directorial debut, features Maaya Sakamoto as the voice of Motoko Kusanagi, taking over the role after the death of original voice actress Atsuko Tanaka in August 2024. The cast also includes Kazuhiro Yamaji as Daisuke Aramaki, Hiroki Yasumoto as Batou, and Yuichi Nakamura as Togusa. Toh Enjoe writes and oversees the series scripts, while Shuhei Handa handles character design and chief animation direction. Taisei Iwasaki composes the music with Ryō Konishi and Yuki Kanesaka. King Gnu performs the opening theme "Go Ghost," and MILLENNIUM PARADE feat. Saya Gray and Daniel Caesar perform the ending theme "Blue." The anime had its global premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June with its first two episodes, and also screened at Anime Expo on July 4. Bandai Namco Filmworks, Kodansha, Science SARU, and Production I.G are on the production committee.

6d ago

Crunchyroll Reveals Solo Leveling Movie, Ghost of Tsushima Characters at Anime Expo 2026

Crunchyroll held its annual showcase at Anime Expo 2026 in Los Angeles on July 6, announcing a theatrical film continuation for Solo Leveling and the first character designs for the Ghost of Tsushima Legends anime. The Solo Leveling film, titled Solo Leveling: Beyond the System, will pick up after Season 2 and is produced by A-1 Pictures with Aniplex, Netmarble, D&C Media, Kakao Piccoma, and Crunchyroll. Ghost of Tsushima Legends is directed by Takanobu Mizuno with HAYATE Inc. overseeing production, scripts by Satoshi Maejima and Gen Urobuchi, character designs by Takashi Okazaki, and animation by KAMIKAZE DOUGA. In a surprise segment, Dave Grohl appeared via video message to announce that Nirvana's "Breed" will be the opening theme for The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy At All, which premieres in early 2027. Other reveals included the Kagurabachi anime's first character design sheet for Chihiro Rokuhira, a trailer for the Here U Are manhwa adaptation, the sci-fi series Fate Rewinder for April 2027, The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 5 for next year, Aoashi Season 2 for October 2026, and several other new series including Dengeki Daisy, Gacha Girls Corps, Magical Buffs, The Vermilion Mask, and Overgeared.

6d ago

Ghost in the Shell Anime Hacks Shibuya and Opens Amazon Store

The new TV anime 'Ghost in the Shell: The Ghost in the Shell' begins streaming on Amazon Prime Video on July 7. To mark the launch, poster ads will run at Shibuya Station from July 6 to July 12, and an Amazon special store page has opened with official merchandise, including limited items and a pre-order illustration panel set.

6d ago

Kamen Rider Ghost Gets CSM 15 Heroes Ghost Eyecon Set

Bandai is releasing a CSM version of the Ghost Eyecon set from Kamen Rider Ghost, containing all 15 hero soul types with improved sculpt, paint, and partial mold colors. Pre-orders open July 6, 2026, at Premium Bandai for 16,500 yen, with delivery scheduled for December 2026.

Jul 5

King Gnu and Millennium Parade Both Handle Ghost in the Shell Theme Songs

The upcoming television anime "Ghost in the Shell: The Ghost in the Shell" has revealed its opening and ending theme songs. King Gnu performs the opening theme "Go Ghost," while Millennium Parade performs the ending theme "Blue." This marks the first time that King Gnu and Millennium Parade, both featuring Daiki Tsuneta, have contributed theme songs to the same work. The announcement was made during a panel at Anime Expo 2026 in Los Angeles on July 4. A fifth promotional video previewing the opening theme was also released. The anime is produced by Science SARU, with Mokochan directing his first series. Toh Enjoe is writing and overseeing the series scripts. Shuhei Handa is designing the characters and serving as chief animation director. Taisei Iwasaki is the music director, composing alongside Ryo Konishi and Yuki Kanesaka. The anime will premiere on July 7 on Fuji TV's "Hi Anime!!" block at 11:00 p.m. JST, followed by streaming on Prime Video at 11:30 p.m. JST in over 240 countries and territories. The ending theme "Blue" features Saya Gray and Daniel Caesar.

Jul 4

Ghost of Tsushima: Legends Anime Reveals Character Visuals

Crunchyroll revealed three character visuals and a group visual for the Ghost of Tsushima: Legends anime during its Anime Expo 2026 showcase. The visuals depict the Ronin, Hunter, and Assassin classes from the game's multiplayer mode. The anime is set to debut on Crunchyroll in 2027. Takanobu Mizuno directs at Kamikaze Douga. Gen Urobuchi handles series composition and co-writes the script with Satoshi Maejima. Takashi Okazaki designs the characters. HAYATE Inc. produces the series with cooperation from PlayStation Productions. Aniplex and Sony Music are also involved. The anime adapts the supernatural Legends mode of the 2020 game Ghost of Tsushima, which fictionalizes the 1274 Mongol invasion of Tsushima. Unlike the main game's historical focus, the Legends mode draws on Japanese folklore and mythology. The announcement was part of a larger Crunchyroll presentation that included a Solo Leveling film and other new series.

Jul 1

Shingo Natsume and Madhouse Set February 2027 Release for Ghost / Yoru No Hate

Shingo Ntsume's first original feature-length theatrical anime, now officially titled Ghost / Yoru No Hate, will release nationwide in Japan on February 11, 2027. Madhouse handles animation production. The theme song and five other new songs, including the insert song "Sugar," come from alternative rock band Hitsujibungaku. Ohkuma Wataru composes the background music. A key visual and a super teaser video were also released.

Jun 28

Limited Edition MF Ghost Zippo Lighter Launches With 100 Units

A Zippo lighter engraved with a serial number and limited to 100 units has been released for the TV anime MF Ghost. The lighter features a heavy mirror finish with a laser-engraved design of protagonist Kanata Livington. It is available for pre-order at CAMSHOP for 16,500 yen.

Jun 27

Amazon Prime Video Reveals July 2026 Anime and Film Slate

Amazon Prime Video announced its July 2026 lineup on June 26, featuring the new Ghost in the Shell TV anime, the One Piece spin-off One Piece Heroines, and a large catalog of Pokémon and Crayon Shin-chan films. The theatrical film of The Dangers in My Heart arrives July 13 as a Prime Video exclusive.

Jun 25

Official Ghost in the Shell: The Ghost in the Shell Goods Launch on Amazon June 24

Bandai Namco Filmworks announced on June 24 that official apparel and smartphone cases for the TV anime Ghost in the Shell: The Ghost in the Shell are now available through Amazon's print-on-demand service, Amazon Merch on Demand. The lineup includes T-shirts, pullover hoodies, and smartphone cases featuring designs of protagonist Motoko Kusanagi, Batou, the Fuchikoma, and other motifs. T-shirts are priced at 3,640 yen in black or white, available in men's XS-3XL and women's M and L sizes. Hoodies cost 5,930 yen in black, with the same size range. Smartphone cases for iPhone models are 2,950 yen. The anime, based on Masamune Shirow's manga, is produced by Science SARU and directed by Moko-chan, with series composition by Tow Ubukata and character design by Shuhei Handa. It will premiere on July 7 on Kantele and Fuji Television, and will stream on Prime Video in Japan. The goods are manufactured after ordering, so they are always in stock.

Jun 22

New Ghost in the Shell Anime Reveals English Dub Cast

Science SARU's upcoming Ghost in the Shell television series has announced its English dub cast, led by Suzie Yeung as Motoko Kusanagi and SungWon Cho as Daisuke Aramaki. The first two episodes will screen in the U.K. on June 26 and at Anime Expo on July 4, ahead of the July 7 premiere on Prime Video Japan and television.

Jun 22

Science Saru Details Its Hand-Drawn Approach to New Ghost in the Shell

At the Annecy Festival, Science Saru's director Toma "Mokochan" Kimura and producer Kohei Sakita, alongside Bandai Namco's Kengo Abe, presented the first two episodes of their upcoming Ghost in the Shell adaptation. The series, which premieres on Prime Video on July 7, follows an episodic case-of-the-week format more closely aligned with Masamune Shirow's original manga than the 1995 film. The team emphasized a hand-drawn production pipeline, with CG used only for elements impossible in 2D, such as first-person-shooter-style camera movements.

Jun 22

Ghost in the Shell: The Ghost in the Shell Gets GEEKS RULE T-Shirts

Apparel brand GEEKS RULE will release two T-shirt designs for the new anime Ghost in the Shell: The Ghost in the Shell, launching early at Kodansha House in Los Angeles from July 2. The shirts use the first and second key visuals, with the first evoking Masamune Shirow's illustration style and the second featuring Motoko Kusanagi on a Fuchikoma with an icon by Hajime Sorayama. Each costs 13,200 yen.

Jun 20

Joshua Sawyer on Armor System Design: Simple Is Easier, Complex Is Harder

Joshua Sawyer, director of Fallout: New Vegas, discussed the difficulty of designing armor systems in 3D RPGs in a YouTube video. He praised Ghost of Tsushima for its simple, three-slot system that allows cool designs, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance for its complex, layered system despite development challenges.

Jun 20

New Ghost in the Shell TV Anime Sets July 7 Premiere on Prime Video

Bandai Namco Filmworks announced the new TV anime 'Ghost in the Shell: THE GHOST IN THE SHELL' will begin broadcasting July 7, 2026, on Kantele and Fuji TV, with Prime Video streaming the fastest in Japan. From July 8, it will be available on services including ABEMA, d Anime Store, DMM TV, Disney+ Star, Netflix, Hulu, U-NEXT, and FOD. Studio Science SARU produces the series.

Jun 19

Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories Anime Gets 17th Season on July 12

The Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories television anime will begin its 17th season on July 12 on TV Tokyo. The season's theme is "decision." Akira Funada returns to direct and produce at ILCA, with a cast including Kanji Tsuda and Tomoko Ōishi. Fuurin performs the ending theme song.

Jun 19

Ghost in the Shell Exhibition Kansai Tour Adds New Merch and Tachikoma AI

The Kansai tour of the Ghost in the Shell Exhibition will run from July 17 to August 30, 2026, at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art. New merchandise includes T-shirts collaborating with GEEKS RULE, metallic bottles, and other items. The interactive AI content Tachikoma AI will appear on opening day.

Jun 18

Got Dropped Into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work Webtoon Breaks KakaoPage Launch Records

The webtoon adaptation of Kakao Entertainment's IP Got Dropped Into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work set platform records on its June 5 launch, achieving the highest hourly and daily transaction revenue for a new title on KakaoPage. It reached 1 million views in two hours and 6.5 million views on day one, with over 27,000 comments in 26 hours. Total views now stand at 11 million with 32,000 comments.

Jun 16

Ghost in the Shell: The Ghost in the Shell Gets Prime Video Streaming Date and Trailer

Bandai Namco Filmworks announced on June 16 that the new TV anime Ghost in the Shell: The Ghost in the Shell will stream on Prime Video in Japan starting July 7 at 23:30 JST, with the fastest domestic unlimited viewing. The series will air on Kantele and Fuji TV's new anime slot Ka Anibar!! at 23:00 JST the same day. Overseas, the anime will stream exclusively on Prime Video in over 240 countries and regions, excluding mainland China, Russia, and Vietnam. A Prime Video-exclusive trailer was released alongside the announcement, showing Public Security Section 9 members led by Motoko Kusanagi and hinting at the mysterious hacker Puppeteer. The anime is produced by Science SARU, with Moko-chan directing in her debut role. Series composition and script are by Tow Ubukata, character design and chief animation direction by Shuhei Handa, and music by Taisei Iwasaki. The ending theme is "Blue" by MILLENNIUM PARADE, featuring Saya Gray and Daniel Caesar. A US premiere screening of episodes 1 and 2 will take place at Anime Expo 2026 on July 4, with a staff panel and autograph sessions.

Jun 15

IQUNIX Releases Ghost In The Shell Collaboration Keyboard

IQUNIX has launched the IQUNIX EV63 Ghost in the Shell Edition, a collaboration keyboard inspired by the cyberpunk world of Ghost in the Shell. It features a premium aluminum chassis, magnetic switches, 8KHz polling rate, and 16KHz scan rate, targeting competitive FPS players. Two keycap profiles are available: the comfort-oriented GHOST and the e-sports optimized SHELL. The keyboard is priced at $249 and is on sale at the IQUNIX official store.

Jun 15

Persona 5: The Phantom X Announces Hatsune Miku Collaboration With DECO*27 Song

Sega announced on June 15 that Persona 5: The Phantom X (P5X) will collaborate with Hatsune Miku as part of the game's first anniversary celebration. To mark the event, the company released an animated movie featuring the P5X Phantom Thieves and Hatsune Miku set to DECO*27's song "Ghost Rule." A key visual for the collaboration, drawn by Persona series character designer Shigenori Soejima, was also unveiled. Soejima's Miku design originally appeared in Persona 4 Dancing All Night. A special program titled "Persona X-stream Extra Edition! Hatsune Miku Collaboration Special Issue" will stream on June 18 at 21:00 JST to share further details about the collaboration. The game is available on iOS, Android, and PC.

Jun 11

Ghost in the Shell Anime Reveals MILLENNIUM PARADE Ending Song "Blue"

Bandai Namco Filmworks has revealed the ending theme for Science SARU's upcoming "Ghost in the Shell: The Ghost in the Shell" television anime. The song, titled "Blue," is performed by MILLENNIUM PARADE, the creative collective led by King Gnu's Daiki Tsuneta, and features Canadian-Japanese artist Saya Gray and Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Daniel Caesar. According to Tsuneta, work on the track began roughly three years ago with Gray before Caesar later joined the project. A fourth promotional video previewing the song has also been released, focusing on the inner lives of characters centered on protagonist Motoko Kusanagi. The anime is set to premiere on July 7, 2026, airing on Kansai TV and Fuji TV's new anime programming block "Ka-Anival!!" on Tuesday nights at 11:00 p.m. Amazon Prime Video will stream the series worldwide except in Russia and China, with an early exclusive streaming window in Japan. The first two episodes will also screen at Anime Expo 2026 in Los Angeles on July 4, followed by a panel with director Mokochan, character designer Shuhei Handa, and producers.

Jun 11

Entei Ryu's Motoko Kusanagi and Tachikoma Art Becomes 1/4 Scale Figure

Prime 1 Studio is producing a 1/4 scale figure of Motoko Kusanagi and Tachikoma based on artist Entei Ryu's illustration from Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. Two versions are available: a sepia-tone edition and a character color edition. Pre-orders are open at Rakuten Books for 296,890 yen each.

Jun 7

Web Novel 'Got Dropped Into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work' Launches Webtoon Adaptation

Kakao Entertainment announced a webtoon adaptation of the web novel 'Got Dropped Into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work,' which debuted on Kakao Page on June 5. The original novel topped Kakao Page's all-genre annual rankings in 2025 and has accumulated around 370 million views. The webtoon is drawn by artist Ssyungnyung and follows rookie employee Sol-eum Kim investigating urban legends.

Jun 3

TOMOO Performs Theme Song for 33rd Crayon Shin-chan Film

The 33rd film in the Crayon Shin-chan movie series, titled "Crayon Shin-chan: Mysterious! My Yokai Vacation," will feature a theme song by singer-songwriter TOMOO. The song, titled "Otona ni Nattara" ("When I Grow Up"), was written specifically for the film. Alongside the announcement, the main trailer and poster visual were released on June 3 and June 4, 2026. The trailer shows the Nohara family wandering into a forbidden yokai country, where Hiroshi and Misae have their "oshiri-dama" (butt-shaped objects) removed and are transformed into yokai. Shinnosuke and the family, aided by friendly yokai, must retrieve the oshiri-dama before midnight the next day to restore his parents. Guest voice actors include Ito Sairi as the nine-tailed fox yokai Yako, who guides the family, and members of the comedy duo Mayurika as obstructive yokai. The film is directed by Masaki Watanabe, with a screenplay by Yoshiko Nakamura. It is scheduled for release on July 31, 2026, distributed by Toho.

Jun 2

Ghost of Yotei Trailer Subtitle Sparks PS5 Exclusivity Debate

A promotional video for a PlayStation monitor shows Ghost of Yotei footage with the subtitle "Game available only on PS5." The subtitle has drawn attention from overseas gamers, who see it as evidence that Sony is returning to a strict exclusivity policy for PlayStation Studios single-player titles, following recent reports of an internal directive.

May 31

Ghost in the Shell Exhibition Adds AR Dive Experience With XREAL Glasses

The first large-scale exhibition spanning the entire Ghost in the Shell anime series, "Ghost in the Shell Exhibition Ghost and the Shell," will run from January 30 to April 5, 2026, at TOKYO NODE in Toranomon Hills. The event includes an augmented reality experience called "Dennou VISION" that lets visitors wear AR glasses modeled after those worn by protagonist Motoko Kusanagi. XREAL, the company that develops and sells AR glasses, announced it is providing equipment including the XREAL Air2 Ultra for the experience. The AR tour is guided by the Tachikoma robots from the Stand Alone Complex series. A separate "Dennou VISION Experience Ticket" is required on top of the general admission ticket, priced at 1,300 yen in advance online, 1,500 yen during the exhibition period online, and 1,700 yen at the door. General admission is timed-entry with limited quantities per slot. The exhibition is organized by a production committee including Kodansha, Mori Building, KDDI, Production I.G, Parco, and Bandai Namco Filmworks. A new TV anime, "Ghost in the Shell THE GHOST IN THE SHELL," directed by Moko-chan with series composition by Tow Ubukata and animation by Science SARU, is scheduled for 2026.

May 31

Ghost Concert: Missing Songs Episode 1 Review

Anime Feminist reviewed the premiere of Ghost Concert: Missing Songs, an original anime set in 2045 Japan where human-made music is banned and an app called MiucS generates socially appropriate sounds. The episode follows high schooler Seria, who initially accepts the system but becomes curious after hearing someone singing, a crime described as catching an audible virus. When she investigates, she encounters a ghost and becomes possessed, gaining a flirtatious alter ego. The review praises the premiere for blending science fiction with fantasy elements, particularly the possession plotline and a second song that impressed the reviewer. The reviewer notes the series explores themes of humanity and technology, contrasting Seria's interest in traditional Japanese crafts with the chrome-and-concrete world. The review calls the plot twist unpredictable and says the episode became one of the reviewer's favorites of the season, though it does not spoil the twist. The reviewer expresses high hopes for the series, calling it interesting from start to finish.

May 30

Crunchyroll Announces Ghost of Tsushima Anime, Manga Subscription App

Crunchyroll announced two major initiatives during Sony's CES press conference in Las Vegas on January 6: a series adaptation of the video game Ghost of Tsushima and a new manga reading app for subscribers. The Ghost of Tsushima anime is a co-production between Crunchyroll, Aniplex, Sony Music, and PlayStation Productions, adapting both the main game and its Legends cooperative multiplayer mode. Takanobu Mizuno will direct, with Gen Urobuchi handling story composition and Kamikaze Douga providing animation. The series is set to premiere exclusively on Crunchyroll in 2027. Separately, Crunchyroll Manga will launch later this year in the U.S. and Canada as a standalone iOS and Android app, offered as a premium add-on for existing subscribers. The app will carry titles from multiple publishers and eventually support web browser access. Crunchyroll President Rahul Purini described the manga app as complementing the company's existing anime library, Game Vault, and merchandise store.

May 21

Fangamer Revives Cult RPG Maker Classic OFF for Modern Consoles

Fangamer, a company known for game merchandise, has remade the 2008 free RPG Maker title OFF. The project updates graphics, UI, battle system, and music while preserving the original's surreal tone. Original creator Mortis Ghost contributed new content, and Toby Fox worked on new BGM. A Japanese localization and collector's edition are planned.

May 20

Ghost in the Shell Card Wafers Launch With 26 Character Designs

Bandai Candy Division is releasing a set of Ghost in the Shell card wafers featuring 26 metallic pla cards. The lineup includes Motoko Kusanagi and other Public Security Section 9 characters from the upcoming anime series Ghost in the Shell THE GHOST IN THE SHELL, which is set to begin airing on July 7, 2026. The cards use art described as closer to Shirow Masamune's original manga than previous anime adaptations. Each wafer pack contains one card and one vanilla cream flavored wafer. The cards are made of PET and measure approximately 86 mm by 59 mm. A box of 20 packs costs 3,410 yen including tax. Pre-orders opened on Premium Bandai at 1:00 PM on May 20, 2026, though the product is not a Premium Bandai exclusive. Shipments are scheduled for September 2026. A single box does not guarantee a complete set of all 26 card types. The product is distributed by Bandai Candy Division.

May 20

This Week in Anime: Ghosts in the Shell

The latest installment of Anime News Network's 'This Week in Anime' column is a roundtable discussion covering the entire Ghost in the Shell franchise, timed around the upcoming Science SARU adaptation. The column's participants survey every major iteration of the series, from Masamune Shirow's original manga to Mamoru Oshii's 1995 film and its sequel Innocence, the Stand Alone Complex television series and its CG sequel SAC_2045, the Arise prequel series, the 2017 live-action Hollywood film, and even the PS1 video game. The conversation highlights the franchise's thematic flexibility, noting how its core cast of characters can work across vastly different tones and formats. The column gives particular attention to the Science SARU series, which the writers describe as the first direct cel-animated adaptation of Shirow's manga stories rather than a reinterpretation. The writers also discuss the Major's role as a transfeminine icon and the franchise's handling of feminine sexuality and power. The column closes by mentioning Pandora in the Crimson Shell: Ghost Urn as a connected prequel work.

May 18

Patlabor EZY Brings Back Isao Ota, Director Izubuchi Explains Decision

The new anime project "Mobile Police Patlabor EZY" has brought back the popular character Isao Ota, voiced by Chikao Ohtsuka, who made a surprise appearance at a stage greeting in Tokyo on May 16. Director Yutaka Izubuchi explained the decision, saying he wanted to bring the character out "in a delicious way." Ota is a veteran member of the former Special Vehicles Section 2 from the original OVA series. The stage greeting also featured cast members Sumire Uesaka, Kikunosuke Toya, and Chikahiro Kobayashi. Separately, a new one-shot manga by original creator Masami Yuki, titled "Patlabor 2026," was published in Weekly Spirits on May 18, marking the first new manga in the franchise in 32 years. The anime project consists of eight episodes split into three theatrical chapters. "File 1" opened on May 15, "File 2" is scheduled for August 14, and "File 3" for March 2027. The project has also received recommendation comments from 14 figures including Hideaki Anno, Sumito Owara, and Kenji Kawai.

May 16

My Friend's Little Sister Has It in for Me Manga Ends in Fall

The manga adaptation of Ghost Mikawa's light novel series My Friend's Little Sister Has It in for Me! will conclude with its 12th volume. The 11th volume, released in Japan, carried the announcement on Thursday. Square Enix will publish the final book in early fall. Hira Hiraoka has drawn the adaptation since it began serialization on the Manga UP! website in December 2019. The story follows Akiteru, a young man whose game-development ambitions get tangled with a fake relationship after his uncle sets a condition. The original light novels, illustrated by tomari, started in April 2019 under SB Creative's GA Bunko imprint. J-Novel Club releases the novels in English. The manga is available in English digitally through Manga UP! Global and Comikey. A television anime produced by Studio Blade aired last fall on TV Asahi's NUMAnimation block, with Crunchyroll streaming the series.

May 16

The Ghost in the Shell Anime Sets July 7 Premiere With Third Promo Video

The new anime adaptation of Masamune's The Ghost in the Shell will begin its television run on July 7, 2026. Science SARU is producing the series, with Bandai Namco Filmworks and Kodansha also attached. The date arrived in a third promotional video that opens on Major Motoko Kusanagi and introduces other members of the Shell Squad. Many of the on-screen text slides in the trailer appear in both Japanese and English, though no official subtitles are present. Before the broadcast, the first two episodes will screen at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June 2026. The festival event, titled "Dive into The Ghost in the Shell," will include director Mokochan and producers Daichi Sasa, Kengo Abe, and Kohei Sakita as special guests. A specific time for the Annecy screening has not been posted on the festival's official page or programming site. The new key art was also released alongside the trailer. Earlier character-focused trailers had already spotlighted Makoto, the Tachikoma robots, Batou, and Togusa across separate months leading into this announcement.