Fans of the Ghost in the Shell franchise have reason to be excited as a brand-new TV anime adaptation has been officially announced, with its premiere scheduled for July 2026. The upcoming series produced by acclaimed animation studio Science SARU just dropped its first trailer, key visual, and details on the music staff, generating widespread buzz in the sci-fi and anime community.
The announcement was made in conjunction with the opening of the Ghost and the Shell Exhibition in Tokyo, where the franchise’s expansive legacy was celebrated alongside the reveal of the new series’ promotional materials. The teaser trailer gives viewers a first look at the animation’s tone and visual design, hinting at a return to the franchise’s cyberpunk roots with high-stakes action and philosophical sci-fi elements centered on Motoko Kusanagi and Public Security Section 9.
Staff and Creative Team
The upcoming series boasts a notable creative lineup:
Director: Mokochan (making a directorial debut)
Series Composition & Script: EnJoe Toh
Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Shuhei Handa
Animation Production: Science SARU
Music Director & Composer: Taisei Iwasaki
Music: Ryo Konishi and Yuki Kanesaka
Music Production: FlyingDog
Taisei Iwasaki, known for his award-winning work on anime films such as Belle, will oversee the soundtrack, while Konishi and Kanesaka bring their diverse musical talents to the series. Together, they aim to craft a soundscape that complements the show’s futuristic aesthetic and complex themes.
Premiere and Broadcasting Details
The new Ghost in the Shell TV anime is scheduled to begin airing on Kansai TV and the Fuji TV network every Tuesday at 11:00 p.m. Japan time during its July 2026 broadcast window. This marks a high-profile return for the franchise to traditional television broadcast in Japan after recent digital-first adaptations.
Visual Direction and Fan Reception
The first key visual, illustrated by character designer Shuhei Handa, pays homage to Masamune Shirow’s original manga art while presenting a modernized, striking interpretation of the cyberpunk world that has defined Ghost in the Shell for decades. The promotional imagery and trailer have been celebrated by fans online for capturing both the spirit and aesthetic intensity of the franchise’s legacy.
Longtime followers of the series welcome the anime’s return with enthusiasm especially as the franchise remains influential across multiple media, including the original 1995 film, Stand Alone Complex television series, and other adaptations that have helped popularize cyberpunk in global animation culture.
With its blend of auteur-driven artistic direction, high-quality music production, and a storytelling team skilled in handling complex sci-fi narratives, the new Ghost in the Shell TV anime stands poised to be one of the most anticipated anime releases of Summer 2026.