Two years after its announcement, anime studio Science SARU revealed the third trailer for The Ghost in the Shell. The May 2026 trailer presented the team’s work to capture the visuals of the 1989 manga that many saw in its 1995 animated feature OVA.
Project director Moko-chan (Toma Kimura) and his GitS team are deeply honored by anime producer Bandai Namco Filmworks for the opportunity. More details entail that their decisions to revive Major Kusanagi and Public Security Section 9 are not for the sake of rebooting the series. It’s to expand and capture the magic of Shirow Masamune’s introduction to cyberpunk.
Shirow Masamune Idolized by Moko-chan and GitS Staff
The GitS community got their first glance of The Ghost in the Shell back on Jul. 3, 2025. Bandai Namco Filmworks presented the adaptation’s concept art trailer at the LA Anime Expo. A majority of fans grew fond of Science SARU, replicating the early ’90s anime style. At the time, Mokoto Kusanagi, her trusted partner Batou, and Section 9 chief Daisuke Aramaki were shown.
The third trailer shows more of Science SARU’s dedication to perfecting Masamune’s original work for the anime scene. From the distinct body proportions to the 1989 manga’s action panels. The Anime Freaks shared commentary from Moko-chan’s team on why they participated in the anime adaptation. All of their answers showed that they were truly inspired by his cyberpunk world.
From the director himself, he said, “Ghost in the Shell has been a starting point since I encountered the original manga in high school. […] This work has existed alongside the time of many creators and fans. Producing an anime with such legendary history brought pressure, but the entire staff has given their absolute best to ensure it can be enjoyed by as many people as possible.”
The Ghost in the Shell scriptwriter, Toh EnJoe, told anime fans that the franchise’s mystery elements have always fascinated him since he was a child. “There is a mystery in Shirow Masamune’s work, and it reveals a different form depending on the in which it is read. […] It’s like a mirror that reflects what the reader knows. As our understanding of humanity progresses, our interpretation of Mr. Shirow’s work also advances.”
EnJoe added, “I want to tell my middle school self, who struggled to understand what was depicted in [Masamune’s Ghost in the Shell stories], what to research. However, that isn’t to say that I properly understand it now. There still is a sense of incongruity in the reflection of the mirror.”
Head designer and chief animator Shuhei Handa happily joined the project because he was inspired by the original 1995 OVA adaptation of Ghost in the Shell. “Starting with the 1995 theatrical version, GitS has been adapted into anime many times and has been loved by fans for many years. I am one of those who were captivated by it. […] I never dreamed that I would participate in GitS, but I feel [The Ghost in the Shell] is a certain kind of destiny,“ Handa explained.
The Ghost in the Shell 3rd Trailer Reaction
The reception of the series’s first trailer has impressed the GitS community and has captured the interest of newer sci-fi anime fans. The Anime News Network has given fans sample images of Major Kusanagi and Section 9 after the animation presentation was released on May 11.
The Ghost in the Shell character designs aim for a younger appearance of the cast. Mokoto is given her ocean blue hair and red eyes. Unlike her Stand Alone Complex design, she wears a skin-tight latex suit with armor around her torso, arms, and legs. The Major’s smirk shows her confident attitude to tackle any cybercriminals in Japan.
Chief Aramaki took me by surprise, for not many have seen him during Section 9’s prime. His iconic woolly ducktail is now slightly spiked and combed upwards. His facial design is very reminiscent of Ranma 1/2 creator, Rumiko Takahashi, who’s known to give elderly characters rounded, drooping lips. His middle-aged look clarifies that this series will act as a prequel.
The character I didn’t expect to make an appearance in The Ghost in the Shell is the Fuchikoma. I watched Stand Alone Complex back in 2022 and was only familiar with the blue arachnid AI droids, the Tachikomas.
Apparently, the original Production I.G. team came across licensing issues while developing Stand Alone Complex. The Fuchikoma’s name and appearance were replaced with Tachikoma to prevent the project from halting. Fans have debated for years on the difference between the two aside from their red and blue colors. The best answer I could find is from the Anime Stack Exchange forum.
The anonymous user explained, “Fuchikomas have one lens while the Tachikoma has four independent eyes. Also, the Tachikomas are a little bit taller. Their AI is a little bit improved, which leads to the fact that Tachikomas are more human-like and are more willing to defend their human partner. [They] don’t mind taking the risk and are happy most of the time, while the Fuchikomas are more serious.”
Annecy Fest 2026 Will Host World Premiere Screening
While The Ghost in the Shell is scheduled to air on Kanai TV on July 7 in JST, there’s a chance fans could have an early screening in France. The Ghost in the Shell Committee announced that the series has been selected by the Annecy International Animation Film Festival for the “Special Events” program on Apr. 4, 2026.
The following statement says, “The monumental first and second episodes of The Ghost in the Shell will be unveiled to the world for the very first time. We are thrilled to deliver this moment of absolute excitement -where Japan’s legendary sci-fi franchise intersects with Science SARU’s innovative expression – from Annecy to the rest of the world.”
Animation Magazine confirmed that the International Animation Film Festival is scheduled for Jun. 21-27. The Ghost in the Shell will be featured alongside Warner Bros’ Daffy Season, Richard Williams’ Lysistrata, and DC Studios’ part 1 of the multi-part psychological series, Batman: Knightfall.
