Science SARU Takes on Section 9
Science SARU (Devilman Crybaby, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off) is bringing Shirow Masamune's foundational cyberpunk manga back to television, and the third trailer makes a strong case for this adaptation's distinct identity. The new footage showcases fresh scenes of Section 9 in action and, for the first time, confirms that the Puppet Master — the franchise's most philosophically loaded antagonist — will be central to the story.
Directing the series is Moko-chan, a Science SARU animator stepping up to lead director for the first time after serving as assistant director on Dandadan. Handling series composition and screenplay is Enjō Tō (円城塔), an Akutagawa Prize-winning novelist whose background in mathematical science fiction feels purpose-built for Shirow's dense, ideas-first world. Character design and chief animation direction come from Handa Shūhei (半田修平), whose work on Netflix's Spriggan showed a talent for blending detailed mechanical design with fluid action.
The music team runs three deep: Iwasaki Taisei (Blood Blockade Battlefront), Konishi Ryō (the live-action The Fable), and YUKI KANESAKA (Jujutsu Kaisen).
The Puppet Master Enters the Frame
The newly revealed story synopsis places the series in 2029 — the same year as Shirow's original manga. Motoko Kusanagi, a full-body cyborg, commands the offensive unit known as Section 9 as they confront cyber-crimes tangled in international intrigue. During one investigation, a mysterious hacker known only as the Puppet Master surfaces on the radar.
Fans of Mamoru Oshii's 1995 film will recognize the Puppet Master immediately, but this adaptation appears to be drawing directly from the manga rather than any previous anime version. The third key visual reinforces that read: alongside Motoko, Batou, Togusa, Ishikawa, Saitō, Bōma, and Paz, it features the Fuchikoma — the AI-equipped "think tanks" from Shirow's manga, distinct from the Tachikoma that Stand Alone Complex made iconic. It's a small detail, but it signals where this show's loyalties lie.
The Staff Speak Up
Anime Hack reported that all eight key staff members released personal statements alongside the trailer. The consistent thread is deep reverence for the source material paired with an eagerness to make something that stands on its own.
Director Moko-chan called the original manga "my origin point" since first reading it in high school, acknowledging both the pressure and the privilege of working within such a storied franchise. Screenwriter Enjō Tō framed Shirow's work as a mirror — "what the reader knows is reflected back" — arguing its power hasn't faded in the 21st century. Character designer Handa Shūhei expressed hope that this version will be loved "for 10, 20, 30 years" the way its predecessors have been.
Art supervisor Masuyama Osamu (増山修) offered the sharpest creative thesis, describing the manga's blend of "futuristic yet retro, calm yet fancy, intellectual yet pop" as something that feels fresh precisely because reality has caught up to what Shirow imagined decades ago. Photography director Itō Hikari (伊藤ひかり) put it more personally: she's wanted to be like the Major since childhood, and while that didn't pan out, becoming the cinematographer on a Ghost in the Shell anime is a decent consolation.
Looking Ahead
Ghost in the Shell premieres July 7, 2026 at 11 PM on Kansai TV and the Fuji TV network in the Hi-Anibaru!! Tuesday anime block. For international viewers, Amazon Prime Video holds exclusive worldwide streaming rights (excluding China and Russia).
The biggest question mark is the voice cast — no actors have been announced yet, meaning who plays Motoko Kusanagi remains the series' most anticipated reveal. With barely seven weeks until premiere, a casting announcement should be imminent.
The source manga by Shirow Masamune is published by Kodansha and has long been available in English through Kodansha Comics, giving newcomers time to read the original before the anime debuts. A Ghost in the Shell exhibition also runs through early 2026 in Japan for fans looking to dive deeper into the franchise's history.