Now, the timeless cyberpunk series has found new life once more on Prime Video, in the form of a modern adaptation of Shirow's original work, produced by industry giant Science Saru. Ghost in the Shell has taken many forms since the 1995 film adaptation by Mamoru Oshii caused its popularity to swell, yet its latest is a bit of a departure from what fans might know.
The newest iteration of the story, simply titled The Ghost in the Shell, premiered on July 7th and gave viewers a taste of what to expect from the high-stakes, action-packed exploits of Major Motoko Kusanagi and her elite combat unit. And though hardcore fans have largely expressed satisfaction with the series thus far, those familiar with only the franchise's anime adaptations have been caught off-guard by a Major change.
Ghost in the Shell Is Back on Prime Video, and It's Brought Some Change
The Franchise's Latest Entry Is a Departure from Past Anime Adaptations
The Ghost in the Shell's premiere was jaw-dropping for a number of reasons. The visual aesthetic and character designs, both of which take cues from Masamune Shirow's original manga, are breathtaking, and offer a sort of retro look but with a modern coat of paint. The animation itself is smooth, and the soundtrack appears to have no problem alternating between being playful, gritty, and triumphant. To many members of the global anime community, the first episode very easily ranks among the best anime premieres of the year. Though the reception hasn't exactly mirrored that sentiment.
Episode #1 holds modest ratings so far across a variety of sites, including IMDb, where it's scored just above a 7/10. On all sites, there are similar comments left behind by viewers expressing confusion over just how different the series has proven itself in only one episode, and they aren't wrong. The Ghost in the Shell is a far more colorful experience than anything any prior anime in the series offered, and its protagonist, Major Kusanagi, isn't quite the stoic action hero fans might know.
The Ghost in the Shell has promised to be more accurate to its source material than past adaptations of Shirow's manga, and that's proven to be the case already with the airing of just a single episode. The Major is playful and expressive, and has far more attitude than she ever has before. The bones of the show are very much still those which made Ghost in the Shell so popular in the 1990s and early 2000s, but the vibe around it all is undeniably different.
The Ghost in the Shell Is Another in a Recent Trend of Anime Revivals
The Ghost in the Shell is of a different era, though it isn't the only anime series being revisited decades after its initial waves of success. Anime remakes and revivals appear to be all the rage, with notable titles having been released in recent years, including Ranma 1/2, Trigun, and Fruits Basket, to name just a few. Upcoming remakes include Fist of the North Star and the still ongoing One Piece.
The Ghost in the Shell is another in a recent trend of anime revivals, and after just one episode, appears to be another case of one done right. Though it's tackling the same source material as prior entries in the franchise, the series is different enough to be worth the watch. Fans can expect new episodes to land on Prime Video each Tuesday during the ongoing summer anime season.
Release Date
July 7, 2026
Network
Fuji TV, Kansai TV, Tokai Television Broadcasting, Fukui TV, Hokkaido Cultural Broadcasting, Iwate Menkoi Television, Sendai Television, SAGA TV, TNC, OHK, Ishikawa TV, Kochi Sun Sun Broadcasting, TV Shizuoka, Television Shin Hiroshima System, NST, NBS, Sakuranbo TV, TSK, Ehime Broadcasting, KTS, Fukushima TV, AKT, Toyama Television, TV Kumamoto, Okinawa Television Broadcasting, KTN
Directors
Lucien Dodge, Touma Kimura
Writers
Tô Enjo
Cast
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Maaya Sakamoto
Motoko Kusanagi (voice)
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Hiroki Yasumoto
Batou (voice)
English (US) ·