The New GHOST IN THE SHELL Trailer Looks Ready to Do Right by the Iconic Manga
Ghost in the Shell is back, and the first trailer for its latest anime adaptation and it reminds fans why this property has endured for nearly four decades.
In just half a minute, the new preview delivers a striking mix of hard sci-fi and cyberpunk attitude that feels rooted in what made the original manga so iconic in the first place.
This upcoming 2026 series from Science Saru looks to be taking a closer cue from Masamune Shirow’s legendary source material than many past adaptations.
Set in the near-future year of 2029, the story follows the Major as she tracks a mysterious “ghost hacker,” a premise that’s classic Ghost in the Shell, a franchise which is rich with philosophical and political intrigue.
Visually, the trailer leans hard into an ‘80s-inspired aesthetic while layering in an anxious, high-voltage atmosphere that suggests something far bigger is unfolding beneath the surface.
Neon-soaked cityscapes, fleeting action beats, and a sense of looming conspiracy all collide in a way that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
The music plays a big role in setting that tone. The pounding, immersive score comes from Taisei Iwasaki, Ryo Konishi, and Yuki Kanesaka, and the trio clearly understood the vibe they needed to hit.
In a press release, Konishi shared just how meaningful the project is to him, saying, “I could hardly believe I would be responsible for the music of such a project... but I approached it with my whole soul, determined to handle this precious world with care. I followed the whispers of my Ghost!”
The 1995 animated film remains one of the most celebrated anime movies ever made, and later projects like Stand Alone Complex and Arise expanded the universe in ways fans largely embraced.
Not every adaptation has landed, though. Hollywood’s live-action take, starring Scarlett Johansson, struggled to connect with audiences and sparked heavy criticism over the casting.
The team behind this new series seems to understand the soul of Ghost in the Shell and they aren’t afraid to lean into its roots. If the full series delivers on what this early footage promises, fans could be in for something seriously cool when July rolls around.