Ghost in the Shell, the upcoming cyberpunk science fiction anime, held its two-episode world premiere at the Annecy Animation Festival on June 22. Director Moko-chan (Touma Kimura), best known for Dandadan (2024) and Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (2023), took the stage alongside producers Daichi Sasa of Kodansha, Kohei Sakita of Science SARU, and Kengo Abe of Bandai Namco Filmworks. The group discussed the making of the anime and gave the audience a behind-the-scenes look at the production process.
Abe described the original manga as a challenging work to adapt into anime, adding that they wanted this project to serve as a starting point for the future of the franchise. Sasa also expressed his excitement about Science SARU’s involvement, noting that the studio shares “the fundamental joy of anime.”
Sakita explained that the team wanted to create the project in a traditional anime style. Hand-drawn animation was essential, he said, because of the series’ spiritual themes and the idea that humans should remain physically involved in the creation of Ghost in the Shell.
Moko-chan then showcased the manga cover from Deluxe Edition and walked the audience through the process of recreating that image for the opening sequence.
At the same time, Sakita highlighted the use of cutting-edge 3D CG models, which allowed the team to create elements that would be difficult or impossible to achieve through hand-drawn animation alone. Moko-chan added that artists can draw impossible things, whereas 3D animation is inherently mathematical and logical.
Another notable creative decision was giving the main character an impressive 48 different outfits. Characters in anime typically wear the same clothing throughout a series because it simplifies the animation process, making this an unusual choice.
Moko-chan also revealed that many of the street and building signs in Ghost in the Shell are intentionally illegible. Joking that viewers might assume the series was AI-generated because of it, the director explained that it was simply impossible to add readable signage to everything visible on screen. Moko-chan assured the audience that no generative AI was used in the production of the anime, a statement that drew thunderous applause.
The director went on to discuss the show’s visual design, explaining that each episode features a distinct color palette. The team also made extensive use of shadows and subtle visual details to create a greater sense of vitality. Machines are not portrayed as monotonous, and the line separating humans and machines is intentionally blurred. Moko-chan further teased unexpected twists and a surprisingly spectacular science-fiction ending.
The panel concluded with the premiere of the first two episodes. Make no mistake: this is not an origin story. Viewers are thrown directly into an already established world with little explanation. The pacing is fast, while the animation is stunning—richly detailed and masterfully colored.
Ghost in the Shell will debut on July 7, 2026 on Prime Video.
