Ghost in the Shell is a Japanese cyberpunk media franchise based on the manga series of the same name written and illustrated by Masamune Shirow. The manga, first serialized between 1989 and 1991, is set in mid-21st century Japan and tells the story of the fictional counter-cyberterrorist organization Public Security Section 9, led by protagonist Major Motoko Kusanagi.
Masanori Ota, better known by his pen name Masamune Shirow, is a Japanese manga artist. Shirow is best known for the manga Ghost in the Shell, which has since been turned into three theatrical anime films, two anime television series, an anime television film, an anime ONA series, a theatrical live action film, and several video games. As well as being a key figure in the development of cyberpunk aesthetics and themes in Japan during the 1980s and 1990s.
Mamoru Oshii is a Japanese filmmaker, television director and writer. Famous for his philosophy-oriented storytelling, Oshii has directed a number of acclaimed anime films, including Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer (1984), Angel's Egg (1985), Patlabor 2: The Movie (1993), and Ghost in the Shell (1995). He also holds the distinction of directing the first ever OVA, Dallos (1983). As a writer, Oshii has worked as a screenwriter, and occasionally as a manga writer and novelist. His most notable works as a writer include the manga Kerberos Panzer Cop (1988–2000) and its feature film adaptation Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade (1999).
Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, known in Japan as just Innocence, is a 2004 Japanese animated cyberpunk film written and directed by Mamoru Oshii. The film serves as a standalone sequel to Ghost in the Shell (1995) and is loosely based on the 1989–91 manga The Ghost in the Shell by Masamune Shirow.
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is a Japanese anime television series produced by Production I.G and based on Masamune Shirow's manga Ghost in the Shell. It was written and directed by Kenji Kamiyama, with original character design by Hajime Shimomura and a soundtrack by Yoko Kanno. The first season aired from October 2002 to October 2003 and was positively received by critics. A second season, titled Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd Gig, aired from January 2004 to January 2005. Critical response to the series was generally positive.
Appleseed is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masamune Shirow. The series follows the adventures of ESWAT members Deunan Knute and Briareos Hecatonchires in Olympus. Like much of Shirow's work, Appleseed merges elements of the cyberpunk and mecha genres with politics, philosophy, and sociology. The series spans four volumes, released between 1985 and 1989. It has been adapted into an original video animation, three feature films, a 13-episode TV series, and two video games.
Major Motoko Kusanagi, or just "The Major", is the main protagonist in Masamune Shirow's Ghost in the Shell manga and anime series. She is a cybernetic human, augmented with a synthetic "full-body prosthesis". She is employed as the field commander of Public Security Section 9, a fictional anti-cybercrime law-enforcement division of the Japanese National Public Safety Commission. A strong-willed, physically powerful, and highly intelligent cyberhero, she is well known for her skills in deduction, hacking and military tactics.
Tachikoma are fictional walker robots endowed with artificial intelligence (AI) that are featured in the Ghost in the Shell universe. They appear in the manga created by Masamune Shirow and in the Stand Alone Complex sub-universe. Nine of them are initially deployed to Section 9. They are spider-like, multi-legged combat vehicles, and are equipped with adaptive artificial intelligence. The spider design appears in other places in Shirow's work such as the Appleseed manga. Shirow is noted to keep numerous spiders as pets.
Ghost in the Shell is a 1997 third-person shooter video game developed by Exact and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation. A part of the larger Ghost in the Shell media franchise, it utilizes the same English voice cast as the feature film of the same name, although the two do not share a story continuity. The game was released in July 1997 in Japan, December 1997 by THQ in North America and July 1998 in Europe. Soundtrack albums, an artbook and a guidebook were produced to accompany the game.
Batou is a main male character in Masamune Shirow's Ghost in the Shell series. He is the second-best melee fighter in Section 9, and is the second in command under Major Motoko Kusanagi. He is a battle-hardened cyborg special operative with a long distinguished military career and a no-nonsense attitude. Though he looks imposing, he is known for his warm heart, sense of humor, and love for animals.
Togusa is the second most prominently featured male character in Masamune Shirow's Ghost in the Shell manga and anime series. In Stand Alone Complex, as well as the original Ghost in the Shell film, it is stated that he is the youngest member of Section 9 and the only family man. His voice is provided by Kōichi Yamadera in most of his appearances, while Hirotaka Suzuoki provides his voice in the Ghost in the Shell PlayStation game. Chin Han portrayed Togusa in the 2017 film.
Ghost in the Shell is a 1995 adult Japanese-animated tech noir cyberpunk action thriller film directed by Mamoru Oshii from a screenplay by Kazunori Itō. The film is based on the 1989–90 manga of the same name by Masamune Shirow. It stars the voices of Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Ōtsuka, and Iemasa Kayumi. It is a Japanese-British international co-production between Kodansha, Bandai Visual and Manga Entertainment, with animation provided by Production I.G.
Ghost in the Shell is a Japanese cyberpunk manga series written and illustrated by Masamune Shirow. It was first serialized in Kodansha's seinen manga magazine Young Magazine Zōkan Kaizokuban from 1989 to 1990, and was then compiled in a single tankōbon volume. Shirow produced two sequels: Ghost in the Shell 1.5: Human-Error Processor and Ghost in the Shell 2: Man-Machine Interface. Set in the mid-21st-century, the manga tell the story of the fictional counter-cyberterrorist organization Public Security Section 9, led by protagonist Major Motoko Kusanagi.
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – Solid State Society is a 2006 Japanese anime science fiction television film and part of the Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex series based on Masamune Shirow's manga Ghost in the Shell. It was produced by Production I.G and directed by Kenji Kamiyama.
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is a third-person shooter video game developed by Cavia and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2. It is based on the cyberpunk anime of the same name. The game was released from March 2004 to May 2005, with the game having its own original soundtrack album released 1 day before its Japanese release. It was Sony's second video game based on the franchise, with a previous game for the PlayStation being the first.
Ghost in the Shell: Arise, also known in Japan as Mobile Armored Riot Police: Arise, is an original video animation and television series that serves as a re-imagining of Masamune Shirow's Ghost in the Shell. The series features new character designs and is directed by Kazuchika Kise, screenplay by Tow Ubukata, and music by Cornelius.
Junichi Fujisaku is a Japanese anime director, screenwriter and novelist that mostly known for his work on the Blood franchise and Ghost in the Shell: Arise series, produced by Production I.G.
