Masamune Shirow's manga Ghost in the Shell shot to international fame with Mamoru Oshii's 1995 animated film of the same name, cementing its status as a cyberpunk and sci-fi classic. A new TV anime series has also been announced, slated for broadcast sometime in 2026.
Now, Japanese pottery brand "YOYOYO™" has teamed up with the franchise to unveil an exquisite porcelain art piece: the "Ghost in the Shell Tachikoma Nabeshima-yaki." This stunning creation, featuring the iconic Tachikoma thinking tank, is limited to just 50 units worldwide and will retail for 770,000 JPY, with sales kicking off on January 30, 2026.
This masterpiece commemorates the 350th anniversary of Nabeshima-yaki kilns, marking the first-ever collaboration between two of Saga Prefecture's most esteemed kilns: Hataman Touen, a prestigious Nabeshima-yaki family with 350 years of history, and 224porcelain, known for its free-spirited and innovative Hizen Yoshida-yaki designs. It's a true fusion of traditional craftsmanship and digital sculpting, creating a timeless work of art.
To perfectly capture the Tachikoma's unique and intricate form, the team started from scratch, redesigning its 3D model. Porcelain is notoriously tricky; it shrinks, warps, and can even crack during firing due to variations in thickness. Bringing such a complex design to life required both the precision of digital sculpting and years of accumulated expertise. Every detail—from the fingers and joint thickness to claw strength and the shrinkage rate of each component—was meticulously tested and adjusted, all to ensure the most beautiful and collectible state after firing.
To make the Tachikoma's sleek silhouette and delicate painting truly pop, the artisans opted for high-quality natural Amakusa pottery stone from Kumamoto Prefecture. The resulting white finish isn't just incredibly hard and durable; it's also exquisitely smooth, translucent, and even boasts a light-transmitting beauty, forming the crucial foundation for the entire piece.
The most challenging part of Nabeshima-yaki is undoubtedly the hand-painting. Drawing the intricate lines with a fine-tipped brush demands intense, prolonged concentration, with every stroke a testament to the artisan's seasoned skill. Then, using a "dami-fude" brush, layers of color are applied, building up a three-dimensional, profound depth through variations in pigment density and brushwork. Each stroke, each detail, is a culmination of the artisan's time and pride, truly bringing the Tachikoma to life.
Nabeshima-yaki is renowned for its perfectly balanced, never-overstated use of color, often depicting flora and landscapes in an abstract, Japanese painting-esque style. The Tachikoma Nabeshima-yaki faithfully carries on this tradition, meticulously rendering classic patterns like Seigaiha waves, peonies, and wisteria. Through subtle shifts in brush pressure and angle, colors are layered, infusing the porcelain with the vitality and warmth of nature.
Ghost in the Shell "Tachikoma Nabeshima-yaki"
Price: 770,000 JPY (tax and domestic shipping included; includes main unit, certificate, display base, and wooden box)
Dimensions: W14 × D16 × H13.5 cm
Sales will be conducted as follows:
・Five units will be available for early purchase on January 30 at the "Ghost in the Shell Exhibition" held at Toranomon Hills.
・On the same day, global online sales for the remaining 45 units will open at 12:00 PM JST.
