Masamune Shirow's iconic manga, "Ghost in the Shell," is getting a brand-new anime adaptation, "Ghost in the Shell THE GHOST IN THE SHELL," which kicked off on the evening of July 7th. Fans have been eagerly anticipating Science SARU's fresh take on this legendary series.
The biggest news, kept under wraps until its premiere, was the complete voice cast overhaul. The main voice cast for all the key characters has finally been revealed! The most anticipated change sees Maaya Sakamoto stepping into the shoes of the protagonist, Motoko Kusanagi, taking over from the late veteran voice actress Atsuko Tanaka, who passed away in 2024.
This new anime adaptation is set in 2029, a near-future Japan where corporate networks span the globe, and electronic and optical signals flow at high speeds, though the concept of nations and ethnicities hasn't quite faded away. Motoko Kusanagi, a full-body cyborg, leads an elite unit including Batou, all while aspiring to form a special force dedicated to "preventing crime before it happens."
Coincidentally, Daisuke Aramaki of the Ministry of Internal Affairs has a similar vision for a new unit and recruits Kusanagi and her team. Thus, Kusanagi and her crew begin operating as the offensive organization "Public Security Section 9"—better known as the "Ghost in the Shell." As they navigate computer crimes intertwined with international conspiracies, an unidentified hacker known as the "Puppet Master" gradually emerges. What fate awaits Motoko Kusanagi? And what is the true objective of the Puppet Master?
Here's a rundown of the other major character voice cast changes:
Motoko Kusanagi: Atsuko Tanaka → Maaya Sakamoto
Daisuke Aramaki: Osamu Saka → Kazuhiro Yamaji
Batou: Akio Ōtsuka → Hiroki Yasumoto
Togusa: Kōichi Yamadera → Yuichi Nakamura
Ishikawa: Yutaka Nakano → Kōsuke Gotō
Saito: Tōru Ōkawa → Tōru Nara
Tachikoma: Sakiko Tamagawa, who previously voiced the Tachikoma, is replaced by Tomoko Kaneda.
Maaya Sakamoto taking over the role was, of course, a highly anticipated choice among many fans. After all, she previously voiced a younger Motoko Kusanagi in "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex" and later took on the main role in "Ghost in the Shell: Arise."
If you haven't seen the anime yet and want to hear Sakamoto's performance, check out the clip below!
The biggest difference with this new adaptation compared to previous iterations is its direct adaptation of Masamune Shirow's original manga storyline. This sets it apart significantly from Mamoru Oshii's past film series. Fans are undoubtedly hyped, especially for the faithful character designs and story presentation that stick close to the source material. It's already airing, so what are you waiting for? Go check it out!
▼ "Ghost in the Shell THE GHOST IN THE SHELL" Opening Theme: King Gnu "GO GHOST"