A New ‘Ghost In The Shell’ Anime Is Coming To Netflix In 2020
While the rest of Hollywood is scrambling to adapt as many anime into live-action movies as possible,Netflixis starting to go the opposite route. Sure, they have to answer for thatDeath Noteadaptation and possibly the upcoming live-actionCowboy Bebopseries, but the streaming giant is getting some points with a newGhost in the Shellanime series.
Netflix is developing a newGhost in the Shellanime series titledGhost in the Shell: SAC_2045that is set to hit the streaming service in 2020 and features some anime heavy-hitters at the helm. And best yet — there’s no Scarlett Johansson in sight.
Netflix announced that it is picking upGhost in the Shell: SAC_2045, which will be directed byAppleseed’sShinji AramakiandGhost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex’sKenji Kamiyama— two directors with sterling anime resumes, the latter especially.Stand Alone Complexwas theGhost in the Shellanime series that ran from 2002-2005 and earned heaps of accolades for the stunning animation and complex storylines. If anyone is qualified to helm a newGhost in the Shellanime, it’s Kamiyama, who has also been involved in three otherGhost in the Shellprojects. This will be the second project he and Aramaki are teaming up on, the first of which is the equally anticipatedBlade Runneranime.
Netflix didn’t offer many details aboutGhost in the Shell: SAC_2045apart from a brief description that the anime series will be about the “desire to explore the true meaning of human consciousness intensifies.” We’re not sure if this will be a reboot or continuation, but it seems like it will star the series' main protagonist MajorMotoko Kusanagi, who can be seen below in the art for the series by illustratorIlya Kuvshinov.
YES, A NEW GHOST IN THE SHELL ANIME IS COMING.Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 will be directed by Appleseed’s Shinji Aramaki and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex’s Kenji Kamiyama. On@Netflixin 2020!desire to explore the true meaning of human consciousness intensifiespic.twitter.com/MgKzX2KydQ
— Netflix Geeked (@NetflixGeeked)August 20, 2025
While this art seems more like a fan art piece than actual concept art for the series (unlessGhost in the Shell: SAC_2045is going for a much softer shoujo route than any past iterations), the prospect of a newGhost in the Shellanime series is exciting. It will hopefully wash our memories of the Scarlett Johansson atrocity that was last year’s Rupert Sanders movie and bring new fans into the series with Netflix’s massive platform.
Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045is the latest entry in Netflix’s growing anime catalogue, which includes original series as well classics likeNeon Genesis Evangelion. And with high-profile titles likeGhost in the Shellin its basket, Netflix may have gotten the leg upon Huluin the constant battle for the anime streaming market.
