A major exhibition celebrating the iconic cyberpunk franchise Ghost in the Shell is set to open in Tokyo next year. Titled Ghost and the Shell, the show will run from January 30 to April 5, 2026, at TOKYO NODE in Toranomon.
This marks the first large-scale exhibition dedicated to the Ghost in the Shell universe, which originated as a manga by Masamune Shirow and has since evolved into a globally influential franchise spanning film, television, and more. The exhibition will offer a comprehensive look at the series’ 30-year history, with full support from Production I.G — who has handled animation for the series since the groundbreaking 1995 film — and Science SARU, the studio behind the upcoming anime set to premiere in 2026.
Over 600 items will be on display, including rare and previously unreleased materials. Visitors will also have access to exclusive, never-before-seen interviews with directors Mamoru Oshii, Kenji Kamiyama, Kazuchika Kise, and Shinji Aramaki, providing insight into the creative vision behind each iteration of the franchise.
The exhibition will also include immersive, interactive installations designed to deepen engagement with the themes and aesthetics of Ghost in the Shell. Using the unique features of TOKYO NODE, these experiential exhibits invite visitors to explore the series not just through visuals and sound, but through a multi-sensory journey that stimulates both thought and perception.
In addition, the show will feature new collaborative works from contemporary artists and creators — both from Japan and abroad — who have drawn inspiration from Ghost in the Shell. Exclusive merchandise will also be available for purchase.
To coincide with the announcement, a statement from Mamoru Oshii, director of the original 1995 film GHOST IN THE SHELL, has been released.
Comment from Mamoru Oshii
Ghost and shell. The relationship between them, I believe, is that the shell exists within the ghost. That is what Ghost in the Shell means to me. A ghost is not limited to people; it can reside in dolls, in plants — in anything. It is something harmonious and calm. Something that whispers to you, like the wind.
What all the works in this series have in common is a futuristic vision. Each director has created their own version based on the worldview of the original manga, but none have strayed from Masamune Shirow’s philosophy. In fact, they cannot. That is why every installment can be seen as a kind of spin-off, and I think that is part of what makes this series so compelling.If this exhibition is to be truly cross-sectional, I believe it should allow for non-linear entry points, as is often the case with subculture. I hope it will take into account not only the anime, but also the original manga and live-action works. Only then can it truly be called a cross-sectional exhibition.
Ghost and the Shell
Exhibition Period: January 30 (Fri) – April 5 (Sun), 2026
Venue: TOKYO NODE GALLERY A/B/C (Toranomon Hills Station Tower, 45th Floor)
Address: 2-6-2 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Ticket Information: Scheduled to go on sale in fall 2025
Organizers:
PARCO Co., Ltd.
Ghost in the Shell: Ghost and the Shell Exhibition Production Committee
Kodansha Ltd.
Mori Building Co., Ltd.
KDDI Corporation
Production I.G, Inc.
