Something extraordinary is happening. The Ghost in the Shell exhibition, running through April 2026, is already proving to be far more than a retrospective. I attended the media preview held ahead of the public opening, and it quickly became clear that this is an experience dense with ideas, discoveries, and moments that demand time. This is not the kind of exhibition that can be captured briefly.
With a devoted global following and a legacy that has shaped generations of creators across disciplines, Ghost in the Shell continues to exist as a cultural force rather than a finished work. This exhibition marks the first comprehensive attempt to trace the full arc of its animated history, bringing together every era of the franchise in one space.
It has been thirty seven years since Masamune Shirow first introduced the original manga to the world, and just over thirty years since Mamoru Oshii released the landmark film GHOST IN THE SHELL in 1995. Within the story itself, Public Security Section 9 is formed in 2029, placing the present moment only three years away from the world the series once imagined as the future.
That sense of convergence gives this exhibition its urgency. To revisit Ghost in the Shell in 2026 is to reconsider it not only as a canonical work of science fiction, but as a mirror held up to contemporary society. In tracing its visions of technology, identity, and consciousness, we are ultimately invited to question where we stand today, and where our own sense of self truly resides.
INDEX
INDEX
Cyberbrain Mode On with AR Glasses
First and foremost, there is one thing that simply must be said. When visiting this exhibition, experiencing the “Cyberbrain Vision” is essential.
Cyberbrain Vision is an AR glasses based exhibition guide system. In simple terms, it functions like a traditional audio guide, but one that has been thoroughly reimagined through the lens of Ghost in the Shell. The result feels less like supplementary information and more like being drawn directly into the world of the work itself.
There is an additional fee of around 1,500 to 1,700 yen, but considering the level of excitement and immersion this simulated cyberization experience delivers, skipping it would be a genuine loss. The exhibition can be enjoyed without it, but with Cyberbrain Vision, the experience becomes something altogether more visceral and unforgettable.
The AR glasses can be worn over regular eyewear, but the staff recommends contact lenses if possible. Covering the sensors on either side can reduce responsiveness, so those with long hair or the Major style angled bob may want to have a way to tie their hair back.
After receiving the AR glasses and a sacoche containing a smartphone like dedicated device, you scan markers inside the exhibition space to activate the guide. It is frustrating not to be able to convey just how striking the visuals are through photos, but one thing is certain. Tachikoma, the beloved guide character from Ghost in the Shell, is overwhelmingly cute.
Exhibits with available commentary glow visibly in your field of view, and in some cases the guide begins simply by following your gaze. The experience is rich with cybernetic flair and genuinely thrilling. The commentary delivered by Tachikoma* itself is also surprisingly sharp and insightful, making the overall experience deeply satisfying.
