The grand exhibition spanning the Ghost in the Shell series, announced last November at MUTEK JP in Shibuya Hikarie, has finally opened. What was immediately striking at the preview was the sheer number of media representatives gathered. Journalists and writers from a wide array of fields—news, culture, art, tech, fashion, and even foreign media—flocked to the 45th floor of the Toranomon Hills Station Tower.

 

After crowd control and guided entry, a giant screen was positioned at the front of the room, with vertical screens lining the back. Furthermore, famous scenes and characters from the series appeared to float on the walls. Most impressive, however, were the countless cables descending from the 15-meter-high ceiling, which fans will recognize as a representation of the wired connection scenes from the anime.

 

 

As we were enveloped in a truly cyberpunk atmosphere, the stage lit up and the host appeared. Four key figures behind this exhibition took the stage, initiating a talk session. The full scope of the large-scale exhibition, planned to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the first film by Mamoru Oshii last year, was revealed. Let's now highlight key aspects of the exhibition along with comments from each speaker.

 

 

Sasai: While discussing with Production I.G., the animation studio behind the series, we discovered a vast archive of materials spanning 30 years. I then consulted with Mr. Miura here, and we agreed that by combining the cutting-edge work of Ghost in the Shell with KDDI's advanced technology, we could create an unprecedented, forward-thinking exhibition. However, the venue was not yet decided. It was at that time that I saw the exhibitions by Rhizomatiks and Mika Ninagawa, curated by Mr. Kuwana, which were held as the inaugural events at TOKYO NODE. I felt that the advanced image of the work and the magnificence of the TOKYO NODE venue resonated perfectly, leading to the decision to hold the exhibition here.

 

 

Kuwana: In this Gallery A, there are eight terminals where you can access a search engine for all scenes from the anime series, allowing you to find your favorite moments. In the next gallery, Gallery B, you can see how those scenes were created. Here, we are exhibiting 1,600 original animation cels, carefully selected to match the exhibition's concept. It's a place where you can experience the thrill of searching for original artwork from animation cut bags, much like digging for a favorite record in an analog record store. We've packed all the information with the desire for everyone to 'dig' their favorite Ghost in the Shell through both digital and analog means.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As if to meet the expectations of fans who believe that Ghost in the Shell should embody cutting-edge initiatives, "Cyberbrain VISION" was specially developed for this exhibition. You will surely be moved to see a device depicted in the world of 2029 realized through AR (Augmented Reality) technology in 2026.

 

 

 

 

Sunahara: We have named the AR glasses, developed based on XREAL's Air 2 Ultra, "Cyberbrain VISION." When you wear these, it's set up so that you can be 'cyberized' for 90 minutes. There are 1,600 production materials in the venue, and for 21 carefully selected scenes, we've created content where the cute Tachikomas from the S.A.C. series provide navigation. You can experience the final scene of SAC_2045 Season 2 along with the actual night view, so please look forward to it.

 

Gallery B, which is a darkened, enclosed space during the day, transforms into a space where you can enjoy the dynamic night view of the metropolis after dark. With Cyberbrain VISION, a famous scene where the protagonist, Motoko Kusanagi, appears to be diving will materialize before your eyes.

 

 

 

 

The high international acclaim of the Ghost in the Shell series is one of its defining characteristics, and plans are underway for this exhibition to tour overseas. Mr. Miura, the Global License Producer, shared his aspirations.

 

Miura: Through negotiations with Kodansha and others over about three years, we have reaffirmed that Ghost in the Shell is a globally relevant work and a leading IP from Japan. Starting with this exhibition, we aim to promote Japanese anime culture and IPs worldwide, and also to help Japanese people venture out globally. We are working on the international tour with the strong desire to achieve this. Currently, we are receiving an immense number of inquiries from overseas, and we are planning to hold the exhibition in various regions including North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. With the resolve that this is the only way forward, we want to pose a question to the world as content originating from Tokyo in 2026.