Following the success of Akira, a wave of influential Japanese cyberpunk works emerged, such as Battle Angel Alita, Cowboy Bebop, and, as today’s subject, Ghost in the Shell. Created by Masamune Shirow, Ghost in the Shell began publication in 1989 in Kodansha’s manga anthology Young Magazine. Consisting of only 11 chapters, the original manga concluded in November 1990.
However, it started a cyberpunk franchise that has since spawned spin-off manga and comics, animated and live-action films, several animated TV series, video games, tie-in novels, and art books. The franchise continues to expand, with a new manga in publication and an anime adaptation slated for release in 2026.
Set in the 2030s in the fictional Japanese city of Niihama, also known as New Port City, Ghost in the Shell follows the members of Public Security Section 9, a special operations task force composed of former military officers and police detectives, led by Major Motoko Kusanagi. Kusanagi is a strong-willed, intelligent cyborg who excels at deduction, hacking, and military tactics—though this doesn’t prevent her from occasionally acting immature.
Section 9 handles political intrigue, corruption, cybercrime, and counter-terrorism in a future where technology has advanced to the point that most people possess a “cyberbrain”—a device that integrates with the brain and connects individuals both physically and virtually to various platforms (a kind of brain-computer interface).
Discover the original world of Ghost in the Shell with this comprehensive reading guide, exploring the original manga and its many spin-offs in order!
Ghost in the Shell Reading Order
The Ghost in the Shell universe consists of multiple continuities, all based on the original manga. But while there are similarities, characters and events can be portrayed differently in each timeline.
The Ghost in the Shell Original Timeline
In the U.S., Ghost in the Shell was previously published by Studio Proteus and Dark Horse Comics, with Kodansha USA now handling the series.
Work by Creator Shirou Masamune
Shirou Masamune’s Ghost in The Shell is a story exploring existentialism, cyberism, post-humanism, ethics, morals, and other philosophical themes. Following the original manga, Masamune wrote two sequels that have been published in different collections.
The most recent and most easy to find is The Ghost in the Shell: Fully Compiled,
- The Ghost in the Shell: Fully Compiled
This complete hardcover collection collects Ghost in The Shell’s three volumes written by Masamune in one big book. 832 pages!
Previously collected in Deluxe Edition, a collection supervised by creator Shirow Masamune
- The Ghost in the Shell 1 Deluxe Edition
Collects the 11 chapters of the original manga in the original, right-to-left format with Japanese sound effects - The Ghost in the Shell Vol. 1.5: Human-Error Processor Deluxe Edition
These are four short stories relating to Section 9 investigations focused mainly on Batou and Togusa. - The Ghost in the Shell 2: Man-Machine Interface Deluxe Edition
The 6 chapter’s second sequel is set five years after the events of GiTs.
The manga has also been released in classic trades. Those are older editions
- The Ghost in the Shell
- The Ghost in the Shell 1.5: Human-Error Processor
- The Ghost in the Shell 2: Man-Machine Interface
The Ghost In The Shell: The Human Algorithm by Junichi Fujisaku and Yuki Yoshimoto
Junichi Fujisaku is a well-established name for fans of Ghost in the Shell, as he has worked on the Stand Alone Complex universe and The Arise Universe (see below!). At this stage, he has written many stories set in the world of Ghost in The Shell, including The Human Algorithm, an ongoing manga series illustrated by Yuki Yoshimoto taking place in the original timeline. To be more specific, it is set between Human-Error Processor and Man-Machine Interface.
- The Ghost In The Shell: The Human Algorithm Vol. 1
- The Ghost In The Shell: The Human Algorithm Vol. 2
- The Ghost In The Shell: The Human Algorithm Vol. 3
- The Ghost In The Shell: The Human Algorithm Vol. 4
- The Ghost In The Shell: The Human Algorithm Vol. 5 (2025)
The Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Timeline
Based on Masamune Shirow’s Ghost in the Shell manga, Stand Alone Complex takes us into a new continuity within this unique cyberpunk world, distinguishing itself as more of a police procedural. It began with Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (Season 1), followed by Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG (the second season), S.A.C. Solid State Society (a movie), and Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 (a web anime).
Notably, the manga set in this timeline were adaptations of the animated series. Released by Kodansha, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex was a 5-volume manga that adapted material from the first season:
- Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Vol. 1 (SECTION 9)
- Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Vol. 2 (TESTATION)
- Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Vol. 3 (IDOLATOR)
- Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Vol. 4 (¥€$)
- Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Vol. 5 (NOT EQUAL)
There are also two other mangas without English translation: Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. – Tachikoma na Hibi (2010-2015) a comedy spinoff manga based on the Tachikomatic Days shorts attached to the end of every episode, and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – The Laughing Man a four-volume manga adaptation of the “The Laughing Man” case.
For additional material, you need to turn your attention to the novels written by Fujisaku: The Lost Memory, Revenge of the Cold Machines, and White Maze.
Ghost in the Shell: Arise Timeline
Launched in 2013, the Arise Timeline began with the Ghost in the Shell: Arise OVA series, set before the events of the original manga, and was followed by Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie. If you’re wondering what Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Alternative Architecture is, it’s a compilation of the OVA series
Also set in the Arise Timeline is the 7-volume manga series Ghost in the Shell: Arise Sleepless Eye, written by Junichi Fujisaku and illustrated by Takumi Oyami. Before the formation of Section 9, Batou was the captain of a Ranger unit, where he is forced to work alongside Motoko Kusanagi, then a member of the 501 Organization.
This manga adapts the 2013 Ghost in the Shell: Arise film series, featuring all-new material. However, it is only available in English in digital format on K Manga.
Ghost in the Shell: Comic Tribute
The following stories are not set in any specific timeline but are tributes to the world of Ghost in the Shell by other creators.
- Ghost in the Shell: Comic Tribute
First Compilation of tribute stories to Ghost in the Shell from other Japanese manga creators. No English Translation. - Ghost in the Shell: Global Neural Network
The second compilation of tribute stories to Ghost in the Shell, featuring four original tales by non-Japanese comic creators:- Alex de Campi (Dracula Motherf*cker) & Giannis Milonogiannis (Prophet)
- Brenden Fletcher (Gotham Academy, Motor Crush) & LRNZ (Golem)
- Genevieve Valentine (Mechanique, Icon), & Brent Schoonover (The Astonishing Ant-Man)
- Max Gladstone (the Craft Sequence) & David López (All-New Wolverine)
