​Japanese anime classic 'Ghost in the Shell' to debut in China

The 1995 Japanese sci-fi anime "Ghost in the Shell," considered a landmark in the genre, will make its Chinese debut in a restored 4K version nearly 30 years after its initial release.

A Chinese poster for "Ghost in the Shell." [Photo courtesy of China Film Group] 

Director Mamoru Oshii expressed excitement about the film's China release through a video statement.

"I'm very happy to hear that 'Ghost in the Shell' is coming to China," he said. "It has been decades since I directed the film, yet it still draws audiences to theaters. This is the greatest honor for a director."

Oshii said he still vividly remembers working on the project, which required tremendous dedication to complete.

"One of cinema's true joys, I believe, is creating shared experiences that bring people together in theaters rather than watching alone at home," he said. "Whether you're a first-time viewer or someone who has seen it through other platforms before, I hope everyone will take this opportunity to fully savor its 4K version with fresh eyes."

"Ghost in the Shell" is an adult animated film that blends tech-noir, cyberpunk and action-thriller elements. The movie, adapted from Masamune Shirow's 1989-90 manga, is set in 2029 in the fictional New Port City, a metropolis inspired by Hong Kong, complete with prominent Chinese-language billboards.

The story follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg security agent pursuing a hacker called "the Puppet Master," while exploring themes of identity and consciousness in an advanced technological society.

The 1995 film's cyber-aesthetic design remains visually striking today, while its exploration of identity and human-technology relationships has gained new relevance amid the rise of AI.

A still from "Ghost in the Shell" shows Chinese billboards and signs throughout the streets of the fictional New Port City. [Photo courtesy of China Film Group] 

The film initially underperformed at the box office but gained critical acclaim for its narrative, visuals and soundtrack, eventually achieving cult status through home video releases. It is now widely regarded as one of the greatest anime and science fiction films ever made, influencing filmmakers such as James Cameron ("Avatar") and the Wachowskis ("The Matrix").

A remastered version with new digital effects, 3D animation and updated audio was released in 2008 as "Ghost in the Shell 2.0." Oshii directed a standalone follow-up, "Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence," in 2004, while Hollywood released a live-action adaptation directed by Rupert Sanders and starring Scarlett Johansson in 2017.

The film will make its Chinese debut on May 10 through the National Alliance of Arthouse Cinemas (NAAC), an organization founded in 2016 that operates under the China Film Archive with support from a theater consortium dedicated to arthouse films.