In private life, he is Masanori Ota, but fans know him by his pen name, Masamune Shirow, the artist behind Ghost in the Shell. Masamune created the manga between 1989 and 1990. In the decades since, there have been a couple of live-action movies and several anime versions. There have been so many, in different animation styles and done by varying studios, that it's tough to keep track.
The following list condenses all of the anime movies and series with the Ghost in the Shell label in one handy place. As is the case with some anime, some series have been edited into full-length movies, or broken into parts that make it more like a miniseries. In these cases, viewers can choose which version to watch. Here's a ranking to help determine which are most worth a fan's time.
7 Ghost in the Shell SAC_2045 (2020– )
The latest entry in the franchise is a Netflix original creation, and uses CGI that makes the characters look like action figures. The animation seems to be the main point of contention in this version; however, fans also seem disappointed by the lack of anything new. On the other hand, viewers are impressed by the voice acting work of the SAC cast, which was brought in to reprise their roles.
The plot revolves around the same team from Section 9 in the original film. This time, though, they're working as a mercenary force, tracking some kind of enhanced called a "post-human". The characters aren't exactly like their vintage counterparts, but there's still enough nostalgia here for long-time fans.
6 Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie (2015)
This movie released after the Alternative Architecture installment, and is intended to be a direct sequel. The setting is the same, post-WW4 Tokyo, and the Major is leading the team that makes up Section 9. They seem to take on a mercenary role again, as Mokoto acts as a bodyguard for a nervous public security official.
Her teammates continue to do detective work while Mokoto stays at the center of the action. This movie features some great fight sequences and a lovely animation style. However, fans didn't appreciate the amount of exposition and political intrigue that they had to sit through, putting this lower on the list.
5 Ghost in the Shell Arise: Alternative Architecture (2015)
This is actually a series of four episodes combined into one four-hour long movie. A year ago this would have been an arduous watch, but the Snyder Cut and a year of watching everything at home have normalized this kind of run time. This version also includes an extra episode, tying in the storyline to the movie that came out in the same year.
This series of prequels to the original film tells fans more about the years immediately following World War 4. They're also more character-driven than the other GitS media. Some segments focus in on certain characters, in particular Mokoto. Fans that like lore and backstory will appreciate this the most.
4
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Solid State Society (2006)
Despite the numerous spinoffs and prequels that sprung from the original GitS, there are only two that are direct sequels to the original movie. This series is one of them and takes place two years after Mokoto's supposed death in the field of duty.
Batou is now leading the team. During one of his missions, he has a mysterious encounter with the Major herself, who tells him to stay away from the Solid State Society. The plot is a convoluted one and basically copies the same story as the first movie. These factors put fans of the classic version off.
3 Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004)
The first direct sequel to the original 1995 film, Innocence, released almost ten years later. Until Solid State Society came out in 2006, it was the only installment in the franchise that made any attempt to follow Mokoto into the net. The story revolves around Batou and Togusa investigating a series of murders that involve a shady type of android.
Mokoto makes a few quick appearances, and plays a pivotal role in the plot despite her few lines. It's the most technically accomplished entry of the franchise. CGI and vintage animation merge almost perfectly, even though the film is almost 20 years old.
2 Kôkaku kidôtai: Stand Alone Complex (2002–2005)
Kôkaku kidôtai: Stand Alone Complex consists of 52 episodes that released between 2002 and 2005. This prequel to the 1995 movie recreates the gritty world of police work combined with a cyberpunk aesthetic. These themes are a nod to the movie that inspired Ghost in the Shell; the iconic Bladerunner. That, along with the use of the vintage movie's animation style, makes it the most popular serialized version of the GitS franchise.
The immersive soundtrack by Yoko Kanno also deserves a mention. Although it's less traditional than the Japanese hymns from the first movie, it resonated with viewers and complemented the setting and tone. Some episodes deviate from the main storyline, and whether or not viewers enjoy that is a matter of individual opinion.
1 Ghost in the Shell (1995)
The original and still the best, the 1995 film still gets a lot of love, especially as viewers recognize the influence it had. It's not just about Mokoto's existential crisis or a suspiciously convoluted criminal chase. It's about humans and machines, and how they interact and live within the same society.
Not only did this movie ride the cyberpunk wave, but it was part of the anime invasion of the mid-1990s. Other heavy hitters during this time included Akira, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Sailor Moon. People who like cyberpunk or enjoy movies like The Matrix should see this movie just to understand the origins of their favorite genre.