Ghost in the Shell Exhibition ‘Ghost and the Shell’ Heads to Kansai – 80,000 Attended Tokyo Run, New Content Added for July 17 Opening

The large-scale exhibition “Ghost in the Shell Exhibition Ghost and the Shell,” covering all anime series in the franchise, is heading to Kansai. It will be held from July 17 to August 30, 2026, at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, Gallery Wing 3F. The exhibition structure has been revealed, and tickets went on sale from May 21.

Key visual for the new anime Ghost in the Shell: The Ghost in the Shell

Ghost in the Shell is a sci-fi manga by Masamune Shirow that began serialization in 1989 in the special issue Young Magazine Kaizokuban. It follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, a full-body cyborg with advanced cyberbrain combat skills, who leads the covert unit Public Security Section 9 against increasingly complex cybercrimes. The series blends cyberpunk themes with philosophical exploration of identity and the fusion of humanity and technology, influencing countless creators. It has expanded into theatrical films, TV anime, and games, each with its own unique story and interpretation. In July, a new TV anime Ghost in the Shell: The Ghost in the Shell will premiere, directed by Moco-chan, with series composition and script by Tow Ubukata, character design and chief animation direction by Shuhei Handa, and animation production by Science SARU.

The comprehensive exhibition covering all anime series, “Ghost in the Shell Exhibition Ghost and the Shell,” follows its Tokyo run that attracted around 80,000 visitors. What drew great acclaim in Tokyo was the overwhelming impact of over 1,600 real archive items that offered a sweeping view of the series.

Exhibition structure

For the Kansai touring exhibition, the core displays from Tokyo are faithfully recreated while expanding with the world, characters, and original art from the new TV anime Ghost in the Shell: The Ghost in the Shell airing from July.

Exhibition structure

For longtime fans, it becomes a place where memories connect; for newcomers, it offers a single experience of where the Ghost in the Shell franchise stands today.

“Analog-Dig” cut bag limit lifted

At the Kansai venue, the limit on the participatory experience “Analog-Dig” will be removed, where visitors can flip through the actual “cut bags” used in anime production and take home reproduction artwork as if digging for treasures.

Laughing Man Mirror, AR glasses extended artwork experience

Also not to be missed are the “Laughing Man Mirror,” which uses AR technology and programming to make the Laughing Man appear, and the extended artwork experience where visitors wear AR glasses and tour the venue with the Tachikoma.

Ticket with original design tote bag, ticket with original reproduction film

Tickets went on sale from May 21. Following the Tokyo exhibition, a variety of premium tickets are available, including special limited-edition tote bag tickets, tickets with exclusive goods, and experience tickets for “Ghost in the Shell Cyberbrain VISION.” Be sure to check before the opening.

The Kansai touring exhibition of “Ghost in the Shell Exhibition Ghost and the Shell” will be held from July 17 to August 30, 2026, at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, Gallery Wing 3F. Details are on the official website.

Exhibition name: Ghost in the Shell Exhibition Ghost and the Shell – Kansai Tour
Venue: Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, Gallery Wing 3F
Duration: July 17 (Fri) – August 30 (Sun), 2026
Hours: 10:00 – 17:00 (last entry 16:30)
Closed: Mondays (or the following day if a national holiday)
Organizer: Ghost in the Shell Exhibition Ghost and the Shell Production Committee
Co-organizer: Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art
Ticket outlets: Lawson Ticket, e+, Ticket Pia, Seven Ticket, and others
(C) Masamune Shirow, Kodansha / Ghost in the Shell Exhibition Ghost and the Shell Production Committee

— Nakase Koutarou