The summer anime Ghost in the Shell THE GHOST IN THE SHELL aired its fifth episode, “PHANTOM FUND,” on August 4, 2026. The episode delivered a nostalgic treat for longtime Shirow Masamune fans: the return of Anna Puma and Uni Puma from the classic manga Dominion, voiced by the same actresses who played them in the 1993 OVA.
Episode 5 “PHANTOM FUND” Summary
The episode follows combat cyborg Coil Krasnov as he travels to Hokkaido via the Tohoku Shinkansen, tailed by a new recruit named Yano sent by Batou. Major Kusanagi and her team head to the northern terminal (an old cyber-city) to monitor Krasnov. To uncover the corruption behind the expansion of Sagawa Electronics’ underground factory, Kusanagi infiltrates Sagawa’s headquarters while Batou and his team head to the factory.
Along the way, the Fuchikoma accompanying Kusanagi spots an old model mecha at a junk shop and gets wildly excited, shouting “This is Yamaton No. 1!” The shop girl slaps it down, saying “You won’t find this anywhere else! I’ll throw in a piece of armor for cheap!” Fuchikoma heats up: “Whoa! The data is alive!”
Fans immediately recognized the twin androids Anna Puma and Uni Puma, originally from Shirow’s Dominion (a manga about a police tank squad). The OVA adaptation of Dominion was produced in two series; this episode reuses the voice cast from the second OVA, Tokusou Senshatai Dominion (1993).
Kuwashima Aya and Kumagai Nina Reprise Their Roles
When the end credits revealed the names, fans erupted with joy. “It’s the same voice actors from the Dominion OVA!” “I can’t believe they brought back the original two from the ’93 version!” “After decades, both of them must feel so emotional…” “What a classy casting choice, using the same roles from the second OVA.”
Kuwashima Aya, best known as Mizuno Ami (Sailor Mercury) in Sailor Moon, Keroberos in Cardcaptor Sakura, and Tsukikage Yuri (Cure Moonlight) in HeartCatch PreCure!, surprised viewers who hadn’t expected her to voice a minor shop girl. “They used Kuwashima Aya for a shop girl who appears for just a moment…!”
More Than a Supercar-Priced Doll
Meanwhile, Yano is killed while tailing alone, and Batou arrives furious: “If we’d worked as a two-man cell, Yano wouldn’t have died!” Kusanagi visits hacker Kloruden, who offers to access the security chief’s brain. Kusanagi remarks, “Living with a doll more expensive than a supercar is unhealthy.” Fans noted the line change from the original “Ferrari” to “supercar,” with some joking, “So they couldn’t use ‘Ferrari’ after all?” and “Isn’t ‘supercar’ a 1970s term?”
Seki Toshihiko Appears as Kagasaki Sohei
Batou and veteran member Ishikawa infiltrate the underground factory. They encounter Coil Krasnov and open fire. Togusa later scolds them: “Dead bodies don’t reveal the mastermind or information sources.” Kusanagi sneaks into the president’s office at Sagawa Electronics, but is discovered by a security robot. She mutters, “I’m such an idiot.” The president’s office contains a robot; the real body is elsewhere. While extracting data, she is attacked by former Northern Terminal Special Section Chief Kagasaki Sohei (Second Lieutenant). When Kagasaki tries to escape in a female body, the internet reacted instantly: “I hear Seki-san’s voice from Ghost in the Shell!” “A woman’s body with Seki-san’s voice!” “Seki Toshihiko?!” Seki is known for playing Kibutsuji Muzan in Demon Slayer and the father of Kitaro in The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe.
Batou’s Unbearable Feelings
Gold bars once stolen are discovered in the underground factory and returned, with one bar deposited into the account of the fallen Yano. Batou visits Yano’s family. When Kusanagi picks him up, he says, “No matter how many times I go through this, I never get used to it…” After the broadcast, fans praised the episode: “The lines, the atmosphere – it’s too perfect, just like the original manga.” “The chaotic feel of the original world was great to see animated.” However, some expressed concern: “This week was interesting, but I didn’t understand the technical terms at all.” “The pace is too fast; my brain can’t keep up (every time).” “This episode was even harder to follow than usual.” “They’re making it deliberately difficult, but only a tiny fraction can keep up.”
Unique World Brought to Screen
After the broadcast, animation studio Science SARU released a comment from Kan Houten, who handled storyboard, direction, and chief animation direction for episode 5. “In this episode, Public Security Section 9 heads to Hokkaido to investigate the case. Based on the original manga’s chapter 7, we visually expressed the whole thing in the direction of a ‘spy action movie.’ The original work has a unique world that is light and humorous yet simultaneously heavy and serious. I hope you can experience that through the video.”
That wraps up the summary of episode 5, “PHANTOM FUND.” Ghost in the Shell has long been loved for its complexity – even the “hard to understand” parts are part of its charm. As one veteran fan put it, “There are quite a few viewers who find the manga-adaptation confusing, but don’t worry – it was even more confusing when it was serialized!” Another said, “I think I’m gradually starting to understand this world and the concept of cyberization. Maybe.” Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer from the Reiwa era, enjoy this world together!
Broadcast Information
Ghost in the Shell THE GHOST IN THE SHELL airs every Tuesday at 23:00 on Kantele and Fuji TV network’s national “Hi Anime Bar!!” slot. It began airing on KRY Yamaguchi Broadcasting on July 14 and on Animax on July 25. Streaming starts every Tuesday at 23:30 on Prime Video (fastest domestic release), followed by sequential distribution on other platforms every Wednesday from 23:30.
TV Anime Ghost in the Shell THE GHOST IN THE SHELL
Staff
Original Work: Shirow Masamune “Ghost in the Shell” (Kodansha KC Deluxe)
Director: Moko-chan
Series Composition & Script: Enjou Tou
Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Handa Shuhei
Art Director: Katanozaka Emi
Art Supervisor: Masuyama Osamu
Color Design: Hashimoto Ken
Photography Director: Itou Hikari
Editor: Hirose Kiyoshi
Sound Director: Tange Yuuji
Sound Effects: Hachishou Shouta
Recording: Oota Yasuaki
Music Director & Music: Iwasaki Taisei
Music: Konishi Ryou, YUKI KANESAKA
Music Production: FlyingDog
Opening Theme: “GO GHOST” King Gnu
Ending Theme: “Blue” MILLENNIUM PARADE feat. Saya Gray, Daniel Caesar
Animation Production: Science SARU
Production: THE GHOST IN THE SHELL COMMITTEE
Cast
Kusanagi Motoko: Sakamoto Maaya
Aramaki Daisuke: Yamaji Kazuhiro
Batou: Yasumoto Hiroki
Togusa: Nakamura Yuuichi
Ishikawa: Gotou Kousuke
Saito: Nara Tooru
Operator: Ooi Marie
Fuchikoma: Kaneda Tomoko
(C) 2026 Shirow Masamune/KODANSHA/THE GHOST IN THE SHELL COMMITTEE
