New "The Ghost in the Shell" Anime: Motoko Kusanagi's First Lines by Maaya Sakamoto Spark Reactions: "That deep voice is so cool" and "No awkwardness at all"

On July 7, the broadcasting of the new anime "The Ghost in the Shell" began (currently airing sequentially). While the cast has been completely refreshed, voice actress Maaya Sakamoto has taken over the role of the protagonist, Motoko Kusanagi. On the internet, buzz immediately built up with comments such as, "I had no idea she still had this kind of range," and "Her tone is a bit different from back in 'ARISE'."

Originating from Masamune Shirow's manga, "The Ghost in the Shell" is a monumental masterpiece of cyberpunk sci-fi that has seen numerous media adaptations, including anime and live-action films. In the theatrical anime films directed by Mamoru Oshii and other projects, the voice of Kusanagi was played by voice actress Atsuko Tanaka, who passed away in 2024.

In the new series that just started broadcasting, Kusanagi is voiced by Maaya Sakamoto, who previously played the character in "Ghost in the Shell: Arise." In the first episode, when she receives a transmission saying, "Major, Public Security is ready," Kusanagi appears with a cool, composed aura, replying, "Keep it down. I know. If you leave it to the encryption conversion AI, even cats and mice will be listening in."

Following Sakamoto's performance as Kusanagi, an influx of viewers took to social media to praise her, posting comments like, "That deep voice is so cool," "No awkwardness at all," "I had no idea she still had this kind of range," and "Her tone is a bit different from back in 'ARISE'."

Set in the near future where information networks and cyborg technology have highly advanced, "The Ghost in the Shell" is a monumental cyberpunk sci-fi masterpiece that depicts the activities of a special forces unit led by Kusanagi, a full-body prosthesis cyborg who fights cybercrime. Originating from the manga "The Ghost in the Shell" published by Masamune Shirow in 1989, it has been expanded into various media including animation and a Hollywood live-action movie. The anime "The Ghost in the Shell," which began in July 2026, is the latest series produced by Science SARU, an animation studio that continues to receive high acclaim both domestically and internationally.

■EPISODE 01: PROLOGUE + SUPER SPARTAN i
[SYNOPSIS]
Daisuke Aramaki of the Public Security Department encounters a mysterious cyborg while conducting a raid on a meeting of foreign representatives suspected of corruption and crime. The cyborg introduces herself as Motoko Kusanagi and proposes the establishment of a new special forces unit to the Minister of Home Affairs. To help establish the unit, Aramaki requests Kusanagi to conduct a certain investigation.

(C)2026 Shirow Masamune/KODANSHA/THE GHOST IN THE SHELL COMMITTEE