Currently being held at "TOKYO NODE," the information dissemination hub of Toranomon Hills, the "Ghost in the Shell Exhibition: Ghost and the Shell" is an exhibition covering the entire anime series of "Ghost in the Shell," known as a monumental sci-Fi work. Drawn by manga artist Masamune Shirow since 1989, "Ghost in the Shell" has been turned into video works by numerous creators and has taken flight to the world. This time, we report on an exhibition of a scale unparalleled in the series' history, realized with the full cooperation of Production I.G, which has been responsible for past anime productions, and Science SARU, which is working on the long-awaited new anime. We deliver the charm of "Ghost in the Shell" from Toranomon Hills in Minato City.

The venue for the exhibition is "TOKYO NODE," located at the top of the "Toranomon Hills Station Tower" which opened in 2023. The glass-walled building directly connected to Toranomon Hills Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line matches the worldview of "Ghost in the Shell," which is set in the near future.

The anime works of "Ghost in the Shell" began with the theatrical anime "GHOST IN THE SHELL," directed by Mamoru Oshii based on Masamune Shirow's original manga, released in 1995. Its meticulous drawing and deep philosophy captivated many people. After that, it continued with the sequel "Innocence," the "Ghost in the Shell: STAND ALONE COMPLEX (S.A.C.)" series directed by Kenji Kamiyama, "Ghost in the Shell: ARISE" directed by Kazuya Kise, and the full 3DCG anime "Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045" co-directed by Kenji Kamiyama and Shinji Aramaki.

Go up to the 45th floor by elevator and head straight into the venue. "TOKYO NODE" has three distinctive galleries, starting with "GALLERY A." Stepping inside, a huge dome-shaped space spreads out before you. This space, named "NODE (Nodal Point of Thought)," is defined as "a place where people who love 'Ghost in the Shell' gather," and famous scenes from the works are projected on the walls, making it feel as if you are standing in a torrent of information.

The "Giant Cyber Network Visualizer 'Nerve Net'" is a unique installation where visitors' "thoughts" and "searches" themselves become part of the exhibition. Operating eight dedicated terminals installed in the venue, you can find your favorite scenes from all past anime series and call them up on the giant screen.

Sitting in the center of the dome is the "'Relics of Knowledge' World Tree: Ghost and the Shell," which can be said to be the symbol of this exhibition. Countless cables pour down from the darkness of the 15-meter-high ceiling, connecting to monitors like bundles of nerves, expressing the activation of a giant cyber network.

Various events are scheduled to be held in "GALLERY A" during the exhibition period. It also functions as a community space where fans can loosely connect, such as talk shows by creators and researchers influenced by the works, and DJ live performances that expand the worldview of Ghost in the Shell.

Passing through "GALLERY A," posters of past works line the passage leading to the next area, "GALLERY B," allowing you to trace their transition. Also, in the exhibition titled "PATH A 'STORY'," newly filmed interview footage with the four directors who have shaped "Ghost in the Shell"—Mamoru Oshii, Kenji Kamiyama, Kazuya Kise, and Shinji Aramaki—is being released for the first time.

GALLERY B, a vast space of approximately 1,000 square meters, is the core area of this exhibition. Inside the venue, more than 1,600 production materials carefully selected from all past series, such as original drawings, setting materials, character designs, and storyboards, are displayed for each work.

Many of the materials are precious items, including unreleased ones. It is said that all materials were reviewed and reconstructed anew for this exhibition.

The exhibition starts with "GHOST IN THE SHELL," released in 1995. Meticulously drawn pencil lines, direction memos scribbled in the corners of the screen, color designations, etc.—the breath of the creators before digitization drifted thickly there.

The exhibition continues to "Innocence," which mastered visual beauty, the "S.A.C." series, which sharply depicted social systems, "ARISE," which presented a new interpretation, and "SAC_2045," which challenged 3DCG expression.

While the style changes with each work, the core part of "Ghost in the Shell-ness" that never changes is alive and well. Being able to appreciate these while comparing them across the board is unique to an exhibition of this scale.

Concluding the exhibition are the latest materials for the new TV anime "Ghost in the Shell: THE GHOST IN THE SHELL" by Science SARU, scheduled to be broadcast in 2026. How will the history of "Ghost in the Shell" built up so far be passed on to the next generation? You can witness the signs of this earlier than anywhere else in the world.

In "GALLERY B," there were various gimmicks besides the display of materials. One is "Digital DIG." By operating the terminal in the center of the venue, you can freely browse vast digital materials as if peeking into folders on an animator's desktop.

The other is the experiential "Analog DIG (Paid)." Visitors can dig up "cut bags" actually used at anime production sites and take home the replica original drawings inside. The sensation of "excavating" fragments of the work with your own hands should be an irresistible experience for fans.

In this exhibition, there is also a corner where you can simulate the technology in the story. The "Laughing Man Mirror" instantly replaces your face with the "Laughing Man" mark when you enter a specific space. The Laughing Man is a hacker with advanced cyber-hacking abilities who appeared in "S.A.C." This recreates that scene where the Laughing Man hacks surveillance camera footage in real-time and overwrites people's faces with the "Laughing Man" mark, using the latest facial recognition technology.

There is also an experience of "Thermoptical Camouflage," which every fan admires at least once. A collaboration with the textile label "UNLABELED × NX7," which develops camouflage technology as an antithesis to the AI surveillance society, has been realized. By wearing a T-shirt with a specific pattern and standing in front of a camera, you can experience a modern version of thermoptical camouflage where image recognition AI becomes unable to recognize you as a "human."

Elaborate figures of "Tachikoma" and "Logicoma," which are the mascot-like existence of the series, are also displayed at the venue. They add a cute accent amidst the profound exhibits.

Another major pillar of this exhibition is collaboration with contemporary artists. "Ghost in the Shell," which has shocked the world, has also influenced many art works. The new sculpture "Sexy Robot_The Ghost in the Shell type 1" by world-renowned contemporary artist Hajime Sorayama was created modeling Motoko Kusanagi, the protagonist of "Ghost in the Shell."

In addition, the exhibition delves into the world of "Ghost in the Shell" from multiple perspectives, such as a chronological table contrasting the history of real-world technology with events in the work, and tribute works by up-and-coming artists.

To immerse yourself deeper in the world of the work, the paid experience content "Cyber VISION" (reservation required) is also recommended. This involves touring the venue wearing the latest AR glasses (with cooperation from XREAL/STYLY). When you wear the AR glasses, Tachikoma appears in your field of vision and explains each exhibit through cyber communication. The experience of walking while conversing with Tachikomas, with digital information superimposed on the real original drawing exhibits, is truly "cyberization" itself.

After enjoying the exhibition, head to the shop area in "GALLERY C." Here, in addition to over 100 types of exhibition original goods, over 80 types of collaboration items are lined up. You can find collaboration apparel with popular brands such as WACKO MARIA, BRAIN DEAD, and HATRA, as well as limited items by creators like Hajime Sorayama, Mai Yoneyama, and Kosuke Kawamura.

Reigning as the centerpiece of the shop is the 1/1 scale statue of Motoko Kusanagi from the "S.A.C." version. Her figure, standing with a dignified expression, has a realism that makes it look like she could start moving at any moment.

37 years have passed since the serialization began in 1989. We are now only three years away from 2029, the year "Public Security Section 9," to which Motoko Kusanagi belongs, is established in the story. The world we once thought was a story of the distant future is becoming a reality at an astonishing speed. Perhaps that is why we should touch the work "Ghost in the Shell" right now. This exhibition can be seen as an attempt to approach the theme and essence of the work by diving into the sea of information known as production materials while tracing the history of "Ghost in the Shell." During the exhibition period until April 5, why not visit "TOKYO NODE" at Toranomon Hills and dive into the vast world of the work?

《Ghost in the Shell Exhibition: Ghost and the Shell》
Dates: Friday, January 30, 2026 – Sunday, April 5, 2026
Venue: TOKYO NODE GALLERY A/B/C (Toranomon Hills Station Tower 45F)
*Address: 2-6-2 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo
*For more details, please check the official website below.
https://www.tokyonode.jp/sp/exhibition-ghostintheshell/
(C) Shirow Masamune / KODANSHA / Ghost in the Shell Exhibition Ghost and the Shell Production Committee