“Ghost in the Shell: STAND ALONE COMPLEX” to Stream for Free on YouTube! Weekly Premieres Begin May 2 at 9PM JST
Kodansha has announced that the highly acclaimed TV anime “Ghost in the Shell: STAND ALONE COMPLEX” (26 episodes in total), directed by Kenji Kamiyama and widely regarded as one of the most popular entries in the legendary sci-fi franchise Ghost in the Shell, will begin streaming on the Ghost in the Shell Official YouTube Channel starting Friday, May 2, 2025, with new episodes premiering every Friday at 9:00 PM (JST).
Episodes will be released weekly from May 2 to October 24, 2025, with each episode available as an archive for 2 days only after its premiere. This streaming event is a rare opportunity for both new viewers and longtime fans to rediscover the series in “real time.” Don’t miss the chance to join the premieres and engage with the community as the story unfolds.
Streaming Details – “Ghost in the Shell: STAND ALONE COMPLEX” (All 26 Episodes):
■ Streaming Schedule: Weekly premieres every Friday at 9:00 PM (JST), starting May 2, 2025
■ Archive Access: Available for 2 days after each premiere
■ Platform: Ghost in the Shell Official YouTube Channel (@GhostintheShellChannel)
■ Episode 1 Viewing URL: https://youtu.be/S9pEUKOgWJ4
Ghost in the Shell: STAND ALONE COMPLEX
In the year 2030—a time when every form of network has evolved to probe deeply into human consciousness, yet society is still not fully “informationized” to the extent that isolated individuals can function as unified entities—a new form of law enforcement emerges. Amid accelerating information network development and increasingly complex crimes, a special task force is formed to preemptively detect and eliminate threats before they surface.
This elite unit, known as Public Security Section 9, is an independent division under the Ministry of Home Affairs, specializing in counter-cybercrime operations, VIP protection, political corruption investigations, serious criminal cases, and even covert assassinations. Mastering cyber warfare and equipped with high-performance prosthetic bodies, the members of Section 9 excel in both virtual and physical combat.
About Ghost in the Shell: STAND ALONE COMPLEX
Ghost in the Shell: STAND ALONE COMPLEX is a critically acclaimed sci-fi anime series set in a near-future society dominated by advanced networks and cybercrime. It follows the missions of Public Security Section 9 as they confront terrorism, digital surveillance, and philosophical questions of identity. The series is widely celebrated for its realistic cyberpunk setting and deep exploration of social issues, earning global acclaim.
In 2026, a brand-new TV anime series titled Ghost in the Shell: THE GHOST IN THE SHELL is set to premiere. Meanwhile, the first large-scale original art exhibition by Masamune Shirow, ‘The Exhibition of The World of Shirow Masamune -“The Ghost in the Shell” and The Path of Creation-’, is currently on display at the Setagaya Literary Museum. The Ghost in the Shell franchise continues to captivate attention worldwide. Through this special streaming project, we invite viewers to once again immerse themselves in the visionary world of Ghost in the Shell.
Exhibition Overview
‘The Exhibition of The World of Shirow Masamune -“The Ghost in the Shell” and The Path of Creation-’
- Exhibition Period: April 12 (Sat) – August 17 (Sun), 2025
※ Closed on Mondays (open on public holidays, with closure on the following weekday) - Venue: Setagaya Literary Museum (1-10-10 Minamikarasuyama, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo)
- Organizers: Setagaya Cultural Foundation – Setagaya Literary Museum, Kodansha Ltd., and Parco Co., Ltd.
- Planning Cooperation: Seishinsha
- Special Cooperation: Shirow Masamune
- Support: Setagaya City and Setagaya City Board of Education
- Graphic Design: Kei Sakwaki, Hiroaki Hidaka
Where to Buy Tickets
e+ (Eplus): https://eplus.jp/setabun2025shirow-ex/
Information
Official Exhibition Website: https://www.shirow-masamune-ex.jp
Official X (Twitter): https://x.com/shirow_ex