Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 label whiskey will be available via lottery on the specialty site WHISKY MEW! Those interested in purchasing bottles can enter the lottery starting August 29 at noon.

©Masamune Shirow / Production I.G, Kodansha / Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Production Committee

  Ghost in the Shell was first serialized in 1989 in Young Magazine Zokan Kaizokuban, and the manga series has inspired a number of anime series, live-action films, 3DCG series, and many other works. In 2020, Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 premiered on Netflix worldwide, and takes place in the year 2045. Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg, leads Public Security Section 9 and must stop crimes being committed by “Post Humans” while unraveling a massive conspiracy. The second season premiered in May 2022. The previous release of Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 sold extremely well, leading to this second release. Whiskey critic Hideo Yamaoka chose the single malt Balmenach 1989, distilled in April 1989, the year of the original manga release, as well as the 1988 Invergordon.   The Balmenach Distillery is known for producing whiskey with strong aromas and flavors. Many haven’t heard of it, however, as it typically acts as the source for many blended whiskeys around the world, and official single malt releases are rare. The Balmenach 1989 release is well-balanced with an orange taste and a slightly spicy finish. Invergordon Distillery is a grain distillery in the Highland region. Unlike malt whiskey, which is made exclusively from barley malt, grain whiskey is made from other grains such as wheat, giving it a more mild taste. Invergordon 1988 was finished in sherry casks, creating a beautiful combination of peat, sherry, and rich grains.   Both of these whiskeys have been aged for over 30 years. How would you like to grab one of these for a special occasion?

The second season of Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 is set to premiere exclusively on Netflix worldwide on May 23, 2022. Directed by Kenji Kamiyama, the creator of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, and Shinji Aramaki, the director of the APPLESEED series, fans of sci-fi can’t get enough. When sustainable war spawns a "post-human" threat, Major Kusanagi and her Section 9 team are called back into action.   For those wanting a recap of the first season, Ghost In The Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War has condensed these events into one easy-to-digest film. The blend of flashy cyberpunk action and the unpredictable story sets high expectations for an epic battle between Public Security Section 9 and the post-humans. Season 2 is sure to be a blast.   The first Ghost in the Shell series to be made entirely in 3D, SAC_2045 offers longtime fans a chance to see their favorite characters and locales in a new way. Check out the trailer below!   Trailer:  https://youtu.be/IhxcBg4xAk4   Season 2 is sure to be a roller coaster, so check in when it releases next week!   ©士郎正宗・Production I.G/講談社・攻殻機動隊2045製作委員会  

As a part of the brand’s 9BOX series, New Balance has released a new graphic T-shirt collection in collaboration with Ghost in the Shell SAC_2045. The items went on sale November 12, and to commemorate the release, a Tachikoma from the series has arrived at New Balance Harajuku! For those who may not have seen the series, a Tachikoma is an AI tank prominently featured in the Ghost in the Shell universe.    

T-Shirt

Long Sleeve T-Shirt

Collaboration Sticker

Picture Frame

    Motoko Kusanagi, the main character of the series, perfectly exemplifies the New Balance brand, which promotes ‘fearless independence.’ Five new t-shirt designs are now available, all drawn by Ilya Kuvshinov, the character designer for Ghost in the Shell SAC-2045. The collection is available at official New Balance stores nationwide, as well as the online store and participating ABC Marts. Those who purchase items from the collection will receive a collaboration sticker, and a special picture frame will be available on the New Balance official store app NB Shop.    New Balance’s flagship store in Harajuku is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year and was the backdrop for the cover of Rolling Stone Japan to promote the collaboration. Fans of the anime series shouldn’t miss out on these stylish threads!

Liquor Innovation collaborated with the Netflix Original anime series Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 to release an original label Japanese sake via the online sake store KURAND on Wednesday (March 3).

Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Motoko Kusanagi Ver. | ¥3,500 (Before Tax)

Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Batou Ver. | ¥3,500 (Before Tax)

Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Tachikoma Ver. | ¥3,500 (Before Tax)

The sake is available with three different labels of Motoko Kusanagi, Batou, and Tachikoma. Each was illustrated by Russian illustrator Ilya Kuvshinov who is the character designer for Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045. Those who order from KURAND, where the sake is now available for pre-sale until March 26, will get two original stickers.

Japanese women's street-wear brand X-girl has announced a clothing line-up in collaboration with the anime series Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 which will launch at X-girl and XLARGE/X-girl stores, as well as X-girl's online site, in Japan, on September 4, 2020.   The collection includes 1 long sleeve T-shirt and 3 short sleeve T-shirts.

X-girl x GHOST IN THE SHELL: SAC_2045 TACHIKOMA L/S TEE | ¥6,500 (Before Tax)

The long sleeve T-shirt features an illustration of the AI-endowed Tachikoma walking robot from the anime series reflected and shaped to look like the letter 'X' to represent the X-girl brand. The sleeves have the anime series logo and X-girl logo written down in the same fronts, giving them that near-future vibe.

X-girl x GHOST IN THE SHELL: SAC_2045 FACE IN PROFILE S/S TEE: ¥5,500 (Before Tax)

The first short sleeve T has the "Public Security Section 9" logo on the front which the series protagonist Motoko is linked to. The back has a scanning-like image of Motoko.

X-girl × GHOST IN THE SHELL: SAC_2045 MOTOKO S/S TEE: ¥5,500 (Before Tax)

This T-shirt also has the triangular Public Security Section 9 logo which has the city night sky coloured into it. The back of the collar has a plug print on it while the front has Motoko's plug code on it together with a graphic of the character herself looking tense in a firefight.

X-girl × GHOST IN THE SHELL: SAC_2045 FACE S/S TEE: ¥5,500 (Before Tax)

The final T-shirt in the lineup features a digital noise design, something which is seen a lot on the series, which an X-girl-like design.   This collection is a must-grab for fans of Ghost in the Shell, especially if you enjoyed Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045, which is available to watch now on Netflix.   ©S,IG/K/2045 

Shibuya 5G Entertainment Project launched its new digital platform "Virtual Shibuya" with an opening event on May 19. The event Virtual Shibuya helped promote release of Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 with talks and performances from SEKAI NO OWARI's DJ LOVE, virtual YouTuber and member of Nijisanji Ange Katrina, Chinatsu Wakatsuki of Future Design Shibuya, and Naohiro Ukawa of S/U/P/E/R DOMMUNE—all of whom are fans of Ghost in the Shell.   Officially recognised by Shibuya City, Virtual Shibuya comes in response to the effects of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) which has brought tight restrictions to the economy and people's way of life. It will enable people to continue enjoying entertainment from the comfort of their homes by participating in a whole host of virtual events and activities. The project aims to deliver content from Shibuya with live performances from artists, art exhibitions, talks, and more. The use of 5G and the latest cutting edge technology will connect the real Shibuya to a virtual space, combining the realms of the digital and real world.   The guests joined over 50,000 users for the first event which went down a storm. Chinatsu Wakatsuki said: "I was amazed how much it looked like Shibuya! I can't go to Shibuya right now, so it felt like I got to visit home again after so long."  

Shibuya was fully recreated a virtual space for people to visit

Lots of Ghost in the Shell fans gathered in the city

Everybody in this virtual world jumped into their avatar skins, including the diverse range of guests who probably would never have come together had it not been for the Ghost in the Shell theme, as well as DJ LOVE, Katrina, Chinatsu Wakatsuki, and Naohiro Ukawa.

The real world and the world of Ghost in the Shell collide

The four performers, who were coming face to face with each other for the first time, talked to guests about what they love about Ghost in the Shell while strolling around Virtual Shibuya and having fun with fans on equal terms.  

Comments from the performers

・Chinatsu Wakatsuki (Future Design Shibuya) "I was amazed how much it looked like Shibuya! Shibuya is a place I hold near and dear to my heart. There were a lot of 'firsts' for me, like my first time using an avatar, and meeting new people for the first time, so I thought it was going to be difficult at first, but I found myself not nervous at all and had fun with everyone in there using this futuristic entertainment. Looking forward, au 5G will grow and the number of things we can do will as well. I hope to challenge myself as a tarento and a mum in many different things and have fun with this Virtual Shibuya!"   ・“DJ LOVE” (SEKAI NO OWARI) "It felt like I had dived right into the world of Ghost in the Shell, my favourite series. It was a wonderfully fun event which expanded on my dreams. I'm looking forward to seeing it evolve and I hope to perform live there at some point. I want to make stuff that people who haven't been physically able to go to venues up to now can enjoy. I think it would be fun to communicate with people who participated."   ・Ange Katrina "The streets of Shibuya I know were completely transformed into the world of Ghost in the Shell, and my favourite Tachikoma made an appearance too. For a Ghost in the Shell fan like myself it was a whale of a time! Right now we have to battle with staying indoors. Me having disappeared has caused a bit of trouble, but the thrill of this virtual event has lifted my nerves. I had a lot of fun."   You can check out footage from the event in the video below which was posted on Shibuya 5G Entertainment Project's official YouTube channel.

The world of Ghost in the ShellVirtual Shibuya in can be experienced until May 31, 2020, so sign up while you still can.