The Ghost in the Shell franchise has expanded with the launch of a new manga series titled GLITCH WITCH. Created by Naoki Azuma, the series debuted this Wednesday on Kodansha’s YanMaga Web platform. While Azuma handles the writing and illustration, the project is built upon the original concept by Masamune Shirow, the creator of the foundational 1991 manga.
The story explores the aftermath of the original Ghost in the Shell narrative, specifically focusing on the entity known as Project 2501—the "Puppeteer" that merged with Motoko Kusanagi. The plot pits this entity against a Solomon-class AI in a high-stakes conflict that draws the attention of the FBI, military officials, and AI researchers. Readers can follow the ongoing battle through new chapters arriving every other Wednesday.
This release arrives immediately following the conclusion of the 10-episode television anime produced by Science SARU, which aired its final episode this past Tuesday. While that series is currently available on Amazon Prime Video in over 240 countries and regions, the manga offers a different perspective on the franchise's post-merger timeline. Given the recent wrap-up of the Science SARU production, it remains to be seen how closely this new manga will tie into the specific continuity established by that recent adaptation.
