GLITCH WITCH—a brand-new serialization by Shirow Masamune and Naoki Azuma—drops on Yanmaga Web this Wednesday, September 9!

Shirow Masamune’s monumental sci-fi masterpiece, THE GHOST IN THE SHELL, first began serialization in 1989. Starting with director Mamoru Oshii’s iconic 1995 animated feature GHOST IN THE SHELL, the franchise has expanded into numerous animated series and a Hollywood live-action film, continuing to thrill and inspire audiences worldwide. The latest TV anime series, THE GHOST IN THE SHELL, premiered this past July and concluded yesterday to overwhelming acclaim.

Now, Shirow Masamune’s newest story, GLITCH WITCH, set in the exact same universe, will begin serialization on Yanmaga Web on Wednesday, September 9.

 

GLITCH WITCH shares both the world and timeline of THE GHOST IN THE SHELL. On April 10, 2029, while Motoko Kusanagi and Aramaki are preparing to establish Public Security Section 9 (commonly known as “Ghost in the Shell”), a series of incidents erupt across the United States. As the FBI, AI researchers, and the military investigate, they witness a fateful clash: the battle between Project 2501, the “Puppet Master”—with whom Motoko Kusanagi merges at the end of THE GHOST IN THE SHELL—and a Solomon-class AI holding the fate of humanity in its hands!

Written and character-designed by Shirow Masamune himself, with art by Naoki Azuma (The Immortal Kamikaze Trooper, Keishicho Zoshi), this next-generation cyberpunk action saga directly intersects with THE GHOST IN THE SHELL!!

 

 

■ Work Information

Original Concept: Shirow Masamune | Art: Naoki Azuma

Title: GLITCH WITCH

Currently serializing on Yanmaga Web (updated biweekly on Wednesdays)!

Read Chapter 1, “Who Snapped the Cherry Branch, for Whom Did the Flowers Bloom? ①,” here.

 

■ Creator Profiles

Shirow Masamune

Born in Hyogo Prefecture. Manga artist and illustrator. He began his creative career in 1980 and made his commercial debut in 1985 with Appleseed. In 1989, he launched his iconic masterpiece, THE GHOST IN THE SHELL. He also co-directed the anime OVA Black Magic M-66 and continues to be active across diverse fields, including video games and art books.

 

Naoki Azuma

Born in Aichi Prefecture. Manga artist. He made his debut in 1998 with CHILDRAGON in Weekly Shonen Jump. His major works include Bakuon Densetsu Kaburagi (Original Story: Hiroto Saki), The Immortal Kamikaze Trooper (Original Story: Shoji Kokami), and Keishicho Zoshi (Original Story: Futaro Yamada).

 

■ About THE GHOST IN THE SHELL

THE GHOST IN THE SHELL is a landmark sci-fi manga created by Shirow Masamune, originally serialized in Kodansha’s Young Magazine Kaizokuban in 1989.

The story follows Motoko Kusanagi, a full-body cyborg with elite capabilities in cyberwarfare and hand-to-hand combat. Holding the rank of “Major,” she leads the offensive task force “Ghost in the Shell” as they tackle increasingly sophisticated and heinous crimes.

Renowned for its realistic, highly detailed artwork alongside cyberpunk aesthetics and philosophical themes, the series offers a deep exploration into the fusion of humanity and technology and the nature of personal identity.

 

Click here for details on THE GHOST IN THE SHELL.