A Major Ghost in the Shell Movie Returns to Theaters With New 4K Restoration

Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, the 2004 cyberpunk anime sequel to Mamoru Oshii's 1995 Ghost in the Shell film, will soon return to theaters throughout America for a limited time in a new 4K restoration. Unlike the first film, Innocence follows Batou (voiced by Akio Otsuka) as he faces a new mystery.

As announced via a press release today, GKIDS is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence with a stunning 4K restoration for theaters. The movie is scheduled to return for just three nights on June 23, 24, and 26 across 400 theaters nationwide. You can check out the 4K-restored teaser, key visual, and the full trailer below:

Credit: Masamune Shirow / Kodansha / GKids / Production I.G.

Production I.G. produced the animation for Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, and it features a powerful and haunting score by composer Kenji Kawai. The cyberpunk movie was produced by Production I.G co-founder Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, producer of the original 1995 feature, as well as Academy Award®-winning producer and Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki. The film received widespread acclaim and was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival.

What is Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence about?

Ghost in the Shell is based on the cyberpunk manga series by Shirow Masamune. The manga, first serialized in 1989, was published as its own tankōbon volumes by Kodansha. Set in mid-21st century Japan, the story centers on the fictional counter-cyberterrorist organization Public Security Section 9, led by Major Motoko Kusanagi.

You can check out the official synopsis for Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence below:

In the year 2032, the line between humans and machines has been blurred almost beyond distinction. A string of murders perpetrated by a prototype android model has drawn the attention of Public Security Section 9, a unit specializing in counter cyber-terrorism. With none of the victims’ families pressing charges, suspicions arise regarding the nature of the androids and their production company. In the course of the investigation, the almost entirely cyber-bodied agent Batou, and his still human partner Togusa embark on a journey through a technological dystopia, taking on ferocious Yakuza thugs, devious hackers, government bureaucrats, and corporate criminals to uncover the shocking truth behind the crime. 

For more information about the film's theatrical re-release and ticket sales, check out the official website of GKIDS.