Theres just one thing I feel I left unfinished.
If I had the chance, Id like to do it.
Ishikawa revealed a key obstacle preventing a third film: finances.
This, Ishikawa stated, is the primary reason a thirdGhost in the Shellfilm has not been made.
Ghost in the Shell 3cannot be made unless the production costs ofInnocenceare recovered.
This is something I want people to know and share.
I want to see another sequel, too.
Batou and his partner Togusa often spoke in quotes from literature and classical philosophy.
My fellow critics and I were blown away by its animationeven more technically ambitious than the original.
However, we also found the film dense, overly talkative, and unfocused.
As a fan of Oshiis earlier art films likeAngels Egg, I appreciatedInnocencefor its dreamlike atmosphere and visual ambition.
And yet, over the years, I kept coming back toInnocence.
With each rewatch, its complex narrative and layered themes became more apparent.
The films initial density eventually unraveled into a deep appreciation.
The sheer attention to detail was staggering.
TheGhost in the Shellfranchise is a Japanese cyberpunk media series based on the manga by Masamune Shirow, first published in 1989. Set in a futuristic world where cybernetic enhancements and cyberbrains are common, the franchise explores complex themes of identity, consciousness, and artificial intelligence. The story follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg and a high-ranking officer in Public Security Section 9, as she leads her team in combating cyberterrorism and uncovering political conspiracies. The series has had a significant influence on science fiction and cyberpunk genres, both in Japan and globally
I can only imagine what a third film, made on his terms, would look like.
Oshiis Vision for a Third Film
WillGhost in the Shell 3Ever Happen?
Earlier this month, Mamoru Oshii speculated on the possible themes of athirdGhost in the Shellfilm.
This idea of identity and fragmentation was also central toInnocence.
“Even though theyre the same characters, their voices change (like inInnocence).
With a flesh-and-blood person in live action, thats difficult.
Motoko and Batou only exist within the world of anime.
In animation, its easier to infuse characters with emotion.”
Mamoru Oshii hints at a potential Ghost in the Shell sequel, noting there is more to explore.
TheGhost in the Shellfranchise is a Japanese cyberpunk media series based on the manga by Masamune Shirow, first published in 1989. Set in a futuristic world where cybernetic enhancements and cyberbrains are common, the franchise explores complex themes of identity, consciousness, and artificial intelligence. The story follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg and a high-ranking officer in Public Security Section 9, as she leads her team in combating cyberterrorism and uncovering political conspiracies. The series has had a significant influence on science fiction and cyberpunk genres, both in Japan and globally
As much as Oshii may have ideas forGhost in the Shell 3, the reality is complicated.
As Ishikawa pointed out, the financial losses ofInnocencemake another high-budget sequel a difficult proposition.
If all the right pieces align, we may yet seeGhost in the Shell 3become a reality.
Until then, fans can only wait and hope.
The series has had a significant influence on science fiction and cyberpunk genres, both in Japan and globally
