GKIDS has officially acquired the North American distribution rights to 2004’s cult classic anime movie Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, which hails from writer-director Mamoru Oshii.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the new 4K remastered version of the film will be heading to theaters nationwide this coming summer. Prior to its theatrical screenings, Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence 4K version will first have its premiere this May at the Chicago Critics Film Festival.
What is Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence?
“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,” reads the synopsis.
Based on the manga series created by Shirow Masamune, Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence is described as a cyberpunk mystery following the character of Batou from the original 1995 film. It was animated by legendary animation powerhouse Production I.G, with composer Kenji Kawai scoring the standalone sequel. It was produced by Mitsuhisa Ishikawa and Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki.
