Ghost In The Shell Watch Order: Anime has a large plethora of content when it comes to cyberpunk. One of the most significant names in this genre remains to be Ghost In The Shell. For more than three decades, the series has been dominating the world of cyberpunk. But even so, fans tend to get confused between the live-actions, OVAs, and anime series. From books to video games, to film series, the list is quite long and tedious.
Thus, if you wish to enter the vast world of GITS anime series, but cannot find where to start, then you have come to the right place. This list contains just the right order in which you can watch the entirety of the series.
Ghost In The Shell Chronological Order [Release Order]
To ease the confusion more for you, the Ghost In The Shell is a series comprising of three separate stories. In addition, even the original movie series had remakes of the same story. Thus, the water order list will exclude all parts that are not required to watch in the same list.
Animated Movie Series
- Ghost In The Shell (1995)
- Ghost In The Shell 2: Innocence (2004)
- Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex- Solid State Society (2006)
- Ghost In The Shell 2.0 (2008 Re-Release)
- Ghost In The Shell: The New Movie (2015)
- Ghost In The Shell Live Action (2017)
Animated Series
- Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2002)
- Ghost In The Shell: S.A.C. 2nd GIG (2005)
- Ghost In The Shell: Arise- Althernative Architecture (2015)
- Ghost In The Shell: SAC_2045 (2020)
Ghost In The Shell Watch Order
Ghost In The Shell
As mentioned in the release order above, this is the first GITS movie that launched the entire series. Set in the year 2029, the movie only introduces the main characters and the world they are set in. The 2008 Ghost In The Shell 2.0 is the same movie remake just with a better animation style.
Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex
Stand Alone Complex is the first anime series that was released between 2002-2005. Set in the year 2030, the anime has 52 episodes in total. Further, The Laughing Man is another OVA that included the summary of the first season. You can watch any of these two alternatives.
Ghost In The Shell: S.A.C. 2nd GIG
S.A.C. 2nd GIG is essentially season 2 of Stand Alone Complex. The series is set in the year 2032, two years right after the events of the first series. Much like the pilot, this one also has an OVA named Individual Eleven, summarizing the entire story of the series.
Ghost In The Shell: Innocence
Ghost In The Shell Watch Order: The reason why a movie is placed in between two anime series is that it is also set in the year 2032. Innocence is the sequel to the original 2004 movie and continues the events left behind in that. The events of the movie run parallel to that of S.A.C. 2nd GIG.
Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex − Solid State Society (2006)
As suggested by the title, the movie was not an individual venture of its own. Instead, it was a tie-in movie with the SAC. Set in the year 2034, the movie first introduced the concept of 3-D animation into the world of anime. Much later on 2011, the film was re-released in the theatres.
Ghost In The Shell: Arise
Arise is possibly the reason why you are lingering in the corners of the internet looking for articles on Ghost In The Shell Watch Order. This OVA launched in the year 2013 and continued until 2015. Chronologically, it is set in the year 2027. It is more of a prequel story that delves into the life and origins of Section 9. If you do not wish to watch an entire OVA, Arise Alternative Architecture is an anime series that compiles the story into a short format.
Ghost In The Shell: The New Movie
Continuing the events of Arise, The New Movie is also present in the same timeline. Right where the Pyrophoric Cult episode came to end, the events of this movie commence. Thus, the plot is there between the first movie and the Arise OVA.
Ghost In The Shell: SAC_2045
The most recent release from the GITS makers was SAC_2045 series. This is an Original Net Animation that launched in the year 2020. Set in the year 2045, the events are based right after the events of Solid State Society. The second season of the anime will be releasing in May 2022.
This was the eloquent list of Ghost In The Shell Watch Order. This is the best possible way in which one can cover the entire cyberpunk series. Even so, if you find any difficulty in understanding the chronology of events, then leave a comment in the small box below. Lastly, for more trivia on the same, keep coming back to The Anime Daily.
