What You Need to Know:
- The Ghost in the Shell series has a passionate fanbase around the world and continues to influence creators across borders, eras, and generations, with its latest TV anime addition The Ghost In The Shell currently airing nationwide in Japan during Ka-Anival!! on Kansai and Fuji TV networks. With the series in its final stretch, a special promotion video was released on August 20.
- This special promotion video was directed by the series director MOKOCHAN. The track used in the video, “po-ai feat. Mirai Moriyama,” was produced as the image song for the series, The Ghost In The Shell, with vocals by the Kobe-native dancer and actor Mirai Moriyama. Lyrics, composition, and arrangement were handled by Taisei Iwasaki who serves as the music director and composer for the series. The song also served as the ending track for the full-length feature footage shown at advance screenings overseas, including the series’ world premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film festival in France. The digital single was also released today alongside the special promotion video.
- In regard to the lyrics, Taisei Iwasaki engaged in repeated dialogues with numerous AIs, much like the world of Ghost in the Shell, to construct a unique language that doesn’t exist on Earth. Then, he rewrote all the lyrics he had written into the new language, creating a song in which even physical actions are constructed as part of the language. “Physicality” is one of the themes of the work, and in the search to find a singer who embodies this, Mirai Moriyama was offered the job. It has turned into a track worthy of the climax.
- The song, released as a digital single, will also be included on the original soundtrack to be released on September 9.
Mirai Moriyama’s Comment
I suddenly received a message from Taisei Iwasaki, with whom I have a personal and professional relationship, that said: “I’m working on an anime that’s set in a world inspired by Port Island in Kobe, and I want to start the music with your voice.”
I had absolutely no idea what he was talking about.
Then he said, “It’s a new series of Ghost in the Shell.”
I’m truly sorry to admit that I’ve had almost no exposure to this legendary work, which is loved around the world.
Despite this, I agreed immediately.
The mention of an artificial island in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, the hometown of both the original creator (and Moriyama), piqued my interest.
Apparently, there’s a theory that the manga’s opening panel, featuring the fictional island of Newport City, Niihama Prefecture, was modeled after Port Island.
When I looked at the panel, I couldn’t help but think, “Yeah, that’s definitely Po-ai!” (“Po-ai” is the nickname for Port Island used by locals). Before I knew it, the song’s title became “po-ai,” and it ended up serving as a sort of theme song, which is very humbling but as a local, I’m deeply moved.
I’d love to hear “po-ai” being played at full volume on Po-ai someday.
Mirai Moriyama Profile
Born in Hyogo Prefecture in 1984. He began studying various dance genres at age 5 and made his professional stage debut at age 15. In 2013, he spent one year in Israel as a Cultural Exchange Ambassador for the Agency of Cultural Affairs, and performed in European countries while based at the Inbal Pinto & Avshalom Pollak Dance Company. He continues to engage in interdisciplinary activities both in Japan and abroad in pursuit of “physical expression arising from relationships.” He has won numerous film awards as an actor as well. He performed the opening solo at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. In 2022, he established Artist in Residence KOBE(AiRK) in Kobe City and is involved in its management. He received the Hyogo Prefecture Arts Encouragement Award in 2023 and the Kobe City Culture Award in 2024. He is part of the “post-Butoh” movement.
His upcoming projects include the NHK BS special drama Sasamakura (airing August 8, 2026) and the MEET YOUR ART FESTIVAL 2026: ART EXHIBITION “REFLUX: Tachinoboru Kizashi” (October 9-12, 2026).
Taisei Iwasaki’s Comment
Philip K. Dick once wrote in one of his books, “The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use them.”
So, what would happen if I tried manipulating “language” itself? This question crossed my mind while I was composing.
From there, through repeated dialogues with various AIs, I constructed a unique linguistic system that doesn’t exist on this Earth. Then, I rewrote all the lyrics into this new language.
I was left marveling at the AI’s responses at times when it not only recognized the sounds coming from my mouth but even my physical actions, such as tapping the left side of my chest as “language.” I continued exploring the threshold where humans and technology merge.
“Physicality” is one of the themes of the series, so I wanted someone well-versed in that to sing the completed song. I extended the offer to my longtime friend, Mirai Moriyama.
His voice resonates with a strangely nostalgic quality while singing in this nonexistent language.
Please enjoy his voice as it envelops Newport City.
Taisai Iwasaki Profile
Award-winning musician who’s known for his musical work on many films such as Ryuu to Sobakasu Hime, Hateshinaki Scarlet, Giant God Warrior Appears in Tokyo, First Kiss, Netflix films such as First Love Hatsukoi, The Naked Director, Bullet Train Explosion, TV anime Kekkai Sensen, Spriggan, Marriage Toxin, and more. In addition, he produced the melody that plays on the Tokaido bullet train “Ai ni Ikou” and the selected piece for the high school division of the 86th NHK National Music Competition “Boku ga Boku wo Miteiru.”
Moteki received the “Excellent Work Award” at the 35th Japan Academy Awards.
Ryuu to Sobakasu no Hime won the “Award for Best Music” at the 45th Japan Academy Awards.
Tokyo Taxi received the “Excellent Work Award” at the 49th Japan Academy Awards.
Ryuu to Sobakasu Hime won the 36th Japan Golden Disc Award for “Best Soundtrack of the Year”.
Product Information (CD)
Title: The Ghost In The Shell O.S.T.
Artist: Taisei Iwasaki, Ryo Konishi, Yuki Kanesaka
Date: September 9, 2026
2-disc CD album / VTCL-60705~60706
Price: 3,960 yen (tax in.)
Sold by: FlyingDog Inc.
First-press editions of the CD come in a deluxe special package featuring a 7-inch record- sized paper sleeve with foil stamping.
The CD and analog jacket illustration was drawn for this album specifically by Science Saru illustrator, tarou2.
In addition, the album includes a massive 17,000-character talk session by the three music producers in which they share their behind-the-scenes story of music production for The Ghost In The Shell.
Streaming Information
Available on streaming services and major download platforms such as iTunes Store, Rekochoku, and mora starting September 9, 2026!
Streaming services:
Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, Line Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, AWA, Rakuten Music, KKBOX Qobuz.
Check out more music from the Ghost in the Shell series here: flyingdog.lnk.to/SAC
Product Information (Vinyl)
Title: The Ghost In The Shell O.S.T.
Artist: Taisei Iwasaki, Ryo Konishi, Yuki Kanesaka
Date: September 30, 2026
Two-disc vinyl album
VTJL-61~62
Price: 7,700 yen (tax in.)
Sold by: FlyingDog Inc.
The album jacket will feature a brand-new illustration by tarou2 from Science Saru.
Jacket Illustration by: tarou2
CD Tracklist
Disc 1
01. The Ghost In The Shell feat. Lanux
02. The Fabled Few
03. po-ai
04. Heavenly Suite Op.3 - Query
05. Remnants
06. Revenge
07. LateX
08. The Last Firewall
09. Heavenly Suite Op.5 - Requiem
10. Vacations
11. Stone and Sand
12. Heavenly Suite Op.2 - Reflections
13. Dirge
14. Gun Shot
15. I Spake as a Child
16. Purgation
17. She is a bit too Clever
18. Late Morning
19. Jacob's Ladder
Disc 2
01. Prologue
02. Heavenly Suite Op.1 - Life is
03. Tracer
04. Pre-Launch
05. Don't Even Ask
06. Sunny Days
07. In the Rain
08. Sunshafts
09. Strut Down
10. Mimic Dance
11. Witness Stand
12. Lone Walker
13. IKARI
14. Ghost In The Dark
15. Mournful
16. After the Signal
17. TAKURAMI
18. Subordinate＆Pistol
19. Sinister Plot
20. Hacking Gigolo
21. Away from Home
22. WANA
23. Bad Faith
24. Be Shit Acid
25. Swimming in Blue
26. Sogeki no Hate
27. Heavenly Suite Op.4 - Aria della Vida
Product Information (Vinyl Edition)
Title: The Ghost In The Shell O.S.T.
Artist: Taisei Iwasaki, Ryo Konishi, Yuki Kanesaka
Date: September 30, 2026
2-disc LP album / VTJL-61~62
Price: 7,700 yen (tax in.)
Sold by: FlyingDog Inc.
Vinyl Tracklist
Disc 1 - Side A
01. The Ghost In The Shell feat. Lanux
02. The Fabled Few
03. po-ai
04. Heavenly Suite Op.3 - Query
05. Remnants
06. Revenge
Disc 1 - Side B
01. LateX
02. The Last Firewall
03. Heavenly Suite Op.5 - Requiem
04. Vacations
05. Stone and Sand
Disc 2 - Side A
01. Heavenly Suite Op.2 - Reflections
02. Dirge
03. Gun Shot
04. I Spake as a Child
Disc 2 - Side B
01. Sunshafts
02. She is a bit too Clever
03. Late Morning
04. Strut Down
05. Purgation
06. Tracer
07. Jacob's Ladder
The Ghost In The Shell Official Accounts
Official Website: theghostintheshell-anime.jp
X (Japan): @thegits_anime
X (Global): @thegits_animeEN
Instagram: @thegits_anime
Source: Official Press Release