Though it received mixed reviews from critics and audiences, the Ghost in the Shell franchise's 2020 reboot, a new anime series called Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045, was largely considered a success. The making of the series was filled with ups and downs, but it seems, in the end, the directors were able to bring all of the necessary elements - like unique animation, solid writing, and engaging music - together to deliver a final product that they were comfortable with and even proud of.
Here are 10 facts about the series' behind-the-scenes process that anyone who's interested in it should know.
10 It Became One Of Netflix's Biggest Anime Projects Yet
Netflix has recently gotten into the anime business, using their overwhelming fiscal resources to create critically-acclaimed originals like Castlevania and Aggretsuko.
SAC_2045 was arguably Netflix's biggest (in terms of production scale) anime series to date, however - although it's worth noting that their critically-panned live-action film adaptation of the popular series Death Note cost upwards of $40 million to make.
9 The Series Used CGI Instead Of Traditional Animation
While most anime series are still animated using traditional hand-drawn animation techniques, as Hollywood studios begin to show a preference for CGI, so do anime studios. Even some of Japan's top studios, such as the legendary Studio Ghibli, are succumbing to the trend.
Because of these reasons and others, series co-director Shinji Aramaki wanted his modern reboot of the franchise to be fully computer-animated.
8 The Series Used Advanced Technology To Make The Movements Look More Realistic
To make the motion shown throughout the series seem more realistic, the production crew hired actual actors to play out some of the scenes. Then, they used "motion capture" technology to replace the actors with the series' characters.
Motion capture technology is nothing new - it's become a key part of a lot of Hollywood blockbusters - but SAC_2045 used recent innovations in the technology to make sure the animation looked up-to-date.
7 The Series' Chaotic World Was Meant To Reflect Modern-Day Japan
Series directors Shinji Aramaki and Kenji Kamiyama wanted to create a distinct "feel" with their revisioning of the cyberpunk world found in the original 80's manga.
Emphasizing how societal advancements have brought Japan much closer to the manga's "chaotic" setting, they decided they could make the new series much more "relatable" by making the plot seem like something that could genuinely happen in the near future.
6 The Characters Were Designed By Russian Artist Ilya Kuvshinov
Ilya Kuvshinov is a Tokyo-based Russian artist known for his work in the realms of art and animation, most notably his character designs for the 2019 Japanese film The Wonderland.
In an interview with Otaquest, he talked about landing the role of character designer on SAC_2045, saying he "couldn't believe" his simple sketches had led to him being given such a large part in the anime's production.
5 The Character Design Was Meant To Be More Detailed Than Previous Adaptations
In that same interview with Otaquest, Kuvshinov also explained the motivation behind how he designed the series' characters. Ghost in the Shell was his first experience with anime, as he watched the first movie when he was just six years old and fell in love instantly.
The reason his character designs ended up so detailed and complex is that he wanted them to have "a little bit of everything" from their predecessors, as an homage of sorts to the franchise that directed his career path.
4 The Ending Theme Is Written In Lines Of Code
SAC_2045 definitely has a unique ending theme; called "sustain++", it was performed by Japanese indie group Mili.
In an interview with Otaquest, band member Cassie Wei revealed that her knowledge of programming was the inspiration for the song's lyrics, which are written in Java.
3 A Second Season Was Confirmed Before The First Season's Release
Even before the first season of SAC_2045 was ready to drop, Netflix anticipated a hit.
Thus, they announced a few days before its release that two seasons of the series - each consisting of twelve episodes - would be made; a stark contrast from their usual one-and-done style.
2 Many Of The Original Anime's Voice Actors Returned For The Reboot
SAC_2045 is set in the continuity of the prior series Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex, and thus, many of the original series' actors returned to bring Netflix's take to life.
For example, the Japanese voice for Major Kusanagi, Atsuko Tanaka, made a comeback, as did the character's English voice, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn. The same applies to several other characters, including Aramaki, Batou, and Togusa.
1 The Original Anime's Director Was Brought Back For The Reboot
To bring SAC_2045 to Netflix, the man behind the highly successful Stand Alone Complex, Kenji Kamiyama, collaborated with noted director and mecha designer Shinji Aramaki.
The two are also set to co-direct another anime based on a popular cyberpunk franchise, the upcoming Adult Swim series Blade Runner: Black Lotus.