Director Rupert Sanders speaks to the audience during the global trailer launch for Paramount Pictures' 'Ghost in the Shell' at the Tabloid on November 13, 2016 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo : Getty Images/ Tomohiro Ohsumi)
The original anime film "Ghost in the Shell" is scheduled to return to the big screen next year in the United Kingdom. It is also planned to run in theaters in the United States.
The classic anime that set the bar for similar productions is scheduled to have a limited showing in cinemas across the U.K. and for only one night. The event will happen on Jan. 25. Fans in the U.S. will also have their chance to relive the adventures of one of their favorite characters, although the date is still undecided, Wired reported.
The "Ghost in the Shell" anime movie was originally released back in 1995 and was based on the cyberpunk manga creation of Masamune Shirow that was first serialize in 1989. The manga is about a counter-cyberterrorist organization called Public Security Section 9 headed by the protagonist Major Motoko Kusanagi. This is also the character played by Scarlett Johansson in the live-action movie adaptation of the same title that will premiere on March 31, 2017.
Major Kusanagi is a cyborg and has a full body prosthetic. She leads an elite team that tries to locate a malicious hacker called Puppet Master. Batou, her right hand man, is known for his unprecedented strength and power. The duo is able to track down the Puppet Master, but they need to act fast before the villain destroys their virtual and physical worlds.
The original "Ghost in the Shell" anime movie was directed by Mamoru Oshii, who also took the helm for the 2008 "Ghost in the Shell 2.0." The latter is the remastered version of the first film but includes CGI visuals and enhanced audio. However, this version will not be the one to have the English-dubbed theatrical run but the 1995 version. A video trailer was also released for the special move run.
Meanwhile, for the Johansen-starrer movie, fans can get their hands on the "Ghost in the Shell" steelbook set that will be released on March 14, 2017. Not much is known about the upcoming collector item except for an exclusive Mondo key art.
The 1995 "Ghost in the Shell" anime movie will be shown in U.K. theaters only on Wednesday, Jan. 25.
