Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence turns 20 years old this year, and in celebration of the anniversary milestone, GKIDS is planning to re-release the animated film in theaters nationwide in a new 4K restoration next month.
First released in 2004, Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence is the follow-up film to director Mamoru Oshii's 1995 animated masterpiece Ghost in the Shell. It serves as a standalone sequel that's loosely based on the manga by Masamune Shirow.
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.
Serving as a standalone sequel, Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence dives further into the world and concepts first introduced in the original 1995 film. With the rapid advancement of AI in real life in recent years, Ghost in the Shell 2's thought-provoking speculations on artificial intelligence is even more relevant in today's world than they were in 2004.
While Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence may not have been as highly regarded as its predecessor, it was praised for its impressive visuals that required five years in production from the legendary animation powerhouse Production I.G. When it returns to theaters next month, fans will be able to experience these visuals restored in glorious 4K.
"The animation is lovely, but the plot is complex to the point of inscrutability, leaving Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence both original and numbing," the critics consensus reads on Rotten Tomatoes where the film sits at a 65% on the Tomatometer.
The sequel is written and directed by Mamoru Oshii and co-produced by Production I.G and Studio Ghibli. The film was originally released in Japan in March 2004, before coming to the United States later that year thanks to Go Fish Pictures. The film eventually grossed over $1 million at the U.S. box office, surpassing Go Fish Pictures' expectations.
Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence will return to theaters beginning June 23rd. The film will be available in both the English language dubbed version, as well as its original Japanese language with new and improved subtitles. Tickets for the film are now available.