GhostInTheShell
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'Ghost in the Shell' returns with a new 3DCG series on Netflix
Continuing with a stream of anime announcements that started at least a month ago with Pacific Rim and Altered Carbon, Netflix has revealed it's working on a continuation of yet another classic series with Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045, which is due in 2020. The director of the original series, Kenji Kamiyama is teaming up to co-direct with Shinji Aramaki (Appleseed) on this one, after the two were already paired on the Ultraman movie that's coming to Netflix next year and a Blade Runner series that's in the works for Cartoon Network and Crunchyroll.
The best movies and music to give as gifts
Not everything in our holiday gift guide is a gadget, per se. We know that media, including physical media, make good gifts, so made sure to include a few DVDs, plus some manga and a vinyl record, to boot. Depending on your loved one's taste, you'll want to buy them Blade Runner: The Final Cut in 4K, Spider-Man: Homecoming (also in 4K) or Planet Earth II -- another great way to make the most out of a UHD TV. For the binge-watcher in your life, you might consider scooping up the soundtrack to Netflix's Stranger Things, available in several volumes. And, for that person in your life who loves graphic novels, we recommend the hardcover version of Ghost in the Shell, volumes 1, 2 and 3.
'Ghost in the Shell' is more cyberposeur than cyberpunk
Spoilers ahead for the Ghost in the Shell anime and US remake. The original Ghost in the Shell anime feature is a cultural landmark. It was a neo-noir story set in a startlingly fresh vision of a connected world, and it was particularly timely in 1995 since the internet was just finding its legs in the real world. The film's lead was a badass cyborg woman privy to bouts of existentialism. And, like the best cyberpunk science fiction, Ghost in the Shell (and its original manga) asked deep questions about our relationship with technology. There was little chance a Hollywood remake could successfully grasp what was special about its source material. And, unfortunately, the Scarlett Johansson vehicle is just as disappointing as we expected. It completely misses the point of cyberpunk.
FX reel shows how 'Ghost in the Shell' developed its visual style
By most accounts, the movie adaptation of Ghost in the Shell didn't live up to the visionary manga and anime it's based on, but it did create some stunning visuals. The film's holo-saturated neon cityscape was designed in major part by digital creative Ash Thorp, who recently put together a highlight reel of concepts and animations created for the film.
Designers dream of electric dresses at Paris Fashion Week
In the middle of Paris Fashion Week, Ghost in the Shell "Prototype" (hosted by Paramount Pictures and Tumblr) aimed to show off cutting-edge fashion that makes use of technology. Weirdly, the event actually didn't have much to do with the movie at all, other than trying to demonstrate how humans can enhance themselves via smart clothing, much like in Ghost in the Shell's fictional near future. Rather, it gave us an up-close look at the future of couture, including Intel's Adrenaline dress that gets "upset" when you do, a "smart coat" that warms you up with infrared tech and fabrics that can sense the amount of air pollution. The showcase was provocative, and designers were excited to work with the new creative formats offered by wearable tech, but it also demonstrated why wired-up clothes aren't quite ready for prime time.
Watch the second trailer for the 'Ghost in the Shell' movie
The live-action remake of Ghost in the Shell is fast-approaching theaters, so of course Hollywood's marketing machine is churning out more trailers in anticipation. The latest teaser is a two-minute affair diving into "The Major" and her mysterious origins. Little is revealed but there are plenty of hints concerning her previous life. While the government has given her one story, the film's shady villain, a damaged but dangerous cyborg called Kuze, is offering another, quite different version. Much of the movie, it seems, will focus on The Major hunting Kuze and the truth simultaneously.
'Ghost in the Shell' anime will return to US & UK theaters
Before the live-action version of Ghost in the Shell hits theaters in March, the original animated movie will return for a limited theater run. In the UK, that means a one-night-only appearance January 25th, while in the US Funimation is backing a two-night stand where the movie will play subtitled one night and then with English-dubbed audio the next, on February 7th & 8th. Afterwards, Lionsgate is re-releasing the movie on Blu-ray and Digital HD March 7th in a Deluxe Collector's Edition with Steelbook packaging and Mondo artwork.
The Morning After: Monday, November 14, 2016
Engadget's weekend included a Japan-only Kindle made for manga and comics, an early tour of Nike's tech-packed store in NYC and staring at a supermoon. So it wasn't a bad weekend. This week, expect to hear plenty of car news direct from the LA Auto Show. And even if you're no petrolhead, there should be more than enough tech news, reviews and occasionally furious editorials to get you through the week.
Watch the first live-action 'Ghost in the Shell' trailer
Want to see how Hollywood takes on Ghost in the Shell outside of a handful of tiny video clips? You just got your chance. Paramount has released a full-length trailer for its spin on the anime/manga classic, and it's at least interesting -- if not necessarily what purists would want. It's visually stunning, with more than a few moments that will remind you of at least the 1995 animated movie. It's mainly the casting and unanswered questions that might leave you on the fence ahead of the movie's March 31st, 2017 launch date.
'Ghost in the Shell' teasers offer a glitchy look at the Major
We're still not sure if Scarlett Johansson is the best choice to play Major Motoko Kusanagi, but our first look at the upcoming Ghost in the Shell live-action flick is here. Separated into five brief teaser trailers that aired during tonight's Mr. Robot season finale, they're just enough to get a taste of what the movie looks like without giving any plot points away. They're so brief that it's tough to judge if the movie properly captures the environment of the manga and anime series, but there will surely be plenty of previews available before the flick hits theaters on March 31, 2017.
'Ghost in the Shell' VR movie won't reach your phone
We have bad news if you were hoping to live out your anime dreams and watch a Ghost in the Shell VR movie on your phone: it's not going to happen. Production IG has revealed that Virtual Reality Diver will only be shown in 31 internet cafés across the Kanto region (Tokyo, Yokohama and nearby areas) this May. Reportedly, it just became too big and ambitious to offer as a mobile app. That's somewhat understandable given its 15-minute length (a 360-degree clip that long is going to chew up a lot of space), but it's bound to be frustrating if you were hoping to return to the classic series on a mobile VR headset.
Japanese internet cafes' latest service is VR theater for one
Smokey Japanese internet cafes aren't where the possible future of entertainment is typically revealed to the press, but here I am. An association of said internet cafes and entertainment complexes will roll out a virtual reality 'theater' service across Japan, starting with 31 establishments in the Kanto region. Importantly, it'll feature content that people might actually want to watch: a quick VR take on popular anime series Attack On Titan as well as a full 15-minute Ghost In The Shell 360-degree CGI movie. For better or worse, Gear VR will be powering the service, and to make it seem all the more futuristic, some cafes will have egg chairs to sit in. Cool, yes. But, comfortable? Well...
'Ghost In The Shell' wants you! (..for Japan's cybersecurity)
Ghost In the Shell questions what it is to be human (or not), but they also usually nab the bad guys in Tokyo's fictional near-future, filled with cybercriminals. Now Japan's legit, real NISC (National Center of Incident readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity) and the JNSA (Japan Network Security Association) are teaming up with the anime series for a new month-long awareness campaign. The titular Major Kusanagi asks Japan's cyber security talent to "protect the internet with us" in the promo poster for the NISC. Drone-capturing drone not pictured.
Of course 'Ghost In The Shell' is getting its own VR movie
Ghost In the Shell's protagonist often looks like she's wearing a VR headset, so why not give the Major her own feature? Tying into a free-to-play first-person shooter and a new movie, Production I.G also setup a spherical theater to project a short teaser movie. With a 3D effect delivered through red-and-green glasses, it meant we could get some degree of immersion without a headset -- and the line to see it wasn't an utter nightmare. What you can see above was our wide-eyed view without the 3D effect. The full feature, which will arrive this winter, will play in 360-degrees, with a demo version set to go out on Oculus Share before it his retail on both Android and iOS for 480 yen (roughly four dollars) -- although there's no indication as to how long the animation will run for. While half the appeal is in the panoramic view of existential musings, digital brains and fights with tanks, we're hoping the studio will offer up a teaser trailer in ole-fashioned flat 2D soon and we'll embed it when we can.
Surface RT launches today in Japan, gets a cameo in Ghost In the Shell anime
It's taken its sweet time to leap over that Rising Sun, but Microsoft's Surface RT tablet has finally arrived in Japan. Priced at 57,800 yen ($600), it's launching today in collaboration with Ghost In the Shell series, Arise, where the Surface RT will apparently be making some cameo appearances, with a view to referencing its touch interface. If you're interested in seeing how Microsoft's lightweight tablet might look in the robotic future, we've added a concept sketch after the break.
Kinect dives into anime cyberspace, dares you to catch cute robot tanks (video)
If your foremost dream is to jack into a dystopian cyberpunk reality where hackers play with human brains (and you also happen to love Japanese anime), you'd best book your flight to Tokyo right now -- a Shibuya department store has set up a basic cyberspace simulator straight out of Ghost in the Shell. That's the film Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. Solid State Society, to be precise, which just got a stereoscopic 3D re-release in Japan this week, and in its honor creative services company Kayac set about constructing a high-quality Kinect hack. Microsoft's depth camera tracks the lean of your body, while the honeyed virtual reality is projected onto a pair of nearby walls, and it's your objective to slap the Tachikoma tank silly without falling over yourself. Get a peek at what it's like to play with in the video above.
Life-sized Tachikoma loose on the streets of Tokyo (update: video!)
You know, we see a lot of kick-ass vehicles 'round Engadget HQ, so it's easy to grow a little jaded. Who can forget that Batman Tumbler we saw tearing up the asphalt last summer? Or the Halo Warthog -- complete with UN Space Command BDUs? Sure, either of those would make for a fun-filled weekend (or a lifetime of weekends), but what about something a little more suited to urban environs? Next time you're in Tokyo, make sure you look up a gentleman named San Kougei, who put together a joystick-piloted replica Tachikoma (of Ghost In The Shell fame). Who knows? Maybe he'll even let you take it for a spin. We're looking forward to seeing some YouTube video of this bad boy, but in the meantime we present you with one more pic (after the break).Update: Video found... from 2006. Hey, it's new to (most of) you![Via Tokyo Mango]
New Tachikoma spider robot on the loose
Ghost in the Shell fans, unite. Your favorite killer spider is back once more, as Bandai is delivering a newfangled version which stands 9.5-centimeters high and connects to your PC via USB. Apparently, this creature comes bundled with software which enables it to play back voice messages and fire up mini-games when it's not emitting sounds through the built-in speaker or catching your eye with its integrated LEDs. Unfortunately, it looks like this creature won't actually be uncaged until next February, but that'll give you some time to save up the ¥13,440 ($115) that you'll need come launch day.[Via TokyoMango]
Deal of the Day: Anime UMDs for $5 each at Gamestop
Your UMD collection can grow like a cancerous universe-creating monster at the prices that Gamestop is selling them at. Akira, Appleseed, Ghost in the Shell, and Ninja Scroll UMDs are all available at the low price of $5. (For the non-anime fans out there, Dawn of the Dead should fit the bill quite nicely.) Don't forget to use coupon code SAVER for free shipping.[Via CAG][Update 1: All products are sold out! You see what happens when you price UMDs the right way?]
Tachikoma, the killer spider tank toy now available
While it's no Spidernaut robot, fans of the anime series Ghost in the Shell will surely appreciate this new robot creation of the Tachikoma. Although Wikipedia tells us that regular Tachikoma "are as large as an average sedan," this miniature version probably could fit in your desk drawer. From what we can tell based on the videos, it only speaks Japanese, except for a high-pitched "bye-bye!" that is accompanied by a really cute wave. Cute for an anime robot, anyway. If you can read Japanese, tell us what the rest of the page says in the comments, m'kay?[Via Robot Gossip]
