Ghost in the Shell Watch Order Easy Guide

Most anime fans get confused because they didn’t know Ghost in the Shell watch order. So Today I am going to tell you about its perfect watch order.

The manga of Ghost in the Shell anime made its own series into 1989. Since that time, the franchise has been getting a lot of popularity of fame and it reached a point where Hollywood has to make a Live-Action Movie as a result.

Also it has also been among the most influential sci-fi movies out there. Why is it popular? And exactly what is it that which makes it too unique? Simple! Its plot is overly good and enthralling like every sci-fi anime.

Let’s begin the list of Ghost in the Shell Watch Order without wasting any more time.

Movies and Timeline

The chronological Ghost in the Shell watch order of movies according time lines.

1. Koukaku Kidoutai (1995)

Koukaku Kidoutai (1995)

The lead adaption of the GITS (Ghost in the Shell) manga is the movie by 1995. In this film, the story sets in a futuristic world where Cyborgs live a regular life as humans and almost within precisely the equal number as humans.

The protagonist Mokoto is assigned into a mission of catching a cyber criminal know by the name of Puppet Master. He hacks to the minds of Cyborgs to gather information and commits crimes easily. You can expect a lot from this movie since the plot and action sequences are incredible.

Following the first movie, a sequel is made after 9 decades and the title will be Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence. It follows the story of Batou from section 9 explores a series of murders by the gender of robots called gynoids. Both of these movies are a must-watch from the Ghost in the Shell watch order.

2. Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004)

Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004)

With Major Motoko Kusanagi missing, Section 9’s Batou is assigned to investigate a string of gruesome murders—seemingly at the hands of faulty gynoids, or sex robots.

But when a faulty gynoid leaves Batou a cryptic message, he begins to question the cause of their malfunctions. Suspicions of politically motivated murder and an illegal “ghost” quickly crop up, drawing Batou and his partner Togusa into a perilous web of conspiracy.

As their investigation goes on, the line between man and machine continues to blur, and reality and perception become indistinguishable.

Confronting strange and dangerous foes, Batou and Togusa explore a futuristic world filled with machines and living dolls but utterly devoid of humanity.

The Stand Alone Complex Series

This is the stand alone complex Ghost in the Shell watch order

1. Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex

Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex

In the not so distant future, mankind has advanced to a state where complete body transplants from flesh to machine is possible. This allows for great increases in both physical and cybernetic prowess and blurring the lines between the two worlds.

However, criminals can also make full use of such technology, leading to new and sometimes, very dangerous crimes. In response to such innovative new methods, the Japanese Government has established Section 9, an independently operating police unit which deals with such highly sensitive crimes.

Led by Daisuke Aramaki and Motoko Kusanagi, Section 9 deals with such crimes over the entire social spectrum, usually with success. However, when faced with a new A level hacker nicknamed “The Laughing Man,” the team is thrown into a dangerous cat and mouse game, following the hacker’s trail as it leaves its mark on Japan.

2. Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG

Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG

Following the closure of the “Laughing Man” case, Section 9 is re-established by Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister, Youko Kayabuki, to combat the persistent threat of cyber-terrorism.

A group calling themselves “The Individual Eleven” has begun committing acts of terror across Japan. While Motoko Kusanagi, Daisuke Aramaki, Batou, and the other members of Section 9 investigate this new menace, the Japanese government faces a separate crisis, as foreign refugees displaced by the Third World War seek asylum in Japan.

But as the members of the special-ops team continually encounter Gouda Kazundo—a leading member of the Cabinet Intelligence Service—in their hunt, they begin to suspect that he may be involved, and that the events of the refugee crisis and The Individual Eleven may be more connected than they realize…

3. Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex – Solid State Society

Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex - Solid State Society

A.D. 2034. It has been two years since Motoko Kusanagi left Section 9. Togusa is now the new leader of the team, that has considerably increased its appointed personnel. The expanded new Section 9 confronts a rash of complicated incidents, and investigations reveal that an ultra-wizard hacker named the Puppeteer is behind the entire series of events.

In the midst of all, Batou, who was stalking the case on a separate track, encounters Motoko. She goes away after saying, “Stay away from the Solid State Society.” Batou is left with a doubt in his mind. Could Motoko be the Puppeteer?

The series of intriguing incidents that Section 9 faces gradually link together almost artistically. Who is the Puppeteer? What will happen to Batou’s relationship with Motoko? What is the full truth behind this carefully planned perfect crime? And what will the outcome be? Mysteries surround the Solid State Society…

4. Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex – The Laughing Man

Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex - The Laughing Man

In 2024, the terrorist incident known as “The Laughing Man Incident” occurred in which Ernest Serano, president of the groundbreaking micromachine company, Serano Genomics, was kidnapped and ransomed.

One day, the case having remained unsolved for six years, Detective Yamaguchi, who has been investigating “The Laughing Man Incident,” sends word that he wants to meet with Togusa from Public Safety Section 9.

However, soon after sending this message, Yamaguchi, crucial to the success of the case, dies in an accident. Many days pass and in the midst of a police interview relay concerning suspicions behind interceptors, a forewarning is received from “The Laughing Man” of his next crime. The incorporeal hacker begins to move once again.

The Arise Series

This is the arise series Ghost in the Shell watch order

1. Koukaku Kidoutai Arise: Ghost in the Shell – Border:1 Ghost Pain

Koukaku Kidoutai Arise: Ghost in the Shell - Border:1 Ghost Pain

The anime’s story is set in 2027, one year after the end of the fourth non-nuclear war. New Port City is still reeling from the war’s aftermath when it suffers a bombing caused by a self-propelled mine. Then, a military member implicated in arms-dealing bribes is gunned down.

During the investigation, Public Security Section’s Daisuke Aramaki encounters Motoko Kusanagi, the cyborg wizard-level hacker assigned to the military’s 501st Secret Unit. Batou, a man with the “eye that does not sleep,” suspects that Kusanagi is the one behind the bombing.

The Niihama Prefectural Police detective Togusa is pursuing his own dual cases of the shooting death and a prostitute’s murder. Motoko herself is being watched by the 501st Secret Unit’s head Kurutsu and cyborg agents.

2. Koukaku Kidoutai Arise: Ghost in the Shell – Border:2 Ghost Whispers

Koukaku Kidoutai Arise Ghost in the Shell - Border 2 Ghost Whispers

Freed of her responsibilities with the 501 Organization, Motoko Kusanagi must now learn how to take orders from Aramaki. Someone hacks the Logicomas, and Batou enlists the help of former army intelligence officer Ishikawa and former air artillery expert Borma.

Kusanagi also seeks to enlist ace sniper Saito and undercover cop Paz into the new Public Security Section 9. The two groups rival each other in a case involving a man who receives false memories of a refugee transport operation.

3. Koukaku Kidoutai Arise: Ghost in the Shell – Border:3 Ghost Tears

Koukaku Kidoutai Arise: Ghost in the Shell - Border:3 Ghost Tears

Motoko and Batou work to try to stop a terrorist organization whose symbol is the Scylla.

Meanwhile, Togusa investigates a murder of a man who possessed a prosthetic leg manufactured by the Mermaid’s Leg corporation.

4. Koukaku Kidoutai Arise: Ghost in the Shell – Border:4 Ghost Stands Alone

Koukaku Kidoutai Arise Ghost in the Shell - Border 4 Ghost Stands Alone

The story of this fourth installment takes place amidst signs of postwar reconstruction in the winter of 2028. Tensions are rising in New Port City as demonstrations are held concerning the interests of foreign cartels.

This leads to a shooting incident involving riot police. It all started with a cyberbrain infection released by the terrorist “Fire Starter.” An independent offensive unit led by Motoko Kusanagi entrusts the suppression of the situation to their ghosts and aims for their own justice.

Below the surface of the incident, lies the “tin girl” Emma and the “scarecrow man” Burinda Junior. As Kusanagi deals with the incident, she draws near to what those two ghosts were seeking.

5. Ghost in the Shell: Alternative Architecture (10 Episodes)

 Ghost in the Shell Alternative Architecture (10 Episodes)

A TV anime version of Ghost in the Shell: Arise. The first eight episodes are an edited version of the four movies while the last two features a new arc called “Pyrophoric Cult.”

The plot involves the “Fire Starter” virus explored previously, and introduces the new character Pyromania. The episode will have ties to the upcoming film.

6. Ghost in the Shell: Shin Movie (2015)

Ghost in the Shell: Shin Movie (2015)

In the year 2027, a year following the end of the non-nuclear World War IV, a bomb has gone off in Newport City, killing a major arms dealer who may have ties with the mysterious 501 Organization.

Public Security official Daisuke Aramaki hires full-body cyber prosthesis user and hacker extraordinaire, Motoko Kusanagi, to investigate.


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About the Author

Aiko Nakamura

Hey there, I'm Aiko Nakamura! I'm a 28-year-old anime lover from Tokyo. I dove deep into the world of anime during my studies, earning a Master's in Media Studies. Now, I'm all about creating anime fillers and watch order guides. When I'm not working, you'll find me cosplaying at conventions or exploring otaku communities globally. Anime isn't just a passion; it's my life!

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