Brain Dead presents a special collection based on Shirow Masamune’s original 1989 manga, a landmark work that helped define the cyberpunk genre and continues to shape how we think about identity, technology, and consciousness.
This limited-edition capsule features two graphic tees and a six-panel hat designed with direct references to the manga’s complex visual language and deeply philosophical themes. Masamune’s Ghost in the Shell imagined a future where consciousness is networked, and bodies are only vessels.
One reason Ghost in the Shell remains so relevant and impactful, even three decades later, is its powerful exploration of themes like the significance of individuality in a cyberized society and the evolving relationship between humans and AI. Did Shirow Masamune already see this coming when he first created the original work?...If so, what insights or episodes stand out as having predicted our present-day tech reality?
The influence of Ghost in the Shell is undeniable. Director Mamoru Oshii’s 1995 film adaptation is known for its stunningly realistic portrayal of a cyberpunk world. It’s widely acknowledged that The Matrix drew heavy inspiration from it, though its reach goes far beyond Hollywood. From anime to video games to global pop culture, Ghost in the Shell has helped shape how creators envision the digital future and what it means to be human in a world that blurs the line between man and machine.
To mark the occasion, we’re hosting a special in-person launch at Brain Dead Studios Fairfax on Saturday, July 5th, featuring two screenings of the 1995 animated film by Mamoru Oshii (5PM & 7:30PM) and a Q&A with staff from Kodansha, the team currently working on the title today.
The collection will launch online Tuesday, July 8th at wearebraindead.com.
