Complete Ghost in the Shell Watch Order Guide – Easily Rewatch GiTS Anime

Ghost in the Shell, the iconic sci-fi anime, is a bible for cyberpunk lovers. I guarantee it will give you a new perspective on the relationship between humans and machines, that is, if you can figure out how to begin it.

Before we get into the watch order, let me explain that there are three timelines in the Ghost in the Shell series: ‘Ghost in the Shell (Movies)’, ‘Stand Alone Complex,’ and ‘Arise.’

All of these narrate separate stories and do not have any correlation. In theory, they can be viewed in any order, but the original movie introduces some themes that amplify your enjoyment of the other parts. To take the load off your brain, we have arranged the anime into its perfect order to leave you with a filler-free juicy center!

1.  How to watch Ghost in the Shell in Order?

The recommended way to watch Ghost in the Shell is to follow the order below. The list contains all the main installments of the franchise without any unnecessary specials or compilation movies in between.

  • Ghost in the Shell Movie (1995)
  • Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence Movie (2004)
  • Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Seasons 1 and 2
  • Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – Solid State Society Movie (2006)
  • Ghost in the Shell Arise Movies 1-4
  • Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Alternative Architecture
  • Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie (2015)
How to Watch Ghost in the Shell Anime in Order? Easy Guide
Ghost in the Shell | Source: Amazon.com

2.  Ghost in the Shell Release Order

TitleTypeAir Date
Ghost in the ShellMovieNov 18, 1995
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex: Tachikomatic DaysSpecialOct 1, 2002 – Mar 25, 2003
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone ComplexAnime SeriesOct 1, 2002 – Oct 1, 2003
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIGAnime SeriesJan 1, 2004 – Jan 8, 2005
Ghost in the Shell 2: InnocenceMovieMar 6, 200
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG – Tachikomatic DaysSpecialSep 10, 2004 – Sep 27, 2006
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – The Laughing Man – Tachikomatic DaysSpecialSep 23, 2005
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – The Laughing ManCompilation FilmSep 23, 2005
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG – Individual Eleven – Tachikomatic DaysSpecialJan 27, 2006
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG – Individual ElevenCompilation FilmJan 27, 2006
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – Solid State SocietyMovieSep 1, 2006
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex: Tachikomatic DaysSpecialMay 2, 2007 – Apr 13, 2008
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – Solid State Society: Uchikomatic DaysSpecialJul 24, 2007
Ghost in the Shell 2.0MovieJul 12, 2008
Koukaku Kidoutai Arise: Another MissionSpecialJun 4, 2013  
Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Border 1: Ghost PainMovieJun 22, 2013
Koukaku Kidoutai Arise: Ghost in the Shell – Logicoma SpecialsSpecialJul 26, 2013 – Sep 24, 2014  
Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Border 2: Ghost WhispersMovieNov 30, 2013  
Koukaku Kidoutai Nyuumon AriseSpecialJan 7 – Jul 1, 2014
Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Border 3: Ghost TearsMovieJun 28, 2014
Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Border 4: Ghost Stands AloneMovieSep 6, 2014
Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Alternative ArchitectureAnime SeriesApr 5 – Jun 14, 2015
Ghost in the Shell: The New MovieMovieJun 20, 2015
Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045ONAApr 23, 2020
Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 – Sustainable WarMovieNov 12, 2021
Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Season 2OVAMay 23, 2022
Koukaku Kidoutai: SAC_2045 – Saigo no NingenMovieNov 23, 2023
How to Watch Ghost in the Shell Anime in Order? Easy Guide
Ghost in the Shell | Source: Wiki Fandom

3. Where to watch Ghost in the Shell with Eng sub and dub?

You can watch Ghost in the Shell on Crunchyroll, Funimation, and scattered around other websites. However, not all seasons and movies are available to stream.

TitleWatch with Eng DubWatch with Eng Sub
Ghost in the ShellTubi, Freeve, Pluto TV –
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone ComplexSpectrum, Adult Swim, Hoopla, Direct TV –
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIGSpectrum, Adult Swim, Hoopla, Direct TV
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG – Tachikomatic DaysCrunchyroll, FunimationCrunchyroll, Funimation
Ghost in the Shell 2.0Youtube Free, Freeve 
Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Alternative ArchitectureCrunchyroll, FunimationCrunchyroll, Funimation
Ghost in the Shell: The New MovieFunimation
Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045Netflix
Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 – Sustainable WarNetflix
Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Season 2Netflix
Koukaku Kidoutai: SAC_2045 – Saigo no Ningen

3.1 Where to watch Ghost in the Shell in your country?

ListCanadaUKJapanAustralia
Ghost in the ShellHollywood Suite, Prime VideoPrime Video, Mubi, Funimation, ITVNetflix, Hulu, U-StopStan
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone ComplexHulu, U-Stop, Netflix, Prime VideoTenplay
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIGHulu, NetflixTenplay
Ghost in the Shell 2: InnocenceNetflix, Hulu, U-Stop
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – The Laughing ManHulu
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – Solid State SocietyFunimationNetflix, Hulu
Ghost in the Shell 2.0Prime VideoFunimationPrime Video, Plex, Tenplay
Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Border 1: Ghost PainNetflix
Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Alternative ArchitectureCrunchyrollCrunchyroll, FunimationNetflixFunimation, Crunchyroll
Ghost in the Shell: The New MovieFunimationNetflix, HuluFunimation
Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045NetflixNetflixNetflixNetflix
Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 – Sustainable WarNetflixNetflixNetflixNetflix
Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Season 2NetflixNetflixNetflixNetflix
Koukaku Kidoutai: SAC_2045 – Saigo no Ningen
Ghost in the Shell Arise - Official Trailer

4. Can you download and watch Ghost in the Shell offline?

Most streaming services allow the download option with their subscription packages, so you can definitely download and watch Ghost in the Shell offline on Crunchyroll, Funimation, Netflix, and more.

CrunchyrollFan – $7.99/monthNo
Mega Fan – $9.99/monthYes
Ultimate Fan – $14.99/monthYes
FunimationPremium: $5.99 a month / $59.99 per yearNo
Premium Plus: $7.99 a month / $79.99 per yearYes
Premium Plus Ultra: $99.99 per yearYes
NetflixBasic with ads: $6.99/monthNo
Basic: $9.99/monthYes
Standard: $15.49/monthYes
Premium: $19.99/monthYes
HuluAd-Supported: $7.99/month (or $79.99/year)Yes
No Ads: $14.99/monthYes
TubiNo
Pluto TVNo
PeacockPremium: $4.99 per month, or $49.99 per yearNo
Premium Plus: $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per yearYes
VuduOnly Owned or Rented Movies/ SeriesYes
HooplaFreeYes

5. What to do if Ghost in the Shell is unavailable in your region?

If the Ghost in the Shell anime, movies, or specials aren’t available on any streaming website in your area, then you can use a VPN to bypass the geo-block. Some of the top VPN service providers in the game are ExpressVPN, Nord VPN, Proton VPN, Cyberghost, and Private Internet Access, to name a few.

All you have to do is connect to a country where your preferred anime is streaming, and voila, you can now watch Ghost in the Shell even if it is unavailable in your region.

Complete Ghost in the Shell Watch Order Guide – Easily Rewatch GiTS Anime
Express VPN | Source: Google Store

There are many unpaid VPN services at hand or free browser extensions. However, using low-tier VPN providers might decrease your speed and get you blocked by streaming services. Connection drops and unsecured encryption are also other disadvantages.

The important thing is that Ghost in the Shell is present on Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Funimation’s catalogs, so set your VPN to a suitable location to access the anime from anywhere.

Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie - Official Trailer

6.  How much time will it take to complete Ghost in the Shell?

If you want to complete watching the whole Ghost in the Shell franchise, it will take you around 52 hours with no breaks. It will take you way less time if you just watch the recommended installments. However, a more realistic time would be if you break it up over the course of a week.

TitleDuration
Ghost in the Shell82 Minutes
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex: Tachikomatic Days26 Minutes
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex650 Minutes
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG650 Minutes
Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence99 Minutes
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG – Tachikomatic Days26 Minutes
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – The Laughing Man – Tachikomatic Days2 Minutes  
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – The Laughing Man160 Minutes  
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG – Individual Eleven – Tachikomatic Days3 Minutes
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG – Individual Eleven161 Minutes
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Solid State Society108 Minutes
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex: Tachikomatic Days36 Minutes
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – Solid State Society: Uchikomatic Days4 Minutes
Ghost in the Shell 2.083 Minutes
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex: Solid State Society 3D108 Minutes
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex: Solid State Society 3D: Tachikomatic Days12 Minutes
Koukaku Kidoutai Arise: Another Mission3 Minutes
Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Border 1: Ghost Pain118 Minutes
Koukaku Kidoutai Arise: Ghost in the Shell – Logicoma Specials12 Minutes
Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Border 2: Ghost Whispers56 Minutes
Koukaku Kidoutai Nyuumon Arise104 Minutes
Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Border 3: Ghost Tears58 Minutes
Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Border 4: Ghost Stands Alone59 Minutes
Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Alternative Architecture240 Minutes
Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie99 Minutes
Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045288 Minutes
Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 – Sustainable War98 Minutes
Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Season 2288 Minutes
Koukaku Kidoutai: SAC_2045 – Saigo no Ningen126 Minutes

7. Which Ghost in the Shell Installment should you watch first?

It is hard to find a perfect viewing order for Ghost in the Shell, as  many of its installments take place in different timelines. They do not connect with each other and can thus be watched separately. However, many otakus like to start the franchise by watching the 1995 movie.

8. About Ghost in the Shell

Ghost in the Shell is a cyberpunk-themed manga series created by Masamune Shirow and was first serialized in 1989 under Kodansha’s Young Magazine Kaizokuban. The story focuses on the protagonist Motoko Kusanagi who is a cyborg.

Set in the mid-21st century, Motoko leads a fictitious counter-cyberterrorist organization called the Public Security Section 9. Together, Motoko and her friends fight against dangerous cyberterrorists.

Aaryan Sharma

Aaryan Sharma

Meet our Tech Wiz – he’s a true-blooded otaku and an encyclopedia of all things tech! Foodie to the hilt and the clandestine king of online food ordering! There is No Veg burger he doesn’t have an opinion on!

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