Parents' Guide to The Ghost in the Shell

The Ghost in the Shell TV show poster: An armed woman with cybernetic limbs stands in a neon-lit futuristic city.

Common Sense Media Review

By Jeremy Looney , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 15+

Violent cybercrime thriller anime asks what makes us human.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 15+?

Any Positive Content?

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Parent and Kid Reviews

What's the Story?

In the future, many people have cybernetic body parts. THE GHOST IN THE SHELL follows Public Security Section as they investigate cybercrime, terrorism, and political conspiracies involving artificial intelligence. As they solve dangerous cases, they also face questions about identity, technology, and what makes someone human.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

This is a thoughtful sci-fi series with exciting action, but its complex story may be difficult for some viewers to follow. The Ghost in the Shell combines crime, action, and cyberpunk themes with ideas about artificial intelligence and identity. The animation is stylish, and the story raises interesting questions about what it means to be human. Fans of the franchise will likely enjoy it most, while newcomers may need time to understand its world and characters.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about whether technology like the kind shown in the series could help people. What risks could it create?

  • The series explores what it means to be human. Do you think having cybernetic body parts would change who someone is?

TV Details

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The Ghost in the Shell TV show poster: An armed woman with cybernetic limbs stands in a neon-lit futuristic city.

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