Shirow Masamune, creator of the widely popular The Ghost in the Shell, made his major debut in 1985 with the science-fiction manga Appleseed and began serializing The Ghost in the Shell in 1989. His worldview, which incorporated then little-known cutting-edge technology with a distinctive sensibility and seems to foresee today's information society, has captivated many readers. Finely detailed artwork, plots built from an immense amount of information, and the author's own commentary reaching even into the margins give his work its intensity while stirring readers' imaginations. Shirow Masamune's worldview, woven through with philosophical inquiry, has influenced many creators, who continue to produce work across a wide range of genres.
His body of work includes Black Magic, an early collection depicting a world governed by the massive supercomputer Nemesis; Appleseed, a science-fiction action story following SWAT officer Deunan and the full-body cyborg Briareos as they survive in a city left in ruins after the Fifth World War; Dominion, which comically portrays Leona of the Police Tank Squad and her small tank Bonaparte as they battle the villainous Buaku's gang; The Ghost in the Shell, which depicts the battles of Public Security Section 9, a special task force under the direct authority of the Prime Minister; and Orion, a fantasy in which ancient sorcerers and the gods they summon fight over the "Sennjutsu Kuzuryu" (the Nine-Headed Dragon of the Immortal Arts).
This exhibition traces Shirow Masamune's wide-ranging body of work up through his current activities using analog manuscripts and digital output manuscripts, while also introducing plenty of the author's own book collection and commentary, offering a glimpse into the personal side of "Shirow Masamune." Enjoy the first large-scale exhibition dedicated to "Shirow Masamune."
Featured Works (Selection)
Cover of The Ghost in the Shell ©Shirow Masamune/Kodansha
Young Magazine Kaizokuban, December 1990 issue, interior title page (The Ghost in the Shell) ©Shirow Masamune/Kodansha
Young Magazine Kaizokuban, May 1989 issue, interior page (The Ghost in the Shell) ©Shirow Masamune/Kodansha
New Merchandise at the Nagoya Venue
T-shirt / Black
The Ghost in the Shell G (Fuchikoma)
¥5,500 (tax included)
T-shirt / White
The Ghost in the Shell B (the Puppet Master)
¥5,500 (tax included)
Poster
The Ghost in the Shell: Motoko & Fuchikoma
¥1,100 (tax included)
Admission
General (elementary school age and up): ¥1,500
Ticket with goods: ¥4,000
Bonus included: An exclusive exhibition tote bag
(Size: approximately 42 cm high x 37 cm wide at the base, handles not included)
Same-day tickets will be sold at the venue and via e+ (excluding 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on opening day, Sunday, August 2).
- There is no advance-sale discount.
- Preschool-age children are admitted free. Elementary school students and younger must be accompanied by a guardian (age 18 or older); each guardian may bring up to two preschool-age children. (Merchandise cannot be purchased under this free admission.) Accompanying guardians also require an admission ticket.
- Middle and high school students must present a student ID, school ID, or other identification upon entry.
- An admission ticket is required to use the merchandise area.
- Purchased admission tickets and vouchers cannot be changed or exchanged.
- Please take care not to separate the ticket stub, as this will prevent entry.
- Admission tickets cannot be exchanged for cash, and lost or stolen tickets cannot be reissued.
- This exhibition excludes all discounts and privileges otherwise available to Daimaru Matsuzakaya credit card holders; Daimaru Matsuzakaya app members at Sapphire rank or above; Daimaru Matsuzakaya Tomonokai cardholders; Bridal Circle members; shareholder benefit holders; Daimaru Matsuzakaya Otokui-sama Gold Card users; and holders of a disability certificate, specific-disease medical certificate, or designated intractable-disease medical expense certificate.
- Visitors holding a disability certificate (physical, mental, or rehabilitation), a chronic pediatric illness certificate, an atomic bomb survivor's health certificate, a specific-disease medical certificate, or a designated intractable-disease medical expense certificate are still required to purchase an admission ticket; however, one accompanying caregiver may enter free of charge.
- Exhibition content may differ from other venues.
Admission Bonus
Shirow Masamune illustration mini cards (design changes by day of the week, 7 designs in total)
Notes on Ticket Purchases
Timed-Entry Tickets
During the exhibition period, entry between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM on Sunday, August 2 requires a timed-entry ticket.
Entry slots:
10:00 AM–10:30 AM / 10:30 AM–11:00 AM / 11:00 AM–11:30 AM / 11:30 AM–12:00 PM
12:00 PM–12:30 PM / 12:30 PM–1:00 PM / 1:00 PM–1:30 PM / 1:30 PM–2:00 PM
- The times above indicate the start of the admission window.
- Timed-entry tickets can only be used for the specific date and time purchased.
- If a timed-entry slot sells out before the exhibition opens, it will not be sold during the exhibition period; any remaining slots will be sold exclusively through e+.
Flexible Tickets for the Exhibition Period
Valid for entry at any time during the exhibition period, excluding the timed-entry slots.
- During busy periods, entry restrictions or numbered tickets may be used.
Paper Tickets (Convenience Store Issuance)
- Payment can be made at a FamilyMart counter or by online credit card. The flexible ticket, however, cannot be purchased with online credit card payment.
- Tickets can also be purchased directly at FamilyMart multi-copy machines.
- Paper tickets can only be issued and received at FamilyMart.
- A ¥110 (tax included) ticket issuance fee per ticket applies, to be borne by the customer.
Smachike (Mobile Ticket)
- Timed-entry tickets are sold up until just before each entry time.
- For entry with Smachike (digital ticket), please present the ticket displayed in the e+ smartphone app.
- Downloading the ticket requires the latest version of the e+ app (free).
- Entry is not possible with an application screen, screenshot, or printed page.
- Charging facilities are not available at the venue, so please plan accordingly.
Same-Day Ticket Sales at the Venue
Same-day tickets will be sold at the venue except from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on opening day, Sunday, August 2. Tickets with goods are not sold at the venue.
Viewing Guidelines
- This exhibition does not operate on a fixed-session rotation system.
- Large items such as suitcases and rolling luggage, and long items such as selfie sticks, cannot be brought in, for the protection of the exhibits and the safety of operations. The venue cannot store belongings, so please use a nearby coin locker in advance.
- Congestion may lead to entry restrictions and waiting times.
- No eating, drinking, or smoking is allowed inside the venue.
- Please follow the posted notices and staff instructions inside the venue. The organizer is not responsible for accidents resulting from failure to follow staff instructions.
- Visitors who do not follow venue rules or staff instructions may be refused entry or asked to leave.
- The organizer is not responsible for theft, pickpocketing, or lost items. Please manage your own belongings and valuables.
- Bag checks may be conducted upon entry.
- Bringing in fire, dangerous items, items with strong odors, fresh flowers, raw food, or anything else the organizer deems dangerous is strictly prohibited.
- To avoid disturbing neighbors and to prevent accidents, please refrain from arriving the night before, including waiting overnight. The organizer is not responsible for accidents or trouble resulting from overnight waiting.
- Photography and video may be taken inside the venue; such footage may be used in future promotional materials for the event.
- Cosplay is prohibited, as is changing clothes in restrooms at nearby facilities.
- There are no restrooms inside the venue.
- Pets cannot be brought in (except guide dogs and service dogs).
- If any of the following occur, please notify nearby staff as soon as possible: feeling unwell or being injured; finding or losing an item; becoming separated from a child or finding a lost child (paging inside the venue is not possible).
- Flowers or other gifts sent by anyone not directly involved cannot be accepted or displayed, due to operational constraints.
- Wheelchairs and strollers are welcome.
- Re-entry is not permitted.
- Please be considerate of other visitors so that everyone can enjoy the exhibition.
- Recording, sketching, and note-taking are not allowed inside the venue.
- Please set mobile phones to silent mode and refrain from making calls inside the venue.
- Please do not touch the exhibits or display cases.
- Photography is permitted in most, though not all, areas of the exhibition venue.
Notes on Merchandise Sales
- Preschool-age children and their free-admission caregivers cannot purchase merchandise in the merchandise area.
- The merchandise area cannot be used on its own, and cannot be visited before the exhibition area.
- Visitors cannot return to the exhibition area from the merchandise area.
- Merchandise purchases are limited to one checkout per admission (re-lining up is not allowed).
- Purchase limits per checkout apply to individual items; please check at the venue for details. Purchase limits may change without notice.
- Admission does not guarantee the ability to purchase any particular item. While ample stock is prepared, some items may sell out.
- Inquiries about sales stock, such as current inventory or restocking schedules, cannot be answered.
- Product lineup, prices, designs, and specifications are subject to change.
- Products may be delayed or discontinued.
- All listed product prices include tax.
- Any exchange, transfer, or trading of items related to this exhibition is strictly prohibited at the venue facility and surrounding area. The organizer is not responsible for any disputes between customers arising from such activity.
- The following payment methods are accepted at the merchandise area (transit IC cards are not accepted):
- Cash (Japanese yen only)
- Select credit cards (VISA, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club)
- Various barcode payments (Merpay, d Payment, PayPay, au PAY, Rakuten Pay, WeChat Pay, Alipay)
- Barcode payment cannot be used for made-to-order items.
- When receiving merchandise or change, please confirm the quantity and amount with staff at the time of purchase, as issues cannot be addressed after purchase.
- Returns or exchanges after purchase are not possible except for defective items.
- For defective-item exchanges, the receipt and the item itself will be confirmed; exchanges cannot be handled if the receipt has been lost.
- After the exhibition ends, some items, excluding certain products, are planned to be sold afterward.
- Purchases made at this event are not eligible for Daimaru Matsuzakaya card point awards or Daimaru Matsuzakaya Otokui-sama Gold Card benefits.
Event Overview
- Title: The World of Shirow Masamune — The Ghost in the Shell and the Trajectory of Creation
- Venue: Matsuzakaya Nagoya Store
- Opens: Sunday, August 2, 2026
- Admission: ¥1,500 general (elementary school age and up); ¥4,000 with goods (includes an exclusive tote bag)
- Organizer: Kodansha, Parco, Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores, BV Communications
- Planning and production: Kodansha, Parco
- Planning cooperation: Seishinsha, Setagaya Literary Museum
- Graphic design: Kei Sakawaki, Hiroaki Hidaka
- ©Shirow Masamune/Kodansha, ©Shirow Masamune/Seishinsha
Exhibition official website: https://www.shirow-masamune-ex.jp
Exhibition official X: @shirow_ex
