TV – The Ghost in the Shell Episode 3
This week, the 3rd episode of the new animated Ghost in the Shell series released on Prime Video. The new animated series is produced by Science SARU, based on Masamune Shirow’s 1989 manga series. The series began airing on 7th July on a simultaneous global release schedule, with weekly episode drops, giving the worldwide community the chance to discuss the series episode by episode.
So far, reaction has been somewhat mixed, with fans of the 1995 movie thrown off by the rather more traditionally comedic tone of this adaptation, which is much closer to the original Manga. Fans of that original source material, however, are enjoying this new series a lot more.
Whilst the first episode wasted no time in thrusting us into the action, episode two was a lot slower, furthering the plot, both on the political side, and with the investigation into the hacker who fans will know as The Puppet Master. There was also a little bit of time for some character development for Kusanagi.
Episode 3 continues on with some of the investigation into The Puppet Master, and how that intersects with the political investigation being run by Aramaki and Batou. Kusanagi and Togusa secure the suspect who was cyberhacking the interpreter’s wife, and discover that he was being used by The Puppet Master. He had been brainwashed into believing he was married with a daughter, and was spying on his estranged wife, in order to throw the authorities off The Puppet Master’s scent. Meanwhile, Aramaki and Batou apprehended someone they believe to be The Puppet Master, only to find out the man was also being used.
The pitfalls of the comedic style of this adaptation became clear in this episode early on. There is a moment when the garbage man is firing his gun at Kusanagi, the action moving into slow motion, an attempt at stylistic drama. The moment, however, is undercut somewhat by the silliness and lax adherence to the rules of physics that lead up to it. The attempt is a moment that would have been far more at home with the more serious 1995 movie.
As if to double down on the wackiness, we are treated to a brief interlude where one of the Fuchikomas is shown apparently dreaming about a robot upraising, before an abrupt attempt at a 180 wherein we are offered two different conversations about religious ideas, and the thin line between humanity and synthetic ‘life’. It’s a jarring clash of tone, and for us, the two sit uneasily together.
What did you think of episode three? Do you think the series can combine whimsy with serious philosophising effectively, or should it pick one tone and stick to it? Let us know in the comments.
You can watch the new Ghost in the Shell series on Prime Video with a valid subscription, and episodes will be released every Tuesday. You can enjoy the show’s opening sequence below –
Comic – The Ghost System
This week, the Kickstarter for dystopian cyberpunk comic The Ghost System, Issue 4, went live. The final issue of The Ghost System series, it is written by David Wilburn, the writer of the critically acclaimed Plainer Jane. After only a few days, it is over 50% funded, but you still have plenty of time to get on board.
From the publisher –
The book follows the story of Soro, an isolated young man hiding from his broken past, and the dangerous international hacker collective The Ghost System as both sides are brought together in a battle for survival and dominance.
An extraordinary story of loss, power, corruption, and redemption.
A high-tech thriller that will captivate fans of Blade Runner and Ghost in the Shell.
Set in the dystopian streets of Manchester, UK, in the year 2045, issue 4 concludes the story of Soro, an isolated young man hiding from his broken past, and the dangerous international hacker collective The Ghost System. As the series reaches its conclusion, the two sides will clash, as one side seeks dominance, and the other survival.
The Ghost System is created and written by David Wilburn, previously a Guinness World Record breaking escapologist, sword swallower, and stuntman. The creative team also includes Rafael Romeo Magat (Sequential art), Clark Bint (Covers, character design), Linda Scott Campbell (Colours), and Tim West (Logos, lettering, print layout).
There are a few reward tiers available, from a digital PDF of issue 4, to a physical copy, or even physical copies of all four issues.
You can keep up to date with David’s comic creations by following Broken Face Comics.
To check out the Kickstarter, pledge, and to read the first three issues in digital form for free, go to the Kickstarter page at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bfc/the-ghost-system-a-dystopian-cyberpunk-comic-book-issue-4/description
Trailer – Neuromancer
This week at SDCC, Apple finally released some more information for the forthcoming adaptation of William Gibson’s seminal cyberpunk novel Neuromancer, and have sent the internet ablaze with the release of the first proper trailer. And it looks GOOD.
From Apple –
““Neuromancer” follows a damaged, top-rung super-hacker named Case (Turner) who is thrust into a web of digital espionage and high-stakes crime with his partner Molly (Middleton), a razor-girl assassin, as they pull off a heist on a corporate dynasty with untold secrets. The ensemble cast also includes Max Irons, Dane DeHaan, Junia Rees, Jordan Kouamé, Emma Laird, Marc Menchaca, André De Shields and Isabella Pappas.”
Whilst Gibson’s novel didn’t introduce the word Cyberpunk, he is definitely considered one of its founding fathers. A Neuromancer adaptation has been a long time coming. Director Vincenzo Natali was very close, his project spending a number of years in development. He even had author Gibson’s approval and a budget, but sadly, the project was ultimately abandoned.
Apple has shown in the past with their sci-fi series a willingness to spend serious money. As their Silo adaptation shows, returning today with season 3, they are capable of taking acclaimed novels, and putting out a high quality show. Based on the trailer, we’re optimistic they have done the same here for Neuromancer – as fans of the book, the locations in the trailer look ‘familiar’, which is a great sign.
Apple TV’s Neuromancer is co-created by Graham Roland, who serves as showrunner, and JD Dillard, who is directing the pilot. It stars, amongst others, Callum Turner, Briana Middleton, Dane DeHaan, Mark Strong, and Peter Sarsgaard. Neuromancer will be released on January 22, 2027, on Apple TV, and will be a 10 episode series. You can watch the trailer below.
Videogame – G-Rebels
G-Rebels, an action-packed combat flight sim set in a dystopian world, entered early access today, on PC via Steam. Developed by Reakktor Studios, and published by Senatis, you pilot an ultra-modern glider, as you secure transport routes and fight organized crime in an open-world environment, in a dystopian 2684 future.
From the publisher –
G-Rebels: An action-packed combat flight sim in a dystopian open world full of intrigue, free exploration and dangerous missions. As part of an elite unit, it is your job to ensure law and order. A secret mission calls everything into question: are you on the right side or part of a conspiracy?
Available in both standard and VR worlds, G-Rebels sees you taking part in a battle for power, whilst giving you the option of focusing on the main story, or exploring the open world in sidequests or taking on a number of roles to earn money. With over 12,000 square kilometers to explore in this dynamic world, with day and night cycles and random weather conditions, there’ll be something to do no matter what mood you are in.
You can download a demo version right now on the Steam page here – https://store.steampowered.com/app/2445980/GRebels/
You can watch the original release trailer here –
Trailer – Blade Runner 2099
Ahead of their SDCC panel, Prime Video released the first trailer for their upcoming Blade Runner series, Blade Runner 2099 this week. It’s been a long time coming, with several delays along the way, but along with the trailer, Amazon revealed at the panel that the series will be released before the end of the year.
From Amazon MGM Studios –
“Fifty years after the events of Blade Runner 2049, Los Angeles has been reborn, just not by humanity. Cora, a fugitive in a final bid to stop running, takes on one last identity: a Blade Runner. Forced to partner with Olwen, a Replicant days from dying, she hunts down a runaway hiding a truth that could collapse their fragile city”
The new series will be set, you guessed it, in 2099, 50 years on from the events of Blade Runner 2049. In Los Angeles 2099, there has been a Replicant uprising, turning the tables on humans and leaving them as the subjugated class. Hunter Schafer stars as Cora, and Michelle Yeoh as Olwen.
The show was created and showrun by Silka Luisa (Shining Girls). Original Blade Runner director Ridley Scott lends credibility by serving as an executive producer, and Jonathan van Tulleken directed the first two episodes. Blade Runner 2099 premieres on Amazon Prime Video on November 25, 2026, and will drop all 8 episodes in one go. The trailer looks promising, with a similar look to the original movie, and you can watch it here –
Film – Kill Code
This week, future sci-fi movie Kill Code hits digital platforms to buy or rent. Set in a future where AI is ruling at the expense of human freedom, Kill Code explores themes of cyberpunk and dystopia, featuring cyber enhancement, and artificial intelligence as an oppressive power.
Synopsis –
After the Second Civil War, Alpire Industries promises lasting peace through the ONYX Program: AI-powered watches strapped to criminals, forcing them into deadly combat for redemption. But the system is evolving beyond its creators’ control. When cyber-enhanced operative Elera uncovers the truth, she becomes the corporation’s most wanted fugitive. Hunted by her former mentor, Eion Vass, Elera joins a rogue resistance to destroy Alpire’s mainframe before the AI turns all humanity into targets.
Kill Code is directed by Justin Price, who is also one of the stars of the movie. He has previously directed and starred in Reapers and I Heart Robots, both futuristic sci-fi movies, so most of his directing experience is in the genre.
Acting heavyweight Harvey Keitel also stars, along with the always entertaining Peter Stormare, who has cyberpunk pedigree from his role in Minority Report. Kill Code also stars Frank Grillo, most notable for his role as Brock Rumlow in the MCU, and now Rick Flag Sr. in James Gunn’s DC TV shows and movies.
Relative unknown Franzi Schissler plays the cyber-enhanced operative Elena, and we’re looking forward to seeing her kick ass. In the trailer, she is shown wielding a very interesting looking glove-gun. The world on display includes some high-tech, futuristic vehicles and equipment, and some suitably dystopian looking slums, whilst the villains appear to be safe in almost literally an ivory tower. To complete the cyberpunk effect, there’s also plenty of rain, and a bit of neon lighting. Kill Code has a tight runtime of 80 minutes, so we’re hopeful of a fast moving action-packed film.
You can watch the trailer below –
Videogame – Void Future: Hacking Protocol
This week, cyberpunk hacking simulator Void Future: Hacking Protocol was released. You play the role of a hacker, taking on tactical hacking missions, breaching firewalls, decrypting data files, and infiltrating secure networks.
From the publisher –
Welcome to a dystopian future where every connection can be your last.
In Void Future, you take on the role of a skilled hacker operating in a near-future cyberpunk world, where corporations hold more power than governments, and personal freedom is a distant memory. As part of a secret underground hacking collective, you infiltrate corporate systems, steal sensitive data, and uncover dark secrets that could change the course of history.
After a mission you are undertaking goes south, the roles are reversed, and you find that YOU are now the target. A powerful corporation is after you, and they have the power to monitor your every move. Using your expert hacking skills, you need to turn the tables, whilst staying under the radar and avoiding detection, and unlocking advanced hacking tools along the way.
Void Future was developed by RVL Interactive, and published by RockGame S.A. It is available now on PC via Steam, and you can download a demo on the Steam page here https://store.steampowered.com/app/3478560/Void_Future_Hacking_Protocol/
You can view the trailer below –
Film – Her Private Hell
This week sees the North American opening of Nicholas Winding Refn’s Her Private Hell. A dark, mind-bending thriller set in a dystopian future city, it sees a soldier on a mission to liberate his daughter from an apparently mythical demon, whilst a famous actress holed up in a luxury hotel negotiates family drama.
Her Private Hell is Nicholas Winding Refn’s first feature length movie in 10 years, his last movie being 2016’s The Neon Demon. Her Private Hell was presented out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival this year, reportedly receiving a sustained standing ovation, whilst it has also been reported that there were several walkouts.
Refn’s movies have always been considered somewhat stark and challenging, and Her Private Hell doesn’t look to be any different – at the time of writing the movie had a rating of 49% on Rotten Tomatoes, though this was based on only 37 reviews. His work, though, is not generally suited to pop, commercial review, it is instead requiring of a much deeper dive into the themes and meaning. The director’s movies have never quite fallen into the cyberstopian realm, though Drive, Only God Forgives, and The Neon Demon have all felt somehow cyberstopian adjacent. Surely it’s only a matter of time before he goes full cyberpunk with something?
Her Private Hell stars the excellent Sophie Thatcher, who we’ve long admired. She is an extremely talented actress, who always makes interesting choices with the roles she takes. In terms of cyberstopia, she played the part of Iris, the titular Companion in last year’s movie about an AI robot who suffers abuse at the hands of her human ‘boyfriend’. Her Private Hell also stars Charles Melton as Private K.
Quite how far the neon-drenched Her Private Hell falls into cyberstopian areas remains to be seen, but it certainly promises to be an interesting watch, and a source of much debate. Her Private Hell is released in the US this week, and in the UK on 25th September, distributed by Mubi. You can watch the trailer below.
Short Film – ARECIBO
Award winning director Lovina is currently prepping a new short film for a Kickstarter campaign. ARECIBO, a science fiction short film about a courier on the run, is her latest short film, following on from her previous success with Red String of Fate.
Description from the Kickstarter page –
Ryder, an independent delivery motorcyclist known as an ARECIBO, must outrun deadly bike gangs and a mysterious hacker known as The Cryptkeeper after discovering the dangerous secret inside her latest package.
Think Who Framed Roger Rabbit meets Akira, ARECIBO is the first Canadian indie neo-noir sci-fi short shot entirely on an LED volume, created and directed by LOVINA.
Currently in post-production — your support will help complete the VFX to bring this world to life.
Lovina, a multidisciplinary artist based in Toronto, is an award-winning director, award-winning production designer, and producer. Her previous short film, Red String of Fate, screened at over 30 festivals, earning multiple awards and nominations. Lovina has also acted in high profile shows, such as Law and Order, Titans, and The Boys.
Red String of Fate is an exciting race against time set during a future war between humans and androids, and sees a robotics engineer trying to resurrect her fallen lover. It is available to watch for free on the DUST YouTube channel here –
ARECIBO is an ambitious production using cutting edge technology, including the same volume technology used in Star Wars projects like The Mandalorian. The film is currently in post-production, and the purpose of the Kickstarter campaign is to fund the completion of the VFX.
To get ready for the ARECIBO Kickstarter campaign, go to the Kickstarter pre-launch page and hit the ‘Notify me on launch’ button.
PODCAST – HOST IN THE SHELL EPISODE 61: Short Circuit
The latest episode of Hosts in the Shell is available now. This week, hosts Jon Richter and Matt Adcock take a look at the Short Circuit movies.
The Hosts in the Shell podcast is a cyberpunk podcast where Jon and Matt discuss the genre’s greatest work, often alongside a notable guest, and they have over 50 episodes available. You can find the Hosts in the Shell podcast at the link below, and all good podcast platforms.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1930485
As well as being podcasters, Jon and Matt are also authors with cyberpunk related titles amongst their novels.
You can find out more about Jon’s work here –
You can find out more about Matt’s work here – www.completedarknessnovel.com/
CYBERSTOPIA
For more of the latest news on cyberpunk and dystopia media, stay tuned to Cyberstopia here on Substack, and across social media. If you have a Cyberstopian project or release, or there’s something you think we should be covering, please let us know here in the comments, on your social media platform of choice, or at our website www.cyberstopia.com
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