Koukaku Kidoutai: The Ghost in the Shell  

The Ghost in the Shell, 攻殻機動隊 THE GHOST IN THE SHELL

In the near future, technology has become deeply ingrained in society. Cybernetic implants are commonplace, and robots roam alongside humans, all connected through their digital spirits to the electronic data streams of the internet. The Public Security Section 9 faces a new threat from technological terrorists and cyber-hackers. However, things take an unexpected turn when Motoko Kusanagi becomes involved in a case involving a highly dangerous ghost hacker known as the Puppeteer. As she delves deeper into the limitless digital realm of the internet, Motoko uncovers her own startling discoveries.

Koukaku Kidoutai: The Ghost in the Shell was published in English by Dark Horse, initially into eight comic issues from March 1 to October 1, 1995 and later into a single volume on December 1. An uncensored version was published on October 6, 2004. Kodansha Comics USA picked up the license and republished the censored version on October 13, 2009.The series was published in Japan as a bilingual edition (English and Japanese) by Kodansha on September 6, 2002.