"Kōkaku Kidōtai," also known as "Ghost in the Shell," is a Japanese media franchise created by Masamune Shirow. It began as a manga series in 1989 and has since expanded into various adaptations, including animated films, television series, and video games. The story is set in a cyberpunk future where technology and humanity intertwine, exploring themes of identity, consciousness, and the impact of artificial intelligence. The franchise primarily follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg officer in a special police unit called Public Security Section 9. She and her team tackle cybercrime and terrorism in a world where the line between human and machine is increasingly blurred. "Kōkaku Kidōtai" is renowned for its philosophical depth and visual artistry.