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Ghost in the Shell, one of the most influential cyberpunk franchises of all time, is officially getting a tabletop roleplaying game. The project is being spearheaded by Mana Project Studio, the Italian company behind the Cowboy Bebop: The Roleplaying Game and a number of other popular TTRPG releases.
The new Ghost in the Shell RPG will be launching soon on Kickstarter, but in the meantime Mana Project has released a 49-page Quickstart Guide that’s available now for free on DriveThruRPG and provides a good sense of what to expect. Below, we hack into all the details.
What is the Ghost in the Shell RPG About?
The upcoming Ghost in the Shell Roleplaying Game is set during the ARISE timeline, a prequel era that explores the early days of Public Security Section 9. Players take on the roles of elite operatives tackling missions involving terrorism, espionage, data corruption and corporate conspiracies in the futuristic sprawl of Newport City. The tone is equal parts neon and noir, where identity theft, memory manipulation and human evolution are all just another day on the job for Section 9.
In terms of the rules, the game uses the Forged in the Dark system originally created for Blades in the Dark, which emphasizes cinematic storytelling and player agency over crunch. Actions are resolved using pools of six-sided dice, with players rolling a number of dice equal to their skill rating and the highest result determining success or failure. The system also uses position and effect to gauge risk and impact, while stress lets characters push themselves while potentially facing negative consequences. Progress is also tracked through clocks, which are visual meters that show how close the group is to completing objectives or facing threats.
The Ghost in the Shell RPG also expands on the Forged in the Dark system by introducing two new character attributes: Ghost (representing the mind and consciousness) and Shell (representing a physical cybernetic body), with players able to allocate resources between them. Adventures will consist primarily of players engaging in mission-based play typical of Forged in the Dark campaigns, alternating between action phases (tactical operations and investigations) and downtime phases (repairs, upgrades and personal experiences).
The Quickstart guide also introduces six distinctive classes known as “Playbooks,” which are as follows:
- Elite Ranger: Tactical specialists and field commanders
- Wizard Hacker: Digital infiltrators who can manipulate cyberspace
- Special Investigator: Detectives who blend intuition and analytics
- Heavy Weapons Expert: Cyber-enhanced soldiers built for front-line combat
- Ace Sniper: Sharpshooters who use high-tech weapons and thrive under pressure
- Logikoma: A sentient spider tank, bringing heavy firepower and personality
Who is Mana Project Studio?
Mana Project Studio is an Italian graphic design and TTRPG publishing house. The studio first gained recognition with Journey to Ragnarok, a Norse-themed 5e supplement, before branching into other games including their gothic fantasy RPG, Nightfell.
In recent years, Mana Project has been focusing on licensed adaptations, including Cowboy Bebop: The Roleplaying Game, which raked in over $500,000 USD in funding on Kickstarter when it launched in 2022.
What is Ghost in the Shell?
Ghost in the Shell is a cyberpunk franchise set in a near-future world where the line between human and machine is increasingly blurred. The primary series follows the exploits of Major Motoko Kusanagi, a highly skilled cybernetic operative, and her long-time partner Batou, a gruff ex-soldier. Together, they serve as key members of Public Security Section 9, an elite counter-cyberterrorism task force operating in Newport City. The series delves deep into philosophical questions of identity, free will and what it means to possess a “ghost” (the human consciousness or soul) within a mechanical “shell” (a fully cybernetic body).
The franchise began as a manga series by Masamune Shirow in 1989, which inspired the groundbreaking 1995 anime film directed by Mamoru Oshii (a work often credited with shaping the modern cyberpunk genre and directly influencing films like The Matrix). It has since spawned multiple adaptations, including the Stand Alone Complex TV series, Solid State Society, and the ARISE animated prequel, as well as several video games. In 2017, a live-action Hollywood adaptation starring Scarlett Johansson was released, but it received largely negative reviews, with critics citing its lack of depth and controversial casting choices.
What’s Next for the Ghost in the Shell RPG?
Mana Project Studio has confirmed that a Kickstarter campaign for the Ghost in the Shell Roleplaying Game will launch on November 4th, 2025, with a full retail release expected the following year. The game will debut in English, French and Italian, making it the studio’s largest multilingual release to date.
Notably, the current Quickstart Guide on DriveThru is available for free in both English and French.
Final Thoughts
A Ghost in the Shell RPG powered by Forged in the Dark feels like a perfect fit given the system’s emphasis on action and storytelling. It’s also great to see Mana Project Studios releasing a free quick start guide before crowdfunding even begins, letting potential backers get a feel for the rules and the aesthetic.
You can sign up for alerts about the project now on Kickstarter and download the free intro rules on DriveThruRPG.