Missions still being written, pending final approval from Kodansha.
Mantic Games is proud to bring you The Ghost in the Shell: Tabletop Roleplaying Game, the officially licensed game set in the world of the pioneering cyberpunk manga by legendary artist Shirow Masamune, published by Kodansha Ltd.
The Ghost in the Shell: Tabletop Roleplaying Game brings the franchise’s iconic blend of cybernetics, espionage, and existential mystery to life as you and your friends play the part of trainee agents for Section 9. Featuring a sophisticated bespoke design by highly respected creators, legendary games designer Alessio Cavatore and award-winning TTRPG writer Zak Barouh.
As well as this The Ghost in the Shell Tabletop RPG, we're also incredibly excited to share this Limited Edition Art Print by Shirow Masamune, creator of The Ghost in the Shell, and yes, that is our dice in the artwork! The Limited Edition Art is included in the Collector's Bundle or available as a separate add-on.
When consciousness can be programmed, when memory can be edited, when people can be hacked and controlled, how do you define humanity? When the lines between human and machine blur, when the body is detached from the self, what binds you to reality?
The Ghost in the Shell is a landmark work of cyberpunk science fiction set in a near-future when information networks envelop the world and highly advanced cyborg augmentation technology has enabled the creation of the cyberbrain. It follows the story of the full-body cyborg Motoko Kusanagi and the combat force, Section 9, she leads in the fight against cybercrime.
Public Security Section 9 is a covert government unit operating beyond the public eye. Officially a hostage-rescue team, its true role is far more dangerous, tracking and eliminating cybercrime, terrorism, and corruption at their source. Reporting only to the highest levels of power, Section 9 moves with unmatched freedom and authority.
Feared as much as it is respected, it walks a fine line between justice and unchecked force. Its agents, drawn from military, law enforcement, and even criminal backgrounds, are chosen for exceptional skill. As a trainee agent, you are now part of the story.
As huge fans of Shirow-sensei's graphic novels, we are thrilled to bring you this game, which will allow you and your friends to play the part of trainee agents for Section 9. First, you will create your characters, choosing whether you are going to be more of a lethal soldier-type, a clever investigator, a super-specialised hacker, or a streetwise ex gangster… the limit is your imagination!
Start creating your own Section 9 agents right now using the links below!
Need a little extra help? In the video below, game designer Alessio deep dives into the Character Creation process, discussing key elements and offering suggestions and insights to consider when creating your own Section 9 agent.
After you've created your characters, the narrator (‘Game Master’) will tell you the story of a dangerous first mission for your characters, and you and your friends will be able to ask questions, explore Newport City, solve difficult cases, engage in vicious firefights, and, if you are lucky, interact with the famous Section 9 agents from the manga we love.
Character Driven: Create an agent defined by strengths, flaws, and internal conflicts, not rigid classes.
Tactical Freedom: Plan every mission with access to Section 9's full arsenal of weapons, tech, and upgrades.
Immersive Lore: Deep dive into the world of Section 9 with character bios and a rulebook packed with illustrations from the original manga.
Cybernetic Evolution: Deep dive into this sci-fi world through combat, hacking, and cybernetic upgrades.
Epic Campaign: The Lost Patriot is your first mission, filled with high-stakes moments, bringing the world of Section 9 to life. And this is just the beginning...
Sessions in The Ghost in the Shell Tabletop RPG are built around missions undertaken by Section 9 agents. These operations may last one session or several. GMs can either create their own missions, run published adventures or make their own adjustments as they see fit. Player characters can continue their stories through multiple missions to create an ongoing campaign.
All backers, from the PDF tier to the Collector's Bundle, will now be sent THREE BONUS MISSIONS as digital PDFs once they are finished and approved by Kodansha. Back the Collector's Edition and these missions are included within your rulebook.
RULEBOOK MISSION: Lost Patriot
All copies of The Ghost in the Shell TTRPG contain the first mission, Lost Patriot, an 8-part adventure which is intended for a group of newly created PCs.
The Brief: A charismatic political fixer navigates high-stakes negotiations as powerful factions prepare for an uncertain future. Set against a backdrop of political tension, competing interests blur the line between maintaining order and profiting from conflict. The story combines intrigue, deception, and power plays in a world where perception can be as important as military force.
FREE BONUS MISSION: Puppets on a Wire
Puppets on a Wire is intended for a group of player characters who have played at least one other mission and can follow on directly from the rulebook mission Lost Patriot.
Mission Brief: Tasked with investigating a series of uncharacteristic and politically charged behaviour among ordinary citizens, they will soon discover that the greatest threat to a person's freedom is not always one they can see coming… or resist. Section 9 must stop a growing wave of forced political coercion, cyber-attacks, and escalating violence before the conspirators can unleash their ultimate plan.
FREE BONUS MISSION: The Cruise
The Cruise is intended for a group of player characters who have played at least one other mission and can follow on directly from the rulebook mission Lost Patriot.
Mission Brief: At the grand opening of a luxury high-rise hotel designed as an immersive “cruise,” Section 9 goes undercover to monitor suspicious activity. When a sudden crisis locks the building down, Section 9 is cut off from support and must adapt to a rapidly escalating situation.
A note on approvals: All bonus mission briefs are already approved by Kodansha, but the full missions are still being written. Although we have every confidence in the missions and expanded Collector's Edition being approved, Kodansha can only officially approve them once these missions are completed and submitted in full.
Built from the ground up for cinematic cyberpunk gameplay, The Ghost in the Shell: Tabletop Roleplaying Game delivers a streamlined yet deeply layered system that’s easy to learn and a playground for experienced players.
Your actions in the world are shaped by a rich combination of traits, skills, cybernetics, gear, and personal conflicts, creating characters who are not only skilled operatives but complex individuals, in a world where identity, technology, and humanity collide.
Synthesis Conflict
Every player character is defined by an internal struggle, two opposing Aspects like human vs machine, or duty vs family. This Synthesis Conflict fuels your story and grants bonus dice when invoked. As your story continues, this internal struggle will shift, shaping your priorities and actions. Push too far to one side, and you risk a breaking point, triggering a crisis that could redefine a character's identity or even end their career in Section 9.
Traits
Define your identity through six core traits across ghost, shell, and cyberbrain. These determine the dice you roll, from D4 (untrained) to D20 (elite). Most agents begin at D6, already highly capable. Use awareness and presence to think and influence, and muscle and reflexes to dominate physically. In the digital realm, your hacking trait lets you invade systems and minds, while barrier defends against intrusion. Together, traits create a flexible system blending human ability with cybernetic power.
Skills
Skills define how you operate. Standard Skills boost your rolls with scalable dice, letting you specialise in combat, stealth, tech, or investigation. Every agent brings unique strengths, making teamwork essential. Beyond that, Speciality Skills unlock powerful abilities, signature moves, and narrative advantages. Whether you’re a sharpshooter, hacker, or infiltrator, your skills shape your role, your tactics, and your impact on every mission.
Tests & Challenges
When success isn’t guaranteed, players must roll for it. Combine Traits, Skills, and gear to beat difficulties from 2 to 20. Meet or exceed the target to succeed; fall short and face the consequences. With exploding dice, rolling a die’s highest value escalates into bigger successes, pushing results beyond normal limits. Every test is a moment of tension, where skill, luck, and timing collide.
Hacking
Hacking is fast, risky, and powerful. Roll against a target’s Barrier to infiltrate systems or minds. Success lets you access data or memories, manipulate someone’s perception or take complete control using a victim like a puppet. Push deeper, and you may reach the ghost line, with the power to cause permanent brain damage or even death. But every attempt carries risk, and failures can expose you, leaving you open to tracing or even counter-hacking while your body lies vulnerable.
Action Scenes
When the clock is ticking, and hesitation means death, the game shifts into action scenes. Intense, cinematic moments where every move counts. Whether it’s a brutal firefight, a rooftop pursuit, or a desperate race to stop a detonation, these sequences capture the high-speed tension of The Ghost in the Shell. In just seconds, positions shift, bullets fly, and decisions echo with consequences.
Play unfolds in rapid rounds, driven by reflexes and precision. Act fast, adapt faster, shoot, move, hack, or react in the blink of an eye. Tactical zones keep the battlefield clear and fluid, while cover, hazards, and movement turn every environment into a deadly puzzle. In these moments, survival isn’t guaranteed; it’s earned.
Combat
Combat is fast, precise, and unforgiving, where a single shot can decide everything. Every attack follows a clear flow: roll to hit, defend, determine location, deal damage, and apply consequences. Whether firing at range with Reflexes or striking up close with Muscle, your choices shape the outcome.
Targets can dodge, parry, or dive for cover, turning every exchange into a tense back-and-forth. Hits aren’t abstract; damage is tied to specific body locations, with injuries impacting performance and survival. A well-placed shot can disable, incapacitate, or kill instantly.
Modifiers like movement, range, and concealment keep encounters dynamic, while critical successes deliver devastating results. From controlled takedowns to chaotic firefights, combat is tactical, cinematic, and lethal, reflecting the brutal reality of Section 9 operations.
Weapons & Gadgets
Section 9 agents deploy with cutting-edge weaponry and specialised tech, tailored to each mission. From concealable pistols to heavy machine guns, every weapon is defined by range, damage, and rate of fire, designed for lethal precision in both close-quarters and long-range engagements. Explosives, launchers, and smart ammunition expand your tactical options, letting you breach, suppress, or devastate targets.
But firepower is only half the story. Advanced gadgets, drones, signal jammers, cyber tools, and stealth tech give you the edge in surveillance, infiltration, and control. Gear is selected through a flexible requisition system, letting you adapt your loadout for every operation and plan your mission to perfection.
Celebrate The Ghost in the Shell Tabletop RPG with the Limited Edition Shirow Masamune Art Print.
Shirow Masamune, the visionary creator of The Ghost in the Shell, has honoured us by creating a brand-new piece of art for this campaign. This stunning new piece features iconic characters from the series combined with the dice from our TTRPG, inviting you to become part of the story.
Whether you are a longtime fan of The Ghost in the Shell, a collector of Masamune's work, or a newcomer preparing to dive in for the first time, this exclusive artwork is a new celebration of the series’ legacy.
Available as a 250mm x 250mm art print on premium 350gsm paper, this piece is packed full of intricate details. From engraved writing on the firearms to the cybernetic enhancements on Batou's spine, this new realisation of The Ghost in the Shell showcases Masamune's continued passion for the series.
The Limited Edition Shirow Masamune Art Print is available as part of the Collector's Bundle, or as an add-on to any pledge.
Here at Mantic, we're not just a publisher of award-winning games; we also have a long history of creating high-quality, thematic miniatures. Working with the team at Kodansha to bring The Ghost in the Shell manga to life has been a dream project, and alongside the tabletop RPG, we're excited to reveal the Section 9 Miniature Collection, a range of six iconic collectable miniatures available as part of this campaign.
Featuring action poses of Major Motoko Kusanagi, Batou, Aramaki, Togusa, Seito and a Fuchikoma. These figures are brought to life in MasterCraft™ Resin, designed to be centrepieces for painters, collectors, and gamers alike. Plus, get the semi-transparent Major Motoko Kusanagi Ghost Edition Miniature for FREE with this Collection.
Available separately, or save more in the Section 9 Miniature Collection. Included as part of the Collector's Bundle tier, or added to any pledge. If demand is high enough, we hope to expand the miniature line in the future. While these miniatures represent existing agents in Section 9, they can be used as avatars to represent your characters during missions.
Full digital rulebook PDF unlocked immediately after completing the Pledge Manager.
Get the Standard Hardback edition of The Ghost in the Shell: Tabletop Roleplaying Game plus the digital PDF.
Full digital rulebook PDF unlocked immediately after completing the Pledge Manager.
Get the full digital rulebook PDF and STL files to 3D print your miniatures. Including the Section 9 Miniature Collection and the Limited Edition Major Motoko Kusanagi Miniature.
Full digital rulebook PDF unlocked immediately after completing the Pledge Manager. STL files fulfilled alongside physical miniature rewards.
Get the Collector's Edition Hardback of The Ghost in the Shell: Tabletop Roleplaying Game plus the digital PDF.
Crafted for fans and collectors, this premium edition hardback comes complete with stunning full-height cover art, silver page edging and an integrated ribbon bookmark.
Full digital rulebook PDF unlocked immediately after completing the Pledge Manager.
Host your own games with the GM Bundle, plus the Digital PDF. Includes: the Collector's Edition Hardback, the official Dice Set, GM Screen and Character Sheet Pack.
The Collector's Edition Hardback, crafted for fans and collectors. This premium edition hardback comes complete with stunning full-height cover art, silver page edging and an integrated ribbon bookmark. The official GM Screen. One side features 9 pieces of iconic artwork by creator Shirow Masamune; the other features quick rules references to keep your games focused on the action. The official Dice Set, designed to bring you deeper into the world of Section 9. Each dice set includes six custom dice: d4, d6, d8, d10, d12 and a d20. The Character Sheet Pack. Including 25 character sheets.
Full digital rulebook PDF unlocked immediately after completing the Pledge Manager.
Deep Dive into The Ghost in the Shell TTRPG with the Collector's Bundle plus Digital PDF.
Including: The GM Bundle, the Section 9 Miniature Collection and the Limited Edition Shirow Masamune Art Print. Plus a magnetic-closing Collector's box. Includes:
The Collector's Edition Hardback, crafted for fans and collectors. This premium edition hardback comes complete with stunning full-height cover art, silver page edging and an integrated ribbon bookmark. The official GM Screen. One side features 9 pieces of iconic artwork by creator Shirow Masamune; the other features quick rules references to keep your games focused on the action. The official Dice Set, designed to bring you deeper into the world of Section 9. Each dice set includes six custom dice: d4, d6, d8, d10, d12 and a d20. The Character Sheet Pack. Including 25 character sheets. The Collector's Edition box featuring a concealed magnetic clasp.
The Section 9 Miniature Collection. Featuring action poses of Major Motoko Kusanagi, Batou, Aramaki, Togusa, Seito and a Fuchikoma. These six iconic figures are brought to life in MasterCraft™ Resin, designed to be centrepieces for painters, collectors, and gamers alike. The Major Motoko Kusanagi Ghost Edition Miniature, produced in a semi-transparent material to represent Major Kusanagi's optical camouflage, available exclusively as part of the Section 9 Miniature Collection.
The Limited Edition Shirow Masamune Art Print. This stunning new piece features iconic characters from the series and our TTRPG, inviting you to become part of the story. This collector's art print is available in 250mm x 250mm on premium 350gsm paper.
Full digital rulebook PDF unlocked immediately after completing the Pledge Manager.
For the past three years, we've poured our time, experience, and passion into creating a game we truly believe in. Our goal isn't simply to meet expectations, but to deliver an experience worthy of your support. That's why we're not depending on stretch goals to define the game's future. Every pledge helps strengthen the project, but our commitment to quality remains the same.
We did, however, plan reveals for day four, eight and twelve of the campaign. As part of these reveals, we're increasing the number of missions included in every pledge from ONE MISSION to FOUR MISSIONS!
Rulebook Mission: Lost Patriot
Bonus Mission PDF: Puppets on a Wire
Bonus Mission PDF: The Cruise
Bonus Mission PDF: Revealed on Day 12.
All backers, from the PDF tier to the Collector's Bundle, will now be sent THREE BONUS MISSIONS as digital PDFs once they are finished and approved by Kodansha.
The Collector's Edition has now been expanded to include all three bonus missions, printed and bound within the book, available together in a single definitive edition. All rewards that include the Collector's Edition will now feature all three bonus missions, pending approval from Kodansha.
Over the years, we've invested our passion, creativity, and dedication into bringing our vision of The Ghost in the Shell to life. What excites us most isn't releasing this game, but seeing it grow alongside a thriving community of players who share our love for this world.
Your support helps demonstrate that there is an audience eager for more stories, more missions, and more ways to experience this universe. If this campaign succeeds and the community continues to grow, we plan to create additional content, new adventures, and perhaps even entirely new game experiences.
By backing and sharing this campaign, you're helping build the foundation for a future filled with incredible content, created for and inspired by the community that makes it possible.
All backers of The Ghost in the Shell pledges will receive the full PDF rulebook once the campaign ends and the Pledge Manager phase has been completed.
All other rewards, including Miniature STLs, will be fulfilled on the timeline below.
Estimated Project Timeline
2026 AUG: Crowdfunding ends. Late Pledges are available. AUG: Physical refunds can be issued at 90% (due to platform fees). Digital PDF is non-refundable once downloaded. AUG: Pledge Manager opens. OCT: Pledge Manager closes. DEC: Order confirmed with the factory. No refunds are available beyond this point.
2027 FEB: Manufacturing begins. APR: Pledges are shipped to regional hubs. APR: Shipping addresses are now locked in the Pledge Manager. MAY: Fulfilment of pledges from hubs to backers.
Shipping and Logistics
We plan to use regional shipping hubs for the UK, EU, Australia & NZ, the US & Canada. This is to avoid any surprise import fees at delivery, as we have already covered them when the goods enter the region, and they are not required when the hubs dispatch your pledge to you. Shipping, sales tax, and VAT are charged in the Pledge Manager after the campaign.
The price table shows our estimated shipping cost. This is based on current shipping and tariffs as of 2026. A lot can change between now and fulfilment, and while we cannot guarantee the future, we have run 30 crowdfunding campaigns and have never needed to return to backers for additional shipping.
We’re happy to offer special terms for retail stores. Please choose the Retailer Pledge and get in touch with our trade representative in your territory — you can find their contact details here.
At Mantic Games, we have years of experience creating award-winning games based on some of the world’s most beloved licenses. From the thrilling investigations of Hellboy: The Board Game, the post-apocalyptic landscape of The Walking Dead: All Out War, to the tense tactical action of Halo: Flashpoint. Our games speak for themselves.
Alessio Cavatore - Writing and Design Zak Barouh - Writing and Design Shirow Masamune - Artwork Glenn More - Graphic Design Sam Charlton - Writing Dylan Taverner-Trundell - Writing Matt Gilbert - Production Luigi Terzi - 3D Sculpting Ben Skinner - 3D Sculpting David Lanza - Crowdfunding Graphic Design Ross Connell - Marketing
Special Thanks: Everyone at Kodansha, Kunitomo Yusuke, Okuda Kyoko, Ronnie Renton, Paul Buntman, Kay Robinson, Andy Gibson, Chris Hughes, Sam Charlton.
