Ghost in the Shell Anime Single 'po-ai' Released: Taisei Iwasaki & Mirai Moriyama Explore AI & Kobe

A new musical chapter in the cyberpunk canon has arrived as composer Taisei Iwasaki and actor-dancer Mirai Moriyama unveiled “po-ai,” a featured single from the soundtrack of the new television anime adaptation of The Ghost in the Shell. Built around an artificial linguistic system generated through extensive interactions with artificial intelligence, the track serves as both a structural theme and a localized tribute to Port Island in Kobe—the real-world geographic muse behind the franchise’s iconic Newport City.

Quick summary

• Composer Taisei Iwasaki teamed up with artist Mirai Moriyama to produce “po-ai,” a standalone single featuring lyrics written in a newly constructed, AI-assisted language.
• The track draws direct inspiration from “Po-ai,” the local colloquial name for Kobe’s man-made Port Island, widely cited as the physical template for the fictional Newport City in Masamune Shirow's original manga.
• FlyingDog Inc. will release the complete two-disc The Ghost In The Shell O.S.T. digitally and on CD on September 9, 2026, followed by a double-LP vinyl edition on September 30, 2026, featuring jacket artwork by Science Saru illustrator tarou2.

Why it matters

Sound design and music have consistently defined the atmospheric weight of The Ghost in the Shell across its various screen iterations. By constructing an entirely non-existent language through human-AI dialogue, Iwasaki is directly embedding the franchise’s core existential dilemma—the blurring frontier between human consciousness and synthetic intelligence—into the acoustic fabric of the score. Rather than treating artificial intelligence as a mere conceptual gimmick, the production integrated algorithmic translation of physical gestures and vocal tones, exploring how bodily movement intersects with synthesized language.

Simultaneously, the project deepens the franchise’s cultural geography. By anchoring the single to Port Island through the title “po-ai” and enlisting Moriyama—a Kobe-native dancer and cultural organizer—the soundtrack bridges speculative futuristic urbanism with real regional identity, giving long-time fans and audiophiles a concrete sense of place.

Background

Since its inception, The Ghost in the Shell universe has relied on groundbreaking acoustic signatures, from ancient choral harmonies to cutting-edge electronic experimentation. In this new adaptation, Iwasaki approached the score with a philosophical question inspired by science fiction author Philip K. Dick: if reality is manipulated through words, what occurs when language itself is reinvented?

To realize this vision, Iwasaki engaged in iterative exchanges with AI platforms to generate an original linguistic lexicon. The software processed not only phonetic sounds but also somatic triggers, such as chest taps, treating physical expression as grammatical syntax. To deliver these lyrics, Iwasaki reached out to his longtime colleague Mirai Moriyama, whose background in post-Butoh physical expression and interdisciplinary stage performance provided the grounding necessary to translate artificial grammar into emotive vocal performance.

Creative Synergy: Taisei Iwasaki and Mirai Moriyama

The collaboration unites two distinct yet highly accomplished creative profiles. Taisei Iwasaki is an acclaimed composer recognized for his scores on major productions such as Mamoru Hosoda’s Belle (Ryuu to Sobakasu no Hime)—which earned him the Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Music and the Japan Golden Disc Award—alongside works like Kekkai Sensen, The Naked Director, and the signature chime “Ai ni Ikou” for the Tokaido Shinkansen.

Moriyama, born in Hyogo Prefecture, has built an expansive international career across acting and contemporary dance. Having performed in Israel with the Inbal Pinto & Avshalom Pollak Dance Company and delivered the solo opening performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, he currently oversees Artist in Residence KOBE (AiRK). Moriyama admitted he initially had little prior familiarity with the franchise, yet connected immediately upon learning of the Port Island setting, leading to the track’s eventual naming after Kobe’s local moniker “Po-ai.”

Comprehensive Soundtrack Release Schedule

The release of “po-ai” precedes a comprehensive physical and digital rollout for the series’ original soundtrack, composed by Taisei Iwasaki, Ryo Konishi, and Yuki Kanesaka under the FlyingDog Inc. label:

• CD & Digital Launch (September 9, 2026): The 2-disc CD package (VTCL-60705~60706) is priced at 3,960 yen (including tax). First-press editions arrive in a deluxe 7-inch record-sized paper sleeve with foil stamping, accompanied by a 17,000-character production talk session among the three composers and cover artwork by Science Saru’s tarou2. Worldwide streaming will launch across Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, Line Music, AWA, Rakuten Music, and KKBOX Qobuz.
• Analog Vinyl Edition (September 30, 2026): A premium 2-disc vinyl LP package (VTJL-61~62) priced at 7,700 yen (including tax) will be released three weeks later, featuring bespoke analog sleeve illustrations by tarou2.

Tracklist Architecture

The two-disc compilation spans a broad symphonic and electronic spectrum, structured across multi-part movements and thematic character cues:

• Disc 1 highlights: Features the opening title piece “The Ghost In The Shell feat. Lanux,” “The Fabled Few,” “po-ai,” and multiple entries from the “Heavenly Suite” cycle (Op.3 - Query, Op.5 - Requiem, and Op.2 - Reflections), concluding with reflective pieces such as “Late Morning” and “Jacob’s Ladder.”
• Disc 2 highlights: Encompasses dynamic, atmospheric tracks including “Heavenly Suite Op.1 - Life is,” “Ghost In The Dark,” “Hacking Gigolo,” and the closing movement “Heavenly Suite Op.4 - Aria della Vida.”

Qnews24h insight

The decision to construct an AI-generated language for a flagship Ghost in the Shell theme represents a deliberate conceptual convergence of form and subject matter. In an industry where artificial intelligence discussions frequently center on automated production pipelines and efficiency, Iwasaki’s experiment reframes generative systems as creative dialogue partners rather than replacement tools.

By filtering this synthetic syntax through Moriyama’s somatic dance background, the production highlights that true emotional weight in science fiction remains rooted in human performance. If the series successfully matches this level of conceptual rigor in its narrative and visual execution, the project could establish a compelling new standard for modern anime soundtrack development.

Sources

• Official Press Release via honeysanime.com
• Official Anime Portal: theghostintheshell-anime.jp
• FlyingDog Inc. Distribution Catalog

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the title 'po-ai' mean?

'Po-ai' is the popular regional nickname for Port Island, an artificial island located in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture. The area served as the physical inspiration for Newport City in Masamune Shirow's original manga.

How were the lyrics of 'po-ai' written?

Composer Taisei Iwasaki created a non-existent linguistic system through iterative interactions with artificial intelligence, using both vocal sounds and physical gestures (such as chest taps) before rewriting all lyrics into this newly established language.

When will the full 'The Ghost In The Shell O.S.T.' be available?

The original soundtrack will be available on streaming platforms and 2-disc CD on September 9, 2026, followed by a double-LP vinyl release on September 30, 2026.