Mantic announced a new tabletop roleplaying game set in the cyberpunk world of the iconic manga, Ghost in the Shell.
Exciting times ahead as Mantic – whom BoLS readers will doubtless know from games like Halo: Flashpoint, Kings of War, or maybe Deadzone – announced that it was working on a Ghost in the Shell tabletop RPG. Set in the world of the iconic manga, which has wielded unimaginable influence over the sci-fi landscape since the late 80s/early 90s, the Ghost in the Shell RPG invites you to take a deep dive into New Port City and parts beyond.
Ghost in the Shell RPG In The Works From Mantic
Even if you’ve never watched or read Ghost in the Shell, you’ve seen something inspired by it. Be it movies The Matrix or James Cameron’s Avatar, or games like Deus Ex, Metal Gear Solid, and Cyberpunk 2077, the list is as long and detailed as the plotlines of the original manga. And the fact that there’s an RPG coming up is probably the perfect reason to go watch it for the first time, so you can see why this news is so exciting.
This is a departure from Mantic’s usual fare. I’m most familiar with them for their miniature skirmish games. But it’s not Mantic’s first rodeo by a long shot. Details are still a little sparse, since the announcement is still wet with neural goo.
But let’s take a look and see what we can glean:
“Mantic Games is very proud to announce The Ghost In The Shell: Tabletop Roleplaying Game, based on 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 like never before with a bespoke roleplaying system. The game is a sophisticated design by legendary games designer Alessio Cavatore and award-winning TTRPG writer Zak Barouh. This immersive RPG combines fast-paced, narrative-driven mechanics with the philosophical depth and visual flair that define The Ghost in the Shell with a rulebook crammed full of amazing illustrations.”
Honestly, that last sentence alone is why the game will probably sell like gangbusters. However, there are a few interesting nuggets in that announcement. For one, Alessio Cavatore, for those who don’t know, is an ex-GW designer, who you might know as one of the minds behind Mordheim and whose work on Warhammer Fantasy and 40K helped shape the emergence of the tabletop systems. Zak Barouh is best knwn for Animon Story, an RPG that takes its cues from stories about kids and their monster friends.
At this point “narrative-driven mechanics” might mean anything. But typically that means some kind of rules that help shape the fiction of the story. We’ll have to wait and see as Mantic releases more details. But for now, keep an eye out for a Summer 2026 update!
Look, I know that Major Motoko doesn’t really get in the Shell the way Shinji gets in the mecha, but I don’t think the metaphor is that mixed.
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