Madhouse announces Original anime Ghost in collaboration with One Punch Man's Shingo Natsume

On June 9, 2025, Madhouse announced the production of the theatrical original anime Ghost via a press release. As of now, as per the information provided by the animation studio, the project is scheduled to be released in the theaters in 2027.

Shingo Natsume, the director for season one of One Punch Man, will be directing the original anime Ghost, as revealed in the announcement. The press release also shared other key visuals and names of staff members who will be working on the upcoming theatrical project.

Original anime Ghost to be directed by Shingo Natsume and produced under Madhouse

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As mentioned earlier, on Monday, June 9, 2025, Bandai Namco Filmworks announced that animation studio Madhouse will be starting a new theatrical movie, an original anime Ghost, which will be released in theaters in 2027, as announced as of now via the press release.

Director Shingo Natsume, popularly renowned for his works on series like ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept., One Punch Man season 1, Sonny Boy, and Space Dandy, will be directing the original anime Ghost under the animation studio Madhouse, and this will be his first original anime movie.

The names of other staff members revealed manga creator Natsume Ono, famously known for her work in ACCA 13-Territory Inspection Department, Ristorante Paradiso, House of Five Leaves, and Not Simple, will be in charge of the original character designs, including the main character Nike, who was revealed in the key visuals of the series.

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Furthermore, Norifumi Kugai, known for ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept. and Sonny Boy, is designing the characters for animation. The director, Shingo Natsume, is pretty excited about his upcoming original anime Ghost and stated his thoughts and aim for the movie:

"A work that could be called fictional but is in tune with our current time and seeks realism."

Bandai Namco Filmworks, the provider of the announcement, also relayed their thoughts regarding the film.

"Everyone has a "ghost" in their hearts. It is a genuine feeling that is there but inexpressible. In this work, the girl Nike opposes the absurdity of the world in order to protect the "starry sky." This challenging work expresses Nike's solitude and heroism, and the subtleties of the heart as she interacts with others," said Bandai Namco Filmworks (Sunrise).

The press release also revealed information about a pitch session set to happen for the film on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at the MIFA 2025 event in conjunction with the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.

Are you excited for the original anime Ghost? Let us know in the comments below. Follow us for more anime/manga news and updates.

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About the author

Ribhu Ghosh is an Anime Journalist at Sportskeeda. With a degree in Journalism under the Calcutta University, his deep-rooted passion for anime and manga led him to pursue a career in writing about the same.

Along with his 6 years of experience as an illustrator and digital artist for various overseas anime studios and companies, he also aspires to write storylines. Ribhu's creative journey has been profoundly influenced by renowned mangakas such as Sui Ishida, Masashi Kishimoto, Kohei Horikoshi, and Koyoharu Gotouge.

Ribhu's enthusiasm for storytelling and illustration is evident in his meticulous approach to reporting. He values accuracy and relevance and always prioritizes thorough research.

If given a chance, he would return to 2014 and be a part of the Tokyo Ghoul series, as he admires its action scenes, story, plot twists, art, and adaptation from the manga.

When he's not writing, Ribhu enjoys illustrating, playing chess, and engaging in outdoor activities like badminton. His diverse interests extend to music, cooking, reading, and gaming, all of which complement his passion for entertainment.

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Edited by Somava