Kodansha Comics

Shirow Masamune: Artworks In The Shell

Pre-order
$65.99 CAD
Final order cutoff
Mon, Oct 5, 2026
Cutoff passed — limited copies
Release date
Tue, Dec 1, 2026
Description

Don't miss the ultimate retrospective art book from manga's cyberpunk prophet. More than 260 illustrations from Dominion, Appleseed, Intron Depot, and, of course, The Ghost in the Shell are presented, restored to their full-color glory, in a large-sized hardcover. In the dawn of the information age, when the reach of the global net was limited to a few computers scattered in institutional facilities and the homes of committed enthusiasts, one artist pointed the way to the future. From his debut work, depicting a world in the grip of a titanic, manipulative computer dubbed 'Nemesis' (Black Magic), and his buddy cop thriller, pairing a human SWAT officer with a full-body cyborg (Appleseed), to the rollicking adventures of a 'tank police' unit fighting the villainous organization Buaku (Dominion), and his immortal masterpiece that set the global standard for all cyberpunk to come (The Ghost in the Shell)—and beyond—the inscrutable genius Shirow Masamune has shaped the look, feel, and concerns of modern science fiction in ways few living people can equal. Admired by filmmakers, futurists, authors, and artists, Shirow has published many art books, but most of his color pieces only existed as rare treasures in expensive collections—until now. Artworks in the Shell features over 260 full-color illustrations—including four stunning fold-out mega-spreads—from all four decades of Shirow's career, painstakingly restored for a 2025 retrospective exhibition in Tokyo. Dynamic, cool, enigmatic, erotic, and comedic, tracking every one of Shirow's innovative analog and digital techniques, this is the ultimate showcase of a creator whose curiosity and fearlessness have made him a legend.

Credits & details
Publisher
Kodansha Comics
Format
Hardcover
Pages
288
Age rating
Mature
Cover Price
USD $44.99
ISBN
9798888779439
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Frequently asked questions

What are the policies on pre-orders?

Superhero Empire product screening strives for products to be roughly 9.2 NM- or better based on our assessment unless otherwise stated (item grades are subjective). Minor manufacturing defects may be present. Our goal is to get everyone the best quality book possible but limited supply from distributors may prevent us from our dream of getting everyone 9.8 candidates every time.

Preview artwork may differ from actual comic cover when produced by the publisher. Products ordered prior to release are allocated and may have limited availability. If damages or allocation result in a shortage of inventory, customers will be notified and refunded.

Purchasing of retailer incentive or exclusive covers without meeting the incentive requirement will result in product cancellation and a refund will be issued.

Shipping & Holdbox

Choose to ship as soon as your completed order arrives, or add it to your Holdbox and ship later with your existing orders. Pick-up is available for holdbox or upon release.

Returns and Refunds

Returns are not accepted due to the nature of the products being sold. Every item sold is inspected, screened and packaged with collector standards in mind. If for some reason there is an issue with your order, contact our team and we will find a solution.

When will I get my order?

We will work quickly to ship your order as soon as possible. Once your order has shipped, you will receive an email with further information. Delivery times vary depending on your location. Orders with pre-sale items will ship when all items are released and processed. Hold box orders are shipped upon customer request and delivery times will vary based on selected carrier.

How much does shipping cost?

Shipping is calculated based on your location and the items in your order. Hold box or combined shipping can be arranged. The final shipping cost for hold boxes are determined when the shipment is requested at the customer. Cost for combined shipping is at the customer's expense.