The Major. Batou. Tachikoma.

If that string of words means anything to you, then you're surely one of the legions of fans who have followed the cyberpunk manga and anime franchise Ghost in the Shell in its many incarnations, and you'll recognize those words as three of the franchise's most well-known icons.

© PR Times, Inc.| © Shirow Masamune / Production I.G. / Kodansha / Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Production Committee

The most recent iteration, Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045, was the franchise's first full installment in 3D computer graphics, released on Netflix in April 2020. It was directed by Kenji Kamiyama and Shinji Aramaki at Production I.G and Sola Digital Arts, and with character designs by Ilya Kuvshinov.

© PR Times, Inc.| © Shirow Masamune / Production I.G. / Kodansha / Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Production Committee

Some of our readers may recall the anime's collaboration with OGA Brewing on a line of craft beers that we introduced in May 2020. Now the anime has collaborated on a collection of sake bottles with labels, decorative boxes, and stickers featuring original illustrations by Ilya Kuvshinov in the likeness of Major Motoko Kusanagi, second-in-command Batou Buttetsu and the AI-endowed walker robot Tachikoma. The three versions are now on sale at KURAND's online shop.

As you can see in the promotional image below, the slogan of the series is 戦いの後の乾杯酒 tatakai no ato no kanpai-zake, meaning "sake to kanpai with after the battle"

© PR Times, Inc.| © Shirow Masamune / Production I.G. / Kodansha / Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Production Committee

Product Information

  • Product name: "GHOST IN THE SHELL: SAC_2045" (3 types in total)
  • Shipping: Scheduled to start in mid-April
  • General sales price: 3,850 yen (including tax)
  • Comes with: Original sticker (standard version)
  • Product page on KURAND

Lineup

GHOST IN THE SHELL: SAC_2045 - Motoko Kusanagi ver.

© PR Times, Inc.| © Shirow Masamune / Production I.G. / Kodansha / Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Production Committee

  • Alcohol content: 15.5%
  • Volume: 720 ml
  • Taste: Light and dry
  • Concept: This is an ultimate food-centric sake made by a science-oriented brewer based on a meticulous sake design. It has a mild ginjo aroma, but you can feel the strong flavor of rice. The original label has an illustration of Maj. Motoko Kusanagi.
  • Manufacturer: 有賀醸造 Arinokawa Sake Brewery (Fukushima Prefecture)
  • Product page on KURAND

GHOST IN THE SHELL: SAC_2045 - Batou ver.

© PR Times, Inc.| © Shirow Masamune / Production I.G. / Kodansha / Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Production Committee

  • Alcohol content: 18%
  • Volume: 720 ml
  • Taste: Rich and dry
  • Concept: A richly flavored sake brewed by a passionate master brewer from Etchū-Yatsuo, Toyama Prefecture. Its robust taste and sharpness go well with richly seasoned dishes. It has an original label with an illustration of Batou.
  • Manufacturer: 玉旭酒造 Tamaasahi Sake Brewery (Toyama Prefecture)
  • Product page on KURAND

GHOST IN THE SHELL: SAC_2045 - Tachikoma ver.

© PR Times, Inc.| © Shirow Masamune / Production I.G. / Kodansha / Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Production Committee

  • Alcohol content: 16%
  • Volume: 720 ml
  • Taste: rich and sweet
  • Concept: Enjoy its fresh and fruity flavor, which is characterized by a fresh apple-like aroma, a refreshing taste, and the natural sweetness of rice. Original label with an illustration of Tachikoma.
  • Manufacturer: はつもみぢ Hatsu Momiji (Yamaguchi Prefecture)
  • Product page on KURAND

By - Ben K.