Bandai Tamashii Nations has opened pre-orders for two new figures from THE GHOST IN THE SHELL: an S.H.Figuarts Motoko Kusanagi and a ROBOT SPIRITS Fuchikoma.
Each release is already interesting in its own right for Ghost in the Shell collectors, but Bandai has taken things a step further: the two figures have been specifically designed to work together.
The cockpit at the rear of the Fuchikoma can be opened, allowing the separately sold S.H.Figuarts Motoko Kusanagi figure to be placed directly inside.
This compatibility between two of Tamashii Nations' long-established product lines creates a particularly cohesive display and deserves a closer look.
Motoko Kusanagi and Fuchikoma from the new Ghost in the Shell series
Both figures are inspired by THE GHOST IN THE SHELL, the new animated adaptation of Masamune Shirow's work produced by Science SARU and airing since July 2026.
The new series returns to several visual elements closely associated with the original manga. Motoko Kusanagi notably features a very different appearance from the version popularised by Mamoru Oshii's film or Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex.
Fuchikoma also returns to the spotlight. This AI-equipped "think tank" accompanies Motoko and Section 9 and plays an important role in the visual identity of this new adaptation.
It therefore made perfect sense for Bandai Tamashii Nations to release both characters at the same time. What was less predictable was just how closely the manufacturer would connect them.
Motoko Kusanagi joins the S.H.Figuarts line
The first half of this pairing is the S.H.Figuarts Motoko Kusanagi.
The figure stands approximately 14 cm tall and recreates the Major's design from the 2026 THE GHOST IN THE SHELL series.
As with other S.H.Figuarts action figures, Bandai has paid particular attention to articulation. The manufacturer has notably developed a lateral sliding mechanism at the hips to provide a wide range of movement while preserving the proportions of the character's silhouette.
This level of mobility is particularly important for Motoko Kusanagi, whose action scenes require everything from shooting stances to far more dynamic poses.
Multiple faces, hands and weapons for Motoko
Bandai includes four pairs of interchangeable hands and four different facial expressions with the figure.
Two weapons closely associated with the character are also included: the Seburo M5 and Seburo C-25.
An interchangeable holster and an alternative hair part fitted with the visor complete the accessory selection.
But perhaps the most interesting accessory for this S.H.Figuarts is ultimately the one that does not come inside the box.
A Robot Spirits Fuchikoma specifically designed to carry Motoko
The second product announced alongside Motoko belongs to another major Tamashii Nations line: THE ROBOT SPIRITS.
The THE ROBOT SPIRITS <SIDE GHOST> FUCHIKOMA stands approximately 15 cm tall. Despite its relatively compact size, its proportions have allowed Bandai to incorporate a particularly interesting feature.
The rear section features a fully opening cockpit.
And that cockpit is not merely decorative.
Bandai explicitly states that it has been designed to allow the S.H.Figuarts Motoko Kusanagi figure to fit inside the Fuchikoma.
The two releases have therefore been designed to physically interact with one another.
Fuchikoma remains a fully articulated figure in its own right
The cockpit is, of course, not the only feature of this Robot Spirits release.
Bandai has developed an articulated structure capable of recreating the Fuchikoma's various poses, including the more relaxed stances adopted by this four-legged robot.
The main camera also features an interchangeable lens part displaying the familiar "X" symbol.
Three interchangeable expressions are included, together with different arm parts and several components that allow its appearance to be changed. A dedicated display stand completes the set.
The result is a Fuchikoma that works perfectly well as a standalone collectible while gaining an entirely new dimension when displayed with Motoko.
S.H.Figuarts and Robot Spirits: is this really a first?
This is not the first time Bandai Tamashii Nations has brought the S.H.Figuarts and Robot Spirits lines together as part of the same collection.
Looking back through the manufacturer's catalogue, Bandai has already connected the two ranges on several occasions.
Nobita and Doraemon were already split between the two lines
As early as 2011, Bandai released Nobita Nobi as an S.H.Figuarts figure, while Doraemon was released in the ROBOT SPIRITS line.
The two products were released around the same time and are still presented as related items in the official Tamashii Nations archives.
The idea of using two different product lines to represent characters from the same universe is therefore nothing new.
Zero Two and Strelizia provide an even clearer precedent
An example much closer to the current situation appeared in 2018 with Darling in the Franxx.
Bandai simultaneously launched an S.H.Figuarts Zero Two and a ROBOT SPIRITS Strelizia. The two releases were presented as complementary products and both launched in Japan on 27 October 2018.
The connection between the two lines became even more obvious a few years later.
In 2023, to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Darling in the Franxx, Bandai directly released a set combining a new version of the ROBOT SPIRITS Strelizia with the S.H.Figuarts Zero Two.
Why the Motoko Kusanagi and Fuchikoma pairing is still unusual
The difference lies elsewhere.
With Motoko Kusanagi and Fuchikoma, Bandai is not simply releasing two complementary figures or displaying them side by side.
The Robot Spirits figure itself has been designed to physically accommodate the S.H.Figuarts.
The dimensions of the cockpit, the opening hatch mechanism and the overall proportions of the vehicle have all been designed so that the articulated Motoko figure can actually climb aboard.
This interaction therefore goes considerably further than simple visual compatibility between two products.
Most machines represented in the Robot Spirits line are giant robots whose scale obviously makes it impossible to place S.H.Figuarts pilots directly inside their cockpits. Fuchikoma is a very different case, as its size within the Ghost in the Shell universe makes it possible to maintain proportions that remain coherent alongside a human figure measuring approximately 14 cm.
To our knowledge, this makes it one of the most accomplished examples of compatibility between S.H.Figuarts and Robot Spirits ever offered by Tamashii Nations.
It is this level of integration, rather than the simple use of two different product lines, that makes these releases particularly interesting.
It is important to note, however, that the two products are sold separately. Motoko Kusanagi is not included with the Fuchikoma, and the Robot Spirits Fuchikoma is obviously not included with the S.H.Figuarts figure.
Scheduled for release in January 2027
In Japan, Bandai Tamashii Nations opened pre-orders for both products on 3 August 2026.
The Japanese release of the S.H.Figuarts Motoko Kusanagi and ROBOT SPIRITS Fuchikoma is currently scheduled for January 2027 (March 2027 in Europe).
Pre-orders are now open at Myth Factory
Ghost in the Shell collectors can now pre-order the S.H.Figuarts Motoko Kusanagi and the ROBOT SPIRITS Fuchikoma from Myth Factory.
Since 2012, Myth Factory has specialised in collectible figures and statues for collectors across Europe and offers official Bandai Tamashii Nations products.
The two releases can naturally be ordered separately. However, collectors who want to take full advantage of the configuration designed by Bandai and place Motoko inside the Fuchikoma cockpit will need both products.
For Ghost in the Shell collectors, this double release is particularly noteworthy. It accompanies the return of Motoko Kusanagi and Fuchikoma in the new 2026 series while cleverly combining two of Tamashii Nations' best-known articulated figure lines.
This is therefore not the first time S.H.Figuarts and Robot Spirits have crossed paths.
But it is certainly one of the most tangible examples yet.