Ghost in the Shell: ARISE – Tabletop Roleplaying Game
Interview with Mana Project Studio
by David Cirone
In this exclusive interview, we talk to Marta Palvarini, Project Manager at Mana Project Studio, to discuss the creation of the officially licensed Ghost in the Shell: ARISE tabletop roleplaying game, where fans of the anime franchise can play as their own Public Security Section. Following the success of their Cowboy Bebop adaptation, Palvarini reveals how the team captured the anime’s style to engage players with thrilling narratives and tactical roleplaying.
Why did you choose the world of Ghost in the Shell to create your latest TTRPG?
Palvarini: As huge fans of cyberpunk and its early iterations, and as devoted enthusiasts of Mamoru Oshii’s 1995 movie, we’ve wanted to produce a game based on this license for years. Thanks to our licensors at Kodansha and the collaboration between Mana Project Studio and Don’t Panic Games, this opportunity has finally become a reality, and we couldn’t be happier!
Creating a TTRPG from a popular anime title brings a lot of pressure. Fans want you to get it “just right”, and Japanese rights holders are protective of the franchise identity. What lessons did you learn from developing the Cowboy Bebop game (2022) that helped you create Ghost in the Shell: ARISE?
Palvarini: Although we’re certainly not immune to performance anxiety, we were very confident in Pete Petrusha’s abilities as lead designer of the Ghost in the Shell RPG. We were sure that he will produce something innovative and unconventional. Having experimented with new systems and taken risks in the design of Cowboy Bebop, we decided that this was the most dangerous, but also the most fun and exciting, way to work on a licensed game. We therefore used a hacked version of the Forged in the Dark game system for Ghost in the Shell.
How did you prepare for this Kickstarter differently than before, in terms of promotion and production?
Palvarini: It was a team effort between Mana Project Studio and Don’t Panic Games to coordinate a large marketing team within a tight timeframe to promote the campaign. This was not easy, as every text and image used required full approval from the licensors.
Ghost in the Shell’s many anime and film adaptations have expanded the storyline from the original manga. What makes the ARISE timeline the perfect place to start?
Palvarini: ARISE is a fantastic prequel that delves into the origins of the Public Security Section. Since enabling players to build their own team of specialists is our primary focus, we knew it would be the perfect starting point, offering the chance to manage all political aspects dynamically without compromising on action or moral dilemmas.
Fans of the manga and anime get excited by Ghost in the Shell’s futuristic visuals and explosive action. How do you bring that experience into a TTRPG?
Palvarini: We believe that the Forged in the Dark game framework is perfectly suited to handling multiple parallel scenes. Thanks to the introduction of different Actions wired directly into one of the two hemispheres of the character’s cyberbrain, it’s easy to see which aspect is at play — Ghost or Shell? Players constantly ask this question at the table during gameplay. Meanwhile, the reworked combat system introduces the concept of “boss fights” with Nemeses — ranging from ultra-enhanced soldiers to web-born intelligence — allowing you to literally tear characters’ bodies apart amidst a constant flow of action.
What advantages does the Forged in the Dark system have for a Ghost in the Shell game? Can you give example re: story development and character interaction?
Palvarini: For this iteration of Forged in the Dark, we drew inspiration primarily from Band of Blades, using the concept of Headquarters to represent characters whose roles are not always operational. In the Ghost in the Shell: ARISE RPG, we’re not only called upon to play our field specialists — our Motoko and Batou — but also our Aramaki. They have to manage the problems of a section specializing in black ops on behalf of the government, while remaining independent of almost everything else. The narrative tension between field specialists and headquarters members enables a well-paced game with structured missions and downtime for planning and resource management.
Cybernetic connections are a big part of the Ghost in the Shell world, and many gaming groups play online. How do you feel the game will work differently for player groups who meet virtually or in person?
Palvarini: As with any Forged in the Dark game, it can be played online without any issues, since there is no overly complex system for representing cybernetic implants and upgrades. It’ss primarily a narrative system, not a skirmish game with miniatures, so to smoothly play online all you need is a good internet connection and an understanding of the rules. Although no special tactical maps are needed, it can certainly be useful to keep track of where the characters are positioned narratively. However, don’t expect Dungeons & Dragons-style combat.
Kusanagi and Batou are the fan favorites of the Ghost in the Shell series, and the Wizard Hacker and Elite Ranger “playbook” types are strong matches if you want to roleplay those characters. How did you balance the other character types to make those playing styles just as attractive and powerful?
Palvarini: A character like Togusa, represented by the Special Investigator, obviously has his appeal when it comes to diplomatic and moral situations. Who wouldn’t want to blow things up with the Heavy Weapons Expert or be completely wired to an anti-tank sniper rifle as the Ace Sniper? These roles speak for themselves, but the Logikoma remains one of our favorites. While the other characters question the concept of identity (the Ghost) within the cybernetic body (the Shell), the Logikoma questions its own emergence as a self-aware AI, forcing us players to question the other characters around the Logikoma.
The game’s visual presentation uses illustrations and character designs pulled directly from the animation. Are you guiding players to create their versions of the existing cast, or to create brand-new characters of their own?
Palvarini: The game is designed for players to create characters entirely from scratch in the Ghost in the Shell setting. However, we also give players the opportunity to play familiar characters thanks to ready-to-use character sheets, allowing the creation of a “what if” scenario from the Ghost in the Shell universe at the game table.
The game’s quickstart module is available now, and those who missed the Kickstarter can order their copy through Backer Kit. What elements should game masters look for in these adventures to maximize the replay value?
Palvarini: The Quickstart offers a taste of the final game, with a short ready-to-play adventure. The Adventures Book is definitely the manual that offers the most material for GMs. It requires the Corebook to be used and offers a long, fully interconnected campaign, as well as lots of ideas for one-shots.
What’s the best way to roleplay an awesome Logikoma? Any advice?
Palvarini: Surely, Logikoma’s more childish and naïve behavior can be leveraged to defuse tense situations, but we must not forget that it is still an AI, so it will raise moral issues central to the theme of Ghost in the Shell.
FULL VERSION
The full version of Ghost in the Shell: ARISE TTRPG is now available for pre-order:
https://ghost-in-the-shell-roleplaying.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders
QUICKSTART MODULE
Click here to download the FREE Ghost in the Shell: ARISE Quickstart PDF (available in English, Italian, and French)
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