Bandai Visual today announced [JP, PDF] that the new version of the 1995 cult anime Ghost in the Shell will be released on Blu-ray in Japan on December 19th. The MSRP for the so-called Ghost in the Shell 2.0 Blu-ray box is $210. Bandai Visual recently said [PDF] they plan to release more anime titles simultaneously in Japan and select international markets but there is no word on a US release yet.

The box will contain the new version of the film, the original anime (both in 1080p and 16:9 MPEG-4 AVC), a disc with extras, a new music CD and a special booklet. A dream for all Oshii fanboys, but only the original version in the Japanese box will feature an English dub.

Bandai “enhanced” (hopefully) the graphics and digital effects in some scenes for the 2.0 edition. The company also managed to reunite most of the main cast for a new 6.1 surround sound recording. I somehow doubt the new version is better though, given all these new 3D CG.

Ghost in the Shell 2.0 currently screens in several theaters in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo, and Nagoya.