Anime Talks: Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

This weeks Anime Talks is going to be a mini review of "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex". This 2002 anime series which follows the exploits of Major Motoko Kusanagi ( simply refereed to as the Major most of the time ) and her team from the Japanese anti-terrorism crime unit "Public Security Section 9" . The series is set in the fictional Japanese city of Niihama during the mid 21st century, where cyber crime, and cyborgs are common and the setting is very cyberpunk in it's feel.

 

It is worth noting at this time that there is also a Ghost in the Shell movie, and a Manga series however while the characters are more or less identical within these there medias each is independent of each other with vastly different plots. I like Ghost in the Shell ( both the SAC series and the movie ) because I find the characters interesting, and while it has plenty of action with tons of violence the show is more about detective work and mystery solving though it can get bogged down at time by the heavy political commentary which can be a turn off to some viewers.

 

The Animation is beautifully drawn, the story is gripping most of the time, the characters are very well developed and the plot twists are intriguing.   This is a series that I recommend unless you are not a fan of politically intrigue or dark gritty worlds full of violence, deceit and death.

About Kaldath

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4 Responses to Anime Talks: Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

  1. Harlekin says:

    Absololutly good choose. Very complex and deep storied anime.

    P.s.

    The O.P. for the first season is
    Origa – Inner Universe. One of my mostly favourited anime op.

  2. barbario says:

    this movie was a little convoluted and preachy and confusing. gorgeuos art. i liked the series. had some good stand-alone episodes

  3. Kaldath says:

    Atomic Punk Accidentally posted this to the wrong thread:

    The Atomic Punk:
    I haven’t seen the movie Ghost in the Shell (though I intend to).Watched the anime but just couldn’t keep up.It really is complex.A little much if you’re a casual viewer.If you’re a die-hard, I’m sure you could spend hours analyzing.

    The anime, I found really creepy.That people we’re so willing and eager to give up their flesh and blood to become animatronics vulnerable to hacking and breakdowns.On the flipside, it would be a viable solution for gender re-assignment.Forget scarification and ineffective drugs, just switch your body.I wish!

    I believe that the American / Western version of Ghost in the Shell is incomplete and heavily censored.Frankly, as with most anime, I feel a lot is lost in translation and cultural differences.The sub-plot of immigration / refugee camps and world war is uniquely Japanese.

    For what it is and what I’ve seen, it’s interesting and well done.The American voice of the Major makes me purr.The Major herself is the most intriguing character with a pleasant purple appeal.

  4. Arioch says:

    Yes, I liked it, it was a great show, and one that can raise questions, which is a rare and welcome thing.

    Also, it was “realistic”, in that there was no “stupid” character who’s supposed to be funny, so SD moment, no nonsense madness… I like this.