Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

[Alinestra Covelia]

So I just finished watching this series.

I liked it in general, although the underlying Laughing Man plot seemed a bit hollow to me. (Hollow Laughter? Ha ha ha.)

The ending episodes involving the Umibozu were extremely rushed and unconvincing to me. Section 9 appears to be all but annihilated, but later manages an effortless and consequence-free return. I felt shortchanged by that. I was expecting at least three more episodes of the main characters painstakingly rebuilding the organization and busting the others out of jail.

One episode had nothing but internet chat. That was the weakest episode by far, in my opinion. Why would you bother to watch animated baseless speculation and rumor mongering, when you can come to Apolyton and get that for free?

Anybody else have any feedback about GitS: SAC?

[GePap]

The plot is a bit convoluted but as far as Anime series goes, this has been one of my favorites. The second season is better in my opinion, the characters are better laid out, the plot is less obtuse, and the and the action is better.

[Riesstiu IV]

I watched the series when it aired on adult swim.

I enjoyed the story arch for both season 1 and 2 but there are times where listening to character conversations feels like I'm listening to a philosophy lecture. Also, I couldn't stand the voices of those Tachikomas (sp?). Who would spend that much on R&D for an autonomous robot tank and give it a faggy child's voice? Really painful to listen at times.

I'm also mystified at the nationalities and racial backgrounds of several characters. Is Togusa supposed to be Japanese? He isn't a cyborg but has blond/brown hair. Same goes for Batou.

Other than that it was a pretty enthralling series that is well animated. Are there plans for a 3rd season?

[GePap]

The Japanese rarely draw themselves with "Asiatic" features in Anime. The best thing to do is judge by names.

As for the voices of the Tachikomas, it seems every Anime series needs that kind of obnoxious voice - thought I think the idea is that those robots are childlike, incomplete.

[Tattila the Hun]

Originally posted by Riesstiu IV


Other than that it was a pretty enthralling series that is well animated. Are there plans for a 3rd season?

I trust you've seen Solid State Society?

[DanS]

I enjoyed the first season. IMO, the second season was quite forgettable. I think I dropped it about mid-way through the second season.

For some reason, I thought the internet chats were pretty good.

[GePap]

The second half of the second season is actually the best part. The plot picks up significantly.

[Alinestra Covelia]

Yeah, I noticed that the Japanese tend to view themselves more as Aryan or European races, rather than Asian. In plenty of artwork they tend to portray Chinese and Koreans as shorter, broader Asians, and themselves as much more Western features.

Batou and Togusa could well be "Japanese" in whatever futuristic ethnic definition that comprises.

I've watched only the first episode of the 2nd season of SAC. The artwork is changed again, in minor but unsettling ways. I much preferred Motoko's original look in the Ghost in the Shell movie, where she's got a very asexual haircut and her face is rather plain. In the 1st season of SAC they made her more of a babe, and in the 2nd season first episode they extended that treatment to all the females, including the Prime Minister.

Still, it's a step up from having Motoko engage in a three-way lesbian gang bang, which was what Shirow Masamune drew in his original manga cartoon strip. >.<

[Nostromo]

As far as I'm concerned, despite its flaws, its the best anime TV show I ever saw. And I enjoyed both seasons. I can't think of anything that comes close, really. Maybe the Count Of Monte Cristo, but it did feature annoying kids or teens, one thing I don't like about anime.

[Jon Miller]

I have only watched a couple episodes, I must admit. It is on my list two watch more of.

I have watched both movies. The first movie is a favorite.

JM

[GePap]

Originally posted by Nostromo
As far as I'm concerned, despite its flaws, its the best anime TV show I ever saw. And I enjoyed both seasons. I can't think of anything that comes close, really. Maybe the Count Of Monte Cristo, but it did feature annoying kids or teens, one thing I don't like about anime.

Have you seen Monster? Its based on a Manga by Naoki Urasawa. I have to say that series blew me away.

[Nostromo]

No, I'll check it out

[GePap]

Be forwarned that it is 74 episodes long, (as opposed to 52 in total for Ghost in the Shell).

[DinoDoc]

I like my games of roulette to be more believeable and with less dime store philosophy.

[GePap]

Well, the creator of that term did not seem to think that Ghost in the Shell fell in that category.