In the futuristic Japan of year 2030, Public Security Section 9 is a government unit given the responsibility of managing technology-related acts of terrorism and crime. Section 9 is made up of a fine selection of members with military, police and even yakuza backgrounds led by the charismatic and ingenious Chief Aramaki. Not many know of their existence but those who does knows not to mess with Section 9. However, there are some people who would go to all length to see to the disbandment of the unit.

        In the first season of Stand Alone Complex (SAC), the 26 episodes are divided into 2 categories; stand-alone and complex. Stand-alone episodes are filler episodes but these are the ones that flesh out the characters and the environment. The complex episodes on the other hand are the ones focusing on the main storyline, the Laughing Man case.

        The Laughing Man is a skilful hacker capable of hacking into virtually any cyberbrain to manipulate its owner’s actions including what he sees. For example, the Laughing Man Logo is used to shield the hacker’s face so that none can discover his true identity when he ventures into the public. He could also manipulate others into performing the dirty tasks for him if he wishes to do so. The Laughing Man’s motive is related to a caption from a novel; “I thought what I’d do was, I’d pretend I was one of those deaf-mutes”, which in the end is revealed to be tied to the extensive corruption in the corporate world. Although the Laughing Man’s actions are non-violent ones, the government sees him as a threat and therefore, Section 9 is given the responsibility to locate and get him into custody. The season ends dramatically with the disbandment of Section 9 and even the possible assassination of a main character.  Luckily, the producers decided not to end with a cliff-hanger making the finale the best that viewers can hope for.

        The second season of SAC is known as the 2nd GIG and it takes place 6 months from where the first season left off. Like the 1st season, the 26 episodes of this season are divided into categories; IN (individual) episodes featuring the Individual Eleven storyline, DI (dividual) episodes are stand-alone episodes and DU (dual) episodes which are tied with the Cabinet Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Gouda storyline. My favourite is the DI episodes which offer viewers more details on the characters’ backgrounds, through which, I was able to connect more with the characters. Full marks goes to the one on how the Major ended up having a fully cybernetic body at a very young age.

        2nd GIG begins with a dramatic hostage crisis staged by an organisation called the Individual Eleven, which will be the primary focus throughout the series. The Individual Eleven’s motive behind their acts is related to an essay of the same name. Attached to the essay is a virus that infects the cyberbrain of anyone who accesses the essay, thus prompting its readers to commit the absurd acts. However, Section 9 believes that someone else is using the Individual Eleven case as a cover for something more sinister. Their primary suspect is Gouda who’s the head of the CIA. Therefore, while carrying out their assigned responsibility to eliminate the Individual Eleven threat, they simultaneously carry out a private investigation on Gouda and the mysterious CIA. Although equipped with many talented people and the latest technology, Gouda still proves to be one of the most formidable adversaries of Section 9.

        Ghost in the Shell is a wonderfully written anime that manages to project a concept of the future that has never been brought up before yet totally believable. Some of the technologies featured in this anime should really be looked into by inventors and researches or our era. Take the Cyberbrain as an example; this technology involves integrating powerful microcomputers into the human brain to enhance mankind’s abilities. Besides increasing one’s memory capacity and providing photographic memory ability, Cyberbrains also enables communication by merely thinking of the message (similar to wireless communication but without the need of any external device). This creates a world where everyone can be connected to one another at all times. The concept is so thoroughly thought of that a drawback of the technology has also been brought in; Cyberbrain Sclerosis!

        Another noteworthy technology introduced is the Tachikoma. Tachikomas are armed tanks with Artificial Intelligence that are specially created to assist Section 9 in their duties. This gives Section 9 the technological advantage over other organisations and governmental units. The AI is also very convincing as portrayed in certain episodes dedicated at how the Tachikomas think and act (e.g. episode 12 and 15 of SAC). Because of the learning feature of the AI, a problem arises when the Tachikomas started to develop unexpected individuality and curiosity that is not befitting a war machine. This poses Section 9 with a crucial decision on whether to continue the Tachikomas’ operation. Besides providing comic relief to the series, the Tachikomas also provide a very moving incident which involves them going against the instructions they were programmed with in order to make a sacrificial act.

        Some of the contributors to the OST are Yoko Kanno and Origa, thus promising a decent number of tracks. However, I only find both the openings worth listening to while the background songs are below par. Ultimately, this anime provides food for thought as to what the near future would be like and to think that this anime has provided inspiration to the making of the Matrix trilogy, this IS one heck of a production.

Characters

        Motoko Kusanagi – She is given the nickname ‘Major’ after the rank she last held when she was with the military. Although the members of Section 9 are equal in rank, the others look up to the Major and assume her to be their leader. Kusanagi is the only fully cybernetic member in the unit as a result of a plane crash that took place when she was a child. Since then, her ‘ghost’ has to be constantly transferred to a more appropriate cybernetic body as she ages. Upon being transferred into her current adult figured body, she received a watch as a gift – her only prized possession which is often seen strapped to her wrist. Affected by the challenges she faced growing up in a fully cybernetic body, the Major has a soft spot for children undergoing cyberisation due to uncontrollable circumstances.

        Aramaki – He is the one who put together Section 9, acting as their chief. He would go to all lengths to keep his team alive and in action, as shown in the end of the first season and the beginning of the second. Quick at making good decisions, Aramaki is often the one to seek for advice. Even the Prime Minister always values his views and judgments in 2nd GIG. He is also viewed as the only person that is capable of keeping the Major under control!

        Batou – Formerly a Ranger involved in the South American War, Batou assumes the role of the Major’s right-hand man. He is also the person she turns to regarding personal problems. He is hot-headed but is also often the one breaking the jokes during tensed moments. Batou’s body is considered to be heavily cybernetic with the most obvious part being his eyes. He has a cloned basset hound named Gabriel as the closest thing he has to a family. Besides that, Batou is the one loved most by the Tachikomas (the one they fear most is the Major because she had shown interest in disabling the Tachikomas due to their unforeseen development of individuality and curiosity!).

        Togusa – Apart from Aramaki, Togusa is the only person in Section 9 who’s still mostly human, with the Cyberbrain as his only cybernetic component in the body. Being minimally cybernetic only provides him with enhanced communication features but this trait, together with his background with the force, is the reason Togusa was handpicked by the Major to join Section 9. Being mostly human also makes him sometimes deemed to be the most inexperienced and vulnerable of the lot. Togusa is very fond of his (Mateba?) revolver which he chooses to use over the standard issued ones. He is also the only member to have a family and a personal life!

        Ishikawa – He is the oldest member of the unit and one of the earliest recruited. He is often spotted behind the computer handling the information gathering or the hacking tasks in the operations possibly because he lacks the physical fitness required for such operations. When Ishikawa is involved in fieldwork, he often partners the Major or Batou who are more experienced.

        Saito – Also one of the least cybernetic of the lot, Saito is often the one selected for handling heavy firearms or sniping missions. This is because of his cybernetic left arm and left eye which provides him with the accuracy and precision needed for such tasks. A whole episode of the 2nd GIG was dedicated at Saito relating how the Major discovered him in a battlefield; Saito with no help whatsoever, managed to hold back a team of ground soldiers (the Major was one of them). In the end, the Major managed to creep up to Saito and was the one who dealt the injury to his left eye and arm – prompting him to get those parts cyberised. Saito was then offered a position to work alongside the Major in exchange for his life. However, this story might be a fake as Saito offers no confirmation that it happened when prompted by a question.

“I never sleep with the same woman twice.”

        Paz – Hinted to be a former Yakuza, Paz is the womenizer of the group. His favourite weapon is the pocket-knife.

        Borma – He is Section 9’s explosives and heavy weaponry specialist. He is very flexible in terms of being able to be teamed with any member of the unit.

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