Anime Review: Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex

Review Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone ComplexWritten by WarpshadowRating very good

I remember a friend a long time ago telling me the biggest problem with the movie version is that it cut out a lot of the good stuff. After watching the television show I can see he was right.

The advance of technology would never eliminate crime, just change it's face. in response to the new threat that high tech crime present the Japanese government has authorized the creation of Section Nine, an elite police organization. The have access to high tech equipment and heavy firepower including cyborgs such as Major Kusanagi and Batou. However in civilization that is becoming cybernetic, causing the boundary between humanity and machines to blur, Section Nine has it's work cut out for them.

While things such as robots are common in anime few shows can claim to be a serious science fiction title the caliber of Ghost in the Shell. This is a show that spends a good deal of time dealing with philosophical topics and doesn't fall back on easy answers. While that is a strength it can be at times the show's main weakness as the plot can derail at times when a topic of philosophical interest rears it's head. At other times the show sport action scenes with guns blazing and tactics that are as sound as the show's philosophy.