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There's some mention of "ghosts" in the series, that would be what we commonly refer to as souls, but it's just a suggestion. Think of prosthetic bodies as opposed to a person's individuality: how many times can you change body before you let go of your sense of identity? This topic turns up at the end of the series, but it isn't analysed in depth. There's an array of really interesting themes, but most times the anime just stays on the surface of them: some are just hinted at and some aren't even considered.
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The other thing that was a disappointment to me was how the topics are dealt with. Ok, it isn't a character-driven anime, but I think that a bit more character building and development could only have made it better. And even those 3, the Major, Batou and Togusa, by the end of the anime they do come to have distinct personalities but they have no background so you know nothing about them, and there is basically no development. There are 8 members to section 9, but only three are ever in the spotlight, the rest are just there in the background.
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Especially the Op is amazing.Īs for the characters, that's one of the aspects that could have been developed much better. As for the stand alone episodes, quality varies: some are decent, some not so good.Īnimation is ok and the music is more than ok. The story really kicks in and it's a good watch. But the final episodes are without a doubt the best. And I must say that until episode 20 or so I didn't care at all for the Laughing Man main story, it just seemed too complicated and as it was continually interrupted by the stand alone episodes I found it difficult to keep in mind all the details and follow what was going on. The series is a combination of stand-alone episodes (by some described as "filler" episodes) where Section 9 sets off to solve some kind of crime or catch some criminal, and a main story-line which takes over completely in the last 5 or 6 episodes. All members of Section 9 have a military background and prosthetic bodies - the only thing that differs is the degree of cyberization. It's a very technologically advanced future world, where it's common for people to replace their original body with an enhanced prosthetic version internet technology also allows brains to be linked and connected in special networks that facilitate information sharing and communication. It revolves around Section 9, a special and secret law-enforcement body whose mission is to prevent crimes and catch the bad guys. It's a sci-fi cyber-punk anime set in the future. So I gave it a go.Īnd after viewing it, I think it's definetely a good anime but it does have many flaws. I know that Ghost In The Shell Stand Alone Complex is hailed as one of those anime masterpieces that you MUST see.
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