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Title:
  Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex vol 1

UK Distributor:  Manga Entertainment (DVD Only)

BBFC Certificate:  12

Suggested Retail Price (SRP):  £19.99

Episodes:  1-4 (of 26)

Audio Options:  English & Japanese 5.1 DTS, 5.1 & 2.0

Subtitles:  English

Reviewer:  Rich (Webmaster)

 

Click here to visit the Official Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex site!

In keeping with the modern trend of resurrecting old anime franchises, and with Masamune Shirow's continuation of the manga, it was only a matter of time before Ghost in the Shell saw another anime incarnation.  Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - a 26 episode episode TV series - was released to great success in Japan and the US and, after a few delays following Manga Entertainment's takeover, it finally hit UK shores at the end of 2004.  However, with many of the themes of the first Ghost in the Shell film being covered repeatedly by the likes of The Matrix and eXistenZ, will the new series have enough originality to truly set it apart?

Well, on the strength of the first few episodes the answer to that question is a resounding yes. 

Focusing once more on the agents of Section 9 who featured in the original film, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex starts off with a couple of 'average' missions before hitting into the plotline which will probably be the main focus of the rest of the series.  The first episode drops you pretty much into the action as cybernetic agents Motoko Kusanagi and Batou are dispatched to rescue a high level diplomat who is being held hostage by sabotaged geisha robots.  It seems terrorists are trying to kidnap the diplomat so they can hack into his brain and steal sensitive information, but it soon becomes obvious to the Section 9 agents that the mission is not as clear cut as it at seems.  This episode really sets the tone of the series, featuring tonnes of action but backing it up with some thought provoking ideas and a strong plot, but still manages to wrap it all up in the space of 25mins.

The second episode is even better than the first, with Section 9 being brought in to stop a runaway battle tank which is being controlled by the consciousness of dead scientist.  This episode raises some interesting questions about the nature of the mind and of the religious impact of technology, and still manages to squeeze in some action!  It also introduces us to the Tachikomas (well, they turn up in the next episode previews, but this is the first major sortie in an episode) - strangely cute sentient mini-tanks that can be piloted by a single person.

The third episode is the weakest on the disc, as it is pretty much a standard 'obsessive psycho' story involving robots instead of people.  There is a little twist at the end but you do pretty much see it coming, it isn't a bad episode it just doesn't cover any new ground.

The final episode is where the plot begins and interestingly the focus shifts from cybernetic agents Motoko and Batou to their 100% human colleague Togusa, who is drawn in to a massive conspiracy when trying to help out an old friend from the police.  His attempts to uncover the truth leads inadvertently to the return of an incredibly dangerous Catcher in the Rye quoting hacker known only as The Laughing Man, who has the power to bring down the government.  What starts off as a standard police corruption story explodes right open by the end of the episode into an all encompassing struggle against an enigmatic and dangerous enemy which leaves you desperate to see what will happen next, but we have to wait for the next volume for that - NOOOOO!!!

What really strikes you at first with Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is the quality of the animation and art, the superb CGI intro and the awesome music, but scratch the surface and there is a depth that is often missing from all but the most thought provoking of sci-fi.  The story doesn't patronise the viewer by explaining everything, but doesn't confuse the viewer either, and the pace of the plot is near perfect.  There are a couple of weaker moments, but overall Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex vol 1 is a stunningly animated, action packed and intelligent start to a series and should be in any self-respecting anime fan's collection.

Best Bit:  The tank chase.

Worst Bit:  The hacker who obsesses over an android.

Ratings

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