Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

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Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex ranks 570 out of the 18,229 shows on TV.com.

The 1,382 users who count themselves as Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex fans have written a total of 88 reviews.

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It is a time when, even if nets were to guide all consciousness that had been converted to photons and electrons toward coalescing, standalone individuals have not yet been converted into data to the extent that they can form unique components of a larger complex.
Based on the manga by Shirō... more »

It is a time when, even if nets were to guide all consciousness that had been converted to photons and electrons toward coalescing, standalone individuals have not yet been converted into data to the extent that they can form unique components of a larger complex.
Based on the manga by Shirō Masamune and made popular world-wide by Mamoru Oshii's 1995 cyberpunk classic, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex adds more to the rich, philosophical tale of the fusion between man and machine.
The year is 2030 and man and machine are fast becoming fully integrated. Advancements in computer technology that can be melded into both body and mind have become readily available.
Criminal acts have entered a new era as well. Exploiting the very systems meant to advance society for the better, criminals have created new ways to get what they desire. Cyberbrains, now very commonplace within society, allow for the abuse of people's minds through hacking. Along with body enhancements come androids that allow for criminals to work their machinations from behind the scenes.
As new and more serious forms of crime escalate, more advanced police units are needed to handle these emerging threats. That is why Public Security Section 9, a special task force made up of both flesh and blood humans and mechanical cyborgs, has been assembled. Equipped with the latest technology and advance multipedal tanks called Tachikomas, Section 9 handles high crimes committed against the Japanese people. Each member has their own strong points that come in handy during each mission, but when dealing with such highly advanced criminals, strong points are second only to cold, hard skill.
Japanese Title:
「攻殻機動隊 STAND ALONE COMPLEX」
「Kōkaku Kidōtai STAND ALONE COMPLEX」
Literal Translation: Offensive Shell Mobile Unit.
Artistic Translation: Mobile Armoured Riot Police.
Age Rating: TV-M; 青年 / 成年 - Seinen (Pronounced Say-nen) (Young Adult) / Seinen (Adult). Violence, Language, Nudity, Political Intrigue.
Genres: Mecha, Military, Police, Science Fiction, Politics.
Intro Theme:
「Inner Universe」by Origa (eps 1-26)
「Rise」by Origa (eps 27-52)
Outro Theme:
「Lithium Flower」 by Scott Matthew (eps 1-26)
「Living Inside the Shell」by Steve Conte (eps 27-52)
SAC: 1995 Movie
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex takes place in the year 2030, one year after the events of the first movie that was released in 1995. However, SAC takes place in an alternate universe. Thus, the events of the movie never take place in the world of SAC.
A Note about the Episodes
For Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - 1st GIG, the SA/C nomenclature denotes SA as 'Stand Alone' and C as 'Complex'. 'Stand Alone' episodes deal with various cases that Section 9 handles. 'Complex' episodes cover one major case that Section 9 investigates throughout the first season.
For Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - 2nd GIG the IN/DI/DU nomenclature denotes IN as 'INdividual' episodes, DI as 'DIvidual' episodes, and DU as 'DUal' episodes. While one may think that IN refer to the Stand Alone episodes of the second season, they actually are the Complex episodes of 2nd Gig. DI episodes are the Stand Alone episodes. Finally, DU episodes cover cases pertaining to the Japanese Government.less «

• Questions on GITS SAC

  I have a lot of questions concerning the Laughing Man storyline. Please let me know if I've got this right: The Supe...more »

  I have a lot of questions concerning the Laughing Man storyline. Please let me know if I've got this right: The Superintendent-General and several other higher level officers in the Metropolitan Police force are involved in a conspiracy. For some reason they want to hide the identity of the true Laughing Man by pinning it on their decoy: Nanao=A. They want Section 9 to believe Nanao is the Laughing Man, explemplified when they insert a forced-recognition language program on Nanao's colleagues, which forces them to testify Nanao's high probability of being the Laughing Man. Do I have that right? A few other questions: 1. Why did the police illicitly insert Interceptors on their officers? 2. What does Aramaki mean when he says the death threat on the Superintendent-General is a farce by the Metropolitan Police. Does that mean the Metropolitan Police told Nanao to commit the death threat? less «

  Shadez_slayerz Last online 16 hrs, 29 mins ago
  5 comments, last one 2 days ago + Add Comment

• 'dividual' vs 'individual'

  I thought that the "individual" episodes (at the top right of the english title of some episodes) meant that the episode sto...more »

  I thought that the "individual" episodes (at the top right of the english title of some episodes) meant that the episode stood on its own (having nothing to do with "Stand Alone Complex"), and the "dividual" episodes (appearing in the same place in other episodes) meant that it was part of a series of episodes, perhaps even named after a bad translation (i.e., someone thought that the "in" in "individual" meant "not"). Yet, some "dividual" episodes seem to stand on their own. Does anyone know what the difference is as far as the series is concerned?less «

  skaizun Last online 10 hrs, 5 mins ago
  4 comments, last one 3 days ago + Add Comment

• Cyborgs

  I just started watching the show so I'm just curious if the show discusses this: Does the show discuss how the Major(the one with the purple hair) get her cyborg body?

  I just started watching the show so I'm just curious if the show discusses this: Does the show discuss how the Major(the one with the purple hair) get her cyborg body?less «

  GiverSSJ Last online 9 hrs, 52 mins ago
  11 comments, last one Mar 14, 2009 + Add Comment

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  9.5 Superb

  One of the best anime shows you will ever see, this is without a doubt an all time classic. hide « show »

  If you are reading this and don't know the plotline then where have you been for the last decade! It is basicly a spin-off of the movie of the same name. it is set in a future where the line between man and machine has become blurred and follows a team of police officers/para-military types lead by a full cyborg known as the Major.
  
  The shows real beauty is it's fantastic plot's and very intellectual and philosophical tone. It also has some beautiful animation and some of the best characters you will ever see.
  
  All in all this is an excellent show and one that I think everyone should see at least once.

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  drdan2410 Added Jan 28, 2009 All my reviews
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  7 Good

  I like this show its neat. hide « show »

  It kinda gets boring sometimes with all the useless chatter but its still a really great show. I love the animation and the song is really great and even though it has too much talk it still has a good amout of good action. When i first saw the show i thought it sucked but that was only because it confused the hell out of me but when i got the plot down and understood it i really liked it. And usually i dont go for shows like this but for ghost in the shell i make an exeption. h

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  jo_21 Added Sep 19, 2008 All my reviews
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  10 Perfect

  One of the most enthralling anime one might ever encounter. hide « show »

  This show is among the most compelling of all anime. Its popularity is completely justified and it deserves the status of classic. Although the plot is complex, it is all very logical and extremely interesting for a wide range of viewers because it covers issues in economics, politics, psychology, sociology, history, technology of various kinds as well as a real human story. Not only are the personalities complicated, but they are sympathetic in many cases. Major Kusanagi is portrayed as strong and tough, yet she has softer feelings hidden deeper which surface in such cases as her encounter with the rebel Kuze. Batou also has a softer side, showing that full-cyborgs can be human as well. The action is extremely compelling, not only because it is so fast and vivid but because it involves such complicated futuristic weapons and scenarios. The visual art is also well-done, with a mix of CG and traditional. It is able to depict any scene with the utmost detail, including those of cyberspace. The music by Yoko Kanno also compliments the plot and the art nicely. In all this is a very well executed adaptation of a masterpiece manga.

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  MasterOJR Added Jul 13, 2008 All my reviews
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  8.1 Great

  ghost in the shell a high action anime is great in my opinion hide « show »

  this show is very good in my opinion the plot is understandable no matter where you are picking up exept for a few choice episodes but the idea that a supersecret taskforce that tries to stop terrorism and their number one enemy the laughing man it is so interesting in the technology and how the characters change little by little and you can see it as their own personal stories on how they got prothstetics and wehatnot comes out this show gets a 8.1 for being superb and a anime people can base others on but also needs a little fine tuneing

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  goldenalchemist Added Apr 9, 2008 All my reviews
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  9.4 Superb

  Less than 3 decades, and 2 world wars, in the future, the world is a much different place. The world is defined by super high technology and an internet that is pervasive in all aspects of life. Heads of state and business use technology for domination. hide « show »

  This is a fantastic show. I was intigued from the first show I saw during the 1st season. Unlike so many other animes that rely on fantasy, mythology, or romance, Ghost in the Shell is a pure action/adventure. But unlike other action/adventure animes that focus on quests, Ghost in the Shell developes on a subtext of contemporary economic theory, political science, and sociology. Anybody who has read C.Wright Mill's The Power Elite or Chomsky's Class Warfare will recognize the conceptual structure of a postmodern information state. Even the lingo used in the English dubs - such as Military-Industrial Complex and Consumer State - come straight from postgrad theory. The basic premis of a micro-intgrated internet that connects all aspects of daily individual life to macro level social events such a war, revolution, politics, commerce, and social control is intiguing. But as intriguing as this presmiss is, the details with which the setting and story line really define how thorough this anime is. As eluded to above, the subtext is perhaps the best I have seen to date in an anime. The subtext of structure vs. agency, freewill and freedom, power, politics, and corruption is relevant to our current social, political, and economic environment. Similarly, the historical reflexivity towards World War II, the Holocost, the cold war, islamo-fascism, and macro coruption of the capitalist state is poignant to the world we face today. There are two seasons, and a number of movies, so far. Each of the two seasons has it's own superplot, culminating at the season finaly. The story revolves around an independant special operations unit, engaging in covert paramilitary actions and information warefare against criminal organizations and corrupt government and business officials. The picture drawn of this futuristic postmodern information-militocracy is frightening to the extream - let me draw the historical reference: A union between heads of state, military, and business using the media as a tool to enforce and maintain their nationalist, pro military hegemony...hint, hint, anybody remember Nazi Germany? The primary literary devices are narrative, internal monologue, foreshadowing, and flashback. Character development is exceptional and the characters themselves have an interesting interdynamic. The characters develop in a way that encourages the viewer to empathize with them. Despite the overwhelming presence of an oppressive social structure and power hungery elite, there is an undertone of heroism thoughout the series; individuals, good men and women, can make a difference in the world - the 'powers that be' can be fought, justice can be upheld, and the inocent can be protected.

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  SsriTelQuessir Added Dec 29, 2007 All my reviews