Ghost In The Shell - S.A.C. - 2nd Gig - Vol. 2

ghost in the shell - S.A.C. 2nd Gig Vol.2 Disc 1 when I watched it turned out to be ghost in the shell - S.A.C. 2nd Gig Vol.2 Disc 2. So I put it into my computer to check what the disc was and it said ghost in the shell - S.A.C. 2nd Gig Vol.2 Disc 2

Not for me but read the reviews, it may take your fancy then

Ghost in the Shell is a reference in sci-fi and manga genres touching quite interestingly in technology role and its effect in the body/mind duality. This movie goes further beyond the manga genre and poses some interesting questions about humanity and living through networks. highly recommended.

I just finished viewing this after getting hopelessly hooked by around the 18th episode. I have mixed opinions on this anime. On the one hand, the main plot is fairly compelling viewing with an excellent take on post 9/11 realpolitk. To give a sneak hint without giving away the plot, there are references to the 'American Empire', 'manipulation of the UN', WMD proliferation, suicide bombings and terrorism. I wasn't expecting so much politically fuelled themes in the anime. This is just the backstory rather than a spoiler. I picked up a few bits of Nietsche thrown in for good measure.

On the plus side, again the core plot was quite nice with a nice little surprise for people who have been following this in episode 11 and again a familiar twist in the last episode too. It seems to set the backstory for Solid State Society (the chronological sequel). There are more meanderings about consciousness, The actions sequences were well thought out. There was a lot of high politics behind the scenes too.

The truth is that on it's own, its about as good as a commissioned BBC super-drama, but slightly below the high standard of similar anime including it's own prequel, Ghost in a Shell: First Gig. Some of the filler episodes stretched things too far though very tongue-in-cheek like the Taxi Driver homage in episode 2 or Full Metal Jacket in later ones. I can't help thinking it could have been shorter and removed the unneccessary elaborate character development especially of the Major. Harshly, the Tachikoma's really irritated me standing out in stark contrast to the seriousness of the series even if they do try and justify them. The PM is also far too cute to be believable.

I suspect the movie of this series may have been made, and skimped out all the bits which i am whining about. In which case, its worth watching. For one thing, the rather audacious portrayal of a sino- neocon US post 9-11 conflict at a time when i can see no-one else touch the issue with a bargepole. From the off, this series echoes a similar theme to Children of Men with a soft-focus faschist state. If you liked that, you might like this.

I'm on the fourth volume of this series now, and must admit I'm hooked.

I've read in other reviews that the story is not as strong as in the previous series, but I disagree - it's taken time to get into it's own stride as a work in it's own right, from under the shadow of series 1. Sometimes, as in the first series, the plot makes leaps that leave me wondering how we got from one point to the next, particularly in the talky bits from the major or the 'old man' but the basic plot is slowly revealed and gives a good sense of intrigue.

These 4 episodes concentrate on the mysterious new character from defence intelligence and his influence on matters behind the scenes of the individual 11 and the refugee crisis.

The plot comes together more slowly than we might be used to but perseverence is worth the effort. We also get to know more about the 'fringe' members of section 9 as the series progresses, as the stand alone episodes reveal more about the wars and how section 9 came together.