Ghost in the Shell

[Wholefood Specialist]

The Major is one of the coolest characters in all the anime I have watched. After seeing the episode where The Major and then former resistance sniper, I think it was Saito, and the way she stood there with perfect form... It was remarkable how the distance between the humans and the fully prosthetic was incredibly large. The artwork and the design of all the characters really made this and all movies and other seasons of the show just really connect with me.

Here is my question, Kuze and The Major... where they the Boy and Girl the side story was talking about? Because... I really didn't know what to think about that... Because then that would mean they found the lost love they once had.

Also, Tachkoma, good idea to become self-aware? Or do you think it was just TOO predictable?  

[(v)orbid.Angel]

This is an anime i've seen at blockbuster for years, and whenever i go to rent movies, I see it, and I almost get it, but I don't. I'm just not sure I'll like it. What exactly is the plot synopsis, since the back of the box doesn't do a good job of describing it? Are there any similar series that I could use to judge whether or not i'd like it? (like in a "If you liked Chobits and Love Hina, you'll probably like Steel Angel Kurumi" fashion)  

[Wholefood Specialist]

(v)orbid.Angel

This is an anime i've seen at blockbuster for years, and whenever i go to rent movies, I see it, and I almost get it, but I don't. I'm just not sure I'll like it. What exactly is the plot synopsis, since the back of the box doesn't do a good job of describing it? Are there any similar series that I could use to judge whether or not i'd like it? (like in a "If you liked Chobits and Love Hina, you'll probably like Steel Angel Kurumi" fashion)

This is about a world where Organic bodies are considered a thing of the past. There is a terrorist called The Laughing Man, and Section 9, an unknown police force, is looking to find it. Personally the show is fantastic and highly recommended. Get it and I promise... you will not be upset in the least!  

[despisd]

I must agree that when he became self-aware it changed a few things, it would require his character to change, which he needed to become a better character and a plot model to base a story around. Yes, the major kicks butt...  

[MissDarlingDeath]

I've watched a few scattered episodes, mostly the ones aired on Adult Swim and containing the Laughing Man. what I was super surprised about were the strong lesbian undertones with Motoko(eh?).. I mean.. it just so happened that every show I caught, she was with some girl half naked, or said something so.. erotic. not that it was a bad thing, but in other episodes, I saw her as this badass chick.. and all of a sudden.. naked girls in her bed. hahah.
I'm sorry, I haven't seen the whole series, but I thought I'd share my silly discovery. maybe someone can shed more light on that topic for me?  

[Wholefood Specialist]

OMG!! I thought I was the only one that saw the strong Lesbian overtones HAHA! That is one thing I was not sure about, is she a lesbian? Or is it just she prefers female company?  

[MissDarlingDeath]

oh goodness, thanks. lol. I seriously thought I was just a dork pointing out the obvious. but maybe I still am. hahah.

if she does, that's pretty hot.. but I'm not sure if they elaborate any more on that. it'd be interesting to get the whole inside scoop on her. ;D  

[Sephirob]

Strong lesbian overtones? Read the manga lol. It goes WELL beyond overtones. There are several steamy lesbian scenes o,0 That said...

The thing about the Major is, she doesn't know if she truly is a 'she.' The only organic part of her is her brain, and she has no memories of her life before she got her body. She thinks often she could have really been a man. Batou and the others rib her about that all the time, and she usually is just like "heh, yeah I could have been. Doesn't matter now though."

Tthat's why she actually has that lesbian bent. Gender doesn't matter to her, since it's all prosthetic. It's one of Shirou's big themes, when you can just make a new body, you can keep one of each sex and switch things up at any time, and suddenly who you are stops being defined by gender.

Ok, that's not the only reason... I'm sure it has a ton to do with the fact that Masamune Shirou, the mangaka, is actually predominantly a hentai artist. No joke there either. His major works from the last many years are all hentais.

Anyway, this "not knowing who she was originally" comes out a lot more in the movies (which, if you haven't seen you should. I liked them even better than any of the Stand Alone Complex stuff. The first one is also one of the most important anime before the turn of the millennium. o,0 It supposedly changed the way the industry did things, and has paved the way for the continuation of feature length anime, yay!) and of course, in the manga too.  

[Wholefood Specialist]

Sephirob

Great point! Batou DID mention about her being a man after she got that custom full prosthetic... Funny, I remember that episode the moment you mention it! And yes MDD, she IS extremely hot and would love to see that divulge into a more... *ahem* detailed discussion!  

[MissDarlingDeath]

Wholefood Specialist

And yes MDD, she IS extremely...

gonk ugh ugh ugh.

Sephirob, thanks for clarifying it for me. :] I figured it had something to do with the fact about her body not being entirely human, but of course.. I hadn't seen the whole series so.. ;]  

[Sephirob]

Hehe yeah, GITS is good stuff, but like most anime adapted from a rather adult and complex manga series like Ghost is, they try to play down some of the more objectionable stuff, such as the Major's nebulous sexuality wink So catching that just in the series is harder hehe, though to their credit they imply a lot.

By the by, I forgot to mention, if you pick up the Dark Horse printing of GITS, while a great translation and even better quality printing (Oh how i love Mr. Masamune's art!) it is censored. They cut 8 pages out of it. Care to guess at the content of those 8 pages? It's definitely material for the 18+ crowd... involving cyborg lesbian lovin'. rofl  

[Wholefood Specialist]

Sephirob

Hehe yeah, GITS is good stuff, but like most anime adapted from a rather adult and complex manga series like Ghost is, they try to play down some of the more objectionable stuff, such as the Major's nebulous sexuality wink So catching that just in the series is harder hehe, though to their credit they imply a lot.

By the by, I forgot to mention, if you pick up the Dark Horse printing of GITS, while a great translation and even better quality printing (Oh how i love Mr. Masamune's art!) it is censored. They cut 8 pages out of it. Care to guess at the content of those 8 pages? It's definitely material for the 18+ crowd... involving cyborg lesbian lovin'. rofl

WOW! I didn't even think they made that form of hentai HAHAH. MAN, that is definitely something that is like... WOW about that.  

[Sephirob]

Yes Mr. Masamune tends to be decidedly "alternative hentai" in most of his works. The GITS stuff is still really tame compared to his real hentai works. Gal-hound comes to mind...

Ya know it's pretty interesting just how many mangaka lead secret lives as Dojinshika or full fledged hentai artists as well. o,0 Shirou is just one of the most prolific, in that he has more hentai works than regular ones now.  

[Maesenko]

Well, on the topic of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, I have seen every episode of both the first and Second Gig at least twice. And because I am a thinker/critic/analyst, I take the time to think through many of the themes and tones in a series.

Basically, I know almost everything about the anime, so if there is any other information anyone wishes to know, feel free to ask. This style of show (advanced thought) is my favorite of anime.

~Mae  

[despisd]

Must. . . resist. . .urge. . .to GAH I CAN'T TAKE IT! (rapid key hits on computer can be heard) I've always thought that Batou reminds me of a spider, and he has those eyes, does he have a robot body too, or is he the victim of a cyborg fantasy?

BTW... I love the fact she can become invisible or at least "cloaked" (the Major) when she is neked... >.>
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