Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is an Anime series spanning 26 episodes. The story takes place in a futuristic Japan (2030, as it was thought to look by writers in 2002) where the majority of people have been "cyberized"--had their essence and knowledge placed in computers in their heads, which they can use to communicate with others by thinking it. Cars don't fly, but with new prosthetic limbs and bodies, people can jump pretty darn high. This world is by no means safer, and the plot focuses on a group of special agents called Section 9, who work independent of the government on special cases.
The leader of the group is a woman named Motoko Kusangi, or more often, "Major". Sheusually wears a pink outfit resembling a one-piece bathing suit for most of the show, covered often by an open jacket and pants, or form-fitting clothes for sneaking. It's a little odd at times: she walks around in startlingly revealing garb for much of the show, and her coworkers make note of it a total of once. The show explains that despite having a fully prosthetic body, she chooses the female form for its ability to influence males--if I need any proof that that is exactly what she does, I'd look up "Motoko fanfiction" on Google, but I'm fine. Though it makes sense, her clothes often don't make sense, like a combat vest that only covers her chest and leaves her hips exposed; at any rate, her male coworkers all dress in shirts and suits 99% of the time. It's clear that her character design is an appeal to fans more than a genuine consideration of what life in the future is like. I'm sure there are some people who read that last sentence and yelled "IT'S ANIME!" at their computer screens, but it's worth mentioning that this show objectifies its main character, as it is so forward-thinking in other ways.
Daisuke Aramaki, or "The Chief", is the man pulling strings. He plans out many of the operations the group endeavours, and makes it possible for section 9 to have the best technology and with as much freedom as possible. He is portrayed as entering old age, businesslike, and regularly shown wearing a suit. Other important members of Section 9 include Batou and Togusa, who is notable for having very few cyber modifications and the only one shown with a family.
The future shown here emphasizes technology, and is also notable for being one of the most cynical futures I've ever seen in a TV series, short of presenting a near apocalypse. What I mean to say is that this show is not quite bleak, but it's negative. It's a vibe given off by the environment, which shows urban sprawl, poverty, the abuse of power, and the abuse of technology as much as it shows of technology's benefits. Even environmental groups get a bad rap: one episode shows an environmental terrorist group, fully-armed with hundreds of members, if not more. I suppose that there would be non-violent environmental groups in this world as well, but if this actually were the world of tomorrow, Thoreau would be turning in his grave.
More than anything, I think the show has a message against rapid technological change: there are references to two world wars that haven't happened (yet) in this future, and they appear to be where a lot of the new technology was tested. The show deals with a lot of "cyber-brains", hacking, and terrorist groups with advanced weaponry. As well, every city seems to have a large, vibrant slum, full of street vendors and/or homeless. It all seems to stem from a world adapting painfully to new technology and its uneven distribution.
It's an incredibly complicated show, and it never helps the audience explain what's going on. The show deals with advanced politics, new technology, philosophy (usually basic, but with some well-placed references to classic philosophers), teamwork and family, among others. It does this all as if the audience isn't there, as if the only people listening were the well-trained members of an armed intelligence department in the future, and not people from our world circa 2003. Watching this show on a computer or DVR is recommended, as the ability to pause and think about what's being said is much appreciated.
Overall, it's an intelligent show with a realistic depiction of a future where technology and big government come to roost. It comes recommended for cyberpunk fans who enjoy watching big issues handled...especially with guns.
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