A Ghost of its Own - A Ghost in the Shell Series Retrospective

[@1_2_die2]

The soundtrack of GitS - especially the first movie - is one of the most powerful in cinema history, imho.

[@liamwilson7549]

I agree, that scene where she is sitting with her hair blowing in the wind and the red city lights flashing slowly... true nostalgia

[@PaulOuzounov]

Bulgarian folk music is pretty stellar! Highly recommended for immediate spiritual existentialism hahaha.

[@lootjunior]

I actually just started this vid because i wanted to hear the music again, as i was sure he would feature it. Stayed for the whole vid tho, great watch.

[@John-X]

This is the intro from GitS Stand Alone Comlex: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5eupYaKZ92Xqtk Yoko Kanno did the soundtrack for both seasons and the ending movie. Hopefully she will come back for SAC_2045 next year.

[@liamwilson7549]

John Doe I cannot wait for that anime. I’ve been looking for any news on it weekly lol.

[@KennethSee]

GITS SAC was the first anime that actually made me realize this medium could be more than just entertainment. It could inspire, challenge, and discuss deeply held beliefs. Man, I gotta rewatch it now!

[@BeyondGhibli]

+Kenneth See never too soon to rewatch SAC. I loved rewatching it for this video :D

[@ruhurtin4squrtin34]

lame that you guys watched it twice only. i rewatched it but the story is close to retard level of lame/stupid. only pig's art works makes it watchable. read shirow's manga if you really want to understand gits.

[@Cernumospete]

Tachikoma FTW!!!

[@KurtMidas1510]

Dude it's like you discovered movies

[@DaudWardhana-jq7zv]

Innocents always been halal

[@OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOq]

2:24 I saw a video of a doctor, where he said, that the person we see in the mirror, is not the same we saw last year. He explained that our body is constantly dying and rebuilding itself. That all cells in our body are eventually replaced by new ones. That although we might look the same from our old self, we are essentially looking at a new reconstructed person.

[@Frille512]

It is still the same person, just changed. Your body is merely a vessel for your brain, which is itself only a medium for your consciousness to inhabit. As long as your consciousness is there, it's still you.

[@homerco213]

The Laughing Man in SAC scared the hell out of me as an adult. It gives me the shivers. Brilliant series.

[@MyEmoDiaries]

This movie was, is, and will forever be ahead of its time. Classic.

[@Kebabrulle4869]

0:43 "[...]Shirows was so far ahead of his time that we're only now asking the questions he provided the answers to, nearly thirty years ago" goes SO HARD, I completely LOVE this channel

[@legendworkout4782]

'95 Ghost in the Shell remains the pinnacle of what anime could be as a masterpiece of artistic expression and hasn't been topped since in my opinion, in fact it has regressed

[@Dead_Hitori]

regressed to boobs being the main plot of the story and nothing else

[@SheenHunter-SeattleFreeze]

Anime definitely has regressed

[@azure7687]

I didn't really like Arise or the newest one.

[@Speed001]

@@Dead_Hitori There has been a lot of good shows. But I do miss the older 2000's shows.

[@anasevi9456]

my only problem with the 1995 GiTS; is while the English dub is mediocre in places, the sound mixing for action is far better than the original Japanese audio.

[@stevphiericardo2790]

Look at those details background.. 90's anime just awesome

[@muhammadsyarifhidayatullah2931]

Late 80s as well

[@tyjax5119]

Hell even early 00’s anime like ‘Noir’ and ‘Madlax’ even retain that traditional and nostalgic feel of the golden age of anime. You can’t beat the color schemes of this style. So enchanting.

[@thomasffrench3639]

@@tyjax5119 early 2000s is the most ugly era of anime.

[@gurkirpalsingh4296]

Every time I see the camouflage scene from the 1995 movie it gives me goosebumps dude it's so good.

[@evernewb2073]

Aramaki is probably the best executed Badass Old Man I have ever seen in a work of fiction. Not my favorite mind you; there are plenty of excellent executions of more traditional Old Man archetypes near and dear to my heart from everybody's favorite uncle/grandpa Iroh to mischievous tricksters grown older, wiser, and all the more audacious in their golden years until they reach the vaunted state of Magnificent Bastard, hell, even the occasional Venerable Master has turned out to be genuinely enjoyable. what sets Aramaki apart is that he is a Badass Old Man in a very real-world way, he is a highly intelligent and competent administrator who has generated connections through the course of his life becoming a political figure capable of quietly moving mountains on short notice to let the team actually do their jobs while still being part of society.

[@Mr2Reviews]

Agreed. Aramaki reminds me of Commissioner Gordon except more savvy. And don't forget Master Roshi from Dragonball Z.

[@s0nnyburnett]

Don't forget how ice cold that dude can be at times. He didn't even blink when proto told him the tachikomas scarified themselves to stop nuclear disaster. Nothing phases him, maybe with the exception of that one thing with the trap using his missing brother but that didn't seem to bother him too much either.

[@Ganters]

8:34 "Every version […] can work as an engaging STAND ALONE piece, or feed into a more COMPLEX, satisfying whole." I think you secretly allude to your preferred place to start though... Nice one!

[@BeyondGhibli]

Glad someone noticed that :)

[@RadzHexz]

@@BeyondGhibli hey anyone no the instrumental at 3:50

[@truthoftheuniverse4179]

can humans become gods with technology,,it science the key to humans becoming gods

[@Baalur]

@@truthoftheuniverse4179 Depends on your definition of "god". Almost anything the ancients believed gods could do is possible to achieve through technology I believe.

[@popcultureotaku3761]

@@RadzHexz It's on the Arise Soundtrack. It was the ending for the first episode.

[@stevenlouton6381]

Stand Alone Complex is fantastic and really worth the time to watch. Awesomely done and one hell of a ride. It has to be my favorite story line. Thought I’d pretend to be one of those deaf mutes. What’s so cool about it is, since episodic, there not just one main theme like a movie so there are many threads that take off and nicely weave together by the end. Vary much worth a watch. If ya do decide to watch it, so yourself a favor and bing it. Or at least several eps at a time so your not constantly trying to remember who that guy is or why they are doing whatever now because it does jump all over. It’s does, but there is continuity to it, just a lot to remember after a bit though.

[@chupasaurus]

As a fellow GitS nerd I can say that everything in this video is 100% correct and definitely done with passion, big kudos!

[@Maniac3020]

When I was in my early teens, I discovered SAC on TV, and was instantly hooked, as it gave my brain, which loves figuring things out, a very unique world with concepts completely foreign to me. I proceeded to buy the dvd set, and watched the entire 2 seasons 3 times, each time learning more about the world, story, and characters. No show has ever had me learning new things about it, with my brain running full speed in the background processing all the information, the way Stand Alone Complex did.

[@SlyHikari03]

The intro to the 1995 film is so good. One reason why I love ethnic percussion in anime music, It just hits differently.

[@101......]

Truly an ingenious title for a series. Metaphorical, Symbolic, strikes in that Philosophical bone of yours. Those long asked questions throughout the human history, mysteries around Body/Soul, Self and Reality, Ontology and Metaphysics and so on. GITS is a pioneering and signature work in the World of Animation and Cinema. It makes you wonder, makes you think, imagine.... which is a mark of a Masterpiece. Thanks for doing this, Sir. Good wishes.

[@ianthorpe1925]

The episode(s) that show how the Major individually recruits her entire "top flight" team are some of my favorite. You get some looks into everyone's background and it just fleshed out the entire story/characters/ world THAT much better. GitS is in my top 5 - 10 for sure.

[@stephennootens916]

Stand Alone is also one of my favorite version, you get a full feel for the Major and her team and because of that the heavy personal moments are more powerful and give a melancholy feel that it's you. It also took me a couple of reads to get most of the original manga and it was one of the first I bought.

[@jimmyzbike]

Just coming back to rewatch this. One of the best GITS deep dive videos out there. My favorite series in all time. It’s the SAC 2nd Gig that is most timeless. It could happen today yesterday or tomorrow. I’m rewatching that now for the many many time.

[@bhintatta6009]

I don't know but your video's look so nicely made Like a perfectly brought together short film

[@elflaconeri]

Your videos are such quality. I love the respect that you have for the material you cover, and even more so, for your viewer. Keep up the great work, your voice is needed. Can't wait to see you get around to Yuasa.

[@truthoftheuniverse4179]

can the next in the ghost shell story be about love story mayor love story

[@thegrimyeaper]

Never admire a person who hasn't invested in a pop filter.

[@bryanschmidt7336]

You hit the nail on the head. Every iteration of GITS provokes new trains of thought. I identify with the Major because I am always contemplating the essence of my being. And I identify with the other characters (mostly) because they reflect different aspects of my reality. Ishikawa staring at a bottle of Chivas is me

[@a7laktkota]

*Joe* I could not agree more about starting with the series' 2 years. SAC is brilliant with arcs, but year 2 is an absolute must, since it is the only source material I'm aware of that shows the deep humanities and reasons *how/when* the Major wound up becoming what she became -- as well as the background of a few other members as well. *Thank you, Joe.* It felt like short minutes passed, job well done, bravo! Also, I think everyone should be introduced to the world of Yoko Kanno music, but as w/Cowboy Bebop, she scores several animes. Thanks again! Great summation.

[@tazzamund]

Brilliant! This is my favourite KZbin video I’ve seen in 2020. Great visuals, thoughtful, excellent music, pacing, beautiful little touches. I love the 5 panels of the series next to each other. Thanks for making this.

[@stephenconnell]

Don't know if Beyond Ghibli is still monitoring this comment section but ts worth mentioning That British Cybernetics expert the Late Dr Kit Pedlar in the sixties put forward the idea if you replace human parts with artificial ones do you remain human.? This thought was expressed in partnership with writer Gerry Davis in the creation of Dr Who's Cybermen who were once a biological race but decided to change there living parts for artificial ones and then began a crusade to alter all living creatures to their perfect Cybernetic way of life. The point is he was putting forward the idea do we become less human if we replace ourselves with artificial prosthesis two decades before Ghost In the Shell This is not a criticism but a mention that someone else was thinking along the same lines as the creator of Ghost in The Shell. just a little earlier.

[@Shatteredworld]

It's the Ship of Thesus thought experiment. Not to discount your own two cents, but its been around significantly longer than the 60s, at least since Plato.

[@Metatr0n]

@@Shatteredworld And the solution is already there. Every human body swaps or renews it's own cells constantly, not only our skin, hair and nails but also muscle and bone. The regeneration- or renewal-span ranges from 3-4 weeks for skin up to 10 years for bones. So every human being that is older than 10 already stopped being what he was 10 years ago, since most of the cells in his body were already renewed or replaced. But for us a human being always is the human being it was it's entire life, so ideologically we subconsciously already solved Theseus's Paradox.

[@Appletank8]

Metatr0n On the other hand, neurons are rarely, if ever, replaced. And replacing the brain is the big question.

[@Metatr0n]

@@Appletank8 Have you ever seen your own brain?

[@uchihagaeshi1169]

@@Metatr0n lmaoo

[@FirefoxisredExplorerisblueGoog]

Well, I just watched the 1995 film and... it's surprisingly chill paced. I expected it to be a lot more action packed and aggressive in an almost uncanny valley way of portraying the future, but it wasn't. Having said that, it threw philosophical concepts and scenarios at me that made my brain go at speeds that warrant a speeding ticket. Bloody hell... I'm just gonna start watching the stand-alone complex and see where it takes me from there. But the 1995 film definitely requires a re-watch.

[@madscientistshusta]

Easily the single greatest anime ever made. Watching the movie as a kid sparked my love for philosophy,it drove me to pick up books like "being and nothingmess" by jean Paul sartre

[@jasminejacob1870]

My older brother showed me the movie when I was between 8 and 12. As a kid I wasn't able to fully grasp the concepts in the movie. I was taken in by the visuals and how badass Kusanagi was. I almost religiously watched SAC on Adult Swim because of that. The series presented the concepts in a more digestible manner. I didn't pick up philosophy like you did, but GiTS certainly sparked an appreciation of and a curiosity for philosophy within me.

[@BenMcghie]

Good lord. You opened with what I feel is the most moving piece of music on that soundtrack. Instant chills. The original film was fantastic for adult viewers. But the SAC series were also great entertainment. So glad GITS exists.

[@wcarcass]

As haunting and beautiful the original GITS score is, Yoko Kano’s SAC score is awesome!

[@PyrrhosDauvet]

Yoko Kano is the best. Each of her scores is magical.

[@steffenjachnow8176]

And I may add, she is one of the (if not THE) the most versatile composers these days. I own nearly all of the soundtracks she composed so far for anime shows, movies, games and so on (there are dozens). This woman is absolutely brilliant!

[@matthewspringer1369]

I agree! Also really impressive imo especailly with how powerful the original scores are. I think Cyberbird is probably my favorite track from the SAC series.

[@wcarcass]

Steffen Jachnow can’t agree more, she is one the best composers. Usually people talks about Williams, Zimmer, Giacchino, Desplat.... completely overlooking the rest of the world, Yoko Kanno is definitely among the giants of scoring.

[@abvmoose87]

I love how you laid it out with the recommended watch order with the covers tucked together and grouped into 4 neat sections, well done sir. This is just what I was looking for.

[@leila8562]

Absolutely inspiring.... Thank you so much. Hello from France, stay safe!

[@circuitjc]

Well done! This is the first time I've seen someone understand what GITS is on the whole. Each re-imagining is something new yet still the same which is the core component of the whole manga. I can never get enough of Section 9 and the Major.

[@ryogamestation]

I love Ghost in the shell stand alone complex and sec gig. Ah so many memories watching this on Saturday nights and the laughing man was one of my favorite parts in the series.

[@BrokenCurtain]

I was blown away by the complex storyline and the concepts that series dealt with. It felt so much more mature and thought-out than 90% of live-action SciFi on TV at the time.

[@chupasaurus]

@@BrokenCurtain I had an on-and-off conversation with another fan of the franchise over the Internet for 7 months about questions, ideas and paradoxes there. When we felt we couldn't continue due to issues on both sides we've calculated statistics: we'd spent about 200 hours on it without counting the background checks with the sources, covered around 60% of the topics and made our conclusions on 10% of them, with an estimate that we need at least 10x more time to cover pretty much everything, and that was before Arise came out.

[@robinh8733]

I've watched this, now and then over the years. And to this day, the statement holds true. That it's been ahead of it's time, that it's more relevant than ever. Even your take and narration gives the franchise the honor and praise it deserves. I really liked the live action as well (with a pinch of salt). I wholly agree on the order of how to watch, and the fact you could switch it around or skip things. Much respect from me and I'll enjoy rewatching the retrospective again at some point. Fantastic writing on your part by the way.

[@Bl00dwerK]

I've seen them in release order, and the original movie is still my favorite. I actually like the dub, too. It's very of-the-times.

[@SwtorSateleShanFan]

I grew up with and i'm still a very big fanatic of The Ghost in the Shell Franchise. It's one of a few mayor reasons why i wanted to do something with public-, national-, or internal security and why i'm currently training to enter a police academy in my home country. It actually changed my views on public life. It made me understand that heroes don't have to wear Camouflage and spend months, or even years thousands of miles away fighting an enemy. Sometimes, a badge and a gun are all you need. Fantastic video! Thank you!

[@kingloucifur8086]

11:03 never noticed, but what a way to take inspiration back from The Matrix after it borrowed from GitS in turn.

[@fishfingers4548]

I cannot rate Ghost in the Shell innocence enough (once you've got your head around the concepts of the GITS universe.) Surprised you focused entirely on the major though, the relationship between the mostly "human", Togusa, and the largely cybanised, Batu, is portrayed in an interesting fashion throughout the anime releases.

[@ruffmenace95gaming]

Batou and Togusa play off each other very well in each iteration

[@louisduarte8763]

I think by having Togusa in the team, he "humanizes" the rest of these oddballs and misfits who would otherwise be on the fringes of a heavily cyberized society. And I consider Motoko and Batou the honorary Cool Aunt and Fun Uncle to Togusa's kids.

[@PeteNalty63]

This video was thoroughly informative and entertaining!

[@ditzydoo4378]

Thank you for producing this retrospective on one of my absolute favorite manga/anime/live stories ever!!! I simply love the content for what it is, an introspection on the human consition and always asking the question "what am I??, what makes me, me??' the dialogue alone is far more compelling and interesting than 99 present of what is out there. That and the fact that Ghost in the Shell is truly timeless in this respect.

[@TheKeithvidz]

Was routinely watching that 1995 film ever since I first saw on VHS.

[@g1uttonou575]

This is going in my "best videos" playlist lol

[@TheGeekyAmreeki]

Good stuff man. Came up in my suggested. Huge fan of the franchise. Subscribed.

[@samanthaabel1079]

stand alone complex is where i was introduced and it fed my hunger for this genre as ... its amazing the thought processes of the creators and the creator are just laid bare

[@nikthetrik]

Thanks for the great overview and the obvious work you poured into it!

[@Djaybird]

This was so comprehensive and passionate about Ghost in the Shell, im gonna go watch those animes rn!

[@evnnns]

Lithium Flower is such a fucking phenomenal track for the show :')

[@sigaroo1296]

Man, This is a life changer for me. Ghost in the Shell(1995) is probably my all time favorite anime. And figuring out that there are other films and even a series, other than the 2017 live action adaption, has put me in to shock.

[@stephentaylor6726]

I cut my anime fan teeth on the '95 movie and when SAC came out, for me, it was a perfect adaptation of the Manga I had been reading since. Fantastic video and you've convinced me to check out the new film as well. Thank you and keep doing Grods work.

[@tristanavila1428]

this was the only video that got me to watch stand alone complex and arise, very different from other videos. thanks!

[@emmahoneybun6102]

Completely agree that SAC is the best and easiest to access version

[@firsttimer2254]

I've been looking for an excuse to revisit the world of GITS and that may be the ticket. Having never watched SAC I'm appreciating this seconded opinion.

[@freshjnew]

Haven't heard what you have to say yet, but that was the most well crafted intro I've seen in ages. Thank you for that.

[@freshjnew]

Heard what you had to say. Very well said. It really fucks me up that this series is so grounded. Makes me think about the future more than I should, and the way that I actually go about bringing on change in my life and to myself. If I change all of my behaviors to meet a goal, am I still me when I get there? Or am I someone else achieving it? Idk. Probably never will. Also, your editing is top notch. I could watch this without sound and find myself utterly ensnared in it. You have done something special and captivated me for 20 minutes. Thank you.

[@recklessroges]

My first BG video. "lets see what its like" also me "this person UNDERSTANDS GitS and is correct about everything!"

[@Metatr0n]

"[...]and is correct about everything!" Except the part about Ghost in the Shell 2017 being an OK movie...

[@Jakob.Hamburg]

Nice video, thank you. After about 23 years I watched GITS (The original anime from 1995) again, some days ago and at the moment this movie is the deepest work of human culture to me. Especially the theme song with its lyrics, chant and melody has burnt into my deepest brain areas and is very intense to me. Also the philosophical and existential questions it raises keep me bothered. I whish all of you a nice life and also a nice existence. : )

[@casbyness]

"...that are used for backup, transport, and...somehow...stealth ops..." XD

[@bryanschmidt7336]

Your analysis is so good. I never tire of watching any iteration of this series. However I think that SAC and the 1995 movie have equal artistic weight

[@BrisketChef]

Excellent work! Thank you for posting.

[@tc9634]

Thank you for not automatically dismissing the American live action version - I liked it.

[@contact3604]

Stand alone is amazing, l admit and yes l agree for a newbie to Ghost! It's a great place to start. But as for me my first experience with Ghost was to watch the 95 movie which captured my imagination, and my desire to want a movie that gave you more! And differently took you out of your comfort zone. But hay! Thats why we watch anime and read manga right. Not really a fan of the live action movie! But l appreciate the work, and the effort they but into it. Love your channel by the way! Keep up the good work. Many thanks Moira From England.

[@angelicambyence]

Agreed. Its the movie that really hooks you into wanting to know more about the Major and everything else. I don't think I would have watched Stand Alone Complex, if I hadn't already watched the first Ghost In The Shell and its sequel.

[@Vertexnine]

What an absolutely exceptional presentation you've put together here, friend. Well done and thanks- it really is a great retrospective that documents GITS in a proper way and you taught me a lot I didn't know about. I watched the first film with my best friend as a rental from blockbuster when we were 11 or so, and I've been hooked on the series since then. Essentially, you put into words what I never could as far as why it hooked me like it did. Aghh... SO EPIC. Anyway, cheers and, honestly, I truly do hope there are ghosts in our shells.

[@Liyaakers]

You are honestly amazing, this is one of my favs from you. I love all the music choices you made

[@BeyondGhibli]

Thank you :) Choosing the right music from any given work is one of the things that takes the most time when making these - especially when Ghost in the Shell has SO MANY (AMAZING) SOUNDTRACKS!! - so I'm so glad you got a kick out of it :D

[@antemasq6520]

@@BeyondGhibli Hi im 2 years late to the party, just wondering what's the tune at 3:50?

[@greyskies2715]

Absolutely agree that the S.A.C. series is the best to start with, and also my favorite Major. And the only criticism I have for your videos are that I wish they were longer. Excellent work.

[@ericcota4732]

Holy crap, this might be your best video yet! The intro with Nightstalker leading up to your Beyond Ghibli logo and that sitcom scene had me hooked! I love your thorough approach to discussing Ghost in the Shell; I’ve never seen a video that talks about the manga, 1995 movie, SAC, Arise, AND the 2017 movie. I didn’t think I could appreciate Ghost in the Shell even more, and you’ve motivated me to check out SAC. And as always, I love the self-deprecation at the end. Can’t wait for your next video!

[@arianotes6238]

Eric Cota digibro's series overview of GITS also talks about all of the iterations of the franchise. But it's more focus on the series structure and creative minds behind the franchise. You can check that out if you want.

[@BeyondGhibli]

Thank you so much Eric, glad you liked this one :) let me know how you get on with SAC!!

[@SheenHunter-SeattleFreeze]

@beyondghibli Thank you so much for doing a video on Ghost in the Shell. I'm a old die hard fan and I have more merch than anyone I've met. And something that I've come to realize is when people stop generating content or buzz around Ghost in the Shell, there's a day I'll be sad. And the reason is found in your video. It's an amazing intriguing beautiful universe and I hope that we move closer to that reality.

[@EmpathP]

excellent delve into the world of Ghost in the Shell Joe. I'm glad that you recommended SAC first, because when you said "The one I would recommend you'd start with first" I was thinking to myself "Say SAC, say SAC, tell them to start with SAC", haha.

[@robelicit]

EmpathP ..I agree 🎥📐📏🎬Thanx. to VideoJoe,, for gr8 insights and uploads,, heck I just saw this channel for the first time tonight and instantly subscribed,,, and by the way yes if someone's wondering where to start w/ Ghost in the Shell they need to start with SAC \stand alone complex,,, because in a way it makes me think of Cowboy Bebop... such that you get weekly visual animated worlds that in some ways surpass other animated series, in technical an artistic modes, & at the same time it gives you the fun of all the little moments and quirks that they don't have time for in a movie where everything has to wrap up in an hour and a half. 🎥📡🔧🔭🎧🎨

[@ziggystardusk6629]

I read this on a blog and I'm so glad I did. That's where I started and it made watching the movie a better experience.

[@robelicit]

Hello CutiePie As an anime & music fan who grew up in the 70s, I've got to ask about ur avatar : ? : it's very Bowie-esque 🎯📡🎼🚀🍺🍸

[@ruhurtin4squrtin34]

no you start w shirow's manga. it's a tough read but way better than crap sac series.

[@WillWilsonthesafetyguy]

@@ruhurtin4squrtin34 I'd love to hear you try to quantify that assertion. SAC is by all measures a good series. It is possible to not like something without it having to be terrible and feeling the need to tear it down. I find the manga far too puerile and unnecessarily raunchy but that doesn't make it bad by any means.

[@peterxyz3541]

OK, if this video hint at what the rest of your channel is like, I’M IN!!! I love these deeper dive into understanding the world. Also, there is something about your voice that has some similarity to Clive Owen.

[@shinbakihanma2749]

Brilliant short doc. GitS is a legendary metaseries, and one of my all time faves in any medium.

[@gabrieltorres2882]

Three videos in and, being a subscriber from the first video, completely enjoying your channel. Thanks for the acknowledgement of the Tachikoma video game. I did so love that iteration...

[@section9809]

I am Batou looking for my Major! Alas, my search continues.

[@ex0duzz]

Section 9 I'm the major looking for a battlefield..

[@Uinta_wildlife]

You really be spittin’ fact after fact in these videos I can’t stop watching your content

[@Ikirys]

Any chance we could get a list of the songs used in this video?

[@buckroger6456]

This was just great. I 100% agree with your choice of watching ghost in the shell for the new watchers. The original movie was just mind blowing for its time and the animation is still amazing. I always liked the old style hand drawn animation myself. I plan on one day getting the manga.

[@danguillou713]

Good introduction. Now I have to get hold of Arise! One disagreement though: do NOT watch the dubbed version of StandAloneComplex. The original voice acting is on a whole other level. I love the way the japanese Motokos low affect makes her feel not only detached, but slightly depressed, even in the middle of mindblowing action sequences. While her 2ic Batou comes across as a lighthearted scoundrel. Which makes it striking and interesting when they break character. But the american dubs... sounds as if the directors only directions was along ”No, more badass! C’mon you re a totalbadass! Take charge, be tough! You’re still not getting it: this line needs MORE BADASS!” If found it unlistenable.

[@OpusBuddly]

I turned on the subtitles with my second viewing and enjoyed it a lot more.

[@steffenjachnow8176]

Definitely! The Japanese voice actors in this show are absolutely top-notch!

[@Mabidemonstrations]

The dub for SAC is all I ever watch or recommend as its top class stuff, I would say it matches or even surpasses the sub. To discredit the dub of that show is unfair. If someone tried to tell me the dub for SAC wasnt as good as the sub I would consider them a weeb and lack taste.

[@Arikuit]

GitS is my absolute all time favourite Medium of ALL TIME. Beating LOTR, and everything absolutely EVERYTHING ELSE!

[@MaksymCzech]

I've had somewhat similar experience with first viewing of GitS. I was in my teen years, I've watched it because I kept hearing that The Matrix had borrowed many concepts from here. After the viewing, I thought to myself, what a pile of shit. That was like 15 years ago. I've grown significantly in all aspects of my personality since then (my penis too, of course, increased in size). And I was finally able to appreciate the beauty and depth of the 1995 movie. Now it is one of my favorite pieces of anime media, along with Wolf Children, Papurika and some of Miazaki's work.

[@DCG909]

I need to rewatch SAC again after all those years.... Also, good use of the avatar :p

[@chiekokurokumo]

Theseus Dilemma: If all the parts of GitS are replaced, is it still GitS? Bahaha. I think the weakest part of GitS 2017 is that the question of human identity is reduced (?) to a more individualistic, perhaps postmodernist quest. The question why we have an identity at all is side-stepped by a shift of focus onto the self-creation of the individual in the face of corporate exploitation.

[@ruhurtin4squrtin34]

not really. it was a replay of hollywood"s message of YOU are special ala neo scriptwriting pandered to us moviegoers since the 80s.

[@zan7838]

ya look pretty.

[@Metatr0n]

@@ruhurtin4squrtin34 A blatant appeal to individualism, nothing more.

[@davidwuhrer6704]

The Hollywood movie is not GitS. It is really a RoboCop remake with aesthetics borrowed from a better anime. Not that RoboCop is a bad movie. And it needed a more modern remake.

[@MelonMafia1]

@@davidwuhrer6704 I personally don't like RoboCop, it's way too cheesy for me, even with all it's serious moments.

[@AmbientWalking]

Beautiful. Thank you for this.

[@KillerTacos54]

Another fantastically made video!

[@Howardhandupme]

I love ghost, the wedding song is so iconic. I had a uncle who sent me this movie from over seas in 95. He was a nut for it and it made me one too.

[@IssacSir]

Great video = ) just a small thing: You are missing out on the overal complex situation of section 9 being more or less a grey area instrument of an controlling distopian government and by her actions the major herself is not a clearcut "good guy"in this, we as the viewers see these conflicts from the viewpoint of a government agent and should thus be pretty critical of the "true" narration presented. But i understand that the scope of this video and its focus is on the identity and its massive implications throughout the series.

[@mazina-x]

Excellent comprehensive analysis of the Ghost of the Shell franchise.

[@jmh1189]

Finally! Someone who agrees the live action movie was pretty damn ok.

[@TheFirstVonGunther]

Yeah. I was a fan of the OG movie and SAC and it did a pretty decent job of hitting the best moments of both. I did not walk out of the theater feeling I had been robbed.

[@z-mackdos6echo311]

I’ve watch almost every iteration of this franchise and own all of the video product this franchise has to offer including the two of it related stories of the Laughing man and The Individual Eleven. I’ve yet to watch them. I started with the original theatrical feature length movie in 95. You mentioned the sound effects as being something you really enjoyed and appreciated. The thing I truly enjoyed are the OST and the tracks sung by the late Oringa. Those are classic and when played evokes the whole series creating a desire to rewatch any of the full length movies and or the episodic series. It’s integral to creating and establishing the mood in which this time period takes place.

[@shinpachithestraight8781]

was put off for the very few seconds when the video started. your voice sounded different but I choose to stick to the end in hope to better understand where to go through GITS. Definitely made the right choice. and your voice sounds better as I go. Instant subs! Nice video and directing. Kudos!!

[@BeyondGhibli]

Thank you for the sub! I still new to this narration thing so hope it wasn't too awkward, glad you stuck with it and enjoyed the video!

[@shinpachithestraight8781]

videojoe No worries! Its a good video too. :)

[@Executioner9000]

Nice video basically nails Ghost in the Shell. I like the defense of the American film, and I agree with your statements. The casting of Johansen (whether intentional or not) really does feed into a lot of the themes of GitS

[@MrHellchild]

You forgot the movie innocent this kinda follow the first one in that the major ghost lives in cyberspace. Has all the other members of section nine involved. it was title ghost in the Shell 2 innocent and in Japan mobile armored Riot police innocent. Release in 2006.

[@ruhurtin4squrtin34]

it's called solid state society in us.

[@Metatr0n]

@@ruhurtin4squrtin34 Solid State Society is the 3rd installment. In the US the movie was just called "Innocence". The name "Armored Riot Police" is also never used in english, it's merely the translation of the original name "Koukaku Kidoutai".

[@johnnygnoneeded]

Sorry, the GitS 2 movie "Innocence" and "Solid State Society" are two completely different movies! Don't confuse the two, they bother have different plots, music and directors! I know because I got them both on me anime shelves? /;p

[@africlubguy6035]

Beautiful. The thought put into this, delicate execution, and brilliant choice of visual clips make this something every GITS lover would cherish. It's an Ode to the franchise to compete with any ode to art I've ever seen and read. Congratulations!

[@BeyondGhibli]

Thank you so much!

[@EddieLA78]

I just discovered your channel great work I'm curious to know your thoughts on other Anime properties such as Vampire Hunter D and Afro Samurai - thanks again for all your great content

[@demha03]

This was an absolutely awesome video dude, I just picked up digital copies of stand alone complex and I’m really excited to watch them

[@nomadscheap-n-nerdy9901]

Scar joe definitely looks like the major if she was real. She especially resembles the anime stand alone complex version. If she had been Japanese she wouldn’t have looked right. Her character was drawn that way and scar joe looks that way sooo.

[@RuleOf18Clans]

The ax scene at the beginning is from a movie called John Dies at the End. It's kind of like the stoner version of Donnie Darko. It's not the kind of film that winds up on people's best movies ever list, but I do recommend it.

[@nonkey3163]

Glad I subbed

[@BeyondGhibli]

+I'm a dragon me too!!

[@RokuNyx]

Amazing video, always loved the GitS soundtrack whenever it's on I get goosebumps and recall my younger years of first stumbling across this franchise in the early 2000's as a child. I do love the wordplay at some points in this video - specifically "is there a Ghost in the Machine" which is ofc referencing a bit of inspiration and namesake of GitS being the book The Ghost in the Machine by Arthur Koestler. With the GitS live action, a lot of people seem to miss the point of the Hollywood movie - it was never intended for us hardcore fans, it was always intended to sell to a larger audience that know nothing about GitS. Having Scarlett Johansson playing the Major was a good call because she would fill a lot of seats, also I personally think her casting as the Major actually made a lot of sense, trying to say that the Major is Asian is a slippery slope as she is a cyborg with no definite race - not to mention one of the talking points of GitS has been the sense of self one has, and pulling down the barriers set up by people those being race and gender.

[@s4mur41RPG]

I would love to see you break down Welcome to the NHK

[@sardoggy]

my first time watching one of your uploads. I got say, well produced content. congrats. I enjoyed every part of it. Thanks so much for the easiest breakdown I have ever seen of this franchise. I would recommend this video to anyone asking about a general overview of Ghost in a Shell. Thanks for all you work. Keep it up.

[@afailable]

I would have preferred a no name actress to play the major over Scarlett, but I still enjoyed the movie nonetheless.

[@theoconstantinou2839]

Thanks for clearing a lot of the questions I had as I’ve seen most of the anime but found the chronology confusing. This helped

[@adamdavidson9810]

yoooo what's the song that comes in at 3:50? It's so cool I need to know!!

[@Yaddlezap]

Ghost in the Shell Arise OST Song 2

[@Power_Cosmic27]

@@Yaddlezap Can you tell me what the song is that comes on at 10:48?

[@louisduarte8763]

1:50 I remember the 12th Doctor on Doctor Who using this analogy in his first episode.