Randall Rambles | Revisiting Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

[@axing_]

About the chat room episode, remember that this is 2002, chat rooms were all the rage in those days and it's no surprise they wanted to imagine what it would look like in the future. Also while it is slightly boring, it's also world building, seeing things from the perspective of random Laughing Man fanatics somewhere deep in The Net, seeing how talking to people online looks more like VRChat than just a text box, etc.

[@RandalltheVandal]

Ok, but we already knew TLM had fanatics before that point. We didn't need an entire episode from their perspective if all they were going to do was spout information we already knew. Also, the depiction is not even accurate for 2002. Even if you're not participating in a chatroom, there's no barrier or difference between you and someone who is talking. It's more like a room full of people who are either listening or talking, not a game show. Even VR chat bears no similarity to it. For all the creative and accurate predictions GitS made, that episode just seems incredibly ignorant by comparison, as if the writers had never used a chatroom before.

[@WhatNeverMind]

Just got done with season 1 and 2 and I also find myself somewhat disagreeing with Randall here. This episode dives really deep into the whole idea of what the stand alone complex is, its not just about a group of fanatics talking about the TLM. Yes, its a lot of exposition but it helps clarify in a much detailed fashion what the stand alone complex is and the effects it can have in society. And as far as the whole game show aesthetic was that it was, in fact, some sort of futuristic gossip show were the participants actually compete to some degree on who knows more or has some juicer gossip about TLM, so yeah, some sort of weird game show chat room.

[@Daihatski]

@@RandalltheVandal I know I am 3 months late ... but: The visualization of the Chatroom is absolutely spot on for the descriptions of VR Internet from the 80's / 90's Cyberpunk novels. It is in fact the best depiction of it I have ever seen. This is how sci-fi looked back then. The idea that simple text-based websites would be replaced by literally "being your avatar" in a realistic, simulated room tailored to the 'server experience'. This was absolutely not a "prediction" GitS make, but following a strong cyberpunk tradition. Now - does that make it better? I don't know. Everyone has to decide that for themselves. But I love it. It's in my top3. Not for being particularly plot relevant, but because it oozes style. This is the single episode changing the Laughing Man case from a simple politics and money game to the phenomenon it's supposed to be. Without these randoms disagreeing not only on facts but their emotions to the case, wildly arguing over non-essentials and flinging "my sources" around willy nilly - like it actually happens on the internet - just gives it more meat. And the joke at the end where it turns out the major was driving the whole time while spaced out was just one of the best jokes in the show.

[@pinchevulpes]

Daniel Ismael Cortes Chavez it was basically future reddit. Hard to believe the uploader couldn’t see that.

[@VersusThem]

​@@RandalltheVandal Just came here to say that it's one of my favorite episodes, and that to argue that "the show portrays the internet as if it's some sort of game show" is working on the assumption that the episode itself is trying to convey "this is the internet, these are internet conversations, this is what it's like in the future", which it doesn't, you're confusing the hyponym (instance) for the hypernym (concept), the hypernym being "the internet", which appears on the show several times (though not always in a phisical way), and the hyponym being this kind of chatroom being depicted which is akin to a game show. What I mean is: "This is not *the internet*, it's part of it", if the issue is about "realism", well, why couldn't there be a talk show like this? I mean, we have V-tubers right now, how far-fetched is it to imagine that such a show could be run? Specially if you consider the almost infinite array of ways of communicating and entertaining that internet brings. Why make the leap of logic and default to "this is what conversations now look like", or "this is what the internet is now". Also Daihatski is spot on. Just that, the exposition dump and all of that, it's subjective, I loved it, others hated it, can't say much.

[@millionareowl6302]

The Laughing Man is the top tier Ghost In The Shell antagonist.

[@007kingifrit]

is he....an antagonist though?

[@maxmogavero952]

@@007kingifrit no, not the real antagonist. But his skill and reputation are hijacked by the real antagonists, so as far as our heroes know, he is.

[@Ididntwannaselfdestruct]

The chat room ep was goated in my opinion that's like one of the episodes I still remember vividly, like I wanted to see what was the net in that world actually like and it delivered in my opinion.

[@Bat0541]

"Chat Chat Chat" is one of my favorite stand alone episodes. The way it establishes the sub culture craze around the laughing man event and giving some background it to how it powerful people used it to manipulate not only the populous, but also the business world is neat, as well as seeing the varied perspectives of the average people around the idea's of the incident and the surrounding incidents that followed, as well as the depiction of exactly what The Major is doing there, in seeking that very perspective for what value it may have is a fun idea for me, it's an exposition dump, but it shows a lot more background behind the motives for what Section 9 believed was happening (and turned out to be happening)

[@RichardHorpe]

Wallstreetbets vs. Melvin Capital is basically an incident of stand alone complex.

[@RandalltheVandal]

Based analysis. My mind always jumped to the famous hacktivist group Anonymous as the ultimate example of a SAC

[@grunt9950]

Chat chat chat was so ahead of its time it got the whole current streaming platform format right.

[@chibimaddy]

**spoilers** I loved the internet episode. Like others have said, the chat room was very popular and in my opinion is something that people of today have truly missed out on. They would generally be about one topic or group of people, and very often you would just sit there and watch others chat and sometimes not join in at all. But besides that, I loved that the episode told us what the perspective of the "fans" of the laughing man were like. The general culture that was surrounding it. It showed that he wasn't seen as a villain, but as a pop hero in a sense. Another of my all time favorites is when the tatchkomas (I know I don't know how to spell that) are having a philosophical discussion about life, and shared experiences. That's just fabulous! It reminded me so much of today's section of society that seems to be in lock-step with each other, and yet thinking they are all special, when they are virtually all acting the same. The way they fight over a certain memory, about which one actually had it happen to them. It's amazing. I see so many connections to what is going on in today's society that are addressed in this particular season. The laughing man story, about a genomics corporation lying about the cure for a man caused ailment (cyber-brain sclerosis) in order to patent a cure (THINK vaccination) before it was even fully developed or proven to work, which in actuality doesn't work at all--and on an even deeper level, with the many today who are fearing that the vax can change DNA and literally create a person who has been modified so that they could actually be patented. The "laughing man" fighting to bring out the truth by trying to force the guilty parties to admit it. I feel he was a hero. There is just so much.

[@sebastien9704]

love your comment

[@noble20xx56]

Man facts!

[@Fgway]

👍. It is fascinating, the manner that the plot connects to the real world pandemic and tumor suppressants that already treat it very well being overlooked or obscured in favor of a publicly funded treatment.

[@Keanotix]

*spoilers* Short version, a GP level doctor stumbled upon a vaccine for Cyber-Brain Sclerosis (it actually was a vaccine, rather than cure). But Big Pharma was also developing a treatment for CBS using micromachines and, fearing competition (as theirs was less effective), bribed government health ministers to block approval for clinical trials of the vaccine. The GP dies, micromachines make big bucks and ONLY then is the vaccine approved for trials. The Laughing Man finds out about this then goes on a crusade for the truth, but his efforts are co-opted by conspirators and rabid fans so he ducks out for a while until the events of the series force him back in.

[@deiradinn]

Loved SAC even more on the second viewing. Guess we all appreciate things differently.

[@nashhash2380]

This series is a masterpiece

[@007kingifrit]

every time i rewatch it i learn more and more about what's going on. it's very complex but it's my favorite

[@01enkidu]

Chat Chat Chat was one of my favorite episodes of the first season. Aesthetically it was well ahead of it's time; being more akin to a twitch stream, all be it virtually with a host and a main group of people discussing a topic and chat room up voting or down voting discussion threads. Also I loved the supposition and dualistic nature of the episode, mirroring the viewer's thought's and ideas about the main plot. I mean have you ever watched a youtube video of Game of Thrones or Westworld, discussing the latest episode or fan theories. Yes it was an info dump but given the depth of the main storyline and the two 'stand alone' episodes prior, it was necessary evil. You have to take into account being aired on TV with one or two episodes a week, you didn't get the luxury of binge watching an entire series back to back.

[@kappachino726]

It's a fantastic episode! Surprised that one was singled out.

[@DanielFranco-xo8su]

Chat chat chat is actually one of my favorite episodes lmao

[@dragonstormx]

I bought DVDs for the show. My mom saw them and got interested in seeing it. Despite being put off by Motoko's fanservice design she still loved the show.

[@dmitryreymer3737]

I don't know. Chat chat chat is one of my favourite episodes in both seasons. Something about episodes where the characters just chat tickels something in my brain

[@shinobiblade2558]

This show is 20 years old now!

[@JotaP1n]

It's unreal if you think about it.

[@DhanYellMhickz]

Chat Chat Chat was heavily influential to the early days of the VR Renaissance. Gunter was the host of many podcasts in that same room, and people gladly sit in the stands!

[@tobiogunyemi7631]

I love how most in here understand and appreciate what the internet episode was doing in the first season, which was riveting throughout. Its doing a lot in regards to plot, worldbuilding, themes and more, and is in engaging watch on its own end.

[@Huskasin]

I don't know about Arise being "Universally panned", diehard purist didn't like it but that doesn't make it categorically bad.

[@Pduarte79]

Nope. But from a fan of the franchise advising a non fan of the franchise, what's the best entry point of it. I would say, start from the original source, the Manga or view the 95 movie + SAC 3 seasons, if you don't have Netflix, the 2 seasons + SSS movie, leave the Arise, the live action movie and Innocence movie for afterwards. Ps: I'm not saying you aren't a fan of it, I used the "non fan" as an example to how to approach and start to 🥰 Ghost in the shell franchise. I would still advise the less liked titles, but as afterwards thing, not as entry points.

[@LD-tl1iv]

I love season 2 of GITS:SAC! They fixed a lot of the weak points from the first season, and created a tighter and more integrated series

[@Starwarsgeek12]

I gotta say, through all the fantastic episodes, the second one (with the runaway multiped tank) is easily my favorite. The line Motoko says about how she doesn't think the designer was angry at his parents, but instead proud of his "new metal body", just hit something. Also this has easily the best OST in all of anime, without question.

[@whade62000]

0:20 Altered Carbon focuses on one aspect: digital immortality. And both AC and GitS are just smaller fish in a bigger genre we call: CYBERPUNK. You can't credit GitS with a whole genre and accuse others of "rip off", when there was a whole "New Wave sci fi" movement that gradually built up these ideas that'd debut as a new genre starting with Gibson's '84 "Neuromancer" and eventually be used by all of the latecomer sci fi movie hits like "Akira" "Blade Runner" or "The Matrix".

[@CourtneyCoulson]

I never know what's going on in Ghost in the Shell. I could never do a critical review of it, I couldn't even tell you which ones were good or bad. All I know is I like how it looks and how it feels.

[@RandalltheVandal]

Lol, that's how it feels sometimes. I'm not gonna lie and say I understand everything about what happens either, but I like to think that I can follow it closely enough.

[@pinchevulpes]

If you can understand the show you can understand the real world, geopolitical acts and history affected societal facets down to terrorist acts (which the shows protagonists try to prevent) it’s really brilliant. It can only make you smarter

[@CourtneyCoulson]

@@pinchevulpes wow, that was the most in-character comment I could ever imagine coming from an Ozymandias account.

[@X4R2]

@@CourtneyCoulson, I presume Femto, who said "If you can understand the show...", previously had Ozymandias as their profile pic and/or name?

[@JotaP1n]

It's almost impossible to match the quality of GITS 1995. Well, Stand Alone Complex did it. Some of the episodes are AMAZING, the music, the animation, the characters, the storytelling...you just has to clap.

[@kylemichel3006]

Word of the day: exposition . Jokes asides, exellent review.

[@Delzra]

i wasnt thrilled at the new style for the netflix series at first as well, but when i watched it, it all came together. i really liked the netflix show they made.

[@ArctheDark]

I definitely need to rematch this. Great review bub.

[@faithlessberserker5921]

I actually liked the episode on the net. I thought it explored it in a different way than we expected.

[@RandalltheVandal]

FUCKING SLAAAYYYEEEEEEEERRRRR!!!!! \m/

[@polrusstomakriss9001]

I'm definitely going to check out this review 😊😊, I'm appreciatjng the artwork of your review as I do with Ghost in the shell, since I love 3d and this was apart of my childhood as well too

[@noble20xx56]

You know when I was younger watching this, I didn't really understand a lot of the dialogue but later on this kind of expository conversation became more interesting to me. Made me contemplate things.

[@foxhovel8309]

I thought a lot of the Stand Alone episodes were very thoughtful, and delved into topics that run in the background of the Complex episodes very well. I found myself reflecting back on little tidbits of information that were carefully explored in the "Stand Alones" after "Complex" episodes touched on them. I can't name an example of this phenomenon at present, but I'd disagree with calling them "throw away" episodes.

[@foxhovel8309]

Little "aha" moments like that were really cool. The writers did the same in 2nd gig, and I'm quite happy with it. I'm striving to do the same in my own works of fiction.

[@floydjohnson7888]

About 4:34, regarding SAC revealing how things work through character actions:There's something like that in the Western cyberpunk series "Max Headroom" (1987)

[@fosmusic]

this reminded me ive never actually finished season 2 since 2016 lol, still have 3 more episodes to watch. But i shall rewatch the whole of s2

[@ShodaN-i7v]

Starting this off with Cyberbrid of all possible songs was just a perfect pick.

[@jorgemillar1]

great video man!

[@RandalltheVandal]

Thanks

[@Pduarte79]

I agree with ur intro, great of franchise, and one of my favorites. And Blade Runner, Blade Runner 2049, Matrix trilogy and the underrated Dark City, very good movies too.

[@lukedrewry2816]

The only great matrix movie really is the original

[@Pduarte79]

@@lukedrewry2816 Taste and opinions are subjective. Trilogies, I prefer to rate them as all, they are normally, one story divided in 3 parts. The intro/beginning, the middle part and final part. The same aplies to Lotr trilogy.

[@lukedrewry2816]

@@Pduarte79 yes while tastes and opinions are subjective, reloaded and revolutions are both objective flawed films. Plus, rating a trilogy as a beginning, middle and end is extremely limiting, and while you can somewhat rate the Lotr trilogy in that fashion it would be very limiting to a lot of trilogies

[@Pduarte79]

@@lukedrewry2816 Perfect movies or any type of media don't exist. And like I said, opinions are subjective, not objective or necessarily factual. That's how I tend to see trilogies, is like a series, u don't rate after one episode. But as the entire seasons, since season 1 until final season. And most trilogies, use the format I told, beginning, middle and end, but u can say franchises that do more that 3 movies, at not all of them, continue the events or plot points of previous movie, that's the only time it breaks the convention of the BME. But when building a trilogy or a franchise, the best format is the BME, or story starts to get confusing and convoluted, characters start to break character or characters are OP for no reason, that's a flaw, that happens alot nowdays, like the lack of a concise BME, created the StarWars sequel trilogy.

[@Pduarte79]

@@lukedrewry2816 One franchise, that u can say, each iteration is their own contained story, is Ghost in the Shell, manga, the 95 movie and the sequel, Stand Alone Complex, Arise and 2017, share the same universe and franchise name, but each are standalone stories.

[@deadybrock]

Imagine the hubris of a youtuber criticizing a universally loved series. It's like the teacher line "those that can't do, teach". So you go on teaching youtuber

[@catsthemovie4692]

Your channel deserves more subs

[@hektor7798]

Silvya Wambui i agree

[@RandalltheVandal]

Thanks

[@nateo6806]

I interpreted Chat!Chat!Chat! as a virtual Greek odeon, the physical layout of the Forum. Those who actively participated had a seat at the table while the lurkers casually hung out in a relaxed and attentive state. In retrospect I think it's one of my favorite episodes. I liked the banter and the banterers. The nameless faceless civilian populace of this cyber society brought to the forefront, a rarity for this tight-knit show.

[@imreplyingtothiscomment2378]

The best in the franchise to me

[@RandalltheVandal]

It's certainly up there.

[@bizbite2]

GREAT CHANNEL... you deserve more views!!! Keep making videos and you will blow up... THANK YOU FOR SUCH A GREAT REVIEWS !!! Thank you! :)

[@hektor7798]

A shall watch this after the critic Stream

[@RandalltheVandal]

you have your priorities in line, I see

[@GhostMaker00]

I loved the Complex and Stand alone. I wish the stand alone did more on characters.

[@daklr2501]

Lol completely dispelling the illusion of the first season for some of this

[@anasevi9456]

Great review and while I more or less agree and consider the 2nd season a masterpiece; the first season isn't like some anime/series were there are some real slog seasons to wade through. It's still enjoyable enough that it goes by quick. Season 1 is a 7.8/10 and Season 2 is a 9.4/10 for me, if i would to measure their overall merits by how much i enjoyed them.

[@tampabong5055]

The episode that you hated one has a connection to the ending scene as it is here we get the first clue of the location of the laughing man an introduction to one of the muted and the spin that the laughing man is a copy of a copy. I disagree that it wasn't needed or it wasn't good. Keep up the good content!

[@floydjohnson7888]

Admit it: the still for this video drew you in-it reminds you that Motoko could charm you (in seeking intel on an arch-criminal) or harm you (if you're the arch-criminal she and her team got intel on)

[@froggy-dude]

This video deserves more views.

[@brownwater6212]

I had to stop watching your video. Because I'm probably going to go watch the show, then come back later. Idk I've been to watch more scifi anime, mainly cyberpunk. I've already seen (Cowboy Bebop, Akira, and the Ghost in the Shell movie). The only cyberpunk TV shows i like is Mr. Robot. Altered Carbon was ok, but it's nothing I would rewatch. Do you have any recommendations for any Sci-fi anime? Thank you. 😊

[@catsthemovie4692]

psychopass is a good anime series

[@polrusstomakriss9001]

Knights of Sidonia There's one on Netflix called last hope Gantz

[@RandalltheVandal]

SAC is good. Psycho-Pass is a must watch from the 2010s. Stein's;Gate is a must watch is you like time-travel. If you want something entirely unique and that will fuck your brain up, watch Serial Experiments Lain. Also watch Mamoru Oshii's other sci-fi movies like Patlabor 2 and Angel's Egg if you enjoyed GitS 1995.

[@brownwater6212]

Thanks for the Recommendations. 😊

[@polrusstomakriss9001]

@@brownwater6212 Evangelion, I forgot the whole name And Getter Robo Armageddon that show is badass

[@lingusdingua4889]

My favorite episode is where Batou has to fight his boxing hero. So idk. I love the monster of the week style episodes.

[@kylechetram915]

Between this and bebop, the greatest anime of all time

[@RandalltheVandal]

You forgot Lain

[@kylechetram915]

@@RandalltheVandal True, also a great.

[@frankjaeger2565]

You didn't even mention Solid State Society 🙄

[@velocity4260]

I want a video going into the geopolitics side of SAC, they're always talking about the war, and the different countries within the series, ie I want more info on the American Empire ect.

[@poskeegget8043]

Ghost in the Shell the 2nd G.I.G rests quite well in the middle of my DVD collection. (And bought without even a shred of knoweledge of what it was. Just because it was one of the very few Anime that was available to buy at the time)

[@jamearthur3782]

bad take, this show aged like fine wine, it truly was so ahead of its time your weird fixation with the chat episode was also cringe, boomer take for sure and the episodic stuff was great as it gave us a further insight into the world this takes place in and the daily lives of our mcs, the small little episodic side stories were one of the best parts of the show for me

[@roB9099]

Interesting take on the chat room episode. I think their depiction of the chat room will look eerily familiar to how we might see the metaverse develop.

[@RandalltheVandal]

Gonna steal milk from the metaverse Wal-Mart

[@mizudrakon]

Honestly, "the plan" at the end of the first season wasn't really all that airtight by any interpretation. Most of the characters not being clued in actually made things a lot more difficult. Batou ended up killing a dozen soldiers for pretty much no reason, the Tachikomas went actual Kamikaze at that one point to save him from a situation he didn't have be in... it was a mess. There wasn't really any "it was all planned this exact weird way" moment like in The Return of The Jedi. The ending was more like: "We actually survived and have our old advantage of anonymity back, so let's just make fun of it now!" as I saw it.

[@RandalltheVandal]

Didn't want to go into specifics to avoid spoilers for those who haven't seen it, but you hit the nail on the head. Seems during the writing process they had no intention of ending it the way they did, then when they realized how quickly they had to wrap things up they were like "Oh, ummmm, let's just say all of that chaos was part of the plan!" Even though it's the worst plan ever. Even if it had been an airtight plan, Aramaki is still a dickhead and a traitor for throwing his team to the wolves without even telling them his intentions. And conversely, even had he done that, there were so many unlikely conveniences that the plan hinged on in order for all of them to survive that there's no way he pre-planned it. As you said, several characters nearly died, and their survival was no thanks to Aaramaki's "plan." Just a stupid fucking ending all around that nearly ruins season one.

[@mizudrakon]

@@RandalltheVandal You're right, sorry... somehow having watched it like 15 years ago makes me feel like it can't be spoiled anymore. Also it can be pretty confusing because of the themes involved. I actually keep rewatching it, since after some time passes I always forget how information even flows in that investigation, and what was justified and what left as a mystery. But yeah, if people nowadays stumble on Ghost in The Shell in any of the new incarnations, I'd want to shake them and tell them to go watch this anime (well, the first Mamoru Oshii movie if they didn't find the new ones at least somewhat promising). I also enjoyed the second season more, but the first one definitely shouldn't be skipped, so I should be more careful.

[@erogames3883]

@@RandalltheVandal i think you guys are missing the point. the final arc in the series in which the members of section9 are all on their own is literally the TITLE OF THE SHOW in action. as the show describes what a "stand alone complex" is, it is a group of people that from an outside perspective could be perceived as an organized group working together to achieve a goal, when the opposite is true -- that is to say, a group of people (a complex) working towards the same (or similar) goal without being organized together (stand alone). all the members of section9 are working to conclude the case of serrano genomics, and the political conspiracy it was a part of, and bring the group back together in their own way without knowledge of what the other members are doing. aramaki knows his team so well that he knows this will happen and instead fights to keep their movements anonymous (his version of stand alone). what started as a SAC within the net and culminated in the Laughing Man Incident comes full circle within the plot with section9 performing their own version of a SAC to conclude the original Laughing Man's intent. also, this version of GitS attempts to mirror realistic outcomes in terms of politics. the fact that the conclusion of the plot isn't neatly packaged is, partly, the point: that politics often get in the way of justice and truth and it is the responsibility of those with the power to keep that in check to do what they can.

[@RandalltheVandal]

@@erogames3883 But the conclusion IS neatly packaged. That's some real hamster wheel turning if I've ever seen it.

[@HerMi.T]

@@RandalltheVandal your ending point is kinda odd to me. what is this plan of one person? did you mean chief aramaki plan? but it looks more of a believe than plan. ofcourse many can easily die in many situations. but they are ready for it. they just believe that most of them would survive in the end. penultimate episode even cleared out that they can die as well and aramaki seems very concern about it that he didn't want it to become the truth. it is just a coincidence that everyone survive in the end. chief only ordered them to survive in any way. it doesn't look like a plan to me. it is just a request from his side that they should try to not die in any situation. because he can't find others expert people like this original team.

[@doifhg]

I had revisited the series this year and although it's fiction, started thinking about how crazy it is one of the 1st things they managed to mimic artificially is the human brain

[@chrn22]

bruh 8:30, literally clubhouse and spaces

[@AeroCheif]

So we gon sit here like he didn't open this video with freaking cyber bird

[@RandalltheVandal]

Cyber Bird???

[@Supsherry]

I seen both seasons and the full ending

[@RandalltheVandal]

cool, me too

[@marcanders9611]

First and foremost, the series has been one of my personal favorites in terms of storytelling and characterization. It does have flaws and gaps, but it does allow for the fans to interpret their own personal outcome. Every character is a piece of a puzzle. Every piece is relevant, by the end you see how it all comes together. I do admit that I wish section 9 would have had the spotlight at the end for solving the case instead of another government entity getting all the credit. But in the long run, they can save the day another day without the pride and glory.

[@tumimbasa1705]

How is Altered Carbon a rip off, there is no mention of Ghost hacking or any other in world reference between the two. They share similar story themes, and both have a futuristic setting, which they have in common obviously. Is there any mention of "elders", "stack" technology or light speed transfer of consciousness to different planets in GITS? Why the dumb hate guy. Based of manga and based off book with reference to solid theoretical technologies.

[@RandalltheVandal]

It's a police investigation show about people who can transfer their consciousness between artificial bodies. If it walks like a duck, looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck...

[@tumimbasa1705]

@@RandalltheVandal Booo (also not taking shots, just defending my steez). That's a surface level analysis, a child could make and have the same meaning as what you're saying (I'm not saying have a nuanced perspective, I'm saying you're completely wrong). It's like saying Blade runner is a rip off GITS, cause both have a police and scifi connection. AC isnt strictly a police investigation show, that happened to be a single (fairly large) part of the season 1 if you've watched the show. Season 1 didn't even centre around a traditional "antagonist" or police investigation, like a GITS would.

[@TOKYOTOYBANZAI]

You are too critical of Season One - it's still fantasic, just not as visually striking. I just rewatched it for the first time in 18 years and fell in love with it again. I do agree with you about the "internet chat room" episode though. Starting a rewatch of season 2 soon. Great work on the video regardless.

[@URZUHOME]

Love to hear what you think about Psycho-Pass as well.

[@RandalltheVandal]

Love the first season. Haven't seen season 2 in forever, but I remember liking it back in the day. Still haven't seen any of the movies. Tried watching season 3 but stopped because I thought it was hot trash.

[@URZUHOME]

@Randall the Vandal agreed when I saw season 3 didn't get past episode two.

[@bubaks2]

nice ramble

[@j0nnicage]

Both seasons of SAC are some of my favorite tv series ever, not just within the anime genre. I kinda disagree with your entire opinion about season 1. The story telling and ending were fantastic but that’s my take.

[@megaterio8]

you missed the SAC movie: solid state society... at the end of this story the fight is against the puppeteer

[@frankjaeger2565]

Episode 3 of 2nd GIG was an homage to "Cat's Eye" (hence the title "Cash eye")

[@RandalltheVandal]

In the special features on the DVD, they specifically name Oceans Eleven as an inspiration as well

[@frankjaeger2565]

@@RandalltheVandal I didn't mean to deny that, I just wanted to point out the main reference. Anyway, do you know if I can watch those special features somewhere else? I've bought the official Italian blu ray, but they're not there 😥

[@RandalltheVandal]

@@frankjaeger2565 No idea, man. The original DVD release, which is what I have, was loaded with special features. Mainly, interviews with everyone in the production crew, which were very insightful. Heard the Blu-Ray is damn near unwatchable with poor subtitles and a dub that cuts in and out, so I never bought it.

[@TheAngryj]

The internet episode is literally clubhouse and twitter spaces, and based on your assessment of what it’s goal was, it went completely over your head

[@ikengaspirit3063]

What about Solid State Society

[@mrtecnhimuyo]

2:55 he starts talkin the show

[@mookiestewart3776]

Stand alone complex second gig was released in 2006 if I recall correctly, that was not 10 years before anonymous started up. In fact one could argue that anonymous was already in operation at that time. I loved the vid but that was a BIG oversight on your part. I’m not sure how old you are but anonymous has clearly been around longer than you are aware of

[@terrencecox3748]

I know! This was posted 3 years ago. But..... As an old dude that watched the first movie come out I feel a desire to comment on where/what GITS has come too. Here is my attempt to be brief. Being thoroughly impressed and enthralled with GITS 2045, I'll say that it's a monumental shift. SAC and 2nd Gig are undeniably underpinned with Trans-Humanist ideas. Particularly with the idea of human improvement or evolution through augmentation by or merging with technology. 2045 OTOH is a slight (but significant) step away from this in that the leaked AI caused a biological transformation in the brain of the infected that most didn't survive. Shorter version? SAC and 2nd Gig was more about physical augmentation / your ghost finding it's way into the net with no need of a body to anchor or convey it. 2045 introduces the idea of a technological consciousness that re-programs or alters (by merging with) the physical brain of humans. The result? Early stage insatiable appetite and near complete psychopathy and apathy for things the infected once knew. But this idea isn't new. It was first introduced (as far as I know) by Neal Stephenson in the book Snow Crash. Snow Crash was a drug with two vectors. One for programmer in particular and was introduced visually by looking at a what appeared to be crashed screen or bitmap of seemingly random data. The other was blood born. They both had the effect of altering how the brain functioned. But in this book, it altered (or stripped away) function in a manner that resulted in people only speaking and responding in what was like a low level language that was shared and known to all humans instinctively. The scary take away here is what this might look like in the future. If you consider the whole "Life imitates art" maxim, then might there be an attempt by todays version of "The Great Powers" / corporations to alter the minds of most of us to reduce us a mean that can only understand a low level or basic level of communication with they augment themselves to gain greater brain function? Who know, but there are already some ugly indicators on the horizon.

[@hendrixisgod777]

Was odd listening to the review as I felt the criticisms for season 1, should have been more for season 2. Re: the improvement in animation; I don’t see this at all. Whilst there are episodes when the animation is fantastic, there are a lot more short cuts used in 2nd gig where you can see that the budget has been cut (apparently, this is what happened. The budget for season 2 was significantly less than for season 1). We get a lot more still frames where only the lips, or a limb is animated; and with these come more exposition dumps. I tried to rewatch 2nd gig recently, and had to quit because of these reasons. The 1st season, I find more enjoyable and yes, that includes the chatroom episode.

[@DanielFranco-xo8su]

Well, I just prefer the first season due to the world building, even though some standalone episodes were not good. I missed this on the second season, which focused more on the politics side and didn't expand much about the world. I didn't care much about the refugees plot, even though it nailed down problems we are facing now. I thought the laughing man case was way more interesting and the show revolved around detective cases in a futuristic world, which is something unique in my opinion. I liked the first few episodes of the second season and thought they were actually better than the start of the first season, but then it focused so much on the politics that made it less interesting. I didn't like the villains for the second season so much, and the plot was more confusing to me (I didn't understand why Kusanagi delivered the nuclear weapon at the refugee place and I think she was useless the whole mission). Overall, I think the conclusion for the first season was way better. The second season just... ends. I also think something lacked between Kuze and Kusanagi relationship at the end. I was expecting more about the characters inner struggles after watching the past story of both of them. Outside episode 11 of season 2, the season 1 episodes gives more background about Kusanagi's inner struggles of self identity, both in standalone episodes and the final episodes. Off topic commentary: I really find depressing that Kusanagi doesn't seem to rely on anyone, even though Batou is always there for her.

[@AshFarlow]

Back when Adult Swim used to play anime.

[@RandalltheVandal]

Pretty sure they still do? Didn't Kill la Kill air there a few years back? And don't they air Attack on Titan? Even if that isn't true, they literally have exclusive rights to premiere the new Junji Ito anime. So yeah, they're still airing anime.

[@AshFarlow]

@@RandalltheVandal that's such a relief to hear. I dont have access to TV channels, and dont hear much besides Rick and Morty anymore. Thanks for clarifying.

[@krishnadevthakur3019]

Your voice is so soothing.

[@RandalltheVandal]

Thanks? Lol

[@Saiarts_yt]

I had seen Ghost in The Shell series since I was 6 years old. What stood out to me at the time was the environmental design, I didn't know now that most of my backgrounds were inspired by this show. Also note Im a self taught background artist. If you want to know more visit my ig page at (msekai_ig).

[@theuniversedoesntcare]

*Syncs*

[@VBplays01]

U do know that altered carbon was published 9 months before this aired? I love GITS none the less

[@Grandmastahflux]

Opening song?

[@RandalltheVandal]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5e4oaFspa95qNU

[@Grandmastahflux]

@@RandalltheVandal you're a real one😎✊💯

[@cocobearnoski]

Psuedo intellectual review

[@brandonmanrique1471]

How do you rewatch the seasons. I cant find it anywere.

[@RandalltheVandal]

The very first time I watched it, it was on Hulu. However, since then I've bought the seasons on DVD, so that is how I re-watched it. I would recommend you doing the same, but the DVD sets are rare to find. The Blu-ray sets are easy to find but I hear they are so bad they're borderline unwatchable (poor subtitles, English dub suddenly dropping and cutting back to Japanese, etc.). If none of those options are viable for you, the high seas always have you covered.

[@Birchrock]

Its all on the adult swim website for free

[@alechall7082]

Buy the bandai dvds, the blurays have broken subtitles. The 1st season is only about $20 but the cheapest i could get the 2nd season was $50

[@kinghijinx5892]

@@Birchrock If you can get passed the annoying ads. God damn it. I'm joking of course, if you can't find it anywhere else of course it's worth it.

[@eatenbythedistance4178]

I really find this review quite scathing. The standalone episodes and the complex episodes are filling you in on the details the political atmosphere and the population environment. Some of the episodes are a little bit weird and although they might not be perfect depictions of the near future that pretty much is currently now there are some things that are starting to take home have you ever heard of virtual reality that’s becoming a big thing now. You cannot deny that zoom is playing a bigger role in the way that meetings are conducted, and you can’t argue that VR is only going to advance into video games into media and really the sky is the limit from that point. So you may be talking about the episode like that concept is outdated, absolutely not the concept is right we’re we’re heading to in the next 10 years. The thing I love about the first season is whole tactical and strategic it is. I like how it resembles real life reactions. The best thing about the first season was it’s multiple story plots the way the story was told and the many things that at first seem unrelated but putting them into a large picture share a lot of commonality. On top of that there was a lot of review value. In all seriousness the only thing I find annoying or outdated were the tachikomas. But even they played a significant role in all of the events and we’ve got to see another perspective on the experience through a mechanical being. So, I’m just kind of watching this with eyebrows raised thinking to myself what the hell is wrong with this guy?

[@myopiumsongs]

Yeah. "I liked it, but." "It was, it isn't now." "You should totally do this, but caveat emptor." Jesus. This was fifteen minutes longer than it needed to be. Talk about boring exposition...

[@TheAngryj]

Okay I finished the first season part of your analysis, and I don’t understand what exactly your problem with the ending was. The only “plan” was Aramaki waiting out until the end of the election cycle to prosecute Yukushima. The survival of Section 9 was a moot factor at that point because they already had all the evidence gathered so whether they survived or not was not part of the plan. It isn’t as complex as you’re making it out to be

[@DM-mq6hx]

I think youre wrong about S1; The actual problem w the show is that they win way too often, it'd fun to see them struggle more.

[@decayinsilence]

Godtier Soundtrack.

[@mexisnake]

Adaptation*

[@marc9242]

Gotta say I agree standalone complex has a lot of flaws it has some annoying episodes such as the tachikoma episodes but other than rewatching this series is the most happiest I've been watching anime. There's a lot of animes nowadays that are spectacularly good but when I rewatched the Ghost in the shell movie and the sequel then standalone complex it made it hard for me to watch any anime now just because how much of a great job Production I.G. did in adapting the story.

[@kyks6771]

🎬Inlight

[@smokey7875]

i was the 1000th like :)

[@RandalltheVandal]

thanks!

[@alexanderchenf1]

Apple Vision Pro

[@jasmeg2844]

I don't get the Individual Eleven story at all. I find it incredibly convoluted and way too heavy on exposition.

[@jacobtan9330]

Netflix adaptation was very weird and I really didn't know what was happening 😂

[@tzarye1425]

No Solid State Society commentary?

[@RandalltheVandal]

Nah. I rewatched it after I recorded this. Wouldn't have had much to say about it anyway. It's just meh.

[@kalacaptain4818]

people really don't like arise?

[@chrisdooley6468]

I still watch the first and second seasons of SAC. GitS is one of my favorite universes in anime - one suggestion is to only watch the original Japanese voice acting. The dub completely lacks any emotion in the performances. Look at the difference between Batou in both and you’ll immediately see what I mean. Second thing is to stay away from the train wreck that is Arise - the entire prequel set is a complete disaster imho. Otherwise these are complete masterpieces. Batou’s episode, Jungle Cruise, is one of the darkest most intense thirty minutes of the entire series and it just highlights how very good Akio Otsuka is at his acting

[@RandalltheVandal]

Yeah, I never really understood the praise for the dub. I think they got the casting spot on, but beyond that, it's not like the performances we're great. Like you said, it was very flat emotionally.

[@chrisdooley6468]

@TheKimberlydw good points my friend. I never considered that

[@velocity4260]

Although the tachikoma ep was pretty much filler, it's was a fun watch haha.

[@RedVelvetUnderground333]

The Netflix one is actually good

[@RandalltheVandal]

Nope

[@timespace7737]

Randall the Vandal really is it that bad? Is it worth watching

[@RandalltheVandal]

@@timespace7737 My short answer is no, I don't think it's worth watching. Not gonna go into all my grievances with it because I already made a video on 2045 where I go through nearly every problem I have with it. So if you want a more detailed opinion from me, go watch that.

[@MK-jc6us]

NETFLIX version should be called LEGO version.

[@Keanotix]

I only disagree with the notion that S2 is better than S1. But that might be more to do with the idea that S1's complex episodes' story is more engaging to me than S2's. Conversely, S2's standalone episodes (or individual episodes as they were known as) were in general better than S1's. For me, the main plot of S2 was just a bit too dry for me and not very intriguing, it was kind of clear who the villains really were, there was no real mystery after halfway through the season. Oh and the Tachikoma episodes in either seasons did get on my nerves eventually, way more than the Chat Chat Chat episode. But unfortunately I'm not quite able to articulate why I feel this way as well as you have done in this video. Nicely done.