The Music of Ghost in the Shell: Humanism, History, and Mythology

[@MeanderingBeing]

this video is criminally underviewed

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

I appreciate it! I find it interesting to see what kind of films/shows get more views. But I’m going to make a video if I’m passionate enough about something, regardless of views!

[@chonknorgget1770]

I've always loved Bulgarian folk music, no wonder I love this movies soundtrack when I heard it!

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

I'm so glad Bulgarian folk exploded in popularity in the 90s, because otherwise we may never have had a great score like this!

[@hap6782]

Great analysis, this is on my favorite movies list, the ones that makes you think deeply about their message.

[@Pointillax]

I've always loved the concept of fusing traditonnal components from two different cultures in order to create something that looks, or in this case sounds, like something completely new. If you're carefull enough in what you pick from your sources of inspiration you'll benefit from what made those sounds rooted in their respective cultures, they've been perfected and refined over time. Giving your fusion a really stable and simingly rooted body, something that could exist and have a history, while feeling new and never heard before.

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

Yes this is a big part of what I was trying to articulate! This Bulgarian singing style has been used in a lot of Japanese media since GitS, but I still think GitS is the one to really pull it off most convincingly because it has such a strong focus on building atmosphere through a deeply cultural lens. Thanks for watching! :)

[@MeanderingBeing]

Also, I can't wait for the Stand Alone Complex episode

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

I’d love to one day, it’s one of my favorite Yoko Kanno scores! Just have to find the time for a deep dive back into the series.

[@ferrisarrafisilitonga5097]

The music of the original movies always striked me as something beautiful to re-listen to, but with your explanations for them I can definitely appreciate it even more. I'm surprised that you didn't also cover Innocence, while the instrument and style remained the same, it definitely became a lot tenser and upbeat there that I thought it could be worth covering, perhaps there's something to be discovered and shown in this same video. And hell yeah you should cover the SAC series. Because Yoko Kanno. Thanks for the vids! Really anticipating your next releases.

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

Thanks so much! I also love Innocence (perhaps more than a lot of GitS fans might). I think Kawai's score for Innocence exhibits the same qualities, textures, and harmonies as the original film in much the same way as the film's world further expands the original film's universe. Definitely worth talking about, but didn't have time for this video! SAC has one of my favorite anime soundtracks of all time. It's just a constant barrage of musical and technical brilliance. I just have to find an angle with which to discuss all that fantastic music! Anyway, thanks and stay tuned as another video is in the works! :)

[@AlbertoAttia]

Thank you! I've been a GITS fan forever, and had no idea about this until today. Even more value!

[@ennui4962]

Absolutely magnificent video, thank you so much for tackling this subject; arguably one of the greatest hidden gems I've discovered. It is truly sad to see such content got almost no views. I wish you to get more views/subs in this year. Don't give up buddy! Your content is amazing :)

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

Thanks so much for watching! I have so many ideas churning around constantly, it's just finding the time to execute them with the appropriate level of depth and attention that sets me back these days 😭 I will return, I promise!

[@xkons]

I just discovered your channel after searching for a video that anlalyzes the music of the boy and the heron (I'm specifically interested in the track where Mahito and his grand uncle visit the stone). I'm blown away by the content you've created so far. Thanks a lot for your work.

[@taggerung_]

cant believe ive only just now found this video. i wish it had more views. really well done man hope to see another analysis on GITS down the line

[@adri.progression]

WOWWW I love the pacing and analysis and the way you delivered the info! Super great high quality stuff! Thanks for sharing!

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@ericfavre2301]

great analysis ! i really love GITS and you're highlighting how kawai's score elevate the movie to masterpiece level ...

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

GitS is one of the best films ever at building a convincing and eerie sci-fi atmosphere, and Kawai’s score is a huge part of that! Thanks for watching!

[@TarotGranHermaga]

Woooooooooo you gave much more than I expected 🧐😮😲 your video is great thanks 🧙🏻✨🙏🏻 Sharing is 3..2...1..

[@NikeBG]

When I was a kid, I couldn't stand the folk music of my country (Bulgaria) and especially this white voice. It just sounded so grating to my ears back then. But as the years have passed, just like my taste for foods has changed, so have I slowly fallen in love with our folk musical tradition. As well as the traditions of at least two other regions - Japan and the Baltics. And blends like this, between Bulgarian and Japanese music (both here and in other examples, f.e. from the Philip Koutev choir) or between folk music and modern musical styles (metal, electronic, etc), feel very special indeed. Something new, but with a rich history behind it nonetheless.

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

That’s such a cool perspective! As someone who never grew up with Bulgarian folk music, I’ve always thought it was really fascinating. I’m clearly far from the only one! But I also understand getting burnt out on your culture’s folk music considering how often you must hear it. I’m glad you’ve come to appreciate its uniqueness and how interestingly it blends with other cultures especially in media as nuanced as Ghost in the Shell!

[@Xanaduum]

Along with Vangelis' Ost for Blade Runner and John Carpenter's synth basslines this probably influenced me the most growing up in the 90's. That choir is still amazing now, brings tears to my eyes.

[@losttropic2919]

Just stumbled on your Akira video and now here. I see you haven't uploaded in about a year. Hope more videos are still coming. Those are amazing. Especially as someone who is new to making music. The analysis is amazing.

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

Thanks so much! Yea I'm unfortunately not often able to make this channel a priority as I freelance full time, but my next video is thoroughly in the works! :)

[@losttropic2919]

@@CelShadedMusicTheory Understood! Well I'm very much anticipating the next release!

[@xlovur]

Absolutely insane that this video doesn't have thousands more views. Excellent work!!!!

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

I really appreciate this and I’m glad you’re one of the few thousand! ^~^

[@xlovur]

@@CelShadedMusicTheory 😁

[@LunamrathP]

Decided to give more of your content a watch because of the Arcane video. It was really cool to see someone talk about GitS in this way. Much like Arcane, I think it's one of those things that's truly brilliant in every aspect. Even as a huge fan, I learned things about it. Looking forward to your next upload.

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

So sorry for the late response here! Thank you for hopping over to my GitS video from Arcane! I’m so glad you were interested to check out another video. More in the works! :)

[@LunamrathP]

@@CelShadedMusicTheory No worries! I hope there comes a day when there's too many comments to reply at all.

[@TheMisterSaxy]

Super love the video. Doing a video talking about Arise’s use of the mystic chords (#11 13 omit 3rd chords) would be neat

[@l.raquel7551]

thank you!! wonderful video

[@someone5050]

I love this channel!! Thank you so much! 😭❤

[@jeduardolopezo]

Loved this analysis video, man! Keep up the good work!

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

Much appreciated, man! Not too many people talk about this score so it was really fun delving into it!

[@Spaghettaboutit]

FANTASTIC CHANNEL! I found you just now when I was looking for someone who did an analysis of the music for Akira. Then I search KZbin for an analysis for Ghost in the Shell, and GOT NOTHING! WTF?! So I decide to go back to your channel and see what other videos you've done and GOD DAMN IT, you actually did one! WTF KZbin?! Well I'm excited to watch this and also super sad that you don't have any more content. Your production quality is FUCKING TOP NOTCH! If you get bored (find the free time), I wouldn't mind you taking a crack at the music of Escaflowne (both the TV show and the movie) - one of the people that worked on it was Yoko Kanno and it's heavy leaning on old European (Gregorian chant/classical) styled music isn't something I've really seen in anime, especially not at that level of production. Honestly I'd be happy with anything that you put out, considering the quality of your only two videos. But if you've never seen Escaflowne then it's worth taking a look - the TV show is definitely something different - steampunk style living Gundams with knights and samurai.

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

Yoko Kanno is a goddess and one of my biggest inspirations. I've listened to the Escaflowne ost hundreds of times, I ADORE it. Thanks so much for the compliments and the idea! I REALLY want to cover YK in a video and this is a great topic to consider! :) New video coming soon I PROMISE haha

[@flamonized9825]

I really appreciate this video and I believe the quality of your analysis is really phenomenal. Thank you, you’ve revealed the true beauty of the Ghost in the Shell for me.

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

I'm so glad you feel that way! There's even more beauty in the score for Stand Alone Complex and I highly recommend listening to those soundtracks as well.

[@sirchasm]

Your content is wonderful, truly. I remember trying to piece together the lyrics as I watched the show and this cemented it for me :)

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

Thank you so much! I’m not often one to analyze lyrics, but when they’re this cryptically composed I can’t help but to investigate why haha. Some truly inspired creative choices!

[@sebastienmeulenbergh8863]

Man, you should listen to the work of Eric Serra for the score of "Leon - The professional" ...I find there are some correlation between their work in some tracks, especially in the usage of drone "melodies", deep bass percussion and other sonorities ;-)

[@Jakob.Hamburg]

Thank for the video. This was insightful.

[@laeianimation]

Are you kidding me with that lipsync at the end? So eerie! Amazing video overall. Yoko Kanno forever!!!!

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

Thank you so much! I think that lip sync edit started as a coincidence and then I thought “wait… what if…” lol It felt appropriately uncanny for Ghost in the Shell! Also Yoko Kanno is my one true Queen.

[@LunaShoemaker]

I found your channel after I went digging for more info on this particular song. I'm binge-watching SAC and I'm so glad to have found your video. Thank you so much for the content you make! Looking forward to your future videos!

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

Thanks so much! I feel like these videos are destined to be found by people genuinely interested in the topic which is all I can hope for! Hope you enjoy GitS:SAC, I think it has the best score for any anime personally.

[@lbgherkin]

This is a wonderful analysis, and shed new light on a movie I thought I knew well.

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

Thanks so much! It's pretty astonishing how densely packed this film is with meaningful allegory. It merits endless rewatchability in that sense and I think it's remarkable. Deserving of its status as a landmark of animation history!

[@ZevSong]

I adore your videos, please keep it up!

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

Thank you, Zev! ^~^

[@z-e-r-o-]

すばらしい解説

[@ringsystemmusic]

GITS was my first introduction into Japanese animation, and to be frank, set the bar way too damn high for me lol. Great breakdown!

[@dsrtsnw]

awesome video, thank you! wish i could see gits for the first time again. absolute masterpiece

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

Luckily it's one of those films that gets more compelling the more you learn about it!

[@mewtwo.150]

Please keep doing more of these explanations, are awesome!!! Try this if you can, would being awesome!! -Atlantis The Lost Empire -STAR WARS -Joe Hisaishi on Studio Ghibli -Artificial Intelligence

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

Oh man, Atlantis is a great idea. That and Treasure Planet are 2 of James Newton Howards best scores! Thanks for the suggestion!!

[@AppericateGamer]

​@@CelShadedMusicTheory I would like see that as well treasure planet and atlantis the lost empire score breakdown

[@virtualcircle285]

These are so well done

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

Thank you so much!

[@PrimeCollectibles]

Incredible vid

[@FranIsla92]

You are amazing! I really loved this video. You did an incredible work. Keep it up!

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

Thank you for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed! :)

[@Handle8196]

I see what you did between 10:26 and 11:02. Nice.

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

May have gotten carried away with the editing there... glad someone noticed haha 😉

[@Kingfuconan]

Great work

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

Thanks so much! ^~^

[@holysecret2]

Great stuff! I hope you will return to creating fascinating videos like this some time :)

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

Thank you so much! I'd love to make more when I find the time for it, I have one partially edited sitting on my drive until I can return to it. 😭

[@TheSeeking2know]

Nice!

[@Joe-yi5nv]

Really top notch content!

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

Much appreciated!! Thanks for watching :)

[@Kingfuconan]

This channel deserve 1M subscribers

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

I really appreciate that, if I had time to churn out new videos all the time I would, but alas!...

[@shadowtheif117]

I love this, it makes sense and is informative. Bravo, consider me newly subscribed.

[@shadowtheif117]

Also, Yoko kano! 😤👏👏👏 If you ever do one on her music I'm all in lol.

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

Thank you so much, that means a lot! As I dug into this one I just found it more and more interesting (like the film itself). I have a ton more anime films/shows I want to cover so I'm glad you'll stick around! :)

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

Also hoo boy I wish I could just cover every single score she's ever written because they're all phenomenal. @_@ (might do one on Wolf's Rain down the line)

[@paradox_1729]

Thank you. Amazingly well done.

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@Terry31784]

Thanks! I wish you explaned Stand Alone Complex series, Origa songs. This is would be so great!

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

I'd love to do SAC. Without exaggeration I think Yoko Kanno's SAC score is the most overwhelming showcase of compositional talent for any media. It's unreal how good it is!

[@Myuutantobasuta]

Wow great job.

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

Thanks so much!

[@TheAbeloco]

wow

[@Myuutantobasuta]

Hey make more videos, also make them all about Kenji Kawaii.

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

Seirei no Moribito is still probably my favorite Kawai score, it adds so much warmth to the beautiful story it accompanies!

[@Myuutantobasuta]

@@CelShadedMusicTheory I liked parts of his Gantz Score, and what he did in the Red Spectacles

[@MooseEatsBear]

This is an incredible video. Did you transcribe the choir yourself?

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

Thanks so much! And yes I did. :)

[@informer3000]

KZbin is vast and infinite.

[@mtosta2861]

Kusanagi-Nue...

[@Privado0046]

Just discovered this channel after hearing Rhûn from The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Season 2) kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2mcY3uqp5mlrpY . It immediately reminded me of "Ghost in the shell" and now, thanks to you, I know why. That influence of the Bulgarian folk singing... wow. I will hear more of "The Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices". High quality video analysis!

[@madvulcan8964]

7:15 Don't go there blue man. 8:02 Why would it want "human" rights? 10:43 I could tell you the obvious. The song is still hauntingly beautiful. 11:05

[@ainsleyharriott_1849]

What the fuck. Man youtube is trash... Not even 1.000 views. You deserve A LOT of views

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

Being a niche of a niche I knew what I was in for, but I appreciate it nonetheless, as long as you enjoy it then I'm happy to have made it!

[@infoworms4705]

Where do i give you fucking money to make more of these jesus CHRIST

[@CelShadedMusicTheory]

Hahaha, well there's nowhere to do such a thing currently, but I promise there's another vid coming soon! Thanks for your enthusiastic support!!! T~T