An elite task force called Public Peace Section 9 was formed in order to handle these speacial situations that involve cyborgs, machines and robots. Section 9 is composed of both flesh and blood humans and cyborgs and are all topnotch in each field of duty they perform. They are the ones who take on highly advanced criminals in the chaotic era humans AND cyborgs co-exist in.
With the following that Mamoru Oshii's Ghost in the Shell movie has, Ghost in the Shell : Stand Alone Complex was sure to be a hit among the old and new fans. Produced by Production I.G, and with direct input from the Ghost in the Shell's creator, Shirow Masamune; GitS : Stand Alone Complex was one of the best animes 2002. Also adding into the mix is music composition by Yoko Kanno, the best anime score and songwriter in my opinion.
The series has a gritty feel of what the future holds for us, beautifully depicted through seamless CGI and traditional animation techniques. The story has a good pace, though sometimes losing the audience in complicated situations but manages to keep it clean. The art is wonderful and the animation is gorgeous, very similar to the GitS movie. Fight scenes excite the audience ---- and the plots keep them on their toes. Origa's "Inner Universe" opens the show wonderfully with enchanting Russian lyrics, while the background music sets the mood for each episode. At the end, Steve Conte's Lithium Flower doesn't fail to soothe you with his voice.
Overall, Ghost in the Shell : Stand Alone Complex is a must-watch, espacially if you're a fan of futuristic, cyberpunk and action genres.
Major Motoko Kusanagi ( VA : Tanaka Atsuko ) :
The leader of Section 9, strong-willed, responsible and very skilled. Her body is almost composed entirely of mechanical parts; only her brain and spinal chord remain human. Her specialties are Cybernetic Hacking, Code Breaking, Network Surveillance and her close combat fighting skills are excellent.
In the series, we see her as a calm, cool and composed leader who knows what to do at any given situation, although she can sometimes be reckless, she backs it up with skill and power.
Daisuke Aramaki ( VA : Saka Osamu ) :
Section 9’s Chief Officer and founder, he handles investigations, negotiations with higher ups and gives briefings for Section 9’s missions. Like Togusa, he has few body modifications. He acts as the central brain for Section 9’s tasks and does his work well.
Batou ( VA : Otsuka Akio ) :
His body enhancements are more focused on strength and physical abilities like enhanced vision and endurance. He is fond of the mechanical blue tank robots called “Tachikomas”, he even rides some in the span of the series.
He acts as a mediator and partner for Motoko, giving her advice and calming her at some points. He always tries to support Motoko in the field, and even off-duty.
Ishikawa ( VA : Nakano Yutaka ) :
Section 9’s Hacker and Digital Intelligence agent. He does his work on computers, mainframes and in networks, with his cybernetic fingers that split into multiple branches to help speed up typing when doing hacking work.
Togusa ( VA : Yamadera Kouichi ) :
One of the very few members of Section 9 who doesn’t have much cybernetic enhancements ( he only has some enhancements on his brain ). Togusa uses an old six-shooter and does work the old-school way. On technological and computer-based skills, Togusa may not match Motoko or Batou but in shooting skill and field tactics, Togusa can sure deliver.
Saitou ( VA : Ohkawa Toru ) :
Carrying long firearms, Saitou is designated as the heavy weapons expert. He comes in to do his job when deadly force is needed. He uses rocket launchers, missiles, tanks, heavy machine guns and of course, his sniper rifle which is aided by his left eye modification which enables him to aim at enemies with deadly accuracy.
