Ghost in the Shell, Anime Recommendation
Key takeaways from Anime Recommendation – Ghost in the Shell:
- Thought-Provoking Exploration: Ghost in the Shell raises profound questions about the nature of existence, the integration of humans and machines, and the meaning of life, leaving viewers contemplating these themes long after watching.
- Memorable Characters: Makoto Kusanagi undergoes remarkable character development throughout the series, while side characters contribute to the depth and complexity of the story, making them memorable and thought-provoking.
- Timeless Art and Sound: Despite being over 20 years old, Ghost in the Shell’s animation and art style still hold up well, and the impactful soundtrack enhances the overall viewing experience.
I was recommended this anime back when I was relatively new to anime, I was rather young at that time too, so most of the complex stuff flew over my head. It was on a rewatch years down the line when I realized just how profound Ghost in the Shell truly was.
Overrated has become a buzzword these days so I don’t know how many people will actually get this. But in truth, this anime is one of the deepest anime I have watched. I still find myself thinking about the questions this anime raised.
So welcome back to another edition of our anime recommendation series. Today we are in for a deep conversation with Ghost in the Shell.
Introduction
Ghost in the Shell is based on the manga of the same name by Shiro Masamune. It is a set of 2 movies, Ghost in the Shell and Ghost in the Shell: Innocence by Production IG. The movies came out in 1995 and 2004 respectively. The series also has a Hollywood movie adaptation featuring Scarlett Johanson of all people. It is a decent watch but nowhere as good as the original anime.
Plot
If I were to boil it down to literal basics, the anime tells a story of a cop, Makoto Kusanagi chasing a criminal called Puppet Master. The Puppet Master leaves behind a trail of people with their memories wiped at the scenes of his crime. Like most people, the Puppet Master also has a mostly robotic body but he somehow feels so much more than that.
As Makoto goes through the cases, she and we (the audience) begin to ponder the meaning of life and existence in this world where a human is inseparable from a machine. All these questions lead to one answer, the Pupper Master. And then we get the profound ending of the series. The plot of this series is truly mind-blowing and I cannot possibly do it justice in such a small section.
Characters
The world of Ghost in the Shell is full of quirky and memorable characters. Makoto’s character development throughout the series is nothing but amazing. Part 2 lacks a strong lead character but the plot carries Innocence well. As I said, the sad characters are amazing and it is one of these side characters that raises some really important questions in Innocense. Amazing character overall.
Animations and Soundtracks
Yes, the animations do feel dated by today’s standards. But come on, the movies came out more than 20 years ago. But just like Evangelion still looks good today because of the art style, it is the same with this anime. The soundtracks still hold up amazingly well so no complaints in that department.
Why should you watch Ghost in the Shell?
Quick pointers on why you should watch this anime
- Amazing plot
- Will keep you thinking for days
- Great characters
- Awesome art style
Conclusion
That is all for now. I know animes like these need some time to be digested properly but if you’re in the mood for deep, profound anime, Ghost in the Shell will not disappoint. Let me know what you think in the comments. With that said, I will take my leave here. See ya!
Check out my review for Heavenly Delusion before you leave, who knows, maybe that series will click for you!
