American Empire (Ghost in the Shell)

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A World Map from the anime series. Note the division of the modern day United States.

The American Empire is a fictional country in the anime and manga series Ghost in the Shell. It is featured prominently in Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd GIG, the second season of the TV anime. The American Empire was one of three countries formed from the collapse of the United States in the early 21st century. It consists of the states that formed the Confederate States of America, and controls the states considered to be in the American South and Southwest.

[edit] Background

After the end of the nuclear World War III, the United States was divided into three countries: the American Empire, the Russo-American Alliance, and the United States of America. The American Empire adopted an imperialist government and in an attempt to regain world power, began deploying its soldiers in North and South America in an effort to secure new territory. Due to a battered post-war economy and weak political position, the American Empire entered into a security pact with Japan, which had escaped World War III largely unscathed. The pact reaffirms Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution in prohibiting Japan from both deploying its army overseas and possessing nuclear weapons. One of the major reasons the American Empire sought to enter into this treaty was the "Japanese Miracle", radiation scrubbers, which negate the effects of nuclear fallout. This makes nuclear weaponry somewhat less devastating in the Ghost in the Shell universe, since the radioactive material left over from an atomic blast can be safely dealt with—reducing its utility as a political tool.

An American Empire Tank Convoy in Mexico in 2020

In 2020, the American Empire capitalized on a chance to expand itself into South America by calling for the deployment of UN troops to the region under the pretext of overthrowing the corrupt governments of Mexico and other Latin American countries. Through carpet bombing, mechanized troops, and wartime atrocities, the combined UN/AE swept up guerilla fighters who challenged the American Empire's authority.

In 2024, a civil war broke out on the Korean Peninsula, and the American Empire called for troop deployment under the name of UN to stabilize fighting within the peninsula. In reality, the American Empire hoped to acquire the natural resources in Korea, and promised to donate a portion of the material to Japan if they deployed their army in a supportive role.

The American Empire does not have a lot of influence outside of the North and South American continents, and its relationship with the countries of Europe is largely unknown, although it may be safely assumed that the AE is on friendly terms with at least some of the European countries. The American Empire has very little influence in East Asia, although they do maintain sensitive listening satellites which can monitor all phone conversations throughout Japan. It is also never mentioned what influence, if any, the AE has over the Middle-East, Africa, and Australia.

During the second gig it is implied that the Empire is in economic trouble with a diplomat arriving in Japan to negotate economic aid.

[edit] Appearances

The American Empire makes small appearances in Ghost in the Shell material, usually in a secondary role.

[edit] Stand Alone Complex

The first appearance of the American Empire in Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex came in episode 10, "A Perfect Day for a Jungle Cruise – Jungle Cruise", in which the American Empire dispatches two CIA officers to work with Section 9 in an effort to retrieve an ex-American Imperial Navy Petty Officer who has been murdering people in the city. The American Empire intends to cover up their war crimes by having Section 9 kill the murderer, but Section 9 fails to eliminate the killer. Later in the series, the American Empire allows Section 9 to access its highly sensitive reconnaissance satellites to listen in on all Japanese phone conversations in the hope that Dr. Imakurusu would turn up. The plan works, as the satellites locate the doctor prior to the Japanese DEA doing so, giving Section 9 an edge in the race to find the Laughing Man.

[edit] 2nd GIG

The American Empire plays a more prominent role in the second season of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. Towards the end of the series, Gouda, the man in charge of the Japanese Cabinet Intelligence Service, attempts to have the American Empire launch a nuclear attack against Dejima Island to eliminate the refugees. This plan fails when Section 9’s Tachikoma tanks collide the satellite which houses their AI, an American Empire satellite, with the incoming warhead. Gouda then attempts to defect to the American Empire, but is executed before leaving Japan.

[edit] References

This article contains information from some of the following sources:

• Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (anime)
• Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C 2nd GIG (anime)