Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd GIG

Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd GIG (攻殻機動隊 S.A.C. 2nd GIG, Kōkaku Kidōtai Sutando Arōn Konpurekkusu Sekando Gigu^?, lit. "Mobile Armoured Riot Police: S.A.C. 2nd GIG") is the second season of the anime series Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, based on Masamune Shirow's manga Ghost in the Shell. It was written and directed by Kenji Kamiyama, with original character design by Hajime Shimomura and a soundtrack by Yoko Kanno. 2nd GIG premiered in Japan on Animax on January 1, 2004.

Alongside 2nd GIG continues Tachikomatic Days (タチコマな日々, Tachikoma na Hibi^?), the associated series of comedic shorts involving the Tachikoma that began airing with the first season of Stand Alone Complex.

The season was later adapted into a feature-length OVA entitled Individual Eleven, which was released in 2006;^[1] Solid State Society, a TV-film sequel to the Stand Alone Complex series, was also released in that year.^[2]

Plot

Setting

S.A.C. 2nd GIG begins two years after the events of the first season, and explores in some depth the political and social ramifications of the two world wars that took place prior to the events of the series.^[3] 2nd GIG's episodes are split into three categories: Dividual (cases with little or no connection to the main story arc), Individual (primarily concerning Section 9's investigation into a terrorist group known as the "Individual Eleven") and Dual (primarily concerning the Goda/CIS storyline).

Story

It is two years since Section 9 helped topple the corrupt Japanese government; Yoko Kayabuki, the incumbent Prime Minister, restores them to their position as an official law enforcement unit.

Section 9 are later recruited by Kazundo Goda, head of the Cabinet Intelligence Service^[1], to intercede in an incident involving social refugees. The operation ends badly, straining tensions between the refugees and the government to breaking point. Over time, it becomes increasingly clear that Goda is manipulating Section 9 to suit his own personal agenda. Undertaking a risky plan to infiltrate the CIS's computer database, Major Kusanagi uncovers evidence implicating the CIS in terrorist activity. Shortly thereafter, a terrorist organization called the "Individual Eleven" (responsible for a string of violent attacks on Japanese citizens and an attempt to assassinate the Prime Minister) commit mass suicide live on television news. Believing that he was responsible for the horrific incident, Section 9 turns its full attention on Goda. While investigating a nuclear excavation project, evidence is found linking Goda to the Individual Eleven.

The refugee population, led by the charismatic Hideo Kuze, declares its independence from Japanese authority. The military responds by dispatching both the army and navy to the island of Dejima, where the refugees have settled. In an effort to prevent a civil war, Prime Minister Kayabuki publicly announces plans for a United Nations intervention. Chief Aramaki, meanwhile, orders Major Kusanagi to infilatrate Dejima and capture Kuze.

Kusanagi succeeds in finding and capturing Kuze: before they are extracted, however, they are trapped under a pile of rubble created by a stray missile. Before being rescued by Batou, both become aware that, as children, they were the only survivors of the plane crash that left Kusanagi in a coma. Meanwhile, Goda arranges for an American submarine to launch a nuclear missile at Dejima. Section 9's Tachikomas manage to intercept the missile, but in doing so sacrifice their artificial intelligence.

Goda reveals his intention to defect to the American Empire and is confronted by Section 9. He cannot be arrested, he claims, by way of a legal loophole; Kusanagi, acting on the orders of the Prime Minister by way of another legal loophole, shoots him dead. However, she is too late to prevent Kuze being executed by the CIS while he is held in custody.

Characters

Major Motoko Kusanagi (草薙 素子, Kusanagi Motoko^?)

Kusanagi is a full-body cyborg working as squad leader of Public Security Section 9, a fictional intelligence department under the Japanese Ministry of Home Affairs.^[4] Known to her colleagues as "The Major", Kusanagi is a highly skilled operative with an playful, though introspective and philosophical personality. Kusanagi is voiced by Atsuko Tanaka in the Japanese version of the series,^[5] Mary Elizabeth McGlynn in the English version^[6] and Alison Matthews in the Individual Eleven OVA.

Batou (バトー, Batō^?)

Batou is a member of Section 9 and Major Kusanagi's second-in-command. He is the only other full-body cyborg in the unit. He is voiced by Akio Ōtsuka in the Japanese version,^[5] Richard Epcar in the English version^[6] and David Kaye in the Individual Eleven OVA.

Togusa (トグサ, Togusa^?)

Togusa is a member of Section 9 and former police detective. He is the only member of Section 9 without a military background.^[7] In addition, he is the only one of his colleagues to only have a cybernetic brain - the rest of his body is organic. Togusa is voiced by Kouichi Yamadera in the Japanese version,^[5] Crispin Freeman in the English version^[6] and Trevor Devall in the Individual Eleven OVA.

Daisuke Aramaki (荒巻 大輔, Aramaki Daisuke^?)

Aramaki, often simply referred to as "Chief" (and, affectionately, the "Old Ape"), is head of Section 9 and, as such, directs the group's activities and focus. Aramaki deals with various branches of the government and military in his capacity as the group's leader, and carries substantial political influence even with high officials.^[8] Aramaki is voiced by Osamu Saka in the Japanese version,^[5] William Frederick Knight in the English version^[6] and Russell Roberts in the Individual Eleven OVA.

Saito (サイトー, Saitō^?)

Saito is a highly skilled marksman Section 9's tactical sniper. His left eye is cybernetic, allowing him to remotely access Japanese military spy satellites for additional precision if needed. He is voiced by Tōru Ōkawa in the Japanese version,^[5] Dave Wittenberg in the English version^[6] and Brian Drummond in the Individual Eleven OVA.

Ishikawa (イシカワ, Ishikawa^?)

Ishikawa is Section 9's information warfare and technology specialist, who often assists the Major in electronic infiltration and exploration. He is voiced by Yutaka Nakano in the Japanese version,^[5] Michael McCarty in the English version^[6] and John Payne in the Individual Eleven OVA.

Paz (パズ, Pazu^?)

Paz is a supporting member of Section 9 with connections to underground syndicates. He generally acts as a backup to his colleagues during field operations. He is voiced by Takashi Onozuka in the Japanese version,^[5] Robert Buchholz in the English version^[6] and John Murphy in the Individual Eleven OVA.

Borma (ボーマ, Bōma^?)

Borma is Section 9's munitions and explosives expert. He largely assumes a supporting role to his colleagues, and is often partnered with Paz. He is voiced by Taro Yamaguchi in the Japanese version,^[5] Dean Elliott/Dean Wein in the English version^[6] and Mark Gibbon in the Individual Eleven OVA.

The Tachikomas (タチコマ^?)

The Tachikomas are Section 9's "think-tanks": artificially intelligent one-man military vehicles who exhibit a childlike, inquisitive personality. They can be self- or human-controlled, are extremely maneouverable and are fitted with powerful military ordnance. They are voiced by Sakiko Tamagawa in the Japanese version^[9] and Melissa Fahn, Rebecca Forstadt, Lara Jill Miller, Sandy Fox, Sherry Lynn, Julie Maddalena, Peggy O'Neal, Lia Sargent and Michelle Ruff in the English version.^[10] In the Individual Eleven OVA, the Tachikomas are voiced by Nicole Bouma, Janyse Jaud, Kelly Metzger, Tabitha St. Germain and Cathy Weseluck.

Media

Anime

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex was animated by Production I.G, and produced by Bandai Visual, Bandai Entertainment, Dentsu, Nippon Television Network, Tokuma Shoten, Victor Entertainment, and Manga Entertainment.^[11] The series was directed by Kenji Kamiyama and written by Kamiyama and Yoshiki Sakurai. The series was initially hinted when Bandai has extended the episode list to 52 episodes at Otakon of 2003.^[12] On Halloween of 2003, Production I.G officially announced a second season for Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex.^[13]

It premiered on January 1, 2004 in Japan on the anime communications satellite television network, Animax, on a pay-per-view basis. ^[1] The series was later aired on the terrestrial Nippon TV from April 12, 2005. Animax also later aired the series across its other networks worldwide, including its English language networks in Southeast Asia and South Asia, as well as its other networks in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Latin America and several other regions. 2nd GIG was also later aired in the United States on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block. Bandai Visual owns the DVD distribution rights in Japan, while Manga Entertainment owns the distribution rights in North America and Europe. The show began airing daily on AnimeCentral beginning November 4, 2007 in both English (two nightly screenings) and original Japanese (one late-night screening).

Music

The soundtrack for the series was composed by Yoko Kanno and produced by Victor Entertainment. The opening theme for S.A.C. 2nd GIG is "Rise" (lyrics: Tim Jensen; music: Yoko Kanno; vocals: Origa), while the ending theme is "Living Inside the Shell" (lyrics: Shanti Snyder; music: Yoko Kanno; vocals: Steve Conte & Shanti Snyder).

OVA

Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. – Individual Eleven is a feature-length OVA which retells the events of S.A.C. 2nd GIG, altered to focus on both the Individual Eleven investigation and the relationship between Hideo Kuze and Motoko Kusanagi. Newly-animated scenes and a remixed soundtrack are also included. ^[14] Individual Eleven features the same voice cast as The Laughing Man and was released in Japan on January 27, 2006.

Reception

Chris Beveridge of AnimeOnDVD gave an overall score of "A".^[15] Andy Patricio of IGN rated the first DVD volume 9/10^[16] Mark Thomas of Mania also gave it an overall score of "A".^[17] Joe Luscik of Animefringe ranked the series 4.5 out of 5. ^[18]

See also

• Ghost in the Shell
• Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. Solid State Society

References

External links

• Official Production IG page (Japanese)
• Official Animax Website (Japanese)
• Official website (United States)
• Official Production IG page
• Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG (anime) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia