Ghost in the Shell: Arise

Ghost in the Shell: Arise

Ghost in the Shell: Arise Borders 1 & 2 cover, which includes both Ghost Pain and Ghost Whispers
攻殻機動隊ARISE -GHOST IN THE SHELL-
(Kōkaku Kidōtai ARISE -GHOST IN THE SHELL-)
Genre Science fiction noir, cyberpunk, post-cyberpunk, Action, Military
Manga
Ghost in the Shell: Arise
~Sleepless Eye~
Written by Junichi Fujisaku
Published by Kodansha
Demographic Seinen
Magazine Young Magazine
Original run March 13, 2013 – August 26, 2013
Volumes 4
Original video animation
Directed by Kazuchika Kise
Written by Tow Ubukata
Music by Cornelius
Studio Production I.G
Licensed by
Released July 22, 2013 – September 6, 2014
Runtime 50 minutes each
Episodes 4
Anime television series
Kōkaku Kidōtai: Arise - Alternative Architecture
Directed by Kazuchika Kise
Written by Tow Ubukata
Music by Keigo Oyamada
Studio Production I.G
Licensed by
Network Tokyo MX, KBS, SUN, TVA, HTB, OX, SBS, TVQ, BS11
Original run April 5, 2015[1] – ongoing
Episodes 10

Ghost in the Shell: Arise (Japanese: 攻殻機動隊ARISE -GHOST IN THE SHELL- Hepburn: Kōkaku Kidōtai ARISE -GHOST IN THE SHELL-) is an original video animation and anime television series that serves as a re-imagining of Masamune Shirow's Ghost in the Shell. The series features new character designs and is directed by Kazuchika Kise, screenplay by Tow Ubukata, and music by Cornelius.[2][3]

Kōkaku Kidōtai: Arise - Alternative Architecture (攻殻機動隊ARISE ALTERNATIVE ARCHITECTURE), a recompilation of the four original films in a television format, started airing in nine stations on April 5, 2015. This airing includes two all-new episodes that will help tie Ghost in the Shell: Arise with the upcoming 2015 animated film Kōkaku Kidōtai Shin Gekijōban.[4]

Plot

The series takes place in the year 2027, where many people in developed countries have become cyborgs with prosthetic bodies. Primarily set in the fictional Japanese Newport City, the series follows a younger Motoko Kusanagi before the formation of Public Security Section 9. At the start of Arise she is a member of the federal 501 Organization, a group who employs advanced infiltration tactics and espionage in order to attack or neutralize enemy threats. The 501 Organization is also the legal owner of Kusanagi's prosthetic body, which is lent to her in exchange for her services to the group. This debt displeases her and causes a disparity between herself and her employer.

In Ghost Pain, a senior officer, Lieutenant Colonel Kurtz, assigns Kusanagi to a case involving a bomb that sets off in Newport. Along the way she is assisted by an official of Public Security, Daisuke Aramaki, along with ex-Ranger Batou, Detective Togusa of the Niihama Police, undercover investigator Pazu and bomb specialist Borma. Throughout the film, Kusanagi is subjected to memory loss that inhibits her progress in the case. It is later revealed that she was implanted with false memories, a product of a failed "Ghost Hack" she had performed on the money-laundering conspirator Mamuro, which was infected with a memory virus. Once she realizes that the 501 Organization was involved with the scandal, she leaves the unit now in legal possession of her own prosthetic body. She is met by Aramaki, who proposes the formation of a new unit within Public Security.

Cast and characters

Arise features an original Japanese voice cast, with no actors reprising their roles from the Oshii film and Stand Alone Complex television anime series. Maaya Sakamoto replaces Atsuko Tanaka as the voice of Major Motoko Kusanagi, Sakamoto having only previously voiced the Major as a child in Stand Alone Complex.[3] Other changes to the cast include Kenichirou Matsuda as Batou, Tarusuke Shingaki as Togusa, Ikyuu Jyuku as Chief Daisuke Aramaki, Tomoyuki Dan as Ishikawa, Takuro Nakakuni as Saito, Yōji Ueda as Paz, and Kazuya Nakai as Borma.[5] Miyuki Sawashiro provides the voice of the series' think tanks now called the Logicoma (ロジコマ Rojikoma), short for Logistics Conveyer Machine (ロジスティックス・コンベイヤー・マシン Rojisutikkusu Konbeiyā Mashin). The Logicoma also feature in anime shorts included on the Blu-ray releases titled Logicoma Beat (ロジコマ・ビート Rojikoma Bīto).

New characters in the first episode include Kurtz (クルツ Kurutsu), voiced by Mayumi Asano in Japanese and by Mary Elizabeth McGlynn (the previous voice of the Major) in English, the head of the Army 501 Organization (陸軍５０１機関 Rikugun Go Maru Ichi Kikan), the firm who converted Motoko Kusanagi into a full cyborg and who Kusanagi would replace in the organization had she not joined Section 9; Raizo (ライゾー Raizō), voiced by Takanori Hoshino, a combat cyborg for the 501 Organization that uses electricity as weapons; Ibachi (イバチ), voiced by Masahiro Mamiya, a combat cyborg for the 501 Organization skilled in bōjutsu and armed with hidden machine guns; Tsumugi (ツムギ), voiced by Kenji Nojima, a tactical cyborg for the 501 Organization that has a set of twins' cyberbrains in its head who always talk to each other; and Lieutenant colonel Mamuro (マムロ), voiced by Atsushi Miyauchi, the leader of the 501 Organization who raised Kusanagi but has disappeared, having had something to do with arms dealing.

Media

OVA

Each of the episodes are known as "borders", and have received a limited national theatrical release one month before the release of their Blu-ray and DVD versions. A recurring part of the episodes is the mysterious Fire Starter (ファイア・スターター Faia Sutātā) computer virus, as well as looking into the lives of Public Security Section 9's members before its formation.[6]

The opening theme for the series is called "Ghost in the Shell: Arise", and is performed by both Salyu and Cornelius; the ending themes are different for each episode.

Episode list

No. Title Original release date English release date
1 "Ghost Pain"  June 22, 2013October 21, 2014[7]

Set in the year 2027, a year following the end of the non-nuclear World War IV, a bomb has gone off in Newport City, killing a major arms dealer who may have ties with the mysterious 501 Organization. Public Security official Daisuke Aramaki hires full-body cyber prosthesis user and hacker extraordinaire Motoko Kusanagi to investigate, but on the case with her are "Sleepless Eye" Batou who believes Kusanagi is a criminal, Niihama Prefecture Detective Togusa who is investigating a series of prostitute murders he believes are related to the incident, and Lieutenant Colonel Kurtz of the 501 Organization who also wishes to keep an eye on Kusanagi.[8][9]

The ending song is "Jibun ga Inai" (じぶんがいない, "There is no me") composed and arranged by Cornelius, lyrics by Yura Yura Teikoku's vocalist and guitarist Shintaro Sakamoto, and performed by salyu × salyu. 
2 "Ghost Whispers"  November 30, 2013October 21, 2014

Freed of her responsibilities with the 501 Organization, Motoko Kusanagi must now learn how to take orders from Aramaki. Someone hacks the Logicomas, and Batou enlists the help of former army intelligence officer Ishikawa and former air artillery expert Borma. Kusanagi also seeks to enlist ace sniper Saito and undercover cop Paz into the new Public Security Section 9.[10] The two groups rival each other in a case involving a man who receives false memories of a refugee transport operation.

The ending song is "Soto wa Senjō da yo" (外は戦場だよ, "Outside it's a Battlefield!") composed and arranged by Cornelius, lyrics by Sakamoto, and performed by Ichiko Aoba with Cornelius. 
3 "Ghost Tears"  June 28, 2014[11]

Motoko and Batou work to try to stop a terrorist organization whose symbol is the Scylla (スクラス Sukurasu).[12] Meanwhile, Togusa investigates a murder of a man who possessed a prosthetic leg manufactured by the Mermaid's Leg corporation.[13]

The ending song is "Heart Grenade" composed and arranged by Cornelius, lyrics and performed by Sean Lennon. 
4 "Ghost Stands Alone"  September 6, 2014

Motoko and newly forming Public Security Section 9 must track down a terrorist known as “Fire Starter”, who unleashes an infection that affects cyberbrains.[14]

The ending song is "Split Spirit" by Yukihiro Takahashi and METAFIVE. 

Manga

A manga original story titled Ghost in the Shell: Arise ~Sleepless Eye~ (攻殻機動隊ARISE～眠らない眼の男 Sleepless Eye～ Kōkaku Kidōtai ARISE ~Nemuranai Me no Otoko Sleepless Eye~, literally "The Man With Eyes That Do Not Sleep") began serialization in Kodansha's Young Magazine‍ '​s April 2013 issue, released March 13, 2013, and ended serialization on August 26, 2013.[5][15] The manga follows the story of how Batou and Kusanagi met during the civil war.

Anime

Kōkaku Kidōtai: Arise - Alternative Architecture (officially abbreviated as Kōkaku Kidōtai AAA)[16] is a television broadcasting of the previously released OVA episodes alongside new content. It began airing in Japan on April 5, 2015, broadcasting from the Tokyo MX, KBS, SUN, TVA, HTB, OX, SBS, TVQ and BS11 networks.

The opening theme is "Anata o tamotsu mono" by Maaya Sakamoto (who also plays the role of Major Kusanagi) and Cornelius.[17]

Episode list

No. Title Original air date
1 "Ghost Stands Alone, Part 1[18][19]"
"Ghost Stands Alone Zenpen" (Ghost Stands Alone 前編) 		April 5, 2015
Public Security Section 9 must track down a terrorist known as “Fire Starter”, who unleashes an infection that affects cyberbrains. While Pazu and Borma neutralize an insurgent, Section 9 is tasked with delivering the virus host, a young girl, to be analyzed when they suddenly discover a second "Ghost" inhabiting her body. 
2 "Ghost Stands Alone, Part 2[20]"
"Ghost Stands Alone Kōhen" (Ghost Stands Alone 後編) 		April 12, 2015
3 "Ghost Pain, Part 1[21]"
"Ghost Pain Zenpen" (Ghost Pain 前編) 		April 19, 2015
4 "Ghost Pain, Part 2[22]"
"Ghost Pain Kōhen" (Ghost Pain 後編) 
5 "Ghost Whispers, Part 1[23]"
"Ghost Whispers Zenpen" (Ghost Whispers 前編) 
6 "Ghost Whispers, Part 2[24]"
"Ghost Whispers Kōhen" (Ghost Whispers 後編) 
7 "Ghost Tears, Part 1[25]"
"Ghost Tears Zenpen" (Ghost Tears 前編) 
8 "Ghost Tears, Part 2[26]"
"Ghost Tears Kōhen" (Ghost Tears 後編) 

Releases

On June 14, 2013, Funimation announced that it had acquired the rights for the series for a North American release.[27] Funimation released parts 1 and 2 on Blu-ray and DVD to North America on October 28, 2014.[28] Netflix has parts 1 and 2 available for streaming in English[29][30] and part 3 in Japanese audio with English subtitles in selected territories.[31] On January 8, 2015, it was announced that Arise would be adapted into a "TV series" in the spring of 2015.[32][33] This was later confirmed to be a recompilation of the first four films into a television format, with two original episodes, collectively titled Kōkaku Kidōtai: Arise - Alternative Architecture (Kōkaku Kidōtai AAA).[34]

Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Pyrophoric Cult, an original episode from the AAA broadcasting, is slated for a home video release in Japan on August 26, 2015. The episode involves the "Fire Starter" virus explored in previous episodes and introduces the new character Pyromania. The episode will have ties to the upcoming film Kōkaku Kidōtai Shin Gekijōban.[35]

Reception

Overall reception of Ghost in the Shell: Arise has been largely positive. Online review aggregator website IMDb has combined overall audience scores for every episode out of 10, with Ghost Pain receiving a 7.3, Ghost Whispers receiving a 7.4, Ghost Tears receiving a 7.3 and Ghost Stands Alone receiving a 7.4.[36][37][38][39] Initial reactions upon announcement of the series were mainly centered on the visual redesign of the cast, particularly Major Kusanagi.[40][41]

Upon release of the first episode, Richard Eisenbeis of Kotaku has called Arise "a worthy addition to Ghost in the Shell" and assured viewers that "the changes to the series are only skin-deep".[42] However, he stated that the episode's themes are "things you have at least somewhat seen explored before in the other iterations of the franchise". Hugo Ozman of Twitch Film has stated similar opinions, calling Ghost Pain "interesting, but not spectacular".[43]

References

  1. ↑ "Ghost in the Shell: Arise's Broadcast to Add 2 New Episodes". Anime News Network. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  2. ↑ "「攻殻機動隊」の新作アニメプロジェクト「攻殻機動隊ARISE」製作決定". Gigazine. 2013-01-16. Retrieved 2013-03-13.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "『攻殻機動隊ARISE』全4部作で6月劇場公開　コミカライズ版も3月スタート(日刊SPA!) - IT - livedoor ニュース". News.livedoor.com. Retrieved 2013-03-13.
  4. ↑ "Ghost in the Shell: Arise's Broadcast to Add 2 New Episodes". Anime News Network. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "6月22日から映画「攻殻機動隊ARISE GHOST IN THE SHELL」全4部作公開". Gigazine. Retrieved 2013-03-13.
  6. ↑ "Production I.G / 作品紹介 / 攻殻機動隊ARISE / ストーリー". Production-ig.co.jp. Retrieved 2013-04-10.
  7. ↑ "Ghost in the Shell Arise English Dub Trailer Streamed". ANN. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  8. ↑ "Production I.G / 作品紹介 / 攻殻機動隊ARISE / ストーリー". Production-ig.co.jp. Retrieved 2013-04-10.
  9. ↑ "Introduction | 攻殻機動隊Arise -Ghost In The Shell". Kokaku-a.com. Retrieved 2013-04-10.
  10. ↑ "Introduction | 攻殻機動隊ARISE -GHOST IN THE SHELL". Kokaku-a.jp. Retrieved 2013-12-02.
  11. ↑ Green, Scott. "Third "Ghost in the Shell: Arise" Episode Scheduled for June 2014 - UPDATED". Crunchyroll. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  12. ↑ "Characters". Kotaku-a.jp. Retrieved 2014-05-19.
  13. ↑ "Introduction | 攻殻機動隊ARISE -GHOST IN THE SHELL". Kokaku-a.jp. Retrieved 2013-12-02.
  14. ↑ Tran, Can. "Video: 'Ghost In The Shell — ARISE' Ghost Stands Alone 1st 9-Min". digitaljournal.com. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  15. ↑ "「攻殻機動隊ARISE」コミカライズ 月刊ヤングマガジンで連載開始 公安9課以前を描く". Animeanime.jp. Retrieved 2013-03-13.
  16. ↑ "「AnimeJapan presents 謎解きゲーム」にて、TV新番組「攻殻機動隊AAA」の未公開機密情報が明らかに!!". Kokaku-a Blog. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  17. ↑ "新TVシリーズ　オープニング曲決定！". Kokaku-a Blog. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  18. ↑ "Ghost Stands Alone　前編". Kokaku-a blog. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  19. ↑ "Ghost in the Shell: Arise Ghost Stands Alone, Part 1". Funimation. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  20. ↑ "Ghost Stands Alone　後編". Kokaku-a blog. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  21. ↑ "Ghost Pain 前編". Kokaku-a blog. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  22. ↑ "Ghost Pain　後編". Kokaku-a blog. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  23. ↑ "Ghost Whispers 前編". Kokaku-a blog. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  24. ↑ "Ghost Whispers 後編". Kokaku-a blog. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  25. ↑ "Ghost Tears 前編". Kokaku-a blog. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  26. ↑ "Ghost Tears 後編". Kokaku-a blog. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  27. ↑ "Funimation Acquires Ghost in the Shell: Arise Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  28. ↑ "Ghost in the Shell: Arise: Borders 1 & 2 Blu-ray 攻殻機動隊ARISE / Blu-ray + DVD". blu-ray.com. Retrieved 2014-09-19.
  29. ↑ "Ghost Pain". Netflix. Retrieved 2015-02-12.
  30. ↑ "Ghost Whispers". Netflix. Retrieved 2015-02-12.
  31. ↑ "Ghost Tears". Netflix. Retrieved 2015-02-12.
  32. ↑ "Ghost in the Shell ARISE -GHOST IN THE SHELL-". Official site. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  33. ↑ Frontalspy. "Ghost in the Shell Arise TV Anime Announced for Spring". Otaku Tale. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  34. ↑ "Ghost in the Shell: Arise's Broadcast to Add 2 New Episodes". Anime News Network. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  35. ↑ "Ghost in the Shell Arise Pyrophoric Cult Episode Slated for August on Home Video in Japan". Anime News Network. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  36. ↑ "Ghost in the Shell Arise: Border 1 - Ghost Pain". IMDb. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  37. ↑ "Ghost in the Shell Arise: Border 2 - Ghost Whisper". IMDb. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  38. ↑ "Ghost in the Shell Arise: Border 3 - Ghost Tears". IMDb. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  39. ↑ "Ghost in the Shell Arise: Border 4 - Ghost Stands Alone". IMDb. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  40. ↑ Eisenbeis, Richard. "My, My, Major. How You Have Changed.". Kotaku. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  41. ↑ "“Ghost In The Shell ARISE” Motoko Key Visuals". Seventh Style. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  42. ↑ Eisenbeis, Richard. "The First Film of Ghost in the Shell: Arise is True to Its Roots". Kotaku. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  43. ↑ Ozman, Hugo. "Reel Anime 2013 Review: GHOST IN THE SHELL ARISE: BORDER 1 - GHOST PAIN Is Interesting But Not Spectacular". Twitch Film. Retrieved 9 March 2015.

External links