About me

Name: Lucas...
is a hyper-advanced cyborg- his body consists of all of his active drives; his memory of all of his active sources. These are all variable, but on a periodic basis his bio components crave energy and sleep and remind him of his basic identity-layer (yes, I crave sleeping)...

Email: lucas2501@gmail.com
Location: Malaysia
Mechanical Engineer

Holiday Notice: 18th to 22nd Aug 05
See you guys when I get back! ^_^

The works featured are copyrights to Masamune Shirow and the respective companies. All copyrights infringements on my pages are un-intentional and these pages are NOT in any way for commercial purposes.
Please inform me of any inconsistencies, mistake or copyrights breach on my part and it will be ammended/corrected.
Also, Views & Opinions on the MSHP are my own (Lucas) and not that of Shirow or the respective companies.

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SAC - Analyzed Log 1

Fellow Ghost In the Shell fan Kadosho has contributed this series of write-ups about Ghost in The Shell: Stand Alone Complex Season 1. This would include episode summaries as well (coming soon), and hopefully more in future? These posts will be filed in the menu section for easy reference / retrieval under "The Ghost Within" header. Sincere thanks from MSHP and credits to Kadosho.

Ghost Within the Shell - A Self Documenation S1
by Kadosho

Ghost in The Shell - Stand Alone Complex, is a 26 episode lead series. Within this project, was a subserved ideal viewpoint of within the manga & films. Yet its own seperate conduit. It unfolds very differently from the film project, very close to the manga.

-Section 9-
This team is setup as an anti-crime unit, and also deals with key-in government protocol. Might say the alternate clean-up crew, before the police investigate. Or an outside team that works in secrecy, and protects whats needed to be defended.

The team members consist of... Chief Aramaki, Major Kusanagi, Batou, Togusa, Saitou, Borma, Ishikawa, & Pazu
(AI in dev - Team Tachikoma)

Not only does this team function as a unit, but even close to a family. They're out there for one another, no matter what. And even some a bit closer.

-Individuality-
There have always been key themes within the Ghost in the Shell series. Albeit manga, film, or this very show. Deep meaning, and thoughtful insight on what actions, and what makes whom they really are. Even though its a story set within a future that we could be heading towards very soon. It doesnt escape a probability of exsistence, yet keeps it level.

-Analyze-
Within the 26 ep ova project, there are various key terms met in each episode. Dual, Individual, Stand Alone, all of these stories are seperate from one another. Yet are somehow linked, as if a puzzle, and finding every piece needed to complete.

Most notably the key plotline is set within "The Laughing Man". Based on a closely knit fable of "Catcher in the Rye". Key terms were used to define significant events laden towards the plot. And even in our current time.

Aside from the key plot, there are even character studies. Giving viewers a background on each team member, as if seeing it from their perspective. It even goes as far as what their usual workday is like. And even that of the Tachikoma's which develop individuality, although being connected as a net.

-Significance-
Ghost in the Shell has always been a standout series. In Stand Alone Complex however, it follows key motives, and in-depth push. Almost directed like alot of modern day detective based shows. Such as Law & Order SVU. Most notably both shows have a key member who is female. Undeterred by her job, she keeps best of faith in her team. And somehow solves every case, not matter what difficulty comes their way.

-Direction-
On another level, the animation & direction is done by the team that has worked on both GitS films. Yet significantly directed another way. Instead of being based on philosophy, key markers are still intact, yet not in the same way. It follows its own motive, and push. Yet seperate, but will in due time reach a closeness with how the films met their marker.

Aside from 26 episodes, it flows as if a film. There are different levels which make the series "complete". The direction is very well done, and the team behind the project does an excellent job.

-Vision-
Making itself seperate from the films was an interesting challenge for Production I.G. Whom have notably pushed the bar on animation, and diverse ways of telling a story.

That being said, SAC can be well described akin to the films. Yet different, still keeping that "cyberpunk" nature. Although the influence is very unique, and derived more closely knit to the manga itself. Just watching each episode, is enough to tell you (yes dear reader). What such a grasped imagination, this series was brought to light.

-Sound of Mind-
Most notably the music for the series was produced by Yoko Kanno. Her notable works in music design has branced many years. Yet she always seems to outdo herself every time. Each piece is made based on ideas througout daily life, in what we see, hear, taste, touch, and feel. As noted in one of her interviews for this series, she really shows more about creativity.

Akin to other projects she's worked on, GitS SAC broke a bit of music boundaries. There are many different elements not explored before. From ambient, orchestral, rock, techno, electronica, and many others.

-Voice-
The voice actors both japanese, and american do an excellent job. Noted, many of the actors also lent their voices to the two GitS films. Also of note, the Tachikomas were done by one voice actress (j) But with the english dub, it was performed by several. Which gave even more in-depth level of each of their personality traits.

*even more interesting, the voice lead for Motoko (us) is actually a very well known name. She's worked on several projects, in both voice acting, and musical work (noted silent hill series).

-Other notes-
Stand Alone Complex indeed does push the bar on storytelling. Its unlike any other series out there right now. And with 2nd Gig arriving on US shores very soon, it will even push more boundaries that the 1st season left a marker with.

=End Document=

posted by: Lucas at 09/08/05 20:20 | link | comments | Category: ghost in the shell

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