Ghost in the Shell is a famous manga and anime series that was made in Japan. The series is set in a futuristic world where people have the ability to connect their brains directly to the internet, leading to a new way of communicating and being. The main character is Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg agent working for the government’s Public Security Section 9, which specializes in fighting cybercrime and terrorism.
The Series explores a wide variety of topics, including the definition of consciousness, identity, the relationship between humans and technology, and the ethical implications of advanced technology. The series has also been adapted into several films, TV series, video games, and novels, all expanding on the world and characters of the original manga.
The series was critically acclaimed and has become a cult classic among fans of science fiction and anime. The franchise lives up to its name and continues to inspire many more creative minds based on the concepts portrayed in the manga and anime.
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List of the Ghost In The Shell Series in Order
- Ghost in the Shell
- Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence
- Ghost in the Shell: Arise
- Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie
- Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
- Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd Gig
- Ghost in the Shell: Solid State Society
- Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045
The Detailed Watch Order
Ghost in the Shell (1995)
The movie is the first installment of the series and takes place in 2029. It revolves around the story after World War III and IV, where a Japanese-led block of cybernetically enhanced individuals come together to stop an array of hi-tech terrorists and other threats to international security.
The main character of the franchise is Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cybernetically enhanced woman agent who is in charge of Section 9, and she comes along a case involving ‘The Puppet Master,’ a terrorist who leaves a trail of victims who have been stripped of their memories. The agents of the organization soon start to question their responsibilities and figure out that the only one who can answer their questions is the Puppet Master. The remake version of the movie is Ghost in the Shell 2.0 (2008).
- Type: Movie
- Episodes: 1
- Where to Watch: Funimation (some regions)
Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004)
Batou is in focus in this part of the series since Major Motoko Kusanagi has been missing since she had the encounter with the Puppet Master. Batou and his partner are assigned to investigate a string of gruesome murders probably done by sex robots. But one of the robots leaves a cryptic message which makes them question the cause of the malfunction, and they continue to investigate to confuse themselves even further.
As they continue to investigate, they blur the line between reality and perception. They find themselves to be in a world filled with machines and living dolls devoid of humanity. This is the second installment by the same director Mamoru Oshii, but this movie did not receive the same level of appreciation as the first the case still remains unsolved, which means there is more story to be covered.
- Type: Movie
- Episodes: 1
- Where to Watch: Funimation (some regions)
Ghost in the Shell: Arise (2013-2015)
This is special prequel series that takes place before the events in the first movie of Ghost in the Shell. It has five episodes of approximately 50 minutes each. The series focuses on how the agents of Section 9 got to meet each other and their backgrounds. It also shows how Major Kusanagi and Chief Aramaki met, and it gives a hint at why Kusanagi started doubting her memories and her own existence.
This series is recommended to be watched after the above two movies so that it is easier to understand the characters which are being talked about in the series. As if there is no knowledge of the existing characters, it would be hard to understand the series’ plot.
- Type: OVA
- Episodes: 5
- Where to Watch: Funimation (some regions)
Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie (2015)
The Ghost in the Shell world is set in a dystopian world where everything’s, and everyone’s minds are connected to a central system known as ghosts. This leaves the only threat of cyber security to occur and harm everyone.
This series focuses on the most important event which has taken place since World War III and IV, which is the death of the Prime Minister of Japan. The prime suspect is Major Motoko Kusanagi, and it is up to her and her team of Section 9 to investigate and clear her name.
- Type: Movie
- Episodes: 1
- Where to Watch: Funimation (some regions), Prime Video
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2002)
This is the longest-running installment of the franchise. This has no previous connections to the 1995 film or the sequel movie (Innocence). It brings about a new storyline with the same previous characters, which are the agents of Section 9, and they investigate a new villain, this time by the name of ‘The Laughing Man.’
The team is stuck in a game of cat and mouse with the hacker while he leaves his mark on Japan. If you do not wish to see so many episodes, you can watch the alternative of Laughing Man, which came in 2005.
- Type: TV Series
- Episodes: 52
- Where to Watch: (No Official Website)
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd Gig (2004)
After the events of the Laughing Man and the closure of the case, Section 9 is re-established by the Prime Minister of Japan as he wishes to fight against cyber crimes and thinks Section 9 is his best chance. There is a new group known as ‘The Individual Eleven’ on the rise that also aims to do cybercrime.
But simultaneously, refugees from World War III and IV are trying to seek asylum in Japan, and Gouda Kazundo, a member of the Cabinet Intelligence Service, becomes part of their sudden investigation. So, Section 9 realizes that the Gouda and the migration are more connected than they are assumed to be.
- Type: TV Series
- Episodes: 26
- Where to Watch: (No Official Website)
Ghost in the Shell: Solid State Society (2006)
It’s 2034, and Major Kusanagi has left Section 9 and is still missing. The Puppet Master has once again popped up into the list of suspects in a new series of cases. Togusa is the new leader of Section 9 and is leading this investigation. Batou, who was following the case separately, suspects that Matoko might be the Puppet Master. Because before she went away, she told Batou to stay away from the Solid State Society.
- Type: OVA
- Episodes: 1
- Where to Watch: Netflix
Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 (2020)
Its 2045, Kusanagi and her team have been dispersed worldwide, trying to maintain peace throughout. But this does not let them work individually, as fate has other plans for them. AI has many developments and has evolved much more since the last series. A new set of humans called post-humans with enhanced AI have caused turmoil by causing wars. Section 9 has to be reunited to stop this group and the wars they are planning to cause.
- Type: TV Series
- Episodes: 24
- Where to Watch: Netflix
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