The anime world is buzzing, and Ghost in the Shell ‒ Episode 5 has become the centre of attention. With fans across the globe debating every detail, this latest update is one that no otaku will want to miss.
The Story So Far
As far as I can make out, this Section 9 adventure involves corporate money laundering on an industrial scale, implicating not only a enormous conglomerate, but also both Japanese and Russian governments, and a sinister cybernetically-enhanced thug with a mechanical arm that makes mincemeat out of one of Batou's fresh rookies.
That, at least, provides some personal motivation to enliven an otherwise very dry narrative. Thankfully, Science SARU's incredible attention to visual detail, setting, and tone really helps to elevate what could have degenerated into an unintelligible mess. Avid Stand Alone Complex admirers may recognize many aspects of this installment that were previously repurposed into components of later installments of SAC: 2nd Gig, especially the “far north” setting of a wintry technostate, and a privately-owned geofront swarming with bad guys.
In the original manga, the advanced northern city is built on one of the Kuril Islands north of Hokkaido, though in the real world they remain disputed territory between Japan and Russia, so the adaptation fudges the details a little. (Oshii's Innocence movie also utilizes some elements from this chapter, including its primarily Northern setting.) There's so much going on this week that, amazingly, they manage to cram everything into a single installment.
Not only is the narrative dense, but we're treated to excellent renditions of several legendary moments, including, first and foremost, the inclusion of the Puma Twins cameo! legendary supporting characters from Shirow's police/comedy manga Dominion, they last appeared twenty years ago in the TANK S.W.A.T. 01 CGI OVA that never received an official English-language arrival.
Tonally, this version of Ghost in the Shell shares a lot in common with Dominion, so their brief scene is very welcome. I'd love an up-to-date anime version of Dominion from Science SARU, by the way, just sayin'. The Fuchikomas also get several opportunities to shine, including one of their number's psychedelic digital mind-melding with one of Section 1's tanks, and their badgering of the significant to be supplied with natural oil.
It transpires that the significant's reticence to use anything other than synthetic lubricants is based on genuine concerns – Batou's use of natural oil in his personal Fuchikoma causes its brakes to seize at the most pivotal moment mid-action scene. Poor Batou doesn't have a great time of it this installment. Not only is he initially assigned the “boring” job of training rookies, but he's successful hard by the news of the death of previously never-seen part Yano, even lashing out at boss man Aramaki.
Having his Fuchikoma sputter and stall halfway down a precipitous drop isn't what he needs. No wonder he snaps and executes the fleeing criminal Koil Krasnov, not that it's excusable. As Togusa comments, it would have been better to allow him to live, at least for interrogation purposes.
significant Kusanagi doesn't escape the dangerou…
Whether this marks the beginning of something bigger or a standalone moment remains to be seen. What is clear is that the entertainment world is watching closely — and so are we. Follow TeraMovies for complete coverage.
