Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Highly recommended

Publisher
Manga
Director
Kenji Kamiyama
Production
Bandai, Dentsu, Production IG, Victor Entertainment
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
26 episodes
Year
2002

Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex Volume 5

By otaku_kei
20th Aug 05

The work of agents entrusted with upholding the stability of a nation and the rule of law, is never done. The Laughing Man may be finished, but as the last volume showed there is still much for the team at Section 9 to contend with. With jet-setting, tragedy, grief and a shocking way to end these four episodes Volume 5 of Stand Alone Complex continues to deliver the high standard of plotlines and character development that is one of the hallmarks of this series.

Episode 17: Angel's Share
This episode focus' on the Major, and Aramaki and their trip to London that proves slightly more eventful then the scheduled summit may have previously suggested. Aramaki finds himself drawn into the troubles of one of his old friends, who is convinced that her wine merchants is being used to launder mob funds. When some corrupt British government officials try to use a hostage situation at the wine merchants to eliminate all evidence of their involvement it takes all of Aramaki's experience and wiles, as well as the Major's ingenuity to save them.

Finally giving Aramaki more to do than just smooth over all the troubles that Section 9 run into, this episode gives Aramaki room to shine, and to show just why he is so relied upon as the leader of Section 9. The way he takes charge of the hostage situation demonstrated not only his self-confidence in his abilities, but also the leadership qualities that he has developed and honed over the years, so that people themselves almost incapable of refusing his orders. The Major delivers the requisite amount of action in this episode to make sure nobody gets bored, but the star of this episode is certainly the Chief.

Episode 18: Lost Heritage
Another episode where Aramaki gets to play a prominent role. Having just attended the funeral for an old friend and war buddy, Aramaki is approached by the deceased daughter. She confides her fears that her brother in the aftermath of their fathers death is seeming like a different person, far more like their father than his usual artistic self. Aramaki though brushes aside these concerns as he and Section 9 have their hands tied arranging the security for the arrival of a foreign dignitary. But with growing evidence of an assassination plot, what does Aramaki's now dead friend have to do with it?

So with ghost-hacked individuals and assassination plots we seem to be tredding over old ground for Stand Alone Complex. Yes it is accomplished well, with the mix of plot development, investigation and action all flowing well together, but this is nothing that wasn't covered in the early episodes. All in all this episode still overcomes its rehashing of plotlines by just being executed so well. This episode though goes to show the limitations of the 'stand alone' episodes. There is only so much that Section 9 can deal with, and it seems that we are reaching that threshold.

Episode 19: Captivated
The Prime Ministers daughter is kidnapped in an ongoing spate of mysterious disappearances. Section 9 are called in to investigate and quickly uncover that this goes far deeper than first suspected, with these kidnapped girls being carved up for organs and then sold onto the black market, and high level government collusion. The race is on for Section 9 to find and contain the kidnappers whilst also securing the safe return of the girls. But the kidnappers are more than they seem.

Once again GITS:SAC seems to be returning to familiar territory that has been covered in other 'stand alone' episodes. It still manages to be gripping and action packed, but it does not seem to have the vitality and urgency of the earlier episodes that followed this type of plot.

Episode 20: Re-View
Togusa remains unconvinced that Section 9 collared the right man when they closed the Laughing Man case. Still hung up on this case he has been putting in the extra hours coming up with his own theory behind who the real Laughing Man is. But with growing government opposition to any further investigation into the Laughing Man case Togusa ends up following some leads that point to a conspiracy from within the centre of power. This episode leaves you hanging on an almighty cliff-hanger, but it looks as if the Laughing Man case is not as buried as we had been led to believe.

Wow. Not only do we get a return of the 'complex' episodes, but the way this one leaves it is just shocking. Deep down we all really knew that the Laughing Man case wasn't over, but in this episode we are starting to get hints that perhaps he is not the clear cut villain as had been earlier suggested. Togusa holds this episode together. Always the character who is easiest to relate to in Section 9, his earnest investigation will carry you along, but when it all falls apart we are left screaming along with Togusa. I hate it when a volume ends on a cliff-hanger like this.

Well what more can I say really about this volume, some of the episodes may be following similar plotlines to earlier episodes, but it remains a fantastic series that holds the attention of the viewer like a vice. I think I'm in need of another hit of Stand Alone Complex. But yes there are still some technical difficulties with this release (see below), but still this series remains an essential purchase for UK anime fans.

R2 DVD Notes

Features: Disc 1 - Japanese Language 5.1; English Language 5.1; English Language 2.0; English Language Subtitles; Interview with Kenzi Teraoka and Shinobu Tsuneki (Mechanical Designers); Interview with Koji Tanaka (Director of Photography) and Makoto Endo (3-D Director); Character Profiles; Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex Video Game Trailer Disc 2 - Japanese Language DTS; English Language DTS; English Language 2.0; English Language Subtitles; Volume 5 Quiz

Release information: OUT NOW

Notes: Well as I'm sure you will all be happy to hear that this volume of Stand Alone Complex is free of any of the niggling issues of audio/visual quality that has been the mark of earlier volumes. With a broad selection of audio tracks there is a lot of choice depending on your audio set-up. Subtitles deserve a special mention here - as they are ugly as sin! White text on black boarding which serves to obscure the picture. Really not the best option. As always with this series we get a wide range of extras as well. More interviews with production staff gives further insight into the creative process that goes into a show like this. The character profiles again add nothing to this release once you have watched the episodes. And Manga have also delivered another quiz on the second disc so you can get a sneak peek at volume 6. All in all a quality series that finally seems to be getting the disc releases right as well.

-- otaku_kei 20th Aug 05

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Images