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Title:
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG vol 1

UK Distributor:  Manga Entertainment (DVD Only)

BBFC Certificate:  15

Suggested Retail Price (SRP):  £19.99

Episodes:  1-4 (of 26)

Audio Options:  English & Japanese 5.1 DTS, 5.1 & 2.0

Subtitles:  English

Reviewer:  Rich (Webmaster)

 

Click here to visit the Official Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG site!

Manga haven't hung around in releasing the second season of Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex, and the agents of Section 9 haven't had time to rest on their laurels either!  2nd Gig vol 1 starts exactly where season 1 left off, with Section 9 heading towards a tower block that has been taken over by terrorists.  However, it is not only the lives of the hostages that are at risk - the very future of Section 9 rests on their performance in this mission.  With such high stakes you may think things would start off in a subdued manner, but instead the new series starts as explosively as the last one ended!

Episode 1 is a tour de force of all the elements that makes Ghost in the Shell good, with plenty of stunningly executed action, a strong plot, great music and animation which tops even the standards set by the previous series.  The episode even ends with a homage to one of the best scenes from Mamoru Oshii's 1995 Ghost in the Shell film, leaving you looking forward to a further three episodes of adrenaline-pumping action.  However, fans of the first series will know that it rarely does what you expect, and the second episode shows a real change of pace as the focus shifts onto a war veteran who is slipping into a spiral of psychosis.

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd Gig vol 1 wears it's influences on its sleeve.  Episode 2's use of cuts to confuse what is real and what isn't is reminiscent of the work of Satoshi Kon, particularly Perfect Blue and Paranoia Agent, whereas episode 3 - in which Section 9 are brought in by a wealthy businessman to protect him from being robbed by a mysterious superthief - has elements that will be familiar to fans of Lupin III.  Whilst the execution of these episodes are slick and enjoyable it must be said that they do feel out of place, it just doesn't seem like Section 9 would spend the time and effort they do in episode 2, and their actions in episode 3 just seem far too convoluted and out of character.  Episode 2 is intriguing and episode 3 is great fun, but it is still good to see things get back to more of what we expect in episode 4, which sees plenty of action and some really interesting story elements come to the fore.

This volume does lay the groundwork for an intriguing plot, and it is interesting to learn more about the social aspect of the Ghost in the Shell world.  Episode 4 in particular highlights the growing unrest building up amongst the refugee population, something that almost spills into rioting when rogue AI programs cause a battalion of attack helicopters to hover threateningly over the refugee district.  Was the AI malfunction just an accident?  Or was there some more sinister motive behind it?  Once again, Ghost in the Shell is throwing up questions even at the start of the series, but the fact that it is focusing less on the loss of individuality and more on social divides really intrigues me as it something that hasn't been covered by the franchise before.

The middle two episodes may seem out of place, but it doesn't stop this being a great DVD.  Many of the technical gripes from season 1 have been dealt with - the subtitles are clear and timed correctly, and thankfully there are chapter stops before the 'Tachikomatic Days' shorts that follow the end credits of each episode.  The menus are easier to navigate too, although the continued lack of a 'Play All' option is a bit disappointing.  Overall though Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex 2nd Gig volume 1 is a great signal of intent for 2006 from Manga.  The animation is better than ever and the story looks to be every bit as good as the first series, with intriguing questions being raised already and some clever references to current social ills.  If you haven't bought the first series yet buy Manga's excellent value 7 disc boxset and watch it as soon as possible.  Get up to speed with Stand Alone Complex because, trust me, 2nd Gig deserves to be purchased.

Extras

The extras remain similar to those from the first series, but with trailers adorning disc 2 in place of the largely superfluous quiz.  This time round the interviews are with director Kenji Kamiyama, art director Yusuke Takeda and conceptual artist Hiroshi Kato, and once more provide an in depth and interesting behind the scenes look at the creation of an anime series.  The only other extra to speak of is the episode descriptions, which are pretty pointless, but audiophiles will be pleased to know that Manga have continued to include a second disc containing DTS audio tracks.  Overall a good selection of extras once again.

Ratings

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