|
Click here to visit the Official Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG site! Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex was a really hard act to follow, but so far 2nd GIG has managed to it admirably. The first volume of this new series set up a new story in the first episode before moving on to a number of unrelated stories, however, in this volume the focus is firmly on the Individual Eleven terrorist group. This time round Section 9 are called in to act in a defensive capacity, something they are not used to. Section 9 were set up as an offensive organisation tasked with combating terrorist groups, so needless to say their new tasks - which involve protecting the Prime Minister from assassination and safeguarding a cargo of plutonium - cause more than a little dissent in the ranks. This time they have more than terrorists to contend with too, their missions are drawing them increasingly into the fragile peace of the refugee areas putting them directly in the firing line if something tips it over the edge. Their change of role seems to be linked to Goda, the mysterious and hideously scarred head of the Intelligence Agency who appears to be trying to use Section 9 as part of some big, and as yet, unseen scheme. What are his motives? And can Section 9 chief Aramaki outwit such a clever opponent before his team are truly trapped in his web? 2nd GIG vol 2 is probably the best volume of Stand Alone Complex so far, and that is saying a lot. Whilst the first series focused very much on a complex crime within the established Ghost in the Shell cityscape, 2nd GIG widens its focus to take a look at the more complicated and topical issues of asylum, large scale ideological terrorism and social policy. This volume builds on the first to take the series to a new level, as well as the more philosophical issues of social consciousness and the loss of individuality that are the cornerstones of the franchise, 2nd GIG looks at the social structure of the world. It explores an underclass, foreign workers displaced by war who were used to build the glittering city viewers will be familiar with, but are left to live squalid lives in the ruins of old Tokyo, unwanted and despised. The series is building up to something but as yet it is unclear as to what it is, the Individual Eleven cite the liberation of these immigrants as their goal, but there is much more to it. Goda is an interesting character, deliberately manipulating events for some unknown end, in turns aiding and restricting Section 9 much to the annoyance of Batou and Togusa. Fans of the series will find everything that makes it so good in this volume, each episode is packed with action and intrigue as the story is revealed in the same way as pieces of a puzzle. All will come together in time, but for the present it is ambiguous, each episode providing a snapshot of a bigger picture which has yet to be revealed. Although this all sounds very arty and perplexing it's not, you can enjoy 2nd GIG on many levels and whilst it is true that you will get more from it if you think about it, there is plenty of action and adventure to enjoy if you don't want to. Once again Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex delivers and if 2nd GIG continues the way it is going then it's going to blow away the first series in nearly every department. With the futuristic setting established this volume continues to flesh it out into a realistic world struggling with the problems of its past as much as its striving into a bright new future. It's this realism that makes it so good, and as the conspiracies and complexities of this world build I find myself even more desperate to see what will happen next. 2nd GIG is a truly great series and one that I will wait for vol 3 of with real anticipation. Extras The extras are similar to the last volume, with disc 1 carrying an intriguing two part interview with character designers Takayuki Goto and Tetsuya Nishio, and disc 2 carrying several trailers and the additional DTS audio tracks. Also make sure you check out the excellent Tachikomatic Days shorts after the credits on each episode! Great stuff. Ratings Feature:
|
