This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (May 2008)

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2008)

Ghost in the Shell (攻殻機動隊, Kōkaku Kidōtai^?, translated as "Mobile Armored Riot Police") is a Japanese cyberpunk manga created by Masamune Shirow, and first published in 1989 in Young Magazine. A sequel, Ghost in the Shell 2: Man/Machine Interface, was released in 2002. Ghost in the Shell is a fictional universe originated in a manga by mangaka Masamune Shirow, which has since been translated into an animated film and anime. ... Berlins Sony Center reflects the global reach of a Japanese corporation. ... This article is about the comics created in Japan. ... Masamune Shirow ) is a manga artist of international renown, born Masanori Ota (太田 まさのりOta Masanori) on November 23, 1961. ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... Young Magazine (ヤングマガジン yangumagazin) is a Japanese manga magazine published weekly by Kodansha. ... For other uses, see Sequel (disambiguation). ... Ghost in the Shell 2: Man-Machine Interface (Japanese title: Koukaku Kidoutai 2: ManMachine Interface 攻殻機動隊2 MANMACHINE INTERFACE) is the sequel to the manga Ghost in the Shell (not the anime movie, or the anime TV show) Categories: Anime and manga stubs | Manga | Anime | Ghost in the Shell ... Also see: 2002 (number). ...

Over the years, the manga series has been adapted into the following: three anime films—Ghost in the Shell, Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Solid State Society; and two anime television series—Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd Gig; all produced by Production I.G, along with one PlayStation game, one PlayStation 2 game, and one PlayStation Portable game. Animé redirects here. ... This article contains a plot summary that is overly long or excessively detailed. ... Batou, the protagonist. ... Batou and a Tachikoma Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is also titled Kōkaku Kidōtai: Stand Alone Complex (ManMachine Interface: STAND ALONE COMPLEX) in Japan, and is often refered to by its acronym GitS:SAC. GitS:SAC is a Japanese anime TV series set in the Ghost in the... Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd GIG (japanese title: 攻殻機動隊 S.A.C. 2nd GIG) is the second season from Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. ... Production IG was founded on December 15, 1987, by Mitsuhisa Ishikawa. ... For other uses, see PlayStation (disambiguation). ... PS2 redirects here. ... The PlayStation Portable (officially abbreviated PSP)[5] is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. ...

Setting

Cyborg shell

Ghost in the Shell is a futuristic police thriller dealing with the exploits of Motoko Kusanagi, a member of the covert operations section of the Japanese National Public Safety Commission, Section 9, which specializes in fighting technology-related crime. She may be named after one of the three Imperial Regalia of Japan and Shirow makes reference to them at the end of the second manga. Although supposedly equal to all other members, Kusanagi fills the leadership role in the team, and is usually referred to as "the Major" due to her past rank in the armed forces. She is capable of superhuman feats, and bionically specialized for her job — her body is almost completely mechanized; only her brain and a segment of her spinal cord are organic. Image File history File links Gs026. ... Image File history File links Gs026. ... The thriller is a broad genre of literature, film, and television. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... A covert operation is a military or political activity carried out in such a way that the parties responsible for the action can be an open secret, but cannot be proved. ... The National Public Safety Commission ) is a Japanese Cabinet Office commission. ... Public Security Section 9 (Japanese: 公安9課, Kōuan KyÅ«ka), also referred to as Public Safety Section 9 in some translations, is a fictional intelligence department under the Ministry of Home Affairs from Masamune Shirows Ghost in the Shell anime and manga series. ... The Imperial Regalia of Japan ), also known as the Three Sacred Treasures, consist of the sword, Kusanagi (草薙劍), the jewel or necklace of jewels, Yasakani no magatama (八尺瓊曲玉), and the mirror Yata no kagami (八咫鏡). Also known as the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan, the regalia represent the three primary virtues: valor (the... Major is a military rank the use of which varies according to country. ...

The setting of Ghost in the Shell is cyberpunk or postcyberpunk, similar to that of William Gibson's Sprawl trilogy. More than other cyberpunk authors, however, Shirow focuses more on the ethical and philosophical ramifications of the widespread merging of humanity and technology, the development of artificial intelligence and an omnipresent computer network set the stage for a reevaluation of human identity and uniqueness. Kusanagi and her colleagues face external threats and also suffer internal conflict over their own natures. Berlins Sony Center reflects the global reach of a Japanese corporation. ... This article or section is missing references or citation of sources. ... For other persons named William Gibson, see William Gibson (disambiguation). ... The Sprawl-trilogy, of which Neuromancer is the first part. ... AI redirects here. ...

Works in the series

Ghost in the Shell has different mediums, all of them having a separate and alternate plot. For example, the theatrical movies do not occur on the same timeline as the Stand Alone Complex movie, which is based on the TV series.

Manga

Main articles: Ghost in the Shell (manga), Ghost in the Shell 2: Man/Machine Interface, and Ghost in the Shell 1.5: Human-Error Processor

A continuation of the first manga can be found in the second manga series entitled Ghost in the Shell 2: Man/Machine Interface. Ghost in the Shell 1.5: Human-Error Processor includes a series of stories originally intended to be serialized in the initial print of Ghost in the Shell 2: Man/Machine Interface. For other uses, see Ghost in the Shell (manga) (disambiguation). ... Ghost in the Shell 2: Man-Machine Interface (Japanese title: Koukaku Kidoutai 2: ManMachine Interface 攻殻機動隊2 MANMACHINE INTERFACE) is the sequel to the manga Ghost in the Shell (not the anime movie, or the anime TV show) Categories: Anime and manga stubs | Manga | Anime | Ghost in the Shell ... Ghost in the Shell 2: Man-Machine Interface (Japanese title: Koukaku Kidoutai 2: ManMachine Interface 攻殻機動隊2 MANMACHINE INTERFACE) is the sequel to the manga Ghost in the Shell (not the anime movie, or the anime TV show) Categories: Anime and manga stubs | Manga | Anime | Ghost in the Shell ... Ghost in the Shell 2: Man-Machine Interface (Japanese title: Koukaku Kidoutai 2: ManMachine Interface 攻殻機動隊2 MANMACHINE INTERFACE) is the sequel to the manga Ghost in the Shell (not the anime movie, or the anime TV show) Categories: Anime and manga stubs | Manga | Anime | Ghost in the Shell ...

Films

Ghost in the Shell has been adapted into numerous anime adaptations, all of which were produced by Production I.G. Production IG was founded on December 15, 1987, by Mitsuhisa Ishikawa. ...

The series was first adapted into a theatrical anime film adaptation in 1995, entitled Ghost in the Shell, directed by Mamoru Oshii. The film was followed by another theatrical movie sequel, Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, produced in 2004, which was also directed by Oshii and places the character of Batou in the lead role. A third film, Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. Solid State Society, was created after the TV series and directed by Kenji Kamiyama. This film, however, is based on the TV storyline and does not connect with either of Oshii's works. This article contains a plot summary that is overly long or excessively detailed. ... Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer Mamoru Oshii (押井守 Oshii Mamoru; born August 8, 1951 in Tokyo) is a Japanese animation and live-action film writer and director famous for his philosophy-orietned storytelling. ... Batou, the protagonist. ... Kenji Kamiyama was born on March 20, 1966 in Japan (Iturup Etorofu ?). He became a freelancer with a background in arts after working for Studio Fuga. ...

As of 2008, DreamWorks acquired the rights to produce a live-action film adaptation of the original manga with Steven Spielberg tipping the scales in DreamWorks favor. So far, Avi Arad and Steven Paul are confirmed producers and Jamie Moss will be adapting the manga into a screenplay.^[1] This article is about the film studio. ... In film and video, live action refers to works that are acted out by human actors, as opposed to animation. ... Steven Allan Spielberg KBE (born December 18, 1946)[1] is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. ... Avi Arad (Hebrew: אבי ארד) is an Israeli-American businessman. ...

Television series

The series has also been adapted into an anime television series, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, which was carried on into a second season, Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd GIG, and was followed by a film, Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. Solid State Society, which premiered on the SKY Perfect satellite television network on September 1, 2006. The Stand Alone Complex series is directed by Kenji Kamiyama, and follows an alternate and separate storyline from that of Oshii's theatrical film adaptations and Masamune's original manga. The TV series expands further on the careers of Motoko Kusanagi and Section 9, and also retains more elements from Masamune Shirow's original manga than Oshii's feature films. Animé redirects here. ... Batou and a Tachikoma Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is also titled Kōkaku Kidōtai: Stand Alone Complex (ManMachine Interface: STAND ALONE COMPLEX) in Japan, and is often refered to by its acronym GitS:SAC. GitS:SAC is a Japanese anime TV series set in the Ghost in the... Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd GIG (japanese title: 攻殻機動隊 S.A.C. 2nd GIG) is the second season from Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. ... SKY Perfect Communications Inc. ... is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Kenji Kamiyama was born on March 20, 1966 in Japan (Iturup Etorofu ?). He became a freelancer with a background in arts after working for Studio Fuga. ...

Novels

• After the Long Goodbye: Written by Masaki Yamada is a prequel to Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence.
• The Lost Memory, Revenge of the Cold Machines and White Maze: A trilogy of novels written by Junichi Fujisaku set in the Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex sub-universe.

After the Long Goodbye is a cyberpunk novel by Masaki Yamada. ... Masaki Yamada (born 1950) is a Japanese science fiction author. ... Batou, the protagonist. ... Junichi Fujisaku (b. ... Batou and a Tachikoma Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is also titled Kōkaku Kidōtai: Stand Alone Complex (ManMachine Interface: STAND ALONE COMPLEX) in Japan, and is often refered to by its acronym GitS:SAC. GitS:SAC is a Japanese anime TV series set in the Ghost in the...

Video games

Main articles: Ghost in the Shell (video game) and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (video game)

A PlayStation game was released in 1997, developed by Exact and published by THQ. A second game bearing the anime TV series title Stand Alone Complex was released in November 2004 on PlayStation 2, developed by SCEJ and Cavia and published by Bandai. A game of the same name developed by G-Artists and published by Bandai was released in 2005 for PlayStation Portable, but this is a sequel to the PlayStation 2 game, with a completely different storyline, setting and gameplay and also on Nintendo ds like Ghost in the Shell is a video game for the PlayStation game console, and draws on both the film of the same name and the manga by Masamune Shirow in its presentation. ... For other uses, see PlayStation (disambiguation). ... Ghost in the Shell is a video game for the PlayStation game console, and draws on both the film of the same name and the manga by Masamune Shirow in its presentation. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... Extortion, outwresting, or exaction is a criminal offense, which occurs when a person either unlawfully obtains money, property or services from another through coercion or intimidation or threatens one with physical or reputational harm unless they are paid money or property. ... THQ Inc. ... PS2 redirects here. ... Sony Corporation ) is a Japanese multinational corporation and one of the worlds largest media conglomerates with revenue of $66. ... This article is about the Japanese toy manufacturer. ... The PlayStation Portable (officially abbreviated PSP)[5] is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. ... The Nintendo DS (sometimes abbreviated NDS or more commonly DS) is a handheld game console developed and manufactured by Nintendo. ...

Main articles: Ghost in the Shell (video game) and Ghost in the Shell: Darkness Love (video game)

.

Ghost in the Shell is a video game for the PlayStation game console, and draws on both the film of the same name and the manga by Masamune Shirow in its presentation. ...

Anime Timeline

The movies and TV series are set in alternate universes. Ghost in the Shell is set in 2029 AD and Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence takes place 3 years after in 2032 AD. The television series starts off in the year 2030 AD. This also explains why the two movies are located in Hong Kong^{[citation needed]} and the TV series in Japan. However, the third film Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. Solid State Society follows up on many of the events that ended the second season Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd GIG. This article contains a plot summary that is overly long or excessively detailed. ... Batou, the protagonist. ...

Impact and influence

Major Kusanagi using thermal-optical camouflage (from Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex)

The Wachowski brothers, makers of the Matrix trilogy, have commented on the influence of Ghost in the Shell in an interview.^[2] Producer Joel Silver also stated in an interview on the Animatrix DVD that he was shown the Ghost in the Shell movie during a pitch from the Wachowski brothers to indicate the style and look of the film they wanted for The Matrix. This work is copyrighted. ... This work is copyrighted. ... Batou and a Tachikoma Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is also titled Kōkaku Kidōtai: Stand Alone Complex (ManMachine Interface: STAND ALONE COMPLEX) in Japan, and is often refered to by its acronym GitS:SAC. GitS:SAC is a Japanese anime TV series set in the Ghost in the... Laurence Larry Wachowski (born June 21, 1965) and Andrew Andy Wachowski (born December 29, 1967) are American film directors and writers most famous for creating The Matrix series. ... Joel Silver (born July 14, 1952) is a successful Hollywood film producer. ... The Animatrix is a collection of nine CG and anime shorts set in the world of The Matrix, partly written by the Wachowski brothers. ...

Academic influence

Ghost in the Shell was analyzed together with William Gibson's book Neuromancer in chapter 4 "Orienting the Future" of Wendy Hui Kyong Chun's book "Control and Freedom - Power and Paranoia in the Age of Fiber Optics" (2006, The MIT Press). She looks at the aspect of high-tech Orientalism put forth in both works. For other persons named William Gibson, see William Gibson (disambiguation). ... For the 1988 video game, see Neuromancer (video game). ... For the book by Edward Said, see Orientalism (book). ...

References

Variety is a daily magazine for the entertainment industry. ... The WB Shield, used from 2001 to late 2003. ...

External links

• Ghost in the Shell (manga) at the Anime News Network
• Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (TV) at the Anime News Network
• Production I.G — Production I.G official English website (English)
• Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex official website (Japanese)
• Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex official English website (English)

This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ...