The Ghost in the Shell debuts on Prime Video on July 7.
There’s a reason Ghost in the Shell keeps getting new adaptations. The 1989 manga created by Masamune Shirow has gorgeous art work and timeless themes of identity, what it means to be human, our relationship with technology, and more. Even moreso, it is simply a thrilling cyberpunk story. After a couple of disappointing adaptations, we now have a new Ghost in the Shell, and it’s the best one in 30 years. The first two episodes, which screened at the Annecy Animation Film Festival, show that studio Science Saru gives the story a hand-drawn look full of color, some creative use of 3D animation, and a focus on the character dynamics that provide the humor of the manga — an element which has been undeserved in prior versions of the story.
The first two episodes throw the viewer into a cyberpunk world with some very quick exposition (seriously, maybe a bit too quick) that introduces a reality where computer technology allows people to have cyberbrains which interface with networks, as well as prostheses that allow the wearer to essentially become a cyborg. This is a cyberworld full of robots and AI, where the line between human and machine has blurred and humanity is inextricably linked to technology.
Right off the bat, the show stands out as being the first direct adaptation of the original manga, one with the time to really give the smaller moments justice. This is most noticeable in the humor, something that Mamoru Oshii’s classic 1995 film adaptation didn’t really include. Here, the premiere touches on the philosophical and existential themes fans of past adaptations may be familiar with, but with the addition of fun banter between the characters as well as goofy gags and facial expressions that balance those heavier themes.
Visually, this show is a marvel. It’s vibrant and full of bright colors, while also quite violent and bloody; the choice to use pixelated blood when bodies explode adds to the humor of this adaptation. The hand-drawn animation gives the action a fluidity and tactile feel that’s rare in current anime, and even when we do get 3D it’s mostly used in machines and robots, playing into the movie’s themes of technology creeping in while being something different and not human.
The look is accompanied by a score that mashes up jazz with orchestral music and synth sounds. The result is a show that’s unlike any other adaptations of the manga, while familiar in its old-school vibe. Indeed, this Ghost in the Shell goes for a retro look, going as far as populating its futuristic world with electronics we now consider relics — there are no touchscreens or holograms, but rather CD drives, lots of buttons, and even VCRs.
Granted, it’s not all just silly fun. This being Ghost in the Shell, the first two episodes capture the deeper themes of the original manga. There’s talk of exploitation of foreigners by hanging the possibility of citizenship over them, themes of corruption and human experimentation, and even some political commentary that feels like a not-so-subtle jab at the United States’ history in the Middle East. Of course, the big focus of the two episodes, and the show at large, is AI, with the premiere having several characters talk about how machines are taking over human jobs, and the value of human brainpower and skills.
In these first two episodes, Ghost in the Shell comes across as visually and narratively old school. It allows the story to breathe, explores important and relevant themes, and also provides visuals that evoke ‘90s OVAs rather than the seasonal shows of the 2020s. If you’ve never watched Ghost in the Shell, there’s never been a better place to start. If you’re already familiar with this story, the first two episodes offer a different enough take to complement other adaptations.
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