"Ghost in The Shell" (1989-)

A "Ghost in The Shell" (1989-) is a cyberpunk, science fiction thriller, and philosophical story.

• Context:
  • It can (typically) center around Public Security Section 9, a fictional counter-cyberterrorist organization led by Major Motoko Kusanagi, a character who explores the boundaries between human consciousness and artificial intelligence.
  • It can (often) focus on themes such as transhumanism, the nature of consciousness, and the ethics of AI in a world dominated by advanced cybernetics.
  • It can (often) feature dystopian themes set in a futuristic Japan, exploring the role of government surveillance, cybercrime, and the individual’s place in society.
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  • It can range from being a seinen manga series with philosophical depth to an action-driven cyberpunk anime and live-action adaptation.
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  • It can include several adaptations, including the original Ghost in The Shell manga (1989), the influential Ghost in The Shell (1995 film), and the 2017 Hollywood live-action version.
  • It can inspire debates on cybernetic enhancement, identity and consciousness, and the line between human and machine in both the anime and science fiction communities.
  • It can reference broader cyberpunk traditions, similar to works like Blade Runner and Neuromancer, but with a distinct focus on philosophical issues related to technology and identity.
  • It can represent iconic cyberpunk imagery with elements such as cybernetic bodies, virtual worlds, and AI-driven societies.
  • It can resonate with audiences due to its exploration of self-identity and what it means to be human in a world increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence and cybernetics.
  • It can influence later works in both anime and science fiction genres that deal with themes of technology, consciousness, and the future of humanity.
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• Example(s):
  • The original Ghost in The Shell manga (1989) by Masamune Shirow, which introduces key concepts like cyber-brain technology and explores questions about human consciousness.
  • The Ghost in The Shell (1995 film), an anime adaptation that brought cyberpunk themes and philosophical exploration to a wider international audience.
  • The Ghost in The Shell: Stand Alone Complex series, which delves deeper into cyber-terrorism and the role of law enforcement in a hyper-technological world.
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• Counter-Example(s):
  • Shonen manga that primarily focus on action and adventure without deep philosophical or futuristic themes.
  • Post-apocalyptic fiction that explores societal collapse but lacks
• See: Ghost in The Shell (2017 Film), Masamune Shirow, Ghost in The Shell (Manga), Kodansha, Ghost in The Shell (1995 Film), Ghost in The Shell 2: Innocence, Ghost in The Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Solid State Society, Ghost in The Shell 2.0, Ghost in The Shell: The New Movie, Ghost in The Shell (Video Game), Ghost in The Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2004 Video Game).

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References

2024

• (Wikipedia, 2024) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_in_the_Shell Retrieved:2024-9-20.
  • Ghost in the Shell is a Japanese cyberpunk media franchise based on the seinen manga series of the same name written and illustrated by Masamune Shirow. The manga, first serialized in 1989 under the subtitle of The Ghost in the Shell, and later published as its own tankōbon volumes by Kodansha, told the story of the fictional counter-cyberterrorist organization Public Security Section 9, led by protagonist Major Motoko Kusanagi, and is set in mid-21st century Japan.

    Animation studio Production I.G has produced several anime adaptations of the series. These include the 1995 film of the same name and its 2004 sequel, Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence; the 2002 television series Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, and its 2020 follow-up, Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045; and the Ghost in the Shell: Arise original video animation (OVA) series. In addition, an American-produced live-action film was released on March 31, 2017.

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