ghost in the shell stand alone complex

Brief overview:

Overall, very good. Great mixture of both the manga and the Oshii film with outstanding design/production values.

Character design reflects this mix as well, with perhaps a slight leaning more towards the manga. Maybe.

Music is ok, probably my least favorite aspect of the show. I would have preferred K. Kawaii again. Sometimes Kanno's work here seems either completely out of place or way too cliched (heavy metal wah-wah ala the Matrix).

And the ass fan-service is out of control. So that may be a good or a bad thing..

But there's just one shot in episode two that is just ridiculous!

*Spoilers* for first 6 episode descriptions:

Episode 1 features a great opening battle with cyborg-geisha that is really well done, unfortunately the rest of the show just fades out into disinterest, as if they didn't have either enough time or plot to keep it going.

Episode 2 is very good, basically an extended chase scene with the tachikomas chasing a big mecha tank, but the story has an underlying pathos to it that is actually very touching and sad. Very nicely done all around.

Episode 3 is the weakest of the lot, with an interesting concept that again doesn't really go anywhere.

Episode 4 is my favorite, and is the start of a 3-part mini-arc through ep. #6. Much more story oriented.

Episode 5 is as noted above is a continuation from 4, and continues the 'Laughing Man' thread. Also notable is an arguably lesbian-flavored scenario to the Major's personal life (now, there's no nudity or kissing or fooling around, so everybody just calm down!). Interesting.

Episode 6 finishes the LM thread (at least for now), and while nothing outstanding or special, is a good, solid episode.

And of course, the animation for the series is spectacular, although the CG cars look quite terrible.

With some more intersting storylines this could go from a very good show to a great one quite easily.

From what I hear it seems episode 7 is the best of the lot so far, but I haven't seen it yet, so...

If you're expecting major action in this series, it isn't the show for you. Thewriting is outstanding but there are multiple episodes in a row which are all talking and investigation. For me that's a GOOD thing.

I will be collecting.

While there isn't a lot of action, the action that does occur is done very well. Episode 7 had some of the best animated action I've seen in a while.

KaZaa usually has eps 1 to 6, thought I believe ep 6 has bad encoding...

Agreed!

This or eDonkey/eMule, dl ratio is quite good for this series. One might also want to use bittorent. www.animejunkies.com provide the links for GitS SAC on their page, although I prefer the fansub-versions from ANBU/AonE or A_Kraze, video/sound quality is better there. Newest fansubbed ep is 08. Now, before this becomes some kind of advertisment... that lez-like szene surely shattered the dreams of many guys out there - but don't they say a good swimmer knows both beaches? Hope is still there.

ATB The Grifter