Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
2 Seasons
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2002–2003 • Japan
Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu Saka
Of the myriad adaptations of the foundational cyberpunk manga “Ghost in the Shell,” the animated TV series GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX arguably comes closest to capturing the breadth, vision, and thematic complexity of the original. The twenty-six-episode first season unfolds as a riveting science-fiction crime procedural, following the members of the specialized police unit known as Public Security Section 9 as they investigate high-profile cyberterrorism incidents in a future where humans have increasingly become cybernetic hybrids. Their work ultimately leads them into the case of the Laughing Man, an elusive hacktivist whose attempts to expose a vast web of corporate and political corruption threaten to destabilize powerful institutions. Combining sleek visuals with provocative themes surrounding the dissolving boundaries between humans and technology, STAND ALONE COMPLEX remains a thrilling high point in the art of anime: absorbing, intelligent, and often unsettlingly prescient.
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GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 1
Episode 1
“Section-9”
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2002 • Japan
Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu SakaMajor Motoko Kusanagi tries to maintain law and order with his Section 9 unit, but in the age of cyborgs, the boundary between man and machine disappears.
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GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 2
Episode 2
“Testation”
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2002 • Japan
Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu SakaA multilegged battle tank gets out of control during a test after a hacker infiltrates the system, and Section 9 must try to stop the dangerous machine.
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GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 3
Episode 3
“Android and I”
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2002 • Japan
Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu SakaSection 9 must find the person responsible for Jeri-type androids who are suddenly committing mass suicide due to a virus.
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GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 4
Episode 4
“Intercepter”
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2002 • Japan
Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu SakaA police detective makes discoveries about the Laughing Man, but he is assassinated before his findings can be seen. Section 9 is sent to investigate.
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GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 5
Episode 5
“Decoy”
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2002 • Japan
Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu SakaAfter six years of absence, the Laughing Man threatens to assassinate the Superintendent General of the police.
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GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 6
Episode 6
“Meme”
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2002 • Japan
Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu SakaMotoko and Paz attend a press conference to protect the Superintendent General from an attack; Section 9 continues to look for the Laughing Man.
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GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 7
Episode 7
“Idolator”
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2002 • Japan
Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu SakaSection 9 keeps track of a famous revolutionary, Marcelo Jarti, who keeps visiting Japan on a suspiciously regular basis.
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GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 8
Episode 8
“Missing Hearts”
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2002 • Japan
Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu SakaA young girl thinks her new heart transplant came from an unreliable source, which causes Kusanagi to begin a personal crusade.
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GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 9
Episode 9
“Chat! Chat! Chat!”
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2002 • Japan
Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu SakaKusanagi keeps an eye on a chat room for news about the Laughing Man and learns that several participants are not who they appear.
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GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 10
Episode 10
“Jungle Cruise”
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2003 • Japan
Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu SakaBatou must come to terms with something dark from his past as he tracks down a serial killer; Section 9 learns why the American CIA were sent to Tokyo.
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GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 11
Episode 11
“Portraitz”
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2003 • Japan
Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu SakaTogusa goes to investigate a mysterious government facility involved in the treatment of “cyberbrain closed-shell syndrome.”
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GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 12
Episode 12
“Escape from”
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2003 • Japan
Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu SakaOne of the Tachikoma begins acting strangely after spending the day with a little girl; something alarms Section 9.
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GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 13
Episode 13
“Not Equal”
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2003 • Japan
Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu SakaA girl who was kidnapped sixteen years ago suddenly reappears in public again, causing Section 9 to investigate.
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GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 14
Episode 14
“¥€$”
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2003 • Japan
Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu SakaSection 9 is assigned to protect a reclusive millionaire when criminals reveal that there are plans for an assassination.
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GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 15
Episode 15
“Machines Désirantes”
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2003 • Japan
Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu SakaThe Major worries when Station 9’s AIs begin speaking about their individuality and everything comes to a head.
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GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 16
Episode 16
“Ag2O”
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2003 • Japan
Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu SakaBatou goes on a mission to investigate a former boxing champion, one of his former heroes, who is suspected of espionage.
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GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 17
Episode 17
“Angels’ Share”
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2003 • Japan
Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu SakaAramaki goes to visit an old friend in London, but they get kidnapped as she investigates a secret bookkeeping company.
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GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 18
Episode 18
“Lost Heritage”
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2003 • Japan
Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu SakaSection 9 is assigned to protect the Chinese foreign minister from being assassinated during his visit to Japan.
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GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 19
Episode 19
“Captivated”
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2003 • Japan
Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu SakaSection 9 searches for people responsible for a rash of mass kidnappings when the daughter of the former prime minister is taken.
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GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 20
Episode 20
“Re-View”
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2003 • Japan
Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu SakaTogusa finally makes some new discoveries about the Laughing Man and investigates the matter himself.
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GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 21
Episode 21
“Eraser”
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2003 • Japan
Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu SakaSection 9 searches for a doctor, Imakurusu, who is a fugitive; Togusa passes on his memories to the team.
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GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 22
Episode 22
“Scandal”
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2003 • Japan
Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu SakaMajor Kusanagi gets in trouble after being transferred to a new host body; a raid comes down on the Sunflower Society’s headquarters.
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GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 23
Episode 23
“Equinox”
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2003 • Japan
Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu SakaThe CEO of Serano Genomics is kidnapped once again and Section 9 must investigate. Details about his first abduction years ago come to light.
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GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 24
Episode 24
“Annihilation”
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2003 • Japan
Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu SakaThe government orders Section 9 be disbanded after it is compromised; Aramaki is taken away; Togusa gets arrested.