Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

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
  • 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 Saka

    Major 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.

  • GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 2

    Episode 2

    “Testation”
    Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2002 • Japan
    Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu Saka

    A 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.

  • 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 Saka

    Section 9 must find the person responsible for Jeri-type androids who are suddenly committing mass suicide due to a virus.

  • GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 4

    Episode 4

    “Intercepter”
    Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2002 • Japan
    Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu Saka

    A police detective makes discoveries about the Laughing Man, but he is assassinated before his findings can be seen. Section 9 is sent to investigate.

  • GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 5

    Episode 5

    “Decoy”
    Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2002 • Japan
    Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu Saka

    After six years of absence, the Laughing Man threatens to assassinate the Superintendent General of the police.

  • GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 6

    Episode 6

    “Meme”
    Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2002 • Japan
    Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu Saka

    Motoko and Paz attend a press conference to protect the Superintendent General from an attack; Section 9 continues to look for the Laughing Man.

  • GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 7

    Episode 7

    “Idolator”
    Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2002 • Japan
    Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu Saka

    Section 9 keeps track of a famous revolutionary, Marcelo Jarti, who keeps visiting Japan on a suspiciously regular basis.

  • 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 Saka

    A young girl thinks her new heart transplant came from an unreliable source, which causes Kusanagi to begin a personal crusade.

  • 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 Saka

    Kusanagi keeps an eye on a chat room for news about the Laughing Man and learns that several participants are not who they appear.

  • 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 Saka

    Batou 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.

  • GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 11

    Episode 11

    “Portraitz”
    Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2003 • Japan
    Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu Saka

    Togusa goes to investigate a mysterious government facility involved in the treatment of “cyberbrain closed-shell syndrome.”

  • 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 Saka

    One of the Tachikoma begins acting strangely after spending the day with a little girl; something alarms Section 9.

  • 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 Saka

    A girl who was kidnapped sixteen years ago suddenly reappears in public again, causing Section 9 to investigate.

  • GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 14

    Episode 14

    “¥€$”
    Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2003 • Japan
    Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu Saka

    Section 9 is assigned to protect a reclusive millionaire when criminals reveal that there are plans for an assassination.

  • 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 Saka

    The Major worries when Station 9’s AIs begin speaking about their individuality and everything comes to a head.

  • GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 16

    Episode 16

    “Ag2O”
    Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2003 • Japan
    Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu Saka

    Batou goes on a mission to investigate a former boxing champion, one of his former heroes, who is suspected of espionage.

  • 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 Saka

    Aramaki goes to visit an old friend in London, but they get kidnapped as she investigates a secret bookkeeping company.

  • 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 Saka

    Section 9 is assigned to protect the Chinese foreign minister from being assassinated during his visit to Japan.

  • GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 19

    Episode 19

    “Captivated”
    Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2003 • Japan
    Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu Saka

    Section 9 searches for people responsible for a rash of mass kidnappings when the daughter of the former prime minister is taken.

  • 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 Saka

    Togusa finally makes some new discoveries about the Laughing Man and investigates the matter himself.

  • GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 21

    Episode 21

    “Eraser”
    Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2003 • Japan
    Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu Saka

    Section 9 searches for a doctor, Imakurusu, who is a fugitive; Togusa passes on his memories to the team.

  • GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 22

    Episode 22

    “Scandal”
    Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2003 • Japan
    Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu Saka

    Major Kusanagi gets in trouble after being transferred to a new host body; a raid comes down on the Sunflower Society’s headquarters.

  • GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 23

    Episode 23

    “Equinox”
    Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2003 • Japan
    Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu Saka

    The CEO of Serano Genomics is kidnapped once again and Section 9 must investigate. Details about his first abduction years ago come to light.

  • GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: Episode 24

    Episode 24

    “Annihilation”
    Directed by Kenji Kamiyama • 2003 • Japan
    Starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Osamu Saka

    The government orders Section 9 be disbanded after it is compromised; Aramaki is taken away; Togusa gets arrested.