Ghost in the Shell Volume 1 (Ghost in the Shell)
by Masamune Shirow
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Book Reviews of Ghost in the Shell Volume 1 (Ghost in the Shell)
Book Review: Metaphysics on Adrenaline: Pure, Smart Entertainment
Summary: 5 Stars
Those of you who are major fans or followers of The Matrix may know the film received inspiration from the philosophically-intense anime, Ghost in the Shell. The 1995 film introduced the world to a smart, visually-groundbreaking adult animation, but for all the praise it received, Oshii's vision lacked the heart to make it pure entertainment, like The Matrix succeeded in becoming.
It's surprising then, when one learns of the manga on which Oshii's film is based. Not only is it smart, complex and visually appealing, but writer/artist Masamune Shirow presents his sci-fi epic with an air of wit and attitude, giving it a personality that absorbs readers, continuing to spawn new works both related and inspired fifteen years later.
The best part about Ghost in the Shell is that, unlike the film, it isn't afraid to have fun. As deep and philosophical as Shirow gets, he never strays too far from the lighter side of the picture, cracking jokes and playing around with visual gags to keep the reader entertained. The characters are also developed pretty well, or at least better than in the film...a lot regarding the characters' lives, specifically the Major, is left to the imagination. Still, the core of the cast - even the capable yet eccentric Fuchikoma robots - come alive with Shirow's writing and art, creating character's you'll actually care to follow, and not just try to comprehend.
Masamune Shirow's Ghost in the Shell is a true treat for fans of metaphysical concepts or traditional sci-fi entertainment. Those who liked the 1995 film but found it lacking will find what they're looking for here, and anyone else looking for a smart yet amusing graphic adventure would do well to give it a shot. If the film is groundbreaking and praiseworthy, then the manga is a true literary classic in its own right.
Book Review: Re-visiting the archive
Summary: 5 Stars
I came to the Dark Horse Comics version of Ghost in the Shell a little late in the game - so it is like I am coming home. In this edition we familiarize ourselves with the key characters and the evolution of Section 9. We are introduced to Aramaki rather early on - who heads Section 9 and of course to cyborgs Major Motoko Kusanagi and Batou as well as the all too human Togusa. I was effectively visiting the archive where it all began. As evidenced in both Making The Matrix, in The Matrix DVD and Scrolls to Screen: The History and Culture of Anime -- in the Animatrix DVD; we hear Producer Joe Silver uttering that the genesis of The Matrix, in large part, can be found in anime -- in particular Oshii Mamuro's anime of this, Shirow Masamune's manga Ghost in the Shell. Manga is sometimes confused with anime. Effectively, to the uninitiated, manga is the Japanese word for Graphic Novel. Manga and anime are intrinsically interrelated, as artists regularly cross-pollinate, as do the characters they create - case in point this Ghost in the Shell manga transformed into the ever-popular anime standard and its subsequent sequel Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence. More often than not, the manga is produced first, and if the popularity merits it is transformed into anime - as was the case here. In examining the movie I articulated that Ghost in the Shell was Kazunori Ito's futuristic vision - now I am certain that it all feeds in really from Shirow and not anyone else. In Shirow's manga begin to see the development of the confluence where the body (the shell) and the ghost (the mind) meets cyborg technology. The manga, I hope is aimed at adults. I am still wondering about all the nudity and violence playing to a particular theme. My sense is that the intimate nature of man and machine and the particular threat that cyborg technology poses is considered real and immediate. In the world of Ghost in the Shell, however translated and articulated through this very hyper sexualized forms and extremely violent episodes, lies a very profound question waiting to be answered - when machines learn to feel who decides what it is to be human.
Miguel Llora
Book Review: Super Cool Sciencey Metaphysical Comic Book
Summary: 5 Stars
Ghost in the Shell takes place in the future populated by cyborgs - people with mechanical parts. The stories follow a team of assasins and through their exploits we get to see the world they live in.
There are definite philosophical metaphysical concerns in Ghost in the Shell. If a person has mechanical parts at what point do they stop being human? The definition of life is dealt with from a legal standpoint by Team 9. In court cyborgs are evaluted to see if their "Ghost", the part of them that represents their inate humanity and not programming, is responsible for crimes they have committed or if the crimes are a computer malfunction. One of the plots running through these stories deals with "The Puppeteer", a computer program which has become self aware and developed a ghost.
Introducing these philosophical concerns in an action heavy plot makes for a nice balance. By making humanity a legal technicality the philosophy is made neccesary to the plot and flows well.
I also liked the sciency footnotes (and endnotes), which pepper the pages of Ghost in the Shell. They explain this or that bit of real technology which could lead to this bit of fiction being real. Basing science fiction on real science tends to be a bit silly but it is fun to see.
The graphics in Ghost in the Shell are good. Each chapter starts with a few color pages and the rest of that chapter in black and white. This makes for a nice balance where I've got my color pics but the book doesn't cost an arm and a leg. The drawings themselves are well done. I probably would like many of them much more if I were a guy though.
I highly recommend Ghost in the Shell. It was fun to read and cleverly written. I hope it never goes out of print.
Book Review: A massive work
Summary: 4 Stars
Ghost in the Shell is peak era Shirow material. Without doubt the culmination of his science fiction work. The story takes place in the classic "near future" cyber-punk setting [much like that of William Gibson's Neuromancer with a dash of Appleseed] and focuses on Section 9 a kind of domestic Rainbow 6. The art is mind-blowing. Shirow's ability to capture movement is superior among comic artists anywhere. His action sequences are breath taking. Good enough to keep you starring at the page long after you've read the content. Most of the characters are classic military/para-military types. Batou is my favorite. He is bold, reckless and overly aggressive but never particularly serious. Kusanagi works well as the main character, calculating and insightful. The story itself is difficult to summarize. The cases [and/or case?] move at a phrenetic pace -- it may take two or three times reading a section to understand what happens. The shear complexity and scale of this work is truly impressive. So much so you will still find additional plot details re-reading it. Even with the TV series and two movies based on the story there is still plenty of material in the graphic novel to tell more. The plot however is more intelligent than deep. Exploring the intricacies of technology and shooting people isn't deep thinking no matter what people tell you. Cyber-punk as a whole just isn't deep stuff and Ghost in the Shell is no exception. If you want "deep" read the Bible this story isn't deep -- it is intelligent. Ghost in the Shell rarely touches on morality or true philosophy. Questions are asked but conclusions aren't often drawn and if so the answers are not clear. Shirow himself seems to take for granted the reader understands the technology of the story and rarely takes time out to explain things outside the scope of the story itself. There is an Index of sorts in the back and you are best off reading it first. All in all this is a seriously good piece of work and will survive as such long after the genre itself is dead.Book Review: influenced
Summary: 5 Stars
hey ,it inspired mamoru oshii to make ghost in the shell, the cult classic anime film,which also inspired the wachowski brothers-the dropping green digits at the begining and the landing and breaking roof scene,may ring your bell- to make the hit movie the matrix,reloaded and the up coming revolutions.and it's all thanks to this man masamune shirow.the book is an action comedy,a lot of comedy,unlike it's film,with the same theme of the film though,should we consider an A.I. and cyborgs a life form,plus more detailed stories of the cyborg cops routine life.there are even some cameo from other shirow's characters from his other books,like the appleseed characters in page 21 and the cat sisters ,from dominion:tank police,page 161.
influential,fun ,informative and enjoyable book.and it's all illustrated and written by one person.nice
p.s. check out the fifth panel in page 161,a small box,written on it"masamune shirow's original artwork,all you can carry 100 yen"funny.