REVIEW: ‘The Ghost In The Shell’ Episode 3 — “Junk Jungle ii + Megatech Machine i+ii”

The Ghost In The Shell Episode 3, “Junk Jungle ii + Megatech Machine i+ii,” picks up where the last episode left off as Major Kusanagi (Maaya Sakamoto, Tekken 8) pursues the fleeing suspect. But hostile pursuits may be the easiest thing to deal with as the series takes its first look at the uncertainties inherent in living within its largely digital world.

 Science SARU has made a name for itself with its striking visual approach to anime. Its willingness to explore outside established design concepts has empowered its storytelling, helping it craft some of the best episodes of anime in recent memory. However, experimentation occasionally goes awry, and the pursuit of abstract visuals can conflict with the core of any narrative: telling an engaging story.

The Ghost In The Shell Episode 3’s opening goes all out to heighten Kusanagi’s pursuit of her query. As she and her Fuchikoma chase the subject, the pursuit takes several twists as civilians get involved and the targets’ escape takes unexpected turns. While the chaotic sequence unfolds, the animation finds mixed results while seeking to heighten the event’s frantic nature.

The Ghost In The Shell Episode 3’s opening is rough visually, but its momentum is powerful.

The line work throughout the chase fluctuates wildly. The inconsistency of core elements like body proportions frequently distracts from the on-screen action. These rough lines do build into the energy of the sequence, but at the cost of clarity. And though this line work is questionable, it isn’t even the sequence’s biggest problem.

At one point in the chase, the target is falling from a building, forcing Kusanagi to catch him with a grappling line and sling him across an expanse. During this moment, the visuals revert to a single flat color and lines so rough I’d swear they were early storyboarding elements, not part of a finished project. While it’s possible to tell what is happening, the sudden shift in presentation demands the viewer’s close attention, losing the actual event itself in the process. Visuals should augment a moment, not overwhelm it. 

The failings of The Ghost In The Shell Episode 3’s opening sequence are made even more galling by how well other elements are brought to life. As the pursuit begins, Kusanagi is launched from her Fuchikoma into the sky. The sheer feeling of weightlessness and aura of freedom Science SARU imbues The Major with as she rockets through the air is entrancing. Rather than detract from the character, this moment compels us to study her, taking in what is happening as the animation works its magic. 

After its opening, The Ghost In The Shell Episode 3 passes through several scenes in quick, skillful succession.

With some eventual help from Togusa (Yûichi Nakamura, The Elusive Samurai), Kusanagi manages to bring the target down in one piece. As the duo wraps things up, we get more dialogue between them that further deepens our understanding of both characters, their priorities, and their feelings. 

After its high-tempo opening, The Ghost In The Shell Episode 3 passes through several different scenes, skillfully connecting their seemingly disparate elements. The final takedown of the criminal that Batou (Hiroki Yasumoto, Fire Force) was monitoring last episode, a near-revolution by the Fuchikomas is explored and then dismissed, and Kusangi’s visit to a cyber-body assembly lab are all used to explore elements of existence within the cyberpunk world of the show. 

The scenes delve into concepts like AI, the nature of memory, and how one can even be sure they are real with skillful ease, while still keeping the conversations clear enough that those of us without a degree in philosophy or robotics can still keep up. 

The Ghost In The Shell Episode 3 continues to soar and stumble.

Despite the connecting conceptual link of these scenes exploring some great elements through them, they are not flawless. The series attempts to inject humor into its world once again through Batou, but it continues to see little success. Rather, the forced attempts simply continue to undercut him as a member of Section 9, especially as he continues to see little effective action in the series. 

The other major failing The Ghost In The Shell Episode 3 runs into comes with Kusanagi’s visit to the cyberbody lab. While the process shown is fascinating and the discussion it prompts from the characters hits, many will probably be left wondering why the ladies working there had no pants on. Panties, stockings, and garter belts seem like odd choices for office attire, especially given some of the technological elements they work in proximity to. While these designs do closely mimic the original manga, this is one element that could’ve stayed back in the 80s. 

The Ghost In The Shell Episode 3 continues to soar and stumble. While the core narrative elements hit here, visual choices in both animation and character design don’t match that strength. Paired with some misplaced humor, this latest episode continues the show’s trend of solid performances that are far from perfect. 

The Ghost in the Shell Episode 3 is streaming now on Amazon Prime Video.

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