REVIEW: ‘The Ghost In The Shell’ Episode 10 — “Brain Drain iii + Ghost Coast + Epilogue”

The Ghost In The Shell Episode 10, “Brain Drain iii + Ghost Coast + Epilogue,” sees the standoff resolve, and Major Kusanagi (Maaya Sakamoto, One Piece: Heroines) receives an unexpected invitation from a party thought gone. This invitation sets her on a path she never foresaw, and it could bear unpredictable fruit. However, it leaves a bit too much up in the air as the credits roll.

The standoff that ended the previous episode continues as Kusanagi holds her hostage against the encircling police units. We soon learn the Major’s actions aren’t what they seem; they’re part of an attempt to flush out enemy agents. This works, but also sees a sniper arrive on the scene to put a bullet into Kusanagi’s cyber brain. 

The opening scene in The Ghost In The Shell Episode 10 delivers a strong atmosphere of tension and urgency. It evolves the situation smoothly, using a variety of characters and perspectives to flesh out the events as they occur. However, while what we see works well enough, this side of the story feels unfinished.

The Ghost In The Shell Episode 10 opens with dramatic impact.

Once the critical moment plays out and Kusanagi’s part of the scene is done, everything to do with this event and the characters involved is completely forgotten. The story leaves the scene as well as the ramifications from the knowledge gained from the Major’s actions and summarily drops it. This leaves this significant plot point in an unsatisfying state as the season comes to a close. 

After making her grand exit from the hostage situation, The Ghost In The Shell Episode 10 sees Batou (Hiroki Yasumoto, BASTARD!! Heavy Metal Dark Fantasy) aid Kusanagi in her exit and search for a new body. The banter between the two comrades flows smoothly, as the less-than-ideal situation does nothing to hamper the back-and-forth between them. When they discover a few unexpected hurdles in their plan, Batou takes off to handle some unwanted guests, leaving her alone, though not for long. 

As Kusanagi’s brain case hums along quietly, she receives a visit from the presumably non-functioning Puppet Master (Kikiko Inoue, My Happy Marriage). The entity born of the net proposes that they merge into a new being. This hybrid promises to be the sum of both, with nothing lost and potentially much gained. 

Batou reunites with Kusanagi, and their camaraderie still shines even in the darkest of circumstances.

The discussion between the pair that explores the reasons for and against such a merger is well-explored and thoroughly engaging. The explanations are as sound as the questions are reasonable, as Kusanagi weighs whether she’s willing to risk who she is to take part in the potential creation of a new kind of life.

The visuals do a great job supporting the discourse, further highlighting what is being proposed. Science SARU does a great job of keeping itself in check, focusing more on backing up complex concepts with helpful visuals than trying to wow with a trippy effect that may look cool but distract from the central event. 

This more measured approach will also likely be appreciated by SUB watchers in particular. A lot gets said in this sequence of The Ghost In The Shell Episode 10, and it’s one of the rare times I have actually struggled to keep up with the subtitles in an anime. An overly eclectic visual presentation would likely have become another hurdle rather than an enhancer of enjoyment. 

Despite it being a finale, The Ghost In The Shell Episode 10 leaves much up in the air.

The final moments of The Ghost In The Shell Episode 10 slip away with a feeling of possibility and wonder in their wake. As Kusanagi ventures out to see what awaits her, we are left wondering with her about what this new road will bring for her. 

The Ghost In The Shell Episode 10 delivers the narrative’s big finish with mindful attention to detail, focusing on the core meaning of the event. Despite how well it handles its central focus, it leaves a lot of other elements unaddressed, making the final entry feel rushed and incomplete. 

The Ghost in the Shell Episode 10 is streaming now on Amazon Prime Video.

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