REVIEW: ‘The Ghost In The Shell’ Episode 9 — “Brain Drain ii”

The Ghost In The Shell Episode 9, “Brain Drain ii,” sees the public, media, and Japanese government respond to Kusanagi’s (Maaya Sakamoto, Super Crooks) killing of a suspect caught on camera at the end of the last episode. As the media frenzy builds, Section 9 tries to ascertain who set up their field leader and why.

The unfolding media circus serves as a strong propellant for this episode’s narrative. With cutaway moments to the Japanese Parliament and other elements of society as they debate and analyze Kusanagi’s actions, the narrative captures the swirling social chaos while still giving Section 9 time to explore who is behind the leak that led to the problematic footage being taken.

Despite the plot moving at a brisk clip, The Ghost In The Shell Episode 9 does a good job laying out the details as they come to light. Caught up in larger world affairs, the protagonists find their options quickly dwindling as Kusanagi’s day in court fast approaches. Their investigations lead to some interesting discoveries and explosive situations. 

The media circus centered around Kusanagi’s actions facilitates a natural chaos.

Within the general plot of The Ghost In The Shell Episode 9, we get some interesting observations about society. Views are expressed concerning some of those calling for the Major’s blood that ring more than a little true. These moments of social analysis lend depth to the narrative as it cruises through its beats. 

Even with a sprinkling of intellectual observations mixed in, The Ghost In The Shell Episode 9 suffers under the full-speed pace it clips along at. The investigation feels far too rushed. Much of the information, while interesting, seems to materialize almost out of thin air due to how quickly it is obtained. Despite the importance of this side of the narrative, it’s hard to shake the feeling that the plot simply wants to get it out of the way. 

The biggest example of this mad dash effect comes when Kusanagi, tailed by Togusa  (Yûichi Nakamura, Ôoku: The Inner Chambers), heads to a cafe where she expects to find an old contact. When the pair of agents arrive, the building explodes, nearly killing Togusa. However, one quick scene transition and Togusa is in the hospital, shaken but fine, despite all his bandages, messing around with Batou (Hiroki Yasumoto, NieR Automata ver1.1a) and being the but of jokes as always. A blink and you’ll miss it moment that feels like it should carry more weight than it does. 

With the episode’s full speed ahead nature, things are hastily blown through.

This lack of weight is further amplified by the recurring tendency for the series to poorly time many of its attempts at humor. As this has been a recurring comment I’ve made in previous coverage, I won’t belabor the point, but suffice it to say, it doesn’t get better here. 

While some elements are passed by with too much haste for them to land, The Ghost In The Shell Episode 9 does manage to slow down enough to let Kusanagi’s trial have the moment it deserves. As the Major goes back and forth with the prosecutor, we get some great dialogue from the series lead as she explains her actions with a cutting edge in her voice. Sakamoto does some of her best work in the series to date in this scene as she harnesses the full authoritative presence of Kusanagi’s character. 

Sharing the spotlight with Kusanagi once again in the closing stretch of this episode is Aramaki (Kazuhiro Yamaji, The Grimm Variations). The dogged determination the Section 9 head shows in his support of his agent continues to strengthen the secondary character’s place in the series. His unwillingness to sacrifice Kusanagi to the press for the sake of expediency is excellently delivered. His final moments with his star protege delivers a singular moment of warmth in the narrative as he displays both his understanding and acceptance of who the Major is.

The Ghost In The Shell Episode 9 ends with a cliffhanger, setting up the tension for next episode.

The Ghost In The Shell Episode 9 takes a sharp turn in its final minutes, setting up a cliffhanger ending as Kusanagi tries to navigate a way out of what seems to be a doomed fate. With guns drawn and a hostage at stake, it looks like the protagonist’s back is against the wall. Although looks can be awfully misleading.

The Ghost In The Shell Episode 9 does some right and some wrong. Despite delivering strong dialogue and an impactful moment or two, it comes across as far too rushed, leaving many elements feeling jettisoned in the name of expediency. 

The Ghost in the Shell Episode 9 is streaming now on Amazon Prime Video.

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