REVIEW: ‘The Ghost In The Shell’ Fails To Find Consistency

The Ghost in the Shell Season 1, from animation studio Science SARU, seeks to directly adapt the original 1989 manga by Masamune Shirow to a degree that no previous entry in the franchise has. It follows the missions of Public Security Section 9 and its field leader, Motoko Kusanagi (Maaya Sakamoto, Fire Force), as they face off against threats both physical and virtual in a cyberpunk world that presents both a striking and noticeably dated design.

The central element that marks the experience of watching this ten-episode anime series is inconsistency. Like many anime, this show tries to blend action, drama, and humor. When done properly, this formula can create a rich, varied experience that sits at the center of some of the medium’s best entries. However, when a series fails to find that balance and lets its elements undercut one another, it quickly creates a disjointed narrative that is nearly impossible to recover from. 

The Ghost in the Shell Season 1‘s failure to balance its various tones comes largely from how it tries to implement its humor. Oftentimes, the series’ attempts at levity come at the expense of what it tries to establish its cast as being. Undercutting elements like intelligence and operational prowess, these moments not only feel jarring in and of themselves, but also make the moments where Section 9’s members behave the way you expect harder to accept. 

The Ghost in the Shell Season 1 is retelling the series from the start.

Despite much of the humor causing active harm to the series, the moments where it does manage to implement it well can bring genuine charm to some moments. Seeing Kusanagi’s smirk when claiming a bet with her boyfriend over whose teammates would arrive first, or enjoying some of the banter the lead shares with teammate Batou (Hiroki Yasumoto, Metallic Rouge), brings bright moments to this side of the series. 

Faring far better is The Ghost in the Shell‘s take on action. When the members of Section 9 are forced to fight, Science SARU lends its considerable animation prowess to each combat sequence. Kusanagi in particular is a combat monster who shines in some of the series’ loudest moments. Speed, power, and skill can all come into play, crafting some truly memorable clashes.

While action has always been present in the franchise, it’s best known for deep exploration of thought-provoking topics. While The Ghost in the Shell Season 1 does not dive into the deep waters as much as other entries have, when it does embrace the intellectual, it does so effectively.

When it presents Kusanagi’s interactions with the elusive Puppet Master (Kikuko Inoue, DanDaDan), they come through with all of the impact one would hope for. The only thing that undercuts these moments is the way other scenes make it hard to believe this is the Kusanagi we get in much of the rest of the series.

When it comes to bringing the show’s sometimes clashing elements together visually, The Ghost in the Shell Season 1 largely succeeds. There are times when Science SARU‘s work gets a bit too hectic, creating shots that look overly messy or rough. However, these are the exception, not the rule, and many of the series’ best moments are augmented through smooth animation, gorgeous lighting, and strong cinematography.

Discussing the visuals also brings us to a place where The Ghost in the Shell‘s adherence to its source material hurts as much as it hinders. While many of the 80s designs bring a lot of color and flair to the series, there are some that should’ve been left in the past.

A few places depict women in lingerie in circumstances where it makes absolutely no sense. Why workers at a cybernetics factory are outfitted in a button jacket, panties, and a garter belt is beyond me, serving no reason but to sexualize the occasional female presence in the series. 

The Ghost in the Shell Season 1 is held back by its character inconsistencies. 

The poor treatment of female characters even catches up with its lead in one instance. In episode two, the series takes a jarring turn to jump into a virtual threesome Kusanagi is engaged in with two other ladies. This moment comes completely out of left field, feels random in its placement, and does nothing for the story.

The shots and character positioning, combined with the lack of context, emphasize that this scene exists only for the audience’s potential enjoyment, with no meaning or purpose for the characters involved. Sex can be used to great effect in storytelling, but this ain’t it. 

The Ghost in the Shell Season 1 does an admirable job of recreating its source material, for better or worse. There are great moments and beautiful animation; however, inconsistent treatment of the cast and some significant missteps leave the series feeling far less than it could’ve been with a bit more freedom to adjust. 

The Ghost in the Shell Season 1 is streaming now on Prime Video.