The best episodes of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
Ranked by viewer rating, highs first. Lit marks on the season rail place this list across the run. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.
- 01
Batou was sent to the military as an undercover agent to find a spy who was leaking top secret information. He encounters a hitherto undefeated wrestler who was famous for his unique timing and skill of "catching cyborgs off guard". This was until he finally lost a match. Seeing his hero silver medalist in disgrace, Batou explodes with his fists.
- 02
Cash Eye is a super theft ring that targets corporations. Chairman Tadokoro of Tadokoro Trading receives a warning letter, and asks Section 9 for assistance. Aramaki, for some reason, agrees to help. The warning is related to a party being held by Tadokoro. Kusanagi, clad in an attractive dress, arrives at the party and catches Tadokoro's eager gaze. What is the intention of Kusanagi and Section 9?
- 03
Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopter Jigabachi AV Digger Wasp goes astray. The pilot is unconscious and an independent AI rejects outside control. Unmanned helicopters gather as though they were induced, and Section 9 is dispatched. Goda, Chief of Staff of the Strategic Influence Research Council, arrives to lead the Section. What are these helicopters trying to do?
- 04
Kusanagi, following Kuze, smuggles into Taiwan and by coincidence saves a boy who was running away from the Mafia. They had no choice but to stay together. Eventually, the hostility gradually diminished, but the boy suddenly disappears. He went alone to deal with the Mafia. Kusanagi mocked his foolishness at first, but as she could not suppress the uneasy feeling welling up in her, she gets ready for action with a bitter smile on her face.
- 05
Aramaki suspects the Laughing Man Case to be a police hoax. In order to get evidence to back his theory, Section 9 carefully examines Nanao, who is the prime suspect of the Special Investigative Division. At the same time, Kusanagi independently reviews another Laughing Man Case that occurred 6 years earlier. She seems to be onto something, and asks Aramaki if she could guard the Police Commissioner.
- 06
Back on the Net, the reappearance of the Laughing Man was the talk of the day. A dedicated chat room offers a wide range of ideas to help solve the case, and Kusanagi joins in to get to the bottom of it. She then notices someone monitoring the chat room. What caused Kusanagi's uneasiness for such a long time?
- 07
A cruel and strange series of murders has been taking place; its extreme nature and peculiar modus operandi reminding Batou of a mission carried out long ago. Batou tracks down the murderer in order to settle something from the past. What does Batou intend to do?
- 08
An extensive cyber attack on the Ministry of Health and Labor by a hacker leads to the leak of top secret information. The hacker is traced to a vocational training institute for cyber deficient children. Togusa conducts a covert investigation on his own and comes across an astonishing truth.
- 09
Two short stories comprise this omnibus episode. The Tachikoma, who restore memories from bits that remain in the body, goes into town and meet a girl who is looking for a missing dog. The Tachikoma brings back something incredible from a junkyard, which stirs up something within Section 9. How do the Tachikoma define life? And what did the Tachikoma pick up?
- 10
Kidnapped Eka was lost for more than ten years when she was found unchanged on an offshore plant. The coast guard requests Section 9 to investigate the site. Although the plant was located within the boundaries of Japan, outlaws controlled it. Non-cyber and non-cyborg guerrillas give them a hard time. Who is Eka anyway?
- 11
A Chinese assassin named Fem comes to Japan. She has a grudge against Yokose, a well-known billionaire. To achieve her mission, the fascinating killer acquires a deadly weapon, and heads for Yokose's mansion. Section 9 is dispatched to prevent the murder. Kusanagi and Fem run into each other. What did Kusanagi see after the skirmish? "There is a ghost in this country that wanders about. It's a ghost called capitalism."
- 12
The Tachikomas, noticing a slight change in Kusanagi's manners, conclude that they will be disposed of by Section 9. They have a deep discussion over topics such as life, ghosts, AIs and their own raison d'etre. After long arguing, they come up with one decisive strategy, and eventually decide to step into action...
- 13
Aramaki and Kusanagi were visiting the UK to attend an international conference on terrorism. Afterwards, Aramaki heads to a bank where an old acquaintance works, and gets involved in a startling incident. Kusanagi tries to rescue Aramaki from outside. Could they predict each other's plans and actions to free Aramaki?
- 14
Aramaki receives a request for help from the daughter of an old colleague. At first he rejects the request, since he could not let personal matters get in his way. In the meantime, he intercepts some highly confidential information; someone is plotting to assassinate the Chinese Vice Foreign Minister. It became apparent that the earlier request and the plot were related. Aramaki moves to prevent the assassination, but...
- 15
Former Prime Minister Kanzaki's daughter Reiko suddenly disappears. Is this a disappearance or a kidnapping? A personal grudge or an act committed by organized crime? Section 9 is frustrated by information restrictions, leaks and confused information. Eventually, a female spy, who was involved in numerous organized crime incidents, emerges in the investigation.
- 16
Speculating from an oil painting scribble at the vocational training institution, Togusa comes up with what seemed to be the truth of the Laughing Man Case, and he volunteers to investigate files at the Health and Labor Ministry. He comes across an NGO named Himawari Group, which aims to spread an unauthorized drug for cyber-sclerosis. Just as he was visiting the group, he gets involved in an incident.
- 17
Aramaki's brother was discovered in a refugee ghetto, and Aramaki, on his own, heads for the hospital where his brother is hospitalized. Kusanagi, on the other hand, goes out to get her cyborg body remounted after a confrontation with Gail. They were both not aware that there were remnants of the drug intervention enforcement squad in town.
- 18
Aramaki's brother was discovered in a refugee ghetto, and Aramaki, on his own, heads for the hospital where his brother is hospitalized. Kusanagi, on the other hand, goes out to get her cyborg body remounted after a confrontation with Gail. They were both not aware that there were remnants of the drug intervention enforcement squad in town.
- 19
A hooded figure is standing in front of the house of Serano Genomics CEO Ernest Serano. The Police Agency is interested since this reminds them of the modus operandi used by the kidnappers six years previously in the early years of the Laughing Man Case. And Section 9 is ordered to take care of the case.
- 20
Aramaki attempts to trap the mastermind of the Laughing Man case. But unidentified arm suits enter Section 9 facilities to take control. Kusanagi abandons the facilities and orders all members to get away and go into hiding. But the hunters were already reaching their hideouts.
- 21
Gino, a shabby helicopter pilot, was amputated during the war. He has delusions night after night, and believes wrong doings should be brought to light and justice be served. Hirara, a prostitute, is his only comfort. Gino targets a member of the power-elite, the CEO of one of the three broadcasting networks and also a client of Hirara's. With his gun, he plans to free Hirara and reveal the truth.
- 22
Prime Minister Kayabuki receives a threatening letter from the "Individual Eleven", that implies her possible assassination. The government requests Section 9 to guard her. Despite opposition from all quarters, she carries out an annual visit to a temple. Section 9 thoroughly prepares and waits for the attacker. Evading the heavy security, a man called Kuze, who has a full-prosthetic body, sneaks in to attack the prime minister. Kusanagi, who part of the security force, faces him.
- 23
A man who was threatening the Energy Ministry dies mysteriously. Aramaki sends Togusa to Tokyo to investigate the case. Tokyo has become an invited refugee quarter. There, Togusa meets Asagi who used to be the dead man's woman. She claims that the man was innocent, and, together with Togusa, they find one place where he used to work until he left Tokyo. It was a forbidden facility the government desperately tried to keep secret.
- 24
Someone leaks to the terrorists the shipment plan for the spent fuel rods from Shinjuku Underground Nuclear Power Plant. The government immediately requests Section 9 to provide ground transportation. Goda again arrives to lead the operation. Dismayed Section 9 members go on duty collaborating with Ground Self-Defense Force troops from the area. But the situation changes dramatically when a soldier fires at refugees.
- 25
While Section 9 independently continues investigating the "Individual Eleven", they catch a man called Kawashima Sho. Batou and Togusa keep him under surveillance 24/7 at the Taiwanese vegetarian restaurant where he works. Aramaki keeps tabs on moves by the Information Bureau of the Cabinet and learns that Section 1 is also after Kawashima. In the midst of all the conflicting information, Kawashima makes his move. Is Kawashima really one of the "Individual Eleven"?
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