T5W#412-Top 5 Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Episodes

While it’s thankfully in my rear view mirror, I still cant get over how much Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 freaking sucked.  And while my anger towards it is borderline that of the 2017 Movie, it still doesn’t diminish my overall love for the Ghost in the Shell franchise.  It’s still my second favorite Anime franchise of all time behind Mobile Suit Gundam and the announcement of new entries always gets me excited.  The Stand Alone Complex Saga has done a great job of introducing Anime fans to the world of GitS outside of the Mamoru Oshii movies, giving us more action but never losing sight of the existential debates that crop up as Man and Machine become nearly identical in the world of Section 9.  One question though: between 76 episodes across three TV Seasons (Stand Alone Complex, SAC 2^nd Gig and SAC_2045), can one actually pick five all time faves?  I figured I’d give that question a long overdue answer and yes, while SAC_2045 is overall trash there are some gems buried within it.  So as sort of epilogue to my latest Ghost in the Shell examination, todays Top 5 Wednesday will be covering my Top 5 Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Episodes.

 
#5-Section 9 (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex)

Section 9 is a pretty solid pilot for Stand Alone Complex, centering on Section 9 trying to figure out the aftermath of a hostage situation that might have dire implications for the nation at large.  Beyond the raid on the Geisha House intro, the episode isn’t super action heavy.  Instead, the focus lies more in the investigative talents of Section 9, particularly those of Togusa, the only member of the team who still has most of his normal human body intact.  All in all, this case might seem like a big deal the deeper you get into it but really, this is just a casual day for Section 9 and not a bad way to meet them for the first time.
 

#4-Pie in the Sky (Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045)

Before Edgelord Teens and comical superhumans became the defacto threat, the concept of the Sustainable War as a confusing but still fascinating set up for SAC_2045.  Nations encouraging war to keep the economy going and inflation skyrocketing to insane levels, it’s an idea on par with the Health Care and Immigration issues tackled by previous seasons.  Pie in the Sky is the only episode of SAC_2045 to show us how badly people have been affected by this change in the world status quo (and the only proper Stand Alone Episode of the Season).  More than that, it’s a fun Batou centered episode that shows off ever facet of Motoko’s loyal second in command from his bad ass attitude in the face or armed robbery to the loveable teddy bear beneath those Cyborg eyes as he helps the aged thieves with a proper Ocean’s Eleven style heist.  Also who knew Batou was so good at stocks?

 
#3-Angels Share (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex)

Beyond any doubt, Daisuke Aramaki is one of the best bosses ever in Anime. He often handles all of the behind the scenes political red tape so his team can work without impediment, so it’s rare to see him out in the field. However, Angels Share finds the Chief in trouble, along with a former love interest, when theyre taken hostage by a pair of thieves searching for a big score.  With Motoko unable to get to him, what does Aramaki do?  He does what he does best: Act like a Boss.  Not only does he take instant command of the situation, Aramaki also utilizes plenty of sleuthing skills to figure out the full extent of this robbery attempt that just keeps getting worse and worse for the two out of their depth thieves.  This old mans not as helpless as you might think.

 
#2-Poker Face (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2^nd Gig)

While the Indivudual Eleven mystery makes up basically the entire season, 2^nd Gig has a few solid Stand Alone episodes.  Best of the bunch, and the entire season, is the origin story for Section 9’s criminally underrated Sniper, Saito.  Going back to his Pre Section 9 days, we see Saito hassling a group of UN Peacekeepers…who happen to be under the command of Motoko Kusanagi and includes younger versions of Ishikawa and Batou.  Saito’s narraration and his clever tactics make it feel like you’re watching a World War II Sniper thriller like Enemy At the Gates.  And that showdown between Saito and Motoko in the finale, with Motoko looking like a hot mix of Ripley from Aliens and Sarah Conner from Terminator is the stuff of Ghost in the Shell legends.
 

#1–Jungle Cruise (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex)

In an episode so brutal, even Adult Swim has to put a Warning Disclaimer on it, Section 9 finds itself on the hunt for an America Operative gone mad and performing horrific acts of violence on innocent civilians.  This episode is elevated by Batou, who’s witnessed Marco’s hellish acts first hand and is determined to stop him at any cost.  This one is such a nail bitter and a tough one to watch (there’s a disclaimer for a reason).  But it’s all worth it for an amazing ending that shows us Batou isn’t just a mindless killing machine but a man with a code and dammit he’s gonna live by it even if the urge to put Marco out of his misery is very tempting.