Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Review: New Shell, Same Ghost

Written by Bryant Donato

Ghost in the Shell is a universally lauded sci-fi franchise that explores the connection between humanity and technology in a philosophical way. Starting with an animated film of critical acclaim and expanding into a couple of TV series and reboots, Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 is the latest in the franchise’s reimagining of the universe and it’s focused group of cyber special operatives, Section 9. This group, consisting of fully cybernetic Major Kusanagi (Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, Steven Universe) and her crew, focus on solving crimes of futuristic fashion while exploring the radical ideals that could come to fruition in a future intimately intertwined with technology. Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045, so far, is no different and follows the franchise’s roots despite its polarizing and potentially jarring animation style. 

This new adaptation, which seems to take place in a future after the events of the first two anime series, follows a subset of the former Section 9 members as they gallivant around in what is later determined to be the remnants of the North American southwest. Initially this art style felt jarring and almost distracting. However, while watching the combat scene where the group shows some bandits that they are in a league of their own, I noticed the way the characters had many subtle movements and details that revealed an immense care had gone into this art style, despite the stylistic change. 

While this new coat of paint is polarizing to say the least, the subject matter is tried and true Ghost in the Shell. The first few episodes cover sustainable proxy war as an economic concept, address some huge issues in the disparity of wealth in this universe’s USA (we as an audience don’t normally get a glimpse into the world outside of japan in this series) as well as exploring how mercenary groups are benefitting from this new global economic situation. As the first episodes progress, you uncover that, as always, someone is pulling strings from high above, and the members of Section 9 are somehow caught in their web for better or for worse. 

All in all, the familiar feeling of high tech cyber espionage, multi-faceted info-war, and straight up cybernetically enhanced butt kicking make this series feel at home with the rest of the franchise after only a few episodes. Any fan of Ghost in the Shell would be remiss to pass this one up, despite the new animation style. 

Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 is now streaming on Netflix.