When you're talking about the pinnacle of anime popularity in America you have to give credit to Ghost in the Shell. Masamune Shirow's breakout success basically kick-started Japanese animation's acceptance in the States. Granted well before then there had been many series and films that were popular on both sides of the ocean but Ghost in the Shell was different. It opened up a lot of people's eyes to the world of anime and it was met with more mainstream success than most other projects.

Fortunately the film wasn't Shirow's only pioneering vision for the franchise. A widely popular manga, sequel film, and two television series have been made available here as well. While he hasn't been directly involved on every project it's safe to say that his sense of style and creativity have been carried over. In particular, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex hit the market in a timely fashion and brought fans of the original back for another compelling ride.

The atmosphere in the television series is slightly different from the films but for the most part things are the same. The show takes place in a future where humanity is a loose fitting term and just about everybody has some sort of cybernetic implant or another. It's not uncommon to see a person jacking their brain up to an internet of sorts and it's even considered the norm if you replace real body parts with artificial ones. The line between organic and artificial life truly begins to blur but apart from that the world is much the same.

The focus of the series is on a policing group known as Section 9 who spend their lives making the world a better place. In the first series Major Motoko Kusanagi lead Section 9 on a cat and mouse chase to find someone known as the laughing man. Under the direction of Chief Daisuke Aramaki, Kusanagi was joined by fellow teammates Batou, Togusa, Ishikawa, and a few others. Their plight to bring the Laughing Man to justice was compelling, full of action, and far more interesting than Shirow's original film in my opinion. I may be flamed for saying so but as visionary as the first Ghost in the Shell was I never felt it had a lot of energy. It was philosophical and intellectually engaging but Stand Alone Complex had some of the sparks that were missing. It was the best of both worlds (brawn and brains) and it stood out as one of my favorite shows. I suppose it shouldn't be surprising that the 2nd GIG grabbed me just the same.

In the follow up season for Stand Alone Complex the stage that had been set in the previous outing left a lot of promise for things to come. At the start of 2nd GIG we learn that several things have changed since we last saw Kusanagi and the Laughing Man. Section 9 has been disbanded. The future seems to be up in the air but when a terrorist group known as the Individual Eleven steps up I'm sure you can guess who the Japanese government goes crawling back to.

While the Individual Eleven is a big part of this season's story you'll find that the attention is split up between Kusanagi's hunt and several other aspects. My favorite inclusion from this year's Ghost in the Shell was the background story and revelations about the future of Japanese culture. The world has been ravaged by war and Asian refugees have poured into Japan in an effort to rebuild their lives. A little bit of class warfare has begun as the government has been appropriating tax money for their own needs and the balancing scales are starting to become tipped. This invited workforce becomes a dominant part of this season's conflict and it adds an immense amount of depth to and already expansive series.

Along the way through these episodes and Individual Eleven's various plots a mysterious man named Gohda surfaces. I don't want to give away what his true intent is but let's just say that it isn't really in the best interest of anyone we care about. He works for the Japanese Cabinet Intelligence Service but it's safe to say that he has his own agenda. Is he a villain? Is he just misunderstood? I'm not going to say but I will state that this season plays his character wonderfully and it's one of the driving forces that keep 2nd GIG running.

There is so much I want to talk about here but at the risk of ruining things I feel that I shouldn't. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - 2nd GIG is anime at its best. Stuff like this is the reason I love Japanese animation and it's what keeps me going through all of the mediocre shows. Kusanagi's adventures are the cream of the crop and it's hard to dispute that.

While most shows may be content with just providing one facet of storytelling Ghost in the Shell does it all. This season of the show was insightful with a ton of commentary on the social and political ramifications that war and refugees bring to the table. It's a storyline that will make you think and it's one that requires multiple viewings in order to fully appreciate the scope of.

This show also kicks it up a notch with more action than in the first season, which is always a plus. There's just something about seeing Kusanagi leap down the side of a skyscraper while shooting people through a window that never gets old. 2nd GIG is also a season that will keep you guessing throughout. The line between right and wrong becomes blurry along the way and the manner with which the show deals with it is nothing short of excellent.

If you watched the first season of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex then picking up the second is a no-brainer. The story is better, the action is more intense, and all around things have been improved. 2nd GIG is a show that will make you think and it's one that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final 26th episode credits come to a close. I loved every minute of it and I must say that in the end this show is nothing short of epic. While we just received Solid State Society I must admit that I'm keeping my fingers crossed for another Stand Alone Complex series (if it's even possible within the timeline of the franchise).

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - 2nd GIG originally aired in 2004 but the transfer here will make you think otherwise. The anamorphic widescreen image is absolutely flawless with an immaculate presentation that sets the series above the rest of the field. Seriously folks, the complete absence of grain, compression, and digital artifacts make this a smooth looking program. Add to that some fantastic art design, a color palette, great use of contrast, and fluid animation and you have one of the best looking anime series to date. I can't gush enough about the quality of this show from start to finish and it's all even better looking than the first season.

Another feather in the cap for 2nd GIG is the audio presentation. With both English and Japanese 2.0 and 5.1 selections you're not going to miss a beat depending on your preferred viewing. The dubbing quality for both is exemplary and something to be admired. If only other shows aspired to produce their shows as masterfully as this one the world would be a better place. Technically speaking the 2.0 tracks were functional but the 5.1 was definitely the preferred selection. With an improved sense of immersion the surround tracks come to life at the right moments with intelligent use of the rear channels. It wasn't overwhelming by any means and though it was employed subtly the quality was very high.

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - 2nd GIG is packed with interviews that really give a good look at the way the series was created. Across the seven discs included here you can expect to watch interviews with the Director, Writer, Art Director, Designer, and Voice Actors. Each interview is lengthy for the most part and provides a lot of insight into the behind the scenes workings of the show. There were no documentaries or commentaries to be found and the only other feature available here was textless animation.

If you haven't guessed by now I loved Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - 2nd GIG. It's a solid show from start to finish and it's a ride that never lets up. Sit back, turn up the volume, and allow yourself to be swept away by Kusanagi and company; you won't be disappointed. The only source of frustration you'll feel is the fact that no third season is around. Shirow's vision is a masterpiece and it is arguably one of the Holy Grails of anime. If only Manga had offered the Special Edition releases of the show in this box set.

Check out more of my reviews here. Head on over to my anime blog as well for random musings and reviews of anime, manga, and stuff from Japan!