Many people at least marginally familiar with Japanese animation recognize the name of Hayao Miyazaki. He is well known for his interestingly complex and unorthodox plots and his beautiful and fluid art style. Many casual fans, however, would not recognize this less popular but no less deserving name. Mamoru Oshii, creator of the Ghost in the Shell series is easily one of the best animators out there. His stunning visuals and intricate (if not much more mature) plotlines make his work a must-see for any anime fan.
Which brings us to the topic of discussion, Ghost in the Shell. A story that examines what exactly makes humans humans, it is a dark, futuristic story rife with philosophical speculation and amazingly sharp visuals. While one might feel bogged down in the philosophy during the second movie Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence and others may take exception at the use of CG in the 2nd movie since the original was all breathtakingly hand-drawn, it is hard to refute that the works are genuine masterpieces. The characters are well defined and the backgrounds are extremely detailed and often contain a great deal of symbology. Some people may feel bothered by what could be considered to be excessive nudity in the first movie, but if you look beyond that it truly is a great series.
So, for those of you who have seen Ghost in the Shell, what do you think of it? For those of you who have not, would you watch it? Why or why not?
Also, I've not yet seen Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. For those who have, is it worth watching?