Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (4-Volume Ani-Manga Box Set)by Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 4 First, I would like to say that part of the reason the score is as low as it is on this review is because I don't particularly care for "ani-manga". Either give me anime or give me manga, but don't put screen caps of the anime in manga form and add-in word balloons! It's silly.The Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence 4-volume ani-manga box set looks very appealing on the outside. A nice collector's box containing four books with very nice dust jackets. The story is a sequel to the Ghost in the Shell anime movie (which I really liked). Section 9's agent Batou must solve a set of murder-suicides committed by robotic companions known as "gynoids". He has a new partner since his old one, the Major, became lost to them in the first movie. An unknown hacker tries to seize the last of Batou's humanity, and might have succeeded if the Major hadn't helped him through the technology that permeates them and this world. Other than the use of some of the same characters in the same world, this really has nothing to do with the original movie as far as I can tell. It's also not very good as a sequel in general — the plot is thin and underdeveloped, and it becomes hard to follow in places. This is possibly because we are "reading" the animated movie rather than watching it (which would be much better even though the CG looks hokey) or reading a real manga (which would flow better). Each volume contains a glossary of the Japanese sound effects that are used. The characters aren't very developed, and much of Batou's character is relying on the reader/viewer's knowledge of his character in the original movie. The best part is Batou's basset hound, and he's in just a couple scenes. One thing that does remain the same is the philosophical debates and discussions which are heavy with quotes. Occassionally it seems like they couldn't think of any other way for the characters to talk except to quote, but overall they are used well. This box set costs $40, so unless you're a huge ani-manga fan or Ghost in the Shell fan I wouldn't spend the money. Go watch the anime. Written: April 24, 2005
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