I have them all on DVD and the script about memorized ;)
I am a hardcore GITS nut. THAT is a masterwork. The original movie, the SACs and Solid State Society, which is SO damn topical right now in Japan with the nutcase wanting people to just die, it’s not funny.
Yup GITS shell is awesome. It’s one series where the anime series is better than both any of the comics I have seen as well as the anime movies. Although I do dig the movies. Solid State is pretty on the nose, but I have to go with the whole ‘laughing man’ schtick as far as cool takes on society. Everyone is so plugged in they can’t see people’s faces in real life if they are hacked, genius.
Have you ever read Shirow’s Appleseed? This is where I found the Japanese take on sci-fi back in the late 80’s, from epic comics, then Dark Horse. I take it he saw where tech might lead and switched to GitS. Still Appleseed is a tremendous post apocalyptic/Utopian/Dystopian sci fi story. The movies don’t do it 10% justice. As great as GitS series is I have to give it to Appleseed. Appleseed is much more classicly sci-fi. It still has the Shirow ‘what the hell is happening effect’ of GitS, though.
Freegards