The second is Motoko Kusanagi's character design. This is a bit more valid, as the major is one of the most memorable and iconic characters in cyberpunk, and probably all of anime.
I liked both SAC and Arise, and will inevitably need to draw a few comparisons. But, this isn't about SAC, it's about Arise, so onto the review.
Setting
The first part of Arise is set in, you guessed it, near future Tokyo, well, it's actually a fictional city called Newport, but it might as well be Tokyo for all intents and purposes. However, the setting differs from usual cyber punk fare by looking almost like a typical modern city. Apart from a decent amount of technological integration, Newport City of Arise is nearly identical to the Tokyo (or any other modern city) of any anime set in a present day city. I feel this is more realistic. Consider the change in cityscape from 20 years ago. Skyscrapers are taller, lights are brighter, touch screens are more prevalent, but aside from that, the Star Wars-esque spires and Vibrant LED lighting portrayed in 80s future fantasies are as distant as ever. It's understated setting is fitting for an anime that plays off of GitS themes but tones down the "cyber" aspect of cyberpunk. Many may dislike this because it doesn't feel futuristic, but the setting design is well done for the most part, especially in th fight sequences.
The major's character design is similarly believable. No large purple hair or tights. I get her design in SAC and I like it, but I don't think that changing it devalued the franchise or her character, in fact, I preferred it, allow me to elaborate. The SAC Motoko is the boss. She has her own team, she's skilled in cyber warfare, and she can get what she wants despite the labyrinth of bureaucracy involved in conducting covert operations. Her character design exemplifies this, the fact that she chooses to remain female despite being able to change into a male body (which we learn from Batou is advantageous in several ways), tells us that choosing her appearance is important to her.
The Motoko of Arise is not the Motoko of SAC. She isn't the boss of anything, she's skilled in combat and espionage due to her cyborg and training body, but it's unit 501 property, she doesn't own anything, not even her body. But considering how little control she seems to have in her life, the major manages to pursue the case of her murdered commanding officer, which the government seems to be going to great lengths to cover up. The lack of control in her life is expanded upon with the core theme of the first part of Arise, identity and the nature of memory in a society that allows both of those things to be manipulated through technology. Our memories, while not infallible, are undeniably our own, what happens when they can be translated into computer data? Data that can be changed, erased, replaced. It's by no means a theme new to the GitS franchise, but I feel it was better explored in Arise than anywhere else.
Arise - Border:1 is a slow burning mystery, and also the prequel to section 9's formation, although Border:2 focuses more on the latter. Beginning with the investigation for Motoko Kusanagi's CO's killer. She arrives in Japan to receive a package, apparently from her CO. Shortly after arriving, Kusanagi witnesses Arimaki, the baboon himself, digging up the grave of the man she's supposed to investigate. Summarizing the plot is not the point of this but what follows is a truly epic action sequence that has raised the bar for what I view is "good" action direction and fight choreography. I'll get to this in a bit. The mystery comes not only from Kusanagi trying to unravel a military cover-up but also from battling the cyborg related ailments she incurs on her mission. The phantom pain allows her back story to be explored in a way that feels natural and presents us with one of the problems of the era's technology, how does phantom pain affect cyberized people? One of the primary reasons I liked Arise so much was that it chose one core issue to focus most of it's time on, and developed it wonderfully. Stand Alone Complex is loaded with philosophical ideas and a more engaging story, but I have to say I like the focus in Arise. I can't say more without spoiling it so...
Action:
Arise contains the best action scenes in any anime I have seen to date. Even if you're among the crowd who thinks Arise is an insult to the GitS franchise, I believe that it's worth watching for the action alone. I can count the number of times on one hand that a fight scene left me in a state of awe and Arise tops that short list. The animation of the characters, the physics, it's perfect. Later battles with another cyborg showcase what you can do with superhuman strength and a body that doesn't feel pain. Cybernetic bodies give amazing creative license for self destructive fighting and the animators capitalized on this brilliantly. Cyberwarfare is integrated seamlessly into the fight sequences so you know what's going on even when hand to hand combat and hacking are being used simultaneously.
Character Design:
The major sports red jump suit and a realistically proportioned body. Granted, she's a cyborg, so she can look like, and wear, whatever she wants, but her character design in Arise fits her personality and position very well. SAC Motoko would simply be awkward had she simply been transplanted into Arise. Arimaki looks more realistic as well. He still has the baboon features, but he looks like he could be an actual person. As for Batou and the rest of the crew, they're designs are largely unchanged, but certainly lower quality. Batou looks a bit pudgy, Borma's a marshmellow, and Togusa looks like he was made on Mii creator.
Aesthetic:
It's toned down compared to most cyberpunk, but I like it. It's atmospheric where it needs to be and the Major's 'cyberspace' is reminiscent of SAC while still being consistent with the overall style. The screens everpresent in fictional cyberspace aren't terribly cheesy either.
Characters:
I've gone into this a bit, but there are some characters that deserve to be brought up. Pazo actually receives screen time. He's not terribly developed and serves a Deus Ex Machina moment at one point but it's nice to see him in action for once. The other members of 501 (Kusanagi's unit) are much more obviously augmented. They would stand out like a sore thumb in any public space but seem to trade an innocuous appearance for brute strength. They mainly serve to show the major's relationship with her unit, to help us understand why she is so driven to solve her CO's murder, and of course, the subjects of excellent fight scenes.
Arise seems to bank on it's viewers watching SAC beforehand, because none of the characters are given too much depth or characterization apart from Saito in Border 2. It relies on you having an idea of what these characters are like already which is kind of a significant flaw given that I think hardcore GitS fans might actually be less likely to enjoy Arise.
Sound Design:
Absolute perfection. I wouldn't necessarily add any of the tracks to my favorite songs list, but that's not the purpose of the score. Every track fits seamlessly into the scene it's set too. It's never outrageously dramatic and the quirky techno fight tracks, as well as the opening song, are some of the most memorable ones I've heard simply by virtue of how much they add to the atmosphere. I watched this with a friend and several times we both commented to each other just how good the OST is. The sound effects are noticeably good as well,a rare occurrence.
I loved Arise because I viewed within it's own context. While it's impossible for a fan of the GitS franchise NOT to compare it with SAC, I was able to enjoy it as it's own work.
