Ghost in the shell franchise couldn't be more milked than it already is, but that alone is fine. Let's see what we've got this time - in the second part of Stand Alone Complex 2045.
Before you continue reading I just want to let you know that I'm not that good at writing reviews or have I completely understood this series.
OVERVIEW
The main antagonist that poses a threat to Section 9 this is Shimamura Takashi the so-called "Big Brother" (reference to "1984." by George Orwell I presume). He is one of the post-humans who play a vital role in this season. Those individuals have been fundamentally transformed on a mental level, giving them unprecedented intelligence, cognitive and hacking speed, and focus while altering their personalities. To summarise Takashi - he almost started a nuclear war before the reality was, let's say, replaced with another, better one.
CHARACTERS - 7/10
Main characters' personalities thankfully remained mostly the same. Major is still the same cold, quiet and mysterious yet romantic persona. In duo with Batou they are still as fun as they were in the original GitS series. I never really found anything special about S9 chief Aramaki and he is still like that in this part. Section as we know from the last part got two new members - Clown and Purin. Clown was absent for the most part of this season, thankfully as I do not like his personality at all. I feel as he does not belong in a series such as this. Purin, on the other hand, started off being really annoying and obnoxious. She became a secondary antagonist later on and then I began liking her more (still don't like her that much though).
STORY - 6/10
Here comes the tricky part. The concept of the story itself was phenomenal, but the execution was lacking. I was quite bored at the beginning, but I became invested into it a few episodes before the end. To say the least, I think I didn't really understand it that much and that's why I can't give my view clearly. Also, the ending was really rushed so that contributed as well.
ANIMATION AND ART - 5/10
I normally completely dislike CGI in anime and am a fan of more traditional anime making, but I can't say it was done badly. It also fits a series such as this. Only thing is, I didn't expect it and I needed some time before I was used to it.
MUSIC - 2/10
The soundtracks were almost non-existent. I also didn't like its opening nor its ending that much.
ENTERTAINMENT - 4/10
All in all, it was a good pastime, but that's about it. I would never have watched it if it wasn't a part of GitS franchise. Still, it was nice to see the charcters we all know and love once again even in this sort of butchered story.
