Joeschmo's Gears and Grounds: Ghost in the Shell - SAC_2045 S2 - Episode 1

Section 9 and Motoko try to apprehend a foreigner who has clues on how to create post-humans.

Episode 13 – “DOMINO EFFECT / Silly Kukushkin”

First Thoughts.

Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 is back after two years and picks up with episode 13. Netflix usually splits its seasons by six months or a year. It did that with Komi-san wa Komyushou desu and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: STONE OCEAN. The pandemic delayed production during the two-year hiatus, but the studio responsible for the 3D CGI animation, Sola Digital Arts, kept busy putting out Blade Runner: Black Lotus for Crunchyroll and Adult Swim. After a long break, I wondered if there were changes in art style and quality. There are! The textures on the character models have more detail and reflect lighting conditions more richly. I’m glad to see Ilya Kuvshinov’s character designs translate even better in the SAC_2045 3D CGI environment.

Towards the end of the first twelve episodes, Purin Esaki became a more prominent character. Her interactions with the Tachikomas and her attachment to Batou tickled me immensely. I’m looking forward to seeing her role grow into a secondary heroine. The end credits heavily hint at her character development. In the group shot of Section 9, only Motoko Kusanagi and Purin look at the audience.

Hmm.

Purin’s relationship with Batou in SAC_2045 is a constant source of entertainment. It’s hilarious that she relates most to the Tachikoma, and they are the friendliest with Batou. Batou returns the affection, so it makes a strange triangle between the pet bots, Purin, and the meat tank of Section 9. Batou was the first one Motoko recruited to her investigation unit, so SAC_2045 sets up Purin as a successor to Motoko.

Heh.

Hey, welcome back from two years ago. Oh, no. We won’t talk about any compilation movies here. Fine. Go watch SAC_2045: Sustainable War if you want to catch up quickly. SAC_2045 S2 continues the Ghost in the Shell tradition of Motoko falling into the Tokyo cityscape from a skyscraper. I sense a theme of multiple worlds inhabiting a primary world in the opening credits. It’s a metaphor for how the cyberworld of SAC_2045 works.

Let’s drop right into the story too. This Russian guy walked into the Indian embassy in Tokyo. He’s ranting about post-humans and how a code makes them reborn. Instantaneously! The Indians are skeptical. The dude claims to have the post-human code in his cyber brain, but he hasn’t become a post-human himself. Uh, doubt it!

Motoko and Batou are back! Name-check Togusa, but he’s still missing. Purin is a member of Section 9 now. The case for the SAC_2045 episode is to grab that twitchy guy from the Indian embassy. Kukushkin is the Russian version of Edward Snowden. His notable aspect is that he uses a full-prosthetic and cyber brain.

This is not credible. How could Kukushkin be alone at a bar without a security escort? Anyway, time for SAC_2045 to show an assassination attempt. What a coincidence! Another Russian happens to appear and share a drink with grumpy Kukushkin. Check for radioactive poison, my guy. Too late! Hahaha! Polonium! That’s so obvious it’s like framing the Russians. Motoko doesn’t buy it either. Uh oh! Kukushkin’s head didn’t have a cyber brain in it! Ooh. Motoko partnered Purin with Batou. Look at how Purin squees! She can brag to the Tachikoma later.

Haha. Purin continues to sexually harass Batou. Red shoes. Here’s the new villain for the second part of SAC_2045. Suzuka Mizukane, the Red Glasses Lady, can conceal her presence. Purin feels something wrong happening to her cyber brain. She calls it “tingling.” Mizukane Red Glasses just walks around Batou and Purin as a ghost. Of course, Purin goes straight for an explanation involving robots. She already gave the missing robot a nickname! They need to find “Ginger!”

Agent Smith! He’s lit in green. That’s blatant opposition to Mizukane Red Glasses. Is he still cooperating with Section 9? Ack! Jumpscare! And she’s gone. Purin recorded her image! A familiar face too. Ginger, the robot, is struggling with thin air. Oho! Motoko can see her! Aargh. SAC_2045 continues to keep Motoko’s butt in the dark. The lieutenant confirms that they’re facing Suzuka Mizukane, the post-human. She hacked Purin and Batou’s brains. Weirdly, Purin’s hack was inconsistent.

Mizukane Red Glasses moves through the crowd in mysterious ways. She also doesn’t need to worry about crosswalks. Time for robot interrogation. Oops. Another agency wants to grab Ginger. Oh, it’s the polonium guy. Um, it WAS the polonium guy. Mizukane Red Glasses hasn’t given up yet. Cliffhanger!