Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, 2nd Gig, Vol. 1

Continuing where the first season of this anime series left off, the anti-crime unit known as Section 9 is back in action with a new slate of cases involving a terrorist cell called “The Individual Eleven,” which is believed to be behind a series of assassinations of government officials. Or perhaps the mastermind behind those trigger jobs is Gohda, the mysterious intelligence agent who drifted from crime-fighting to crime-creating? As mysteries go, this is hardly an edge-of-the-seat thriller, nor is it even particularly memorable overall as an ensemble adventure (sadly, the characters are interchangeable to the point that it is easy to forget who is supposed to do what in the course of the action). But what Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, 2nd Gig does possess is uncommonly rich visuals, with vibrant imagery and an imaginative use of color and sound. In fact, this is one of the best-looking anime series to come along in recent years. Also, there is one storyline involving a somewhat taboo subject: the presence of Asian immigrants in Japan, a fairly daring topic for a fantasy-adventure title. It might help new viewers to seek out the first season of this series before approaching this one, as references to the Laughing Man case (the main plotline of the preceding season) will surely leave novices confused. Presenting the first four of 26 episodes on a dual-language disc, rated 13-up, this is recommended. [Note: Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, 2nd Gig, Vol. 2 is slated for release on Nov. 22.] Aud: P. (P. Hall)