NETFLIX’S GHOST IN THE SHELL: SAC-2045 (12 EPISODES) A Film Review
By Ralph Mercer
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Against this backdrop, SAC-2045 introduces the premise of
ETFLIX’S anime series Ghost in the Shell: SAC-20451 deals primarily with the concepts of sustainable Wars and Post-
the post-human, invoking imagery of technological singularity
Humans in a futures world. The original Japanese manga
where humanity’s fascination with artificial intelligence and
series was written and illustrated by Masamune Shirow , which
transhumanism unintentionally merge to create an all-powerful
resulted in several classic Ghost in the Shell movies and TV series.
being, complete with humanism’s disdain for lower life forms. The
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The name is a nod to philosopher Arthur Koestler’s 1967 book The Ghost in the Machine, which explores the nature of
result is post-humans attempting to disrupt an already dystopian society for their own needs.
consciousness and mind body-dualism. However, in Shirow’s work,
However, it is worth watching to see how different mediums
this concept is seen through the lens of a post-cyberpunk possible
and worldviews approach technology and human relations in an
future, where computer technology has advanced so that people
Anthropocene world. SAC-2045 is animated using 3D CG which
can possess cyberbrains, which allows them to interface their
is poorly done, with the characters becoming more action
biological brain with the internet and each other.
figures than anime, with limited facial expressions. Sadly there
The Ghost in the Shell: SAC-2045 series presents a future world
is little left from Shirow’s original illustrations that were vibrant,
where nations (the USA and others) have collaborated to create a
full of energy and mood to carry the anime to a cult status
“sustainable war” as an industry to boost the global economy. The
level. Nevertheless, Ghost in the Shell is an indelible exploration
unintended secondary effects resulted in “the Global Simultaneous
into how we think about our technologically mediated and
Default”, where all real or virtual currency became worthless.
interconnected lives. My advice if you wish to watch more of the
The international order fragmented into hostile regional groups,
Ghost in the Shell is to ignore the live character movie3 and look
where terrorism is rampant, and the divide between the have and
for the original anime versions, and I recommend starting with the
the have-nots becoming greater than ever. In this society, people
‘stand-alone complex’.
mortgaged their organs and personal brain space for cyborg implants, complete with popup ads and commercials.
NOTES: 1
title/81030224 https://manga.fandom.com/wiki/Masamune_Shirow https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1219827/
2
Netflix’s Ghost in the Shell:SAC_2045 on NetFlix https://www.netflix.com/ca/
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Contact at mercer.ralph@gmail.com
HUMAN FUTURES
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