SAC_2045, ep 01: Getting the Band Back Together

More than a decade after Section 9 disbanded, the Major works as a mercenary in a world with new cyber threats.

ep 01 – “NO NOISE NO LIFE – Sustainable War”

First Thoughts.

It’s been so long after Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – 2nd Gig, I have no idea what’s going on in the Major’s world. The movie, Solid State Society, had Togusa leading the Section 9 agents, with Motoko Kusanagi drawn into their investigation after she had left. Here, in SAC_2045, thanks to a scrawl of text giving us important information, the world economy runs on the concept of “Sustainable War” led by a Big Four, dubbed “Great4,” of superpowers. The Major and most of her old team are mercenaries and we pick up their story in the ruins of Palm Springs, California.

Time has passed. Things are different. Are the characters different? That question is why I want to watch this show. The big difference from the original Production I.G. animation is the complete use of CGI. It is total. It’s not like those idol animes where they composite CGI characters into a 2D setting. SAC_2045 looks like an open world video game where a bunch of camera drones have dropped into it. I had to get used to what our old characters look in this 3D environment and it’s fine. There’s not even a hint of the uncanny valley because the characters look like anime people. I’m glad Motoko looks beautiful again. Also, the Tachikoma tanks are as cute as ever, so the nostalgia levels are high in SAC_2045.

Hmm.

I hope SAC_2045 does one thing the original Stand Alone Complex did well, which was show the consequences of regional political struggles. The gray spaces in between lawful and diplomatic relations let cyber criminals take advantage of the rapid development of computer networks, prosthetics, and weapons. While the technology often took center stage to wow us with impressive visuals, the story of the Major and Section 9 was still a tactical police procedural drama. That meant focusing on the inhabitants of sprawling urban environment in their gleaming high rises and gritty slums.

For this new CGI production of SAC_2045, I worry that the settings won’t feel full of people because of how much work it takes to make CGI models walk around. The set piece of the fire fight with the Nomads seemed alright, because there were a lot people all over the place. However, if the story of SAC_2045 keeps its settings to enclosed spaces, the world is going to feel like an empty place and take away from its credibility. It will start to feel like a video game production instead of a TV show.

Heh.

A bunch of text quickly brought us up to speed. SAC_2045 is going to be about AI code. Also, a Global Simultaneous Default is a distinct possibility in the real world.

Nice. Palm Springs! The ruins even have that big empty mall in the middle of it. Tachikoma! That’s it. I’m watching this show. I just needed to see one of those cute guys. I would so drink a “Dudweiser.” Yay! Motoko looks pretty. Not like in those prequel anime movies or that live action one. Ooh! There’s Batou and another Tachikoma. I hear rock and roll music. The action starts now!

Speaking in each other’s heads. That hasn’t changed. That special gear is a bunch of beer kegs! Genuine beer is rare in the SAC_2045 world? Dystopia! Har. The new guy is checking out Motoko’s goods. I give four thumbs up too! Hilarious. The new guy’s name is “Standard,” Stan for short. Why not “Zako” (small fry) and Zack? He’s a deluxe standard! I’m digging the camaraderie. Even the Tachikoma giggle at the jokes. This feels like old times.

Ah. Real action for SAC_2045 now. A small pickup truck with a bunch of guys with guns. The universal sign for sectarian militias. That big truck is something different, though. They’re called Nomads and not a big deal for Motoko’s team to take out.

Group chat looks different. The fight is going to be around all those wind turbines outside of Palm Springs, so they’re on the 111 Highway. Yeah! Tachikoma fight! Roger! The Tachikoma make a hilarious peanut gallery. SAC_2045 makes a good reintroduction here to all the characters’ fighting abilities and how the Tachikoma use their stealth. And how they like head pats…

Let’s see how Japan is doing. Ads are everywhere. Togusa got implants! Funny how he calls all the floating augmented reality elements “the real world.” He never saw any of this stuff before when he just had a flip phone. Things really are different in SAC_2045. Gross. That hacker is just in his underwear. Togusa still has the skills. Also, people in Japan need guns now, not just the police officers.

Oho. Aramaki is getting the band back together. Section 9 rises again? Togusa got a divorce. Aw. He was so devoted to his family and young children. In SAC_2045 he’s in private security. He was the only one who didn’t join the Major and her mercenary team. I’m sure they had noble reasons. Huh. The Japanese prime minister looks awfully foreign.

And SAC_2045 is quickly back in California. The highway looks like PCH in Santa Monica on the way to Malibu. This popup marketplace looks like downtown Los Angeles. Interesting. These hookers only started up when they felt someone look at them.

Time for the real job. There’s an unknown robot that’s going to be important. Hoho. These amateur mercs have bankrupt student loans. The global default reset their loans, but they’re still pissed at the bankers. People in SAC_2045 are using a lot of progressive political jargon, like a patron called the “Good One-Percenter.”

Uh oh. That unknown robot is mysteriously dangerous. Cliffhanger!

The end credits are abstract, but they’re also helping me adjust to the SAC_2045 characters’ new looks.

Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 is streaming on Netflix.