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So that's how they get those digital eyes in GITS (Kokaku Kidotai)

...we'll all have cameras for eyes and direct connections to the internet from our brains like in Ghost in the Shell. But it are the benefits really worth becoming a "ghost in a shell"? After all just wait until you get hacked are infected by the parallel Individual 11 virus.

This has been explored in the Anime world for some time. Both in Mecha anime and Ghost in the Shell. I think that half the reason I watch anime is because they can come up with a idea and put it into place much cheaper then Hollywood can hold a party. info here Do we really need millions to tell a simple story? Seems such greats as Masamune Shirow and Mamoru Oshii have picked up this idea long ago.

I'd like to think that. Certainly if it failed to return useful results, that would damage it. But I don't think one could compete with Google simply on the basis of "Hey, we don't filter out the Anarchist's Cookbook!" (Note: Google doesn't censor this as of this writing.)

People who are completely unable to trust end up in mental hospitals.

The kind of people who end up in mental hospitals are those who believe everybody is involved in a huge conspiracy to "get" them. This is an irrational belief that everybody else's self-interest runs counter to one's own.

Belief that leaders of organizations prefer that their members quietly accept the leaders' views is based upon a rational belief that people prefer others' self-interest to be aligned with their own. I'd like it if everyone agreed with me. :)

A desire to have one's own self-interest be independent of anyone else's (not opposite, just independent) isn't paranoia. It's based on sound evolutionary principles. In Ghost in the Shell , Motoko Kusanagi says very accurately:

"If we all reacted the same we'd be predictable. And there's more than one way to view a situation. What's true for the group is also true for the individual. It's simple. Overspecialize and you breed in weakness. It's slow death."

This sounds similar to Project 2501, originally developed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Its traversals of the net spawned something far more complex, possibly on the verge on being sentient.

For more information, see Project 2501 .

Right now we have reached the beginning of the transition away from button inputs to gesture inputs. There are of course many projects working on gesture inputs. The first that are really viable are the 2D ones from fingerworks.com. The next will be refined versions of the P5 Glove or the sensible phantom. I think eventually gesture based input will be the type used in Minority Report, (see the 1st and 10th images in the gallery).

Finally, I think we will move on to direct input. It's been shown that people can control very simple objects, (move a ball to the top or bottom of the screen), with electrodes connected to their head. Unfortunately so far it has not been responsive enough to see application. Input may also be of the form in Ghost in the Shell where people have wireless connections through implants in their body and also physical jacks in the back of their neck. (Another thing shown in the movie are fingers that come apart on wires to type. Rather than that I'd expect a low-power data transmission in the fingers so set the fingers in appropriately shaped cavities and have the data transmitted across the skin.)

Keyboards are nice. They have worked for a long time, but it is time to replace them. Slowly we can transition from keyboards, through the 2D gesture inputs of fingerworks to 3D inputs along the lines of minority report at which time, hopefully, direct input methods will be viable.

What would machines do if they did achieve sentience?

I suppose they would still function as normal, but strive to have others recognize their sentience ala Ghost in The Shell.

He was born in the early 1950s and Oshii is considered one of the leading directors of the younger generation.

I personally feel that Oshii's movies are darker and more cynical than Miyazaki's, yet Oshii and Miyazaki are good friends. Oshii has been offered a director's job at Ghibli several times, but the projects were never realized.

• Interview: Oshii speaks about Miyazaki and Takahata
  
• Interview: Miyazaki and Oshii discuss Patlabor 2
  
• Manga: Fearsome Takuwan Rock Head, by Oshii about Miyazaki.&nbsp (image)
  
• Japanese Movie Database entry

Shirow's primarily a comics artist, not an animator. As far as I can tell, Black Magic M-66 is the only anime in which his involvement went much beyond allowing one of his manga to be adapted or providing character or concept designs. (See also this biography.) (Ghost in the Shell is Oshii Mamoru's adaptation of (part of) Shirow's manga of the same name.)

... Except, of course, that the number of anime releases by a major studio can likely be counted on one hand. (I'm thinking Akira and the the upcoming commercial release of the Cowboy Bebop movie, as well as the various implementations of Fuzzy Seizure Rodents.) In fact, with the exception of Manga (a relatively small company with few, although some major, licenced titles) and Pioneer (who tend to be overpriced to begin with, IMHO), the domestic anime companies tend to avoid using Macrovision or regioning at all unless it's stipulated in the license - in fact, this is the official policy of ADV, the largest US anime translator/distributor.

So... well the /. stance on the MPAA may well be hypocritical... enthusiasm for anime releases is rarely an example of such. ^^

Manga Video is releasing D&R on 25 June 2002 (so says their website at 1042 EST).

Are they giant robots?

Do they fly on super-rockets?

Where can I enroll?

What gets me is the "directed to children" bit. Um, what? Where does it say that the parody is directed to children? On the Star Ballz website, where there's a clear "this website contains material unsuitable for those under 18" disclaimer? By watching the thing? (Oh, wait, no, they didn't, did they?)

I know! It's because it's animated, and as everybody knows, animated vids are only for kids, regardless of content! Ha ha, right, all those Mangle Video animes with people getting naked (and peoples' brains getting shot out) that they release instead of getting around to Giant Robo are all to keep the little kiddies entertained!

Bleah. That mindset makes me sick.

Interesting you mention Ghost in the shell. A lot of the same people worked on Blood as well. But I imagine you knew that, since you're being a good flamer and gathering all the relevant facts before complaining. By your choice of grammer though I have a feeling you didn't know that. That's OK, I didn't know either 'till I took the time to look into it. Try it sometime.

I do agree with you a bit though. CGI mixed into anime isn't close to new. And Ghost in the Shell is a great example of how it's done well. And (now that we all know) since these two projects came from some of the same people, you could see a similarity in style, to me especially in the ways characters were drawn. But the CGI was more of a headliner in Blood. It actually reminded me a lot of Blue Sub #6.

Again, I agree that it's nothing drastically new. Perhaps a lateral step, re-exploring familiar territory in a new way. But large changes rarely come about without the help of small steps for them to build on. So it makes it worth it to pay attention when something, even if it's only slightly different, shows up.

It wouldn't be fair if I didn't admit that I'm generally not a fan of vampire anime. But I am a fan of well used CGI. The CGI drew my interest into Blood, and I ended up enjoying it more then I would have thought. It might not be ground breaking material, but it was creative enough to pull my attention. If for no other reason, I give them points for that.

ADV is not releasing them is Manga Entertainment because Gainax and ADV have bad blood between them. ADV IMHO will never get another Gainax's show.

I wanna see 3D enhanced, kickass theater re-releases of VampireHunterD (supposedly scheduled for U.S. re-release early this year) and Ghost in the Shell. If we get those, we'll have all three of my faves back on the big screen! yay! And yes.. the Akira comic ROCKED!

I sure hope they get down the radiation from cellulars before then, and put up a heavy firewall so some script kiddie won't hack into my brain!

And on that note, read/watch "Ghost in the Shell". It talks quite eloquently about the philosophy of moving your brain into cyborg bodies.
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<spoiler>
WARNING, don't read unless you don't want the series spoiled for you.
</spoiler>

I have to disagree with you on the last two episodes. They were VERY well done, and IMHO is a very beautiful ending to the story. Well it's not neccisarily an ending per say, because of the situation. Everything from episode 1 is referenced in the last two episodes and if you watch it very carefully it will explain almost everything that takes place.

The main character along with everyone else goes into the project that was mentioned under the very first episode. However they only show the main character's story because it would be way to complicated to do everyone else. There is no real ending because you have to make that up yourself, but what is certain, "instrumentality" does take place and Ikari Shinji does complete it. What you do realize however that the story doesn't really end there, you needed to see the movies because that will pick up all the pieces of the puzzle and put them all together. Death and Rebirth is the first one, and End of Evangelion is the redone episodes's 25 and 26. There you will see that after going through the process he comes back to earth from Eva 1, because Rei is the body they use to enter the eva, and with the help of Karou it is made possible. He comes back to earth because of his love for Asuka.

The movie license has been acquired by Manga entertainment and should be out (hopefully) this year. Check their web site at http://www.manga.com. Also be sure to check out ADV's site for the DVD release at http://www.advfilms.com.

Hope this clears everything up

X(which looks very cool) is going to be put out on DVD by Manga Video soon. Basicly the story involves a bunch of psychics who will can decide the future of the earth. Reason I mention X a)its beautiful animation, B)it's out in theaters, c)it's soon to be released on DVD, and d)Sputnik 7 offers some good free anime and the trailer over broadband.

X(which looks very cool) is going to be put out on DVD by Manga Video soon. Basicly the story involves a bunch of psychics who will can decide the future of the earth. Reason I mention X a)its beautiful animation, B)it's out in theaters, c)it's soon to be released on DVD, and d)Sputnik 7 offers some good free anime and the trailer over broadband.

...I'd like to suggest some older shows that have apparently been forgotten under the current blitz of Lain, Slayers, Evangelion, Gundam Wing, etc.

Otaku no Video (Fanboy's Video), available in English from AnimEigo:
This mockumentary is requisite viewing for every fan. Think your anime addiction is just a harmless hobby? Watch as these otakus (fanboys) redefine obsession as they spread the joy of anime and quite literally take over the world. The first time you watch it, it's hilarious. The second time through, it's humiliating; you can't help but see yourself in the none-too-flattering mirror they hold up.

Kimagure Orange Road (Whimsical Orange Road), available in English from AnimEigo:
A charming high school comedy/drama about Kyosuke Kasuga, a teenager stuck in a love triangle between the irrepressably cute Hikaru and the quietly enchanting Madoka. The story takes its time to develop over 48 TV episodes, 8 OAVs, and a full-length series-ending movie, with everything coming together to paint a memorable, almost nostalgic view of growing up in a more innocent time.

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, available in English from ADV Films:
From the people who brought you Neon Genesis Evangelion, a romping-good comedy/adventure loosely based on the works of Jules Verne -- or as some would say, set in a Verne-esque world. It is the story of circus acrobat Nadia, her pet lion cub King, her friend Jean the boy-genius, and the band of misfits they gather as they try to escape from a mysterious organization.

Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory, available in English from Anime Village:
Almost universally considered by hardcore fans to be the best Gundam series ever; today's Gundam Wing is just a mediocre, angst-saturated rehash in comparison. Four years after the One Year War (UC 0079), the forces of Zeon have regrouped for one last attack on the Earth Federation. This time, however, they have their own prototype heavy weapons Gundam -- complete with an outlawed nuclear warhead...

Koko wa Greenwood (Here is Greenwood), available in English from Software Sculptors:
Kazuya Hasukawa starts the semester late because of ulcers he developed when his own brother stole away his first love. When he finally gets to Greenwood Dormitory, he discovers his roommate looks like a girl, his classmates are sadistic freaks, and the brother he left home to get away from is the school doctor! Aaaauugghhh! Often underrated by fans hyped up on more frenetic shows, this is yet another wacky, charming OAV series about high school life in Japan.

Video Girl Ai, available in English from Viz Communications:
Youta is heartbroken: the girl he secretly loves has confided in him that she has a crush on another boy. Hurt and confused, Youta wanders into a mysterious video store and rents a Video Girl video to help him forget his pain. At first blush it seems like just another "dream-girl come true" contemporary fantasy like Oh! My Goddess, but it quickly descends into a surreal nightmare as the truth behind the video store and its magical Video Girls is revealed.

Giant Robo, available in English from Manga Video:
It's "Johnny Sako and His Giant Robot" retooled for the 90's! It's Big Fire versus the Experts of Justice! It's campy super-spy action kicked up several notches and crammed to the gills with gut-wrenching cliffhangers and positively THUNDEROUS music!

Wings of Honneamise, available in English from Manga Video:
A favorite of mine, this film is nominally about the early days of the space program on an alternate earth. However, it gradually delves into the meanings of and frequent conflicts between war, religion, politics, history, love, celebrity, and heroism. Admittedly not for everyone.

Grave of the Fireflies, available in English from Central Park Media:
No list is complete without this profoundly human film about a brother and sister struggling to survive during the last days of World War II. Words fail me, so I'll just defer to Roger Ebert who has named it one of the Great Movies of all time. Warning: you WILL cry -- it is impossible to not -- so if you insist on remaining a manly-man, you'd better steer clear.

...I'd like to suggest some older shows that have apparently been forgotten under the current blitz of Lain, Slayers, Evangelion, Gundam Wing, etc.

Otaku no Video (Fanboy's Video), available in English from AnimEigo:
This mockumentary is requisite viewing for every fan. Think your anime addiction is just a harmless hobby? Watch as these otakus (fanboys) redefine obsession as they spread the joy of anime and quite literally take over the world. The first time you watch it, it's hilarious. The second time through, it's humiliating; you can't help but see yourself in the none-too-flattering mirror they hold up.

Kimagure Orange Road (Whimsical Orange Road), available in English from AnimEigo:
A charming high school comedy/drama about Kyosuke Kasuga, a teenager stuck in a love triangle between the irrepressably cute Hikaru and the quietly enchanting Madoka. The story takes its time to develop over 48 TV episodes, 8 OAVs, and a full-length series-ending movie, with everything coming together to paint a memorable, almost nostalgic view of growing up in a more innocent time.

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, available in English from ADV Films:
From the people who brought you Neon Genesis Evangelion, a romping-good comedy/adventure loosely based on the works of Jules Verne -- or as some would say, set in a Verne-esque world. It is the story of circus acrobat Nadia, her pet lion cub King, her friend Jean the boy-genius, and the band of misfits they gather as they try to escape from a mysterious organization.

Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory, available in English from Anime Village:
Almost universally considered by hardcore fans to be the best Gundam series ever; today's Gundam Wing is just a mediocre, angst-saturated rehash in comparison. Four years after the One Year War (UC 0079), the forces of Zeon have regrouped for one last attack on the Earth Federation. This time, however, they have their own prototype heavy weapons Gundam -- complete with an outlawed nuclear warhead...

Koko wa Greenwood (Here is Greenwood), available in English from Software Sculptors:
Kazuya Hasukawa starts the semester late because of ulcers he developed when his own brother stole away his first love. When he finally gets to Greenwood Dormitory, he discovers his roommate looks like a girl, his classmates are sadistic freaks, and the brother he left home to get away from is the school doctor! Aaaauugghhh! Often underrated by fans hyped up on more frenetic shows, this is yet another wacky, charming OAV series about high school life in Japan.

Video Girl Ai, available in English from Viz Communications:
Youta is heartbroken: the girl he secretly loves has confided in him that she has a crush on another boy. Hurt and confused, Youta wanders into a mysterious video store and rents a Video Girl video to help him forget his pain. At first blush it seems like just another "dream-girl come true" contemporary fantasy like Oh! My Goddess, but it quickly descends into a surreal nightmare as the truth behind the video store and its magical Video Girls is revealed.

Giant Robo, available in English from Manga Video:
It's "Johnny Sako and His Giant Robot" retooled for the 90's! It's Big Fire versus the Experts of Justice! It's campy super-spy action kicked up several notches and crammed to the gills with gut-wrenching cliffhangers and positively THUNDEROUS music!

Wings of Honneamise, available in English from Manga Video:
A favorite of mine, this film is nominally about the early days of the space program on an alternate earth. However, it gradually delves into the meanings of and frequent conflicts between war, religion, politics, history, love, celebrity, and heroism. Admittedly not for everyone.

Grave of the Fireflies, available in English from Central Park Media:
No list is complete without this profoundly human film about a brother and sister struggling to survive during the last days of World War II. Words fail me, so I'll just defer to Roger Ebert who has named it one of the Great Movies of all time. Warning: you WILL cry -- it is impossible to not -- so if you insist on remaining a manly-man, you'd better steer clear.

...I'd like to suggest some older shows that have apparently been forgotten under the current blitz of Lain, Slayers, Evangelion, Gundam Wing, etc.

Otaku no Video (Fanboy's Video), available in English from AnimEigo:
This mockumentary is requisite viewing for every fan. Think your anime addiction is just a harmless hobby? Watch as these otakus (fanboys) redefine obsession as they spread the joy of anime and quite literally take over the world. The first time you watch it, it's hilarious. The second time through, it's humiliating; you can't help but see yourself in the none-too-flattering mirror they hold up.

Kimagure Orange Road (Whimsical Orange Road), available in English from AnimEigo:
A charming high school comedy/drama about Kyosuke Kasuga, a teenager stuck in a love triangle between the irrepressably cute Hikaru and the quietly enchanting Madoka. The story takes its time to develop over 48 TV episodes, 8 OAVs, and a full-length series-ending movie, with everything coming together to paint a memorable, almost nostalgic view of growing up in a more innocent time.

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, available in English from ADV Films:
From the people who brought you Neon Genesis Evangelion, a romping-good comedy/adventure loosely based on the works of Jules Verne -- or as some would say, set in a Verne-esque world. It is the story of circus acrobat Nadia, her pet lion cub King, her friend Jean the boy-genius, and the band of misfits they gather as they try to escape from a mysterious organization.

Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory, available in English from Anime Village:
Almost universally considered by hardcore fans to be the best Gundam series ever; today's Gundam Wing is just a mediocre, angst-saturated rehash in comparison. Four years after the One Year War (UC 0079), the forces of Zeon have regrouped for one last attack on the Earth Federation. This time, however, they have their own prototype heavy weapons Gundam -- complete with an outlawed nuclear warhead...

Koko wa Greenwood (Here is Greenwood), available in English from Software Sculptors:
Kazuya Hasukawa starts the semester late because of ulcers he developed when his own brother stole away his first love. When he finally gets to Greenwood Dormitory, he discovers his roommate looks like a girl, his classmates are sadistic freaks, and the brother he left home to get away from is the school doctor! Aaaauugghhh! Often underrated by fans hyped up on more frenetic shows, this is yet another wacky, charming OAV series about high school life in Japan.

Video Girl Ai, available in English from Viz Communications:
Youta is heartbroken: the girl he secretly loves has confided in him that she has a crush on another boy. Hurt and confused, Youta wanders into a mysterious video store and rents a Video Girl video to help him forget his pain. At first blush it seems like just another "dream-girl come true" contemporary fantasy like Oh! My Goddess, but it quickly descends into a surreal nightmare as the truth behind the video store and its magical Video Girls is revealed.

Giant Robo, available in English from Manga Video:
It's "Johnny Sako and His Giant Robot" retooled for the 90's! It's Big Fire versus the Experts of Justice! It's campy super-spy action kicked up several notches and crammed to the gills with gut-wrenching cliffhangers and positively THUNDEROUS music!

Wings of Honneamise, available in English from Manga Video:
A favorite of mine, this film is nominally about the early days of the space program on an alternate earth. However, it gradually delves into the meanings of and frequent conflicts between war, religion, politics, history, love, celebrity, and heroism. Admittedly not for everyone.

Grave of the Fireflies, available in English from Central Park Media:
No list is complete without this profoundly human film about a brother and sister struggling to survive during the last days of World War II. Words fail me, so I'll just defer to Roger Ebert who has named it one of the Great Movies of all time. Warning: you WILL cry -- it is impossible to not -- so if you insist on remaining a manly-man, you'd better steer clear.

...I'd like to suggest some older shows that have apparently been forgotten under the current blitz of Lain, Slayers, Evangelion, Gundam Wing, etc.

Otaku no Video (Fanboy's Video), available in English from AnimEigo:
This mockumentary is requisite viewing for every fan. Think your anime addiction is just a harmless hobby? Watch as these otakus (fanboys) redefine obsession as they spread the joy of anime and quite literally take over the world. The first time you watch it, it's hilarious. The second time through, it's humiliating; you can't help but see yourself in the none-too-flattering mirror they hold up.

Kimagure Orange Road (Whimsical Orange Road), available in English from AnimEigo:
A charming high school comedy/drama about Kyosuke Kasuga, a teenager stuck in a love triangle between the irrepressably cute Hikaru and the quietly enchanting Madoka. The story takes its time to develop over 48 TV episodes, 8 OAVs, and a full-length series-ending movie, with everything coming together to paint a memorable, almost nostalgic view of growing up in a more innocent time.

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, available in English from ADV Films:
From the people who brought you Neon Genesis Evangelion, a romping-good comedy/adventure loosely based on the works of Jules Verne -- or as some would say, set in a Verne-esque world. It is the story of circus acrobat Nadia, her pet lion cub King, her friend Jean the boy-genius, and the band of misfits they gather as they try to escape from a mysterious organization.

Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory, available in English from Anime Village:
Almost universally considered by hardcore fans to be the best Gundam series ever; today's Gundam Wing is just a mediocre, angst-saturated rehash in comparison. Four years after the One Year War (UC 0079), the forces of Zeon have regrouped for one last attack on the Earth Federation. This time, however, they have their own prototype heavy weapons Gundam -- complete with an outlawed nuclear warhead...

Koko wa Greenwood (Here is Greenwood), available in English from Software Sculptors:
Kazuya Hasukawa starts the semester late because of ulcers he developed when his own brother stole away his first love. When he finally gets to Greenwood Dormitory, he discovers his roommate looks like a girl, his classmates are sadistic freaks, and the brother he left home to get away from is the school doctor! Aaaauugghhh! Often underrated by fans hyped up on more frenetic shows, this is yet another wacky, charming OAV series about high school life in Japan.

Video Girl Ai, available in English from Viz Communications:
Youta is heartbroken: the girl he secretly loves has confided in him that she has a crush on another boy. Hurt and confused, Youta wanders into a mysterious video store and rents a Video Girl video to help him forget his pain. At first blush it seems like just another "dream-girl come true" contemporary fantasy like Oh! My Goddess, but it quickly descends into a surreal nightmare as the truth behind the video store and its magical Video Girls is revealed.

Giant Robo, available in English from Manga Video:
It's "Johnny Sako and His Giant Robot" retooled for the 90's! It's Big Fire versus the Experts of Justice! It's campy super-spy action kicked up several notches and crammed to the gills with gut-wrenching cliffhangers and positively THUNDEROUS music!

Wings of Honneamise, available in English from Manga Video:
A favorite of mine, this film is nominally about the early days of the space program on an alternate earth. However, it gradually delves into the meanings of and frequent conflicts between war, religion, politics, history, love, celebrity, and heroism. Admittedly not for everyone.

Grave of the Fireflies, available in English from Central Park Media:
No list is complete without this profoundly human film about a brother and sister struggling to survive during the last days of World War II. Words fail me, so I'll just defer to Roger Ebert who has named it one of the Great Movies of all time. Warning: you WILL cry -- it is impossible to not -- so if you insist on remaining a manly-man, you'd better steer clear.

There are of course other examples, like Video Girl Ai. But if you're really interested in Anime, you must watch Ghost in the Shell. IMHO it's better by far than even The Matrix. How can you consider yourself a geek if you haven't seen Ghost in the Shell??