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Ghost In The Shell 2: Innocence

timbloid writes "I spotted on Ain't it cool news that Mamoru Oshii's new anime Innocence Ghost In The Shell 2's website is now open! The trailer is beautiful! But I can't help thinking a translated version is some time off from the 2004 Japanese release... Maybe it would be faster for me to learn Japanese?"

25 of 344 comments (clear)

  1. Why learn Japanese? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Just wait for the universal Esperanto version.

    1. Re:Why learn Japanese? by OmnipotentEntity · · Score: 4, Informative
      When someone can translate it for you.

      (cyborg)
      Batou is a living doll.

      His arms, his legs, everything in his body was made.
      all that is left is a little brain and, the memory of a woman.

      A lonely soul's promiscuity.

      Directed by Oshii Mori. (I think... not too good with names yet.)

      Innocence
      This is life.

      Spring 2004

      (Yes, I am a karma whore)

      ___________

      --
      "Build a man a fire warm him for a day, set a man on fire and warm him for the rest of his life."
  2. Translations... by dolo666 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "Maybe it would be faster for me to learn Japanese?"

    I think it's better to watch a film in the language it's created in. Who knows if the translation is correct? Isn't it better to hear the real actors, and listen to the sounds they make, as opposed to some translated version?

    A large piece of the meaning and fluidity of a film is lost in translation.

    I can remember sitting around a table of French friends of mine, not knowing a word of French myself, and it was still interesting to listen to them, like a fly on a wall. You don't know what's being said, but the experience has it's own merits.

    There's something really cool about watching anime in Japanese that gives a kind of simplicity to the plot and idea of the film. Because you have no idea what's being said, you can kind of guess, and that adds some of your immagination to the mix. It delivers a kind of Zen, IMHO. And with the visuals in the trailer of Ghost In the Shell 2, who cares what language it's in!! Gimmie!! Gimmie!!

    1. Re:Translations... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      I think it's better to watch a film in the language it's created in... A large piece of the meaning and fluidity of a film is lost in translation.

      But if you can't understand a single word, everything is lost in the translation.

    2. Re:Translations... by Psx29 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I happen to think there are some movies which can be enjoyed without knowing a single word of dialog. Ghost in the shell is not one of these. The questions it poses about life and what it means to be human are something that you really need to hear and understand to enjoy.

    3. Re:Translations... by Sexy+Commando · · Score: 4, Funny

      The following link should give you a kick start on learning Japanese, uh, I mean English.

    4. Re:Translations... by Yokaze · · Score: 3, Insightful

      > Who knows if the translation is correct?

      Well, hopefully the translator.

      > A large piece of the meaning and fluidity of a film is lost in translation.

      Well, it depends, who guessed it, on the translator, and the voice actors.

      IRC, there are even some films out there, which were more successful in a different language, because of the translation.

      The translation is a work in itself, which, depending on the ability of the translator, can be a shallow copy of the original, or even better than the original (Especially, if the original is of poor quality)

      I can undestand the other reason, but how can you prefer the original in a language you do not understand over a translated version, on the reason of loss in fluidity and meaning?

      I prefer to watch english films in the original, although I have some problems understanding the spoken word. But still, I have the feeling, I'm not quite getting some details of the film. Most problematic are jokes. Partly because of cultural discrepancies, partly because I'm busy understanding the language.

      In other words, I'm experience a loss in meaning and fluidity. And I guess that will always be the case, unless one lived a while in that nation, so one has a better grip of the language and culture.

      A grip, a translator surely has.

      Considering the two or three english dubs of Anime, I've seen, I can understand, why some people are avoiding them. But I wouldn't consider Ghost in the Shell as one of them.

      > And with the visuals in the trailer of Ghost In the Shell 2, who cares what language it's in!!

      Well, as long it isn't Polish, I'm fine with it :).
      Considering the previous Ghost-in-the-Shell film, I'd say it'd be a loss missing the monologues.

      --
      "Between strong and weak, between rich and poor [...], it is freedom which oppresses and the law which sets free"
  3. Ghost is great non anime lovers. by Godeke · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I love the original ghost because it convinces many who didn't think they would like anime that it isn't "just a cartoon". Although today anime is becoming "cool", when I was in high school it was pretty fringe. When ghost came out, I showed it to quite a few people who didn't know what anime was, and most had a much better appreciation for the fact that "cartoons" could tell a compelling story.

    Of course, it isn't for the squeamish...

    --
    Sig under construction since 1998.
    1. Re:Ghost is great non anime lovers. by Godeke · · Score: 5, Informative

      Anime allows storytellers to explore sci-fi and fantasy genres without the budget breaking special effects, so they are common to see those genres expressed. But that isn't all that is done in the anime tradition. At the other end of the scale you can find sitcoms and love stories. Studio Ghibli is another great entry point into the style:

      http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/films/

      Just about anything here is good, but Kiki's Delivery Service and Spirited Away are two of my favorites. Kiki's has fantasy only insomuch as Kiki is a witch, but the storyline (something which American entertainment has forgotten about) is one of coming to terms with oneself.

      Grave of the Fireflies is one of the most heart wrenching stories ever told in any style.

      As for the overweight white guys: they are called otaku (fanboy) and are a part, but not the whole, of those who love the style. I'm in my mid thirties, married with a son, own my own company, am part owner of another and rock climb so I don't *get* fat. Not all those who watch anime are otaku.

      To finally answer your question: animation allows for stories that would be difficult to tell in another way without breaking a budget. It also allows for artistic expression and styles that can't be captured with a camera. If American animators were blinded by the "for children only" mindset, amazing stories could be told here as well.

      The Simpsons and the other "adult" cartooning have raised the bar a hair, but it only raises it to "sitcom" from "child humor". I would love to see an home grown cartoon that explored storylines written as well as those in good anime. (And no, Heavy Metal's psuedo porn doesn't count).

      --
      Sig under construction since 1998.
    2. Re:Ghost is great non anime lovers. by Planesdragon · · Score: 4, Insightful

      mon, this isn't flamebait...name one anime fan YOU know, moderator, who DOESN'T have a SINGLE tentacle porn /me raises hand.

      Not a single one. I've seen a few, but they simply don't cut it for me.

      The anime target consumer is a child. The reason full-grown adults in America flock to anime is unknown at this time.

      The reason "full-grown adults"--which is, of course, a misnomer; we're really talking about 20-30 somethings--flock to anime is threefold.

      Firstly, it's originaly targeted at or near the comparable market in Japan.

      Secondly, a good portion of the anime watching crowd grew up watching imported animation from Japan, and so it's logical that they'd move on to more complex stories in the same medium.

      Thirdly, anime's been a trendy thing on college campuses for years now.

      And, of course, there's always that "do something that's not stupid but that mom & dad won't get" drive.

  4. Learning Japanese by ajakk · · Score: 5, Funny

    A much better site for information on learning Japanese is at U. Mass.

    1. Re:Learning Japanese by Haeleth · · Score: 5, Funny

      Not in my experience -- Japanese (under 35, anyway) are huge!

      That's because they're all wearing powered combat armour. The people inside are actually quite small.

  5. GITS:Innocence by darkstar949 · · Score: 3, Informative
    Looks good, very eye-candy like the first GITS, however, will it have the content to go with the eye-candy? The first movie (IMHO) had the problem of being very good looking, however, the story was a bit of a let down. Also, the story in the movie didn't follow the manga correctly, with many parts not happening in the manga. However, I can understand how there would be problems converting from a manga to a OVA or movie.

    Also, I would say that the US will not be seeing the movie until sometime in 2005. I personaly am looking forward to GITS:Stand Allow Complex, both the series and the manga.

    1. Re:GITS:Innocence by Pope · · Score: 3, Informative

      Then GITS:Stand Alone Complex is the one for you! 26 episodes in the current run, and was renewed for another 26. Fansubs currently only exist up to 22 because the title was licensed for translation and distribution recently. No idea what the timeline is for release, though.

      Episde Guide

      --
      It doesn't mean much now, it's built for the future.
  6. Not that far off? by ChrisTower · · Score: 3, Informative

    But I can't help thinking a translated version is some time off from the 2004 Japanese release...

    The original GitS had a simultaneous theatrical release in Japan, the US and the UK. So, you might not have to wait that long after all. Oh, and I'm sure the fansubbers will be all over it as fast as possible. I saw a TeleSync of the Cowboy Bebop movie two weeks after its Japanese premier.

  7. Learning Japanese by Squeebee · · Score: 4, Interesting
    "Maybe it would be faster for me to learn Japanese?"

    I would say that you can't really grasp Japanese language without living in Japan for a while. I can say that after taking Japanese in High School and College and getting top marks in both, my Japanese skills turned out to be pathetic when I finally got to Japan.

    That being said, after a few years of diving into the language (by which I mean being thrown in the deep end of the pool), I could function fairly well as an interpreter.

    The big thing is to go to Japan and speak Japanese, even if you can't. Hanging around with other English speakers all the time and/or copping out and trying to get them to speak English will get you nowhere. The average english teacher I see in Japan can't speak a lick of Japanese even after several years. Why? because they either do not want to learn or constantly take the easy way out.

  8. Ghost in the Shell : Stand Alone Project by darkmayo · · Score: 3, Informative

    If you want more of the GITS i suggest checking out this anime series. It takes place in a different timeline where Mokoto Kusangi never encountered the Puppet Master.

    It has been fansubbed by a few groups and I believe it is licensed for US release as well.

    --
    "I am a kernel in the linux army"
  9. Subtitles by chefren · · Score: 3, Funny

    Learning to read english is probably easier. Then you can watch the movie with subtiles.

  10. Re:Anime Sucks.. by kannibal_klown · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I've been asked that before.

    My personal preference of Anime is that I feel animation is a more solid medium to present a story. And japenese animation has historically been better than many of the US attempts. Likewise, Japenese animation is more likey to show the darker side of things: people die, blood is spilled, war, etc. Meanwhile, US animation is too "Disney-esque", pandering to the G-rated demographic, or trying to get kids to buy their merchandise.

    Some people prefer black-and-white films, other like musicals, and I even know a few people that like silent films. It's just a preference on how the film is portrayed, and I personally like a WELL drawn animation so long as it has a good story and isn't some lame kids show.

    In movies, you have wooden actors playing the lead roles because teenage girls think they are cute, and a bimbo playing the leading lady because she has big cleavage.

    And most importantly, there are some things that actors can't do (mostly stunts). Sure, you can add special affects, but they sometimes don't look too special.

    The settings are another benefit. Some of the greatly drawn anime has settings that you cannot replicate on a stage without it looking "tacky" or fake (CGI), and in some cases look almost heavenly. Lush forests, planet-scapes, buildings, some of it are works of art.

    Animation CAN allow a story to be truly delivered the way it was meant ot be delivered. The character can look exactly like the author originally imagined him/her as. The stunts can look more fluid (all-be-it impossible to perform in real life). Essentially the entire film can be presented in a pure unadulterated form.

    Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of bad animation out there. And, like anything else, it can be watered down to some fluff that only kids like (such as Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, etc). And the tentacle thing (while a stereotypical description of anime) occurs in more "shady" shows, it's not like its everywhere. You must just be downloading some porn like "La Blue Girl" or something.

    All I ask is that some of you people not just label it as some kiddy-show or porn. There's a lot of anime out there that's deep and meaningful, all-the-while being beautifully drawn.

  11. Biggest problem with anime by 5amTheButcher · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I think the biggest problem anime currently faces in the US is not translation, or people not liking sub-titles. It comes down to two things:
    People expect anime to be childrens cartoons, because that's all american cartoons are (in general)
    or
    People look for a traditional western storyline, and they can't handle characters who are both good and bad, and stories that deal with multiple social issues, without offering panaceas at the end.

    It takes a unique type of American to enjoy an anime, and until the rest of the country realizes the walls they have up, and takes them down, and appreciates anime for the beautiful deep art it is, anime won't be widely accepted.

    What does this have to do with GITS? I would love to see that movie on a big screen, but unless I catch it at a local college, I've got no chance. We need to change American preconceptions so that we can watch our movies the way they were meant to be watched!

    I often show friends the movie Princess Mononoke(sp?), and they say, "Wow, that was incredible!", and I tell them, "There are more movies like that, and a lot that are better than that." But no one has ever heard of it, because the american public can't understand or be bothered to try and understand an animated cartoon not aimed at children, or that doesn't hinge on humour. Sure, Pixar has gotten animation into the mainstream, but all of pixars movies are considered "Funny" and "child-safe".

    Just my 3.5 cents.

  12. Huh? by 44BSD · · Score: 5, Funny

    I never heard of this "Ghost in the" shell.

    For me, you still can't beat Bourne.

  13. Interesting choice of music... by Vadim+Grinshpun · · Score: 3, Informative

    I was very surprised at what I heard when I opened the trailer--the song that goes through the whole thing is set to the melody of Joaquin Rodrigo's 'Concierto del Aranguez', one of the very few classical concertos for guitar. Interesting to hear the piece arranged for voice and hand drums :)

  14. Trailer Bit Torrent Link by AIX-Hood · · Score: 5, Informative
  15. US Release by Dreamworks by Chibi · · Score: 4, Informative

    http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/3341.html


    Dreamworks To Distribute Ghost In The Shell II
    In Spring Of 2004


    August 14, 2003
    Screen Daily reports that Dreamworks SKG has formed a specialty distribution arm, Go Fish, which will distribute its first film, Satoshi Kon's Millenium Actress, on September 12 in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. Dreamworks set up Go Fish just after Warner Bros. announced the launch of Warner Independent Pictures, which will release films from independents and small production companies. While Go Fish will undoubtedly release its share of indie films, the second film announced by Dreamworks was Ghost In The Shell II: Innocence, the follow-up to the extremely successful science fiction anime feature, Ghost In The Shell, which was directed by Mamoru Oshii and based on the manga series by Masamune Shirow (published in the U.S by Dark Horse). It should be interesting to see if Dreamworks primarily uses Go Fish to compete with Warners for indie films or to gain a beachhead for anime feature films in the rough and tumble arena of theatrical exhibition.

    Ghost in the Shell II is in the final stages of production in Japan, and Go Fish plans to release the feature film late in the first half of 2004. Back in 1996 the original Ghost In the Shell film made a major impact in the U.S. and launched a plethora of successful tie-in products including posters, statues, art books, manga, and action figures. With a Ghost in the Shell TV series (see "Bandai Gets Ghost In the Shell TV Series") set to debut in the U.S. and the merchandising potential of a second Ghost In The Shell movie (see "New Ghost In The Shell Movie"), this property is poised to take off once again.

    --
    If all you have are silver bullets, everything looks like a werewolf.
  16. Re:In other news.... by DwarfGoanna · · Score: 3, Funny

    I've come to realize that paintings and drawings actually suck, because photos have much clearer resolution. In fact, many times the drawn or painted subject looks nothing like the object in question! Those artists are not going to get their obligatory 'wow' from me though. I mean, it's a completely controlled environment. They didn't actually have to arange fog machines or lights. I mean, the nerve of those people, using and communicationg with their imagination! What a bunch of pretentious assholes!

    I get the impression that when fans sit down to look at a painting, all standards which they might otherwise apply go right out the window...because it's ART!!

    Losers. I'll keep my pixel perfect interpretation of the world. thank you very much

    --

    "You know why you do not see me styling wit my homies? Because I have no homies!!" -Mojo Jojo