GitS Sequel and Appleseed Remake Are Coming

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GitS Sequel and Appleseed Remake Are Coming

Posted by michael on Thursday February 26, 2004 @01:41AM from the pretty-colors dept.

LocusMote writes "Masamune Shirow, the creative genius behind the manga and anime Ghost in the Shell , has a few new irons fresh from the fire. One of his earlier manga, Appleseed, already exists as a rather disappointing television quality anime. Shirow thought so too, apparently. He went back to the original manga storyline, blew off the dust, and has produced a beautiful new all-CG Appleseed which hits the Japanese theaters in April. (Quicktime required) Oh yeah, there's a Ghost in the Shell sequel in the pipeline, too, called Innocence ... w00t!" Beautiful.

23 of 234 comments (clear)

Well... by Tuxedo+Jack · 2004-02-26 01:42 · Score: 5, Insightful

The more Shirow we can get, the better. The art's gorgeous, and there's nothing like freaking out people with pictures from GitS.

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Striking fear in the authors of godawful fanfiction, I am here, appearing in darkness, Tuxedo Jack!
Lesbians = Ratings by bludstone · 2004-02-26 01:44 · Score: 5, Funny

Because everyone loves cyborg lesbians!

Hey, I know I do.

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1. Re:Lesbians = Ratings by PeDRoRist · 2004-02-26 03:04 · Score: 3, Interesting
  
  Actually Motoko is more of a bisexual than a lesbian.
  
  I like the bogus excuse of cyberbrain sex not working between male and female for showing some girl-to-girl action in GITS.
  
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News? by caitsith01 · 2004-02-26 01:47 · Score: 4, Insightful

Um... the Ghost in the Shell sequel has been known about for quite some time now.... am I missing something here? Not really news, is it?

Nonetheless, it looks completely awesome, the trailer alone has some of the coolest 2D/3D hybrid animation I've seen.

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Read Pynchon.
Fantastic! by aanand · 2004-02-26 01:48 · Score: 3, Funny

A Ghost in the Shell sequel! I hope this one pushes back the boundaries of animation as much as the first one did! Dude, that film was revolutionary! It had guns and everything! Even James Cameron liked it!

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another spin off soon then...? by freerecords · 2004-02-26 01:53 · Score: 5, Interesting

Matrix was clearly ripped off Ghost in the Shell.. so will we soon get a new matrix sequel ripped off innocence... i wonder?

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tim
You may already know that but... by Tei · 2004-02-26 01:55 · Score: 4, Interesting

If you can, get all Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Episodes, where really GREATs, maybe the better anime you can wach. Also get the Tachikomas episodes, has a bonus.

Some people think that these episodes where BETTER than the original Film itself.

Thanks Japan Artists!

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1. Re:You may already know that but... by bludstone · 2004-02-26 02:14 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  Wait on the legit dvds. They are coming fairly soon. Heres the press release (stolen from animeondvd.com )
  
  BANDAI AND MANGA JOIN TOGETHER TO RELEASE THE NEW GHOST IN THE SHELL "STAND ALONE COMPLEX" ANIME SERIES ON TV AND DVD IN 2004
  
  February 11, 2004 -Chicago, IL - Japanese animation distributors, Manga Entertainment and Bandai Entertainment will jointly distribute the all-new "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex" anime TV series worldwide (ex-Asia). Based on Masamune Shirow's popular manga/comic series, "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex" was co-produced by both companies along with Japan's acclaimed Production I.G. (Kill Bill, Blood the Last Vampire, Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade). "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex" consists of 26 futuristic half hour episodes that will be released on DVD this summer along with a subsequent U.S. cable television broadcast.
  
  Manga Entertainment CEO Marvin Gleicher says: "We are very excited to join with our friends at Bandai Entertainment in releasing this excellent new anime series. There is no title that better represents the bright future of Japanese animation than Ghost in the Shell."
  
  "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex" presents a new vision of the future in which female cyborg Major Motoko Kusanagi and her fellow police officers of Section 9 must hunt down criminals in both the real world and online world. Set in the not too distant future where technology plays a key role in everyday human life, this top-notch sci-fi action series combines the latest in full CG animation featuring dramatic themes, illustrious characters, and meticulous design.
  
  This highly anticipated anime series was produced by an incredible creative team including Yoko Kanno (Cowboy Bebop), Kenji Kamiyama (Blood the Last Vampire, Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade) and the talented staff at Production I.G. (Dead Leaves, Patlabor 1&2). "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex" has recently made its debut on Japanese television and will begin airing in the U.S. on Cartoon Network's late night Adult Swim block later this year. "The release of 'Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex' marks an exciting and important milestone for anime and its ever increasing popularity in mainstream pop culture here in the United States" said Ken Iyadomi, Executive Vice President of Bandai Entertainment.
  
  The original Ghost in the Shell feature film is one of the most widely recognized anime films ever released and continues to be a best seller today. The film was a key influence for the Wachowski Brothers in creating The Matrix trilogy and is featured prominently on the Animatrix DVD extras along with being the first Japanese animated film to reach #1 in the U.S. Billboard Video Chart - (August 1996.)
  
  "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex" is set for release on June 27, 2004 and will be supported by a joint summer marketing campaign between Manga Entertainment and Bandai Entertainment. www.ghostintheshell.tv
  
  Bandai Entertainment Inc. is the premier distributor of Japanese animation on DVD home video in North America. The company has distributed notable titles like Superior Defender Gundam Force,hack//SIGN, Cowboy Bebop, and Witch Hunter Robin. Bandai Entertainment Inc. is a subsidiary of Bandai America Inc., who makes the toys for the hit television series, Power Rangers, Digimon, and Mobile Suit Gundam. All U.S. operations are headquartered in a large, ultra-modern facility in Cypress, Calif. Bandai Co., Ltd is the third largest toy company in the world comprising 53 subsidiaries in 18 countries. In addition to toys and children's entertainment, Bandai Co.'s global interests include video game software, multimedia, music and full-length feature films, vending machines, trading cards, candies, and licensed apparel. Bandai Entertainment is headquartered in Cypress, California and additional company and product information is available through our website at www.bandai-ent.com.
  
  Manga Entertainment Inc. specializes in the production and distributio
  
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Shirow is not the one to credit for GitS anime by ookaze · 2004-02-26 01:55 · Score: 5, Informative

This news is mostly misguided in that respect.
Shirow is only behind the manga.
GitS the movie would never have been the wonder it was without the genius that is Mamoru Oshii.
I'll go as far as saying that Mamoru Oshii gave more power to the story than Shirow ever could.

Even the anime design shouts "Mamoru Oshii team" all over it.
Kenji Kawai is part of the "Mamoru Oshii team", so, well, even though he has his detractors, I always found him to be on par with the like of Joe Hisaishi or Youko Kanno (geniuses), and sound plays a great role in the feel of Oshii's anime (like for Sergio Leone films).
1. Re:Shirow is not the one to credit for GitS anime by Anonymous Coward · 2004-02-26 02:25 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  Tolekin is only behind the books.
  TLotR the movie would never have been the wonder it was without the genius that is Peter Jackson.
  I'll go as far as saying Peter Jackson gave more power to the story than Tolkein ever could.
2. Re:Shirow is not the one to credit for GitS anime by ookaze · 2004-02-26 03:54 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  I wonder how you could be modded insightful, as the difference between GitS manga and GitS anime are an order of magnitude more than the ones between LotR book and film.
  
  You seem also to imply that there was a lot of fans of GitS manga, and that it was a masterpiece, before the movie was created, as it is the case for LotR.
  That is just not true.
  
  Mamoru Oshii incentives to do a film have nothing to do with the incentives of Hollywood. They would never have done anime/films like the ones Mamoru Oshii has done (Tenshi no tamago, Patlabor 1 and 2, Avalon, ...).
  
  You should have been modded funny I think ...
  
  But just as I imply here, I guess not every moderator can be a fan of Oshii enough to understand.
I mean well.. by back_pages · 2004-02-26 01:57 · Score: 4, Interesting

I'm not trying to troll, but I gave anime a shot a few years ago and found it all very vacuous. Ghost in the Shell struck me as being both pretentious and half-baked. I've watched a couple other titles and the experience was about the same.
Someone once told me that there was a tremendous amount of Japanese cultural reference in anime. Any input on this? Is there a reputable online source where I might learn some of this material and reattempt to enjoy these movies?
Alternatively, I begin to suspect that anime is to film what trance is to music. And again, I'm just trying to draw a framework, not just troll... Both strike me as eye/ear candy that expect the audience to be non-skeptical of the legitimacy of the plot/expression and enjoy the experience without critical analysis. But I've already admitted that I don't truly understand the culture that produces anime.
At any rate, I like films by Kubrick and Wim Wenders among others, but I'm also a fan of tacky role playing games. I've played The Crescent Hawks Inception and the first Mechwarrior to completion, so I should have some affinity for giant robot fighters, right?
I guess what I'm looking for is the History channel documentary on anime that will give me enough insight to appreciate what makes anime interesting, or at least the internet's version of such a thing. Any suggestions?
1. Re:I mean well.. by bugbread · 2004-02-26 02:09 · Score: 5, Interesting
  
  Well, the first thing you need to realize is that not all anime is created equally (I suspect you know that, but just saying it in case), and that, just as with any other media, what's popular isn't necessarily what's good. I personally hated Ghost in the Shell, so I understand where you're coming from. Basically, you just need to find your niche. My anime niche is incredibly small, consisting basically of Miyazaki's stuff, as well as a smattering of random things (Rojin-Z, Memories...hmm...too few to even recall now, but I'm sure there are others).
  
  Some anime has a lot of Japanese cultural references, some doesn't (comedies, predictably, have much, much more, which is true in any medium). I suspect that it isn't so much the cultural divide that keeps you from enjoying anime, but discerning tastes.
  
  Just remember, if you hear a billion people praising a certain anime, it means no less and no more than a billion people praising a certain movie. The Fast and the Furious was very successful, but that doesn't mean it was good. The good stuff is out there, but you have to look, and that can be a pain in the butt.
  
  What I recommend is: don't bother looking. However, keep in mind that there is good stuff out there, but you haven't seen it. Then, one day, when a friend of yours whose tastes you trust recommends some anime, give it a shot and see if you've found the proverbial needle in the haystack.
2. Re:I mean well.. by mydigitalself · 2004-02-26 03:02 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  whath them in japanese with subtitles.
  
  often what happens when they translate and dub anime is that the translation is compromised so that the sound fits in with the mouth movement - i'm not talking exactly here, by example...
  
  perhaps in Japanese someone can say "waaachaaa" and in English it actually means "hey how you doing, gee i haven't seen you in ages". so the dubbers will reduce the english to match the amount of time taken to say "waaachaa" and will come up with something like "hello". extend that to cultural references and more in-depth conversations and you begin to understand that watching a dubbed version of an anime is perhaps not a great idea if you're after good dialogue.
  
  i saw GITS first in English, twice as that was the only VHS version available to me. i then got it on DVD and watched it with subtitles where they tend not to compromise (although some subtitles can be awfully done!). the film took on an entirely different meaning to me - a lot of the "side scenes" (for example the apparantly random scene of the old dude getting out of the helicopter) actually made sense to me!
  
  one great example of rectifying this was Princess Mononoke where the entire edit was redone based on a translation from the brilliant Neil Gaiman. here Gaiman not only correctly translated the film, but he also adapted some of the metaphors and cultural references so that they had a western spin on them. the film was then re-edited so that the mouths matched his translation. watch it, its fantastic - don't get put off by the Disney'esque animation: after about 4 minutes of Bambi-like scenes evil monsters begin to appear and then someone has his head knocked off with an arrow...but its more than just that, it includes some fabulous human dichotomy and awesome fantasy scenses.
  
  so that may be one reason you haven't enjoyed your anime experience. the other is perhaps you've watched the wrong ones. most of the "famous" ones are more action orientated (Akira, GITS, Ninja Scroll). you may wish to watch something more dramatic like Grave of the Fireflies. personally it was far to slow for my liking, you may enjoy it or find similar anime that isn't all just blood & guts.
2nd song in Appleseed trailer ... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-02-26 01:58 · Score: 3, Informative

is from the Basement Jaxx album Kish Kash called Good Luck (feat Lisa Kekaula)

In case anyone wanted to know :D
The actual site, for users without quicktime by ffub · 2004-02-26 02:01 · Score: 5, Informative

The trailer is also available as a Windows Media stream from the official Appleseed site, which also features an introduction to the film and soundtrack info.

http://www.a-seed.jp
"Innocence" will be out March 6th... by tacarat · 2004-02-26 02:02 · Score: 5, Informative

It'll be starting on the country wide "Road Show" at a Toho Cinema theater near you. "One Piece", the pirate mange/anime, also has a movie starting at the same time. I'm hoping it'll be a double feature (in my dreams, incompatible demographics). 1700yen (US$16-17) for a regular showing is expensive. I really miss getting ripped off at American theaters. The japanese ones I've seen are generally nicer, but the snack bar prices are about double for half.

I wonder if that's how they subsidize rebuilding Tokyo everytime Godzilla attacks?
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Re:too bad by M1FCJ · 2004-02-26 02:17 · Score: 3, Interesting

GiTS SAC is absolutely beautiful in animation and in story. I started to watch the 2nd season and so far it is going good.
If you read the manga, you'll see that GiTS SAC is much more closer to it than the movie was. I still love the movie but SAC is much better than the movie in story-terms.
Torrents of Both Trailers by AIX-Hood · 2004-02-26 02:38 · Score: 4, Informative

http://www.filerush.com/torrents/gits_innocence_tr ailer4.mov.torrent http://www.filerush.com/torrents/appleseed_trailer -anime.mov.torrent
Re:Release date? by minasoko · 2004-02-26 02:57 · Score: 3, Informative

Bandai have the U.S. rights for a DVD release. Although there is no date yet, Bandai recently confirmed some details:
We've learned that the release will definitely be anamorphic, both language tracks will be in 5.1 and Bandai does have the Tachikomatic Days Animated Shorts. We should know later this week what the final US release date is as well.
Check out Anime On DVD for any update. The forum is a friendly place to pick up info too.
Re:Release date? by CrazyLion · 2004-02-26 03:14 · Score: 3, Insightful

The Japanese region 2 GitS:SAC DVDs don't have English subtitles. What you got are the Hong Kong bootlegs. You may want to check http://www.digital.anime.org.uk/piratefaq.html for more info.
Re:Eh by Chris+Burke · 2004-02-26 03:36 · Score: 4, Funny

And with the Smith/Neo fight at the end of Revolutions, we now know that a live-action Dragonball Z is possible.

And also thanks to the Smitch/Neo fight at the end of Revolutions, we now know that a live-action Dragonball Z would totally, totally suck.

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The enemies of Democracy are
US official site by News+for+nerds · 2004-02-26 03:50 · Score: 5, Informative

Innocence official US site at Go Fish Pictures (subsidiary of DreamWorks)

Far less impressive site though, compared to Japanese official site. I doubt their promotion - at least they should spend enough amount of money for web design, as it should cost not so much as "real" PR. Isn't internet for such virtual advertisement?

Now Japanese official site has gorgeous final trailers in wmv, small/medium/large.

The theme song, "Follow Me" is by Kimiko Itoh, and the new version of her 1989 jazz hit (English profile here).