Completed Anime
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

“Section 9 battles cybercriminals in a future where humans can fully merge with machines.”

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

8.42
207 rank · 425,353 viewers · 9,026 favorites
Award Winning Mystery Sci-Fi Adult Cast Detective Mecha Military Seinen
26 episodes · 24 min per ep min · Fall 2002 · Production I.G · R - 17+ (violence & profanity)
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Episodes · 26 26/26 aired
EP 01 EP 26
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Based on your preference for character-driven stories with layered emotional arcs, this title's exploration of identity and belonging would deeply resonate. The pacing mirrors series you've rated highly, and its thematic depth aligns with your appreciation for nuanced storytelling...

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Synopsis

Section 9 battles cybercriminals in a future where humans can fully merge with machines.

In the not so distant future, mankind has advanced to a state where complete body transplants from flesh to machine is possible. This allows for great increases in both physical and cybernetic prowess and blurring the lines between the two worlds. However, criminals can also make full use of such technology, leading to new and sometimes, very dangerous crimes. In response to such innovative new methods, the Japanese Government has established Section 9, an independently operating police unit which deals with such highly sensitive crimes. Led by Daisuke Aramaki and Motoko Kusanagi, Section 9 deals with such crimes over the entire social spectrum, usually with success. However, when faced with a new A level hacker nicknamed "The Laughing Man," the team is thrown into a dangerous cat and mouse game, following the hacker's trail as it leaves its mark on Japan.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

What people say

Community consensus

Derived from 81 sampled reviews

8.3 /10

What 81 viewers settled on.

96% recommend
Score distribution
median 9 mode 9 σ 1.85
1510
Agreement

Polarized

σ 1.85 · split reception

split
The polarity gap

7.2 pts

Recommenders 8.9 · others 1.7

Yes
No
Score over time

↓ 0.73

Running avg · Apr 2007 → Apr 2026

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Production slate

A Tv Production · Fall 2002

Production I.G.
in association with

Bandai Visual · Dentsu

  • Format 26 × 24′ eps × min
  • Total runtime 10h 24m all episodes
  • Aired Oct 2002 – Oct 2003 Fall 2002
  • Source Tv media type
  • Rated R 17+ (violence & profanity)
  • Ref. BS-0439 catalog

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