Being serious for a second, I'm cautiously optimistic about this project. The director Kazuchika Kise has worked on both the original and the Innocence sequel of the Oshii version of GITS, and he worked on Kamiyama's Solid State Society movie, so at least he knows the material. The writer Tow Ubukata wrote the brilliant Le Chevalier D'Eon, and most recently for Western audiences has been behind the Mardock Scramble movies. They're worth a rent if you want to see his idea of cyberpunk. I've seen the first Mardock Scramble and it's pretty much the best anime cyberpunk since Stand Alone Complex.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfHdMgR7_HI&feature=player_embedded Well it looks like a prequel to Stand Alone Complex to me. So i'm in. I tire of re-imaginations. They're still doing scene homages to iconic scenes in the original GITS which is tiring also since they've already done that in the previous series. Knock it off.
Here's some more info about it. You're right that it's a prequel which should be interesting. I enjoyed the war flashback in the second season of SAC and was always sort of curious about this section of the Major's past so I'm looking forward to seeing more. Still I have to say I'm extremely disappointed that this project will only be 4 OVAs/movies...I was hoping for a full TV series.
That's odd, must be your browser, because even when I log out and refresh the page I can still view the page. Fixed it anyhow though.
The teaser is being streamed here: http://www.filmofilia.com/ghost-in-the-shell-arise-teaser-144496/ Also, there is some artwork and a poster. The 4, 50 minute movies will be in theaters in Japan June 22nd. Bluray on July 26th. RAMA
Yeah, this isn't licensed yet, but it's the same BD region as the US. Probably will not have English subs though. Whether or not it will get licensed is up in the air though since Bandai is out of the game and Manga Entertainment has been really quiet lately.
You don't think Funimation will snap it up if they don't bite? Ghost in the Shell is a huge property by name recognition alone. I'd be surprised if someone doesn't license it.
Read into it what you will, but if one performs a Google image search for either "Ghost in the Shell" or "Motoko Kusanagi", one has to scroll through a lot of images before seeing any Shiroh illustrations. When counting only "official" art, most of it is either the 90s "movie" or the "Stand Alone Complex" series. Oddly enough, the original Shiroh material is way down the recall list. Just a tangent observation, nothing more. Sincerely, Bill
I'm inclined to think Funimation will license this, but I wouldn't completely rule out Sentai as they've been licensing (and dubbing) a lot recently.
If Sentai licenses this, it's sadly an automatic torrent for me. They've ruined a few shows I liked and thought could've done well on US TV with terrible dubs. They also don't seem to know how to make their subtitles standout without resorting to yellow subs with black borders, which is really annoying. I think Funi is a stronger contender for GITS though, mostly because Bandai knows GITS has a strong following in the US and Funi has a great reputation with anime fans. That said, I wouldn't mind if the older GITS material wound up in Discotek's hands and Funi got the rest from here on out.