Ghost in the Shell (6 Points)

Ghost in the Shell, as well as many other manga and graphic novels throughout my journey. has been strongly recommended to me again and again, and once more, definitely lived up to the hype. The artstyle is very much closer to what I expect for the time period, with some surprisingly adorable chibi faces mixed in dor tasteful comedic effect. Although both have their distinct differences, Akira by Katsuhiro Otomo definitely has a similar energy within its tone and themes, although the world-building surpasses even Cowboy Bebop (created by Shinichirō Watanabe), although both approach their stories with an episodic approach, having the characters each volume/episode focus on one villain. Ghost in the Shell's world building is extremely powerful, with an entire chapter dedicated to how androids are created, and the team's adorable AI robot assistants contemplating revolution. Ghost in the Shell, Cowboy Bebop, and Akira all have their similarities when it comes to tones and ethos, but the largest thing that brings them all together is the Cyberpunk aesthetic, which first appeared alongside the Akira manga. A gritty, modern Japanese city with advanced technology and cynical world view is somehow became a popular and gritty aesthetic thanks to these three major manga and anime. To conclude, as someone who has enjoyed these three cult classics, it's really interesting to add Ghost in the Shell to the list as my favorite, and I am looking forward to watch the anime eventually, even if I know it won't be as detailed as its printed counterpart.

(253 Words)


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