Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex

Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex in English) is a Japanese anime television series based on Masamune Shirow's manga Ghost in the Shell. The anime was aired over a one-year period from October 2002 and received positive responses from critics.

The plot was constructed in a not-to-distant future when humans evolved to a perfect state by transplanting complete bodies from flesh to machine. This increased physical and cybernetic power dramatically and blurred the lines between the two worlds. Plus, with the purpose of preventing criminals from utilizing these highly technological methods, the Japanese government established an independently operating police, known as Section 9, including individuals owning a cybernetic body and a human brain.

Due to the leaders Daisuke Aramaki and Motoko Kusanagi, Section 9 investigated cybercrime and terrorism cases, particularly pursuing an A-level hacker known only as "The Laughing Man." His actions eventually led to the series' titular "Stand Alone Complex."

In conclusion, Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex won an Excellence Prize at the 2002 Japan Media Arts Festival and a Notable Entry Award at the 2003 Tokyo International Anime Fair. With these successes of Stand Alone Complex, the series is worth being one of the best mecha anime of all time.

Aired: Fall 2002

Produced by: Production I.G

Episodes: 26

MAL score: 8.42

Watch here: https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/ghost-in-the-shell-stand-alone-complex/season-1