It’s been awhile since I seriously watched any anime. I tend to be pretty elitist in my tastes and attitudes so I don’t bother with most of it, preferring to ride on trusted recommendations. Ghost in the Shell was an exception to that: I remember half-seeing an episode of Siskel and Ebert a decade ago, and about two years after that I found myself alone one night with nothing to do but watch a movie. I picked Ghost in the Shell and found it… The combination of the technological intrigue and philosophy and the music made it hypnotic.
The movie is a classic, no doubt, and I was extremely eager to see how the anime series would stand up when it was released in 2002-03. The first season of GitS: SaC wasn’t a disappointment so I’ve been eager to get my hands on the second season, “2nd GiG.” Aside from the rather absurd length of the title I’ve been enjoying it immensely.
One thing I’m really glad they did with this second season is go back to an art style consistent with the show for the opening credits. I don’t tend to care too much about the opening credits for most animes, but I loved the Inner Universe song that accompanied the first season of GitS: SAC that I watched it nearly every episode. The problem I had with the opening sequence for the first season is that the 3D animation just looks too poorly done, in my opinion.
I understand that they were probably trying to bring the idea of Matoko’s body being artificial and “doll-like” into 3D, but there’s really no excuse for having hands that look like they’re made out of silly putty or shark-like numbers of teeth in a mouth.
For comparison:
The 2nd GiG opening sequence has an amazing opening song as well. It seems to have more of a focus on green coloration throughout the opening, whereas the first season was more blue-dominant. The major difference, though, is obviously the apparently hand-drawn characters. No poorly done and distracting CG here, for which I am thankful. The sequence also includes, unlike the first season, some images of the other members of Section 9. I don’t mind when Matoko gets screen time but the show’s not entirely about her.
You know, I’m sure that on the first few fansubs I originally watched of the first season, the title sequence was conventionally animated, comprised mostly clips from the series, and that the CG intro (which I’m also not a fan of, it’s terribly animated) was only substituted in later on the DVDs — or at least introduced later in the original broadcast run. I remember this original intro being way better, with the on-screen action and music being far more closely synchronised.
But I told friends about this and they vehemently denied that such a title sequence ever existed.
I might try to find those old fansub CDRs again, provided I didn’t throw them away when I bought the DVDs. If there is a different intro, I might see about posting it on YouTube or something.
When I was looking through YouTube for the opening sequences here I did manage to find some alternate versions of introductions.
Here’s one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlJ718dYy5k
Here’s another one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYMKfUSCAGw
I have a hard time believing the second is really an opening sequence — But it’s really well done. Are either of these what you were referring to?
That first one’s the one I remember. Thanks!
I watched a different fansub group’s releases so it must have been the official title sequence for the original Japanese broadcast of at least some of the episodes. Glad to know I didn’t imagine it.
Watching it again I still think it’s superior. I wish it was on the DVDs.
Love the second one. One of the comments on YouTube suggests it’s an official promo trailer. It definitely looks professional.
Hey were you able to purcahse a complete 2nd Gig, or could you only find the 7 volume series?
I am asking because to my knowledge the complete first season is getting rarer and rarer as they are substituting the multi-disc sets now.
My point is: I’d rather purchase a 30-50 dollar complete set than purchase a combined 140 dollar 7 volume set, and I am having much trouble finding a complete second season.
Thanks,
Ben
I actually didn’t purchase either of the GITS series. I’m fortunate enough to have a few moviephile/animephile friends who each own literally hundreds of movies and animes. I tend to borrow the majority of what I watch from them, so I can’t really tell you anything about purchasing them.