In a future Japan, Major Motoko Kusanagi operates as a key agent of Section 9 of internal security under Chief Aramaki. Together with her support crew and a group of quadraped enforcement droids who operate with childlike enthusiasim, they confront the numerous threats facing Japan. However, their opponents are predominately capable of using the advanced technology around them to their considerable advantage and it will take all the talents of Section 9 to stop them. The futuristic adventures of a female cyborg counter intelligence agent and her support team. For those not in the know, the plot surrounds an anti-terrorist group made of cyborgs in the future called Section 9, or basically CTU in the future. Like 24, each season has an overall story, but unlike 24, Stand Alone Complex has episodes that have nothing to do with the main story arc and are for the sole purpose of revealing characters and establishing a world (the latter is something that 24 doesn't need to do). The writing is excellent, and (continuing the 24 comparisons) makes the 24 writers almost like amateurs. For example in 2nd Gig, they actually make one of the terrorists seem human, something that they tried to do last season of 24 with the President, and failed horribly (Don't get me wrong, 24 is a good show, but I like this more). Everything is stated as the state of things, and there is one side versus another side, neither of which is good or bad, and Section 9 is right there in the middle trying to stop making the situation go from bad to worse. If action is all you care about, this show will only be good, but for the viewers who don't mind the talk, so that things can be explained such as why they're going to execute the plan and how, this will be great. Even if you were put off by the movie's incohesiveness in plot (and completely understandable if you were), this one's a lot easier to understand. Everyone should check it both seasons out, especially those into 24. I first saw the movie and I liked it, not that much, but it was entertaining (I haven't read the manga, so I couldn't enjoy the movie like others did). People had told me that the manga was a lot better and that I'd probably enjoy the series much more.<br/><br/>I don't read manga so I decided to check the series out. The first episodes were pretty good so I continued watching them and… by the time I was half way through, I couldn't stop watching them. The story was so well made that it had absorbed me in an addictive way.<br/><br/>The music is actually pretty good too and… after purchasing the Special Edition, I have to say… the English Dub is horrible. Stay with the Japanese version with English subtitles, you'll enjoy it a lot better that way.<br/><br/>In resume: a must see even for non anime fans, extremely addictive story and… stick with subtitles, the dubbing will kill the whole thing. (And I actually liked the fansubs better than the official subs, they were a lot more detailed and had nice explanations for very interesting things).
Photnoco replied
295 weeks ago