The unit is headed by Aramaki (who’s also referred to as ‘ape-face’ - with good reason). The soldiers (in order of hierarchy) are Kusanagi a.k.a. The protagonists are all part of Section 9. They report only to the highest authorities and enjoy almost limitless freedom to take action as they see fit. The plot revolves around a special division of the paramilitary forces called Public Security Section 9 which deals with external threats to the country (in this case, Japan). What hasn’t changed in the world is this: countries are still haggling with each other for economic profit and power. This is the background on which the story rests. Of course, there’s the chance that if you let someone into your head, they may find stuff you don’t want them to - but this can be guarded against (like using firewalls on your computer). And since one can actually plug in one’s brain to this ‘internet’, interpersonal communication can happen via thought without actually speaking. The world is basically one large electronic network. This forms the basis for the title’s etymology.
With all human organs easily replicable, what’s left is the ‘Ghost’ of the person that existed earlier call it a ‘consciousness’ if you will.
Even the brain can be downloaded and transferred to a human exoskeleton, called a Shell. Eyes can be replaced by electronic lenses that allow you to zoom or change visual medium (think Robocop). Hands and legs can be easily replaced by more technically advanced limbs. Cybernetic technology has successfully (to a large degree) moulded Man and Machine. It doesn’t deviate from the book and I can only imagine the pains with which the screenplay for the animation was written since it does indeed put forth the philosophical aspects rather well. If you haven’t read the book but watched the movies, then you’re pretty well clued into the story. Thus far, I had contented myself on just the animated movies (which are iconic in their own right). Most comic (and movie) buffs have heard of The Ghost in the Shell.
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