THE GHOST IN THE SHELL (攻殻機動隊 THE GHOST IN THE SHELL)

In 1998, a growable neurochip was made at Harima Science City.

Its cells are dying due to excessive growth.

The fibers have grown to terminals composed of galactose-infused polystyrene

derivatives, distorting the thin membrane the terminals are printed on.

That same month, cyberbrain technology begins shifting to a micromachine base.

In 2028, neurochips are widely used in robots and AIs.

In the near future, electrons and light race back and forth

through corporate nets that blanket the globe,

but the notions of nationality and ethnicity still cling to life

despite the spread of technology.

A strange corporate collective state lying in a corner of Asia…

Japan Nihon, Nippon Island nation located in East Asia.

Total area, 377,815 square km. Total population, 76 million (as of 2029).

MARCH 5, 2029

NIIHAMA PREFECTURE ARTIFICIAL ISLAND METROPOLIS OF NEWPORT CITY

Why the sudden interest in silicon deposits?

It's important enough that it will guarantee that my government

will stay out of your country's official policy of not recognizing secessionists.

Our stated position is that we provide aid once independence is recognized,

so this will not conflict with our own trade interests.

We will work through a third-party country.

Excellent. After all, if a slave state is negligent in its service,

the master country will starve.

Our manpower shortage will really give the slave trade a huge boost.

This does deviate somewhat from our socialist ideals, I must admit.

Despite all your country's protestations of being capitalists,

the truth is that you're the ideal socialist state!

What's keeping Team 2?!

Is it the union again?

They say there's been a bomb threat!

We've finished evacuating the civilians, sir.

Major, Public Security is ready to go.

I know, for crying out loud…

When you let an AI handle the encryption,

everyone and their mother will be able to listen in.

All right! Turn off the building's electromagnetic shield!

All teams, comms are open!

Go for breach!

What's going on?

You let the likes of Public Security surround us?

You fools!

Stay where you are!

Who gave the order to open fire?!

Hold it!

And what do we have here?

If it isn't the Far East Trade Representative,

the Vice-Minister of Commerce, and an Executive of the union.

Oh, it's just you, Aramaki.

This will finally give me enough evidence to send you packing to your home country.

I wouldn't count my chickens so fast if I were you.

Shall I have you sit in on his deposition, Vice-Minister Ito?

Just to make sure I have a detailed account

regarding the bombing that killed the late Prime Minister

and who leaked the conference location.

It's all over…

I'm afraid that won't be possible, Aramaki.

The Vice-Minister will be joining me on my flight.

His request for asylum has been granted,

and I have a signed affidavit, too.

When?!

I'm under no obligation to answer that.

Under international law, I have the authority to take him

into protective custody and take him home.

Then in accordance with international anti-terrorism laws,

we request his extradition!

When the paperwork arrives, we'll consider it.

Mark my words, Vice-Minister, you'll be killed for this.

My country is a civilized, pacifist nation.

Oh, is it now?

Wha…

Utilizing low-velocity, soft-point explosive bullets

Outside the window!

There's nothing on the sensors!

Is that 2902 thermal optical camo?!

- Go get a tracker! - Yes, sir!

Here's the tracker, sir.

It's too late.

The next day, that woman appeared at the Minister of Internal Affairs' office,

a kill order signed by the former Prime Minister in her hand.

This woman, who gave her name as "Motoko Kusanagi,"

proposed the formal creation of a new special forces unit,

citing the need for crisis management.

That same day, the Minister of Internal Affairs summoned Daisuke Aramaki,

requesting that he devise a plan to bring her into Public Security.

Aramaki agrees.

People like her, you need to keep on a tight leash.

She requested the formation of a special forces unit.

Just like you did.

APRIL 10, 2029

Major. We got a job. Meet up with "Suisen" in South Niihama Ward 4.

Funny, I don't remember signing a contract.

No contract, no deal!

The budget you requested to set up your pet special forces unit

was just passed by the National Council.

Fuchikoma! Check the public record!

Yessir!

Don't moan like that, damn it! It grosses me out.

An audio implant I had installed the other day has a loose connection.

So what's up?

You're really going through with this deal with Public Security?

If I'm gonna set up an official special forces unit,

I can't do it without the Bureau's help.

That outfit's chief is no dummy. We'll get swallowed up by Public Security.

Report located confirming passage of budget by the 327th National Council!

Well…

I guess that means he wasn't lying about that, anyway.

Okay! Our round-the-clock cherry blossom observation is canceled!

Let's go to work!

I thought I was gonna die of boredom.

Okay, people, stand by to brain-dive.

We'll get tapped if we do it on comms.

Do you want a sit-rep before we get there or not?

I'll use an attack barrier

created by a wizard cyberbrain tech to keep the hackers away.

It's a hardcore type that kills the hacker.

When you feel a tingle, that's my Ghost line. Don't dive past there.

Yeah, fine.

That brain of yours is in serious need of decluttering.

Wow, Major, your prosthetic hands are killing you, huh?

What's this bitter taste I'm getting? Some kind of sedative?

You got the intel for the op, right?

If you're not out of my head in two seconds, I'll fry your brain cells!

I can't believe those clowns dove that close to my damn Ghost.

This is why I hate letting a bunch of insensitive jerks into my brain!

SOUTH NIIHAMA WARD 4

"Suisen" Field Command Post / Ground Crew: 2 / Command Post Admin Robot: 1

SOUTH NIIHAMA CULTURAL CENTER

So, what's the situation?

Public Security currently has the Sacred Citizen Relief Center

under round-the-clock surveillance.

Relief center?

It's a welfare facility that takes in war orphans,

and provides them with a home, education, and work opportunities.

If that's the case, it has nothing to do with us. Buh-bye.

They have a Ghost controller, Major!

Whoa, old school.

To boost the effectiveness of the brainwashing,

they also appear to be developing a new type of Ghost key.

You had a hacker poke around and they came up empty, huh?

So, what? Steal it? Kill them?

Nothing of the sort!

Your objective is to subdue them if necessary and arrest them.

Without any evidence or a warrant?

We got a hit, that much is certain!

Is their plan to bait me into attacking the place and then go after me in court?

Hell if I know.

Sheesh!

Doing half-assed stuff like this won't get us anywhere.

Is Ape-face trying to sabotage me?

The relief center is a happy, happy place!

The teachers are oh so nice!

The meals are the best.

The beds are soft as clouds!

And even the work is fun!