Easily one of the most popular anime properties is Ghost of the Shell. The property started out as a seinen manga in 1989 before being immortalized in the hit 1995 anime film of the same name. In 2017 the anime came to life in a live action feature starring Scarlett Johansson to mixed reviews. Now Lionsgate is bringing the classic original to 4K Ultra for the first time in hopes to enhance the already iconic feature.  

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In the film, a female cybernetic government agent, Major Motoko Kusanagi, and the Internal Bureau of Investigations are hot on the trail of “The Puppet Master,” a mysterious and threatening computer virus capable of infiltrating human hosts. Together, with her fellow agents from Section 9, they embark on a high-tech race against time to capture the omnipresent entity. 

 

Ghost in the Shell took the world by storm in the mid-90’s, exhibiting a new dimension of anime with unprecedented, mesmerizing cinematic expression. Seamlessly merging traditional animation with the latest computer graphic imagery, this stunning sci-fi spectacle challenged the boundaries of mainstream animation with detailed artistic expression and a uniquely intelligent story line. Veteran director Mamoru Oshii skillfully creates the ultimate anime experience in this futuristic masterpiece based on the groundbreaking comic book by Masamune Shirow.

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I have never been a huge anime fan, but there are a select few that I have always loved including Akira, Vampire Hunter D and Ghost in the Shell. I remember seeing this film for the first time back in 1995 when it came out and it blew me away. Getting to revisit it now in glorious 4K gave me a new found love for the film all over again. The beautiful animation and unique story is compelling from beginning to end. There is so much detail in the designs that the surroundings become a character all their own and coupled with the amazing character designs and action makes this deserving of being called a masterpiece.

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