Mushi-shi

Mushi-shi looked like something that was going to be really great. Mushi as used here refers to basic, almost ghost-like lifeforms that are closest to the Earth energies. If you remember the Lifestream from Final Fantasy VII, then you have a basis of understanding. Mushi are made of that lifestream. Ginko, the main character, is a Mushi-shi, or Mushi Master. He travels the land in search of mushi to study them, and often save people from them. Mushi are not evil or good, they are just animals, and sometimes their lives come into conflict with humans.

The animation is top notch. In fact the entire production is wonderful. The only thing lacking is story. Each episode is independent. There is no common thread other than Ginko, but even he has no story. In a way, it is refreshing to have a character who just is, and isn't some complicated, conflicted emo whiner or some other stereotype. But also it means there is no motivation to watch the next show. Nothing to keep you going. No hook. The mushi are completely out of left field and so each episode is free to do and be whatever it wishes. Sounds great, but I think in this case it hurts the show.

In short, the show has a lot of production quality, but weak on story. The result is a 7 disc series in which I have watched the first two discs and am not real motivated to continue watching. So I am switching to a new show.

The Supernatural

I know it's a bit late for Halloween, but I just finished watching ゴーストハント (Ghost Hunt).　I really enjoy supernatural shows, and this anime was a good one.　It had a good mix of Western ghost lore applied to Eastern mythology and religion.　Unfortunately, it was a short run, just one season.　Other good supernatural themed shows I've enjoyed include:

• X-Files - Of course.
  
• Supernatural - Currently running season 5 on CW.
  
• xxxHolic - Waiting for season 2 to come to the US.
  
• Vampire Princess Miyu - The original OAV, not the TV series!

Next up in my anime queue is Mushi-shi; looks to be a good one, at least visually.

Stand Alone Complex

So I have watched all that Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex has to offer: two seasons and a made-for-TV movie. The reviews are in, and they are mixed.

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (season 1):
The first season of the show was good. Not as good as the movie, but good. There was a lot of what I would call philosophical-babble about entities on the net, AI, and "stand alone complexes". I call it babble because it doesn't mean anything, causing you to lose interest and/or your eyes glaze over. And despite several whole-episode conversations about "stand alone complex", I still can't tell you what the fuck that means and it's the title of the goddamn show. Also, Motoko's outfit was ridiculous. It was not sexy, classy, fashionable, or practical. The guy who approved it should be fired, and he quite possibly was since she had a new outfit for season two. Also, the CG intro was crappy and out of place. But despite these flaws, the show was interesting, entertaining, and fun. The underlying story about the Laughing Man was complex yet followable, and the occasional action sequences stylish and understated, much like the 1995 movie.

Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd GIG (season 2):
The second season, titled S.A.C 2nd Gig, was a big improvement, and not just because Motoko has a new outfit that is both sexy and practical. The intro is cool and hip, with a much better song. In fact, the music all around was better. The philosophical-babble was drastically cut down, though not completely removed. The story itself was interesting and much easier to follow. But best of all, this season saw more introspective on our Section 9 crew, including Motoko, Saito, and Pazu. Overall, this season was leaps and bounds better than the last one, and I really think it is an example of the best of Japanese serial animation.

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Solid State Society (TV-movie):
Finally, we have the made-for-TV movie. I really had high hopes for this movie, coming off a superb 2nd season of the series. But to be honest, the movie stunk. I thought the base story was actually strong, but the presentation and some plot choices were really poor. Motoko retired from Section 9? When last we saw them, they were in new Tachikoma ready to kick ass in a scene reminiscent of the first issue of the manga, which has all kinds of implications itself (the beginning of the end?). But now Motoko is out of the force, working on her own because she was "too restricted"? Fuck that. In addition, Batou is acting like an asshole for most of the film. And just to top it all off, the action sequences were boring and uninspired. In the end, it was just a really poorly done film. Any one of the episodes from Season 2 were better than this.

So here's my ratings:

1. Stand Along Complex (season 1): •••
2. Stand Along Complex: 2nd Gig (season 2): •••••
3. Stand Along Complex: Solid State Society (TV-movie): ••

So watch season 1, love season 2, and skip the movie. Well, maybe watch the movie if you are a big fan as I am, but be prepared to be disappointed.

I'm holding out for another season in hopes that they explore some of the other characters as well. I particularly like Ishikawa and Togusa, and we know next to nothing about Borma. So here's hoping for season 3.