Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex
English title: Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
Japanese title: 攻殻機動隊 STAND ALONE COMPLEX
Alternative titles: Ghost in the Shell SAC, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
Type: TV
Source: Manga
Episodes: 26
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Oct 1, 2002 to Oct 1, 2003
Broadcast: Fridays at 15:30 (JST)
Duration: 24 min per ep
Rating: R - 17+ (violence & profanity)
Studios: Production I.G
Producers: Bandai Visual, Dentsu, Victor Entertainment, Animax, Kodansha, Trilogy Future Studio, Tokuma Shoten, Nippon Television Network
Licensors: Bandai Entertainment, Manga Entertainment
Genres: Action, Award Winning, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Themes: Adult Cast, Detective, Mecha, Military
Demographics: Seinen

In the not so distant future, mankind has advanced to a state where complete body transplants from flesh to machine is possible. This allows for great increases in both physical and cybernetic prowess and blurring the lines between the two worlds. However, criminals can also make full use of such technology, leading to new and sometimes, very dangerous crimes. In response to such innovative new methods, the Japanese Government has established Section 9, an independently operating police unit which deals with such highly sensitive crimes.

Led by Daisuke Aramaki and Motoko Kusanagi, Section 9 deals with such crimes over the entire social spectrum, usually with success. However, when faced with a new A level hacker nicknamed "The Laughing Man," the team is thrown into a dangerous cat and mouse game, following the hacker's trail as it leaves its mark on Japan.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Winner of the Excellence Award on the 6th Japan Media Arts Festival.