Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex 2nd Gig DVD

Posted by: Michael

Bandai Entertainment and Manga Entertainment are proud to announce the next exciting episodes of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd Gig. Volume Three will be released in both a Standard Edition DVD as well as Special Edition on January 24, 2006. The Special Edition includes a Limited Edition Exclusive Collector's Tin Case and two collectable Ghost in the Shell toys.

Following closely on the heels of the extremely successful DVD release of the entire first season, GITS: SAC 2nd Gig enjoys a simultaneous DVD launch in the US, Canada and Great Britain via Anchor Bay Entertainment. In addition, individual episodes of the 2nd series began airing on Cartoon Network’s “Adult Swim” in November, and in Canada on YTV. As with the first season, each episode of GITS: SAC 2nd Gig was created to be enjoyed and appreciated on its own merits, or to “stand alone,” while still contributing to a larger, more complex story arc.

In 2nd Gig, Section 9 - Japan’s high-mobility anti-crime unit, is back in action. Despite the successful resolution of the “Laughing Man” case, team leader Major Motoko Kusanagi’s got her work cut out for her as she leads her team on a series of new cases and investigates an insidious new plot against the Japanese government perpetrated by a team of terrorists know only as “The Individual Eleven.”

After their prior confrontations with Gohda, Section 9 continues their investigations into his mysterious background. However, at the same time, they must stop a wave of suicide bombers who threaten the safety of Japan. And even when they’re off duty, trouble manages to find them, as Togusa finds himself brought up on charges.

The Major has troubles of her own as well. On a routine mission to field test new recruits, she finds herself hacked and recalls a story that seems somehow familiar. Section 9 uncovers a suspicious file that they think is the Individual Eleven virus and they begin tracking the man who attempted to assassinate the Prime Minister.

Based upon the original Ghost in the Shell manga by Masamune Shirow (Appleseed, New Dominion Tank Police) and a story concept by Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell), GITS: SAC 2nd Gig features the return of series Director and Chief Writer Kenji Kamiyama and Composer Yoko Kanno. They are joined by a host of top animators previously unavailable to work on the series’ first season due to their involvement with the phenomenal Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence feature film. The result is a cybernetic epic that challenges the viewer and exceeds the production quality of the ground-breaking first season of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex.

Episodes of this volume include:
9. Ambivalence 10. Trial 11.Affection 12. Selecon

REGULAR EDITION:
DVD Features: Mastered directly from Hi-Definition Masters; 16 X 9 Anamorphic, English Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio; Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio; English Stereo Audio; Japanese Stereo Audio; English Subtitles

SPECIAL EDITION:
Disc 1 Features: Mastered directly from Hi-Definition Masters; 16 x 9 Anamorphic, English Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio; Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio; English Stereo Audio; Japanese Stereo Audio English Subtitles; comes with Interviews, Trailers and Weblinks

Disc 2 Features: Mastered directly from Hi-Definition Masters; 16 X 9 Anamorphic, English DTS Digital Surround Audio; Japanese DTS Digital Surround Audio; English Stereo Audio; English Subtitles.

Disc 3 Features: Limited Edition Exclusive Collector's Tin Case, Collectable toys: Motoko & Tachikoma

DVD Extras included with Both Volumes:
Interviews with Kenichi Takeshita and Toshiyuki Kono (Animation Directors)
Interview with Kenji Kamiyama (Director)