Source material: anime or manga?

[꧁꧂Fashionisdanger꧁꧂]

I would really like to dive into the series inspiring this game. Which format do you believe it is best?

[Titus]

I still haven't read the manga, but it is the source of the entire franchise. The question is: do you feel like reading or do you feel like watching? That said, this game is based on the Stand Alone Complex anime series. For more info, I'll just paste here an earlier comment I made about the anime:

There are actually three different continuities in the Ghost in the Shell anime universe (plus the manga). Each one tells their own story despite sharing characters and setting, and can be watched independently. In chronological order:

Original movie and sequel

Ghost in the Shell (1995) - An animation classic, must watch
Ghost in the Shell: Innocence (2004) - The direct sequel, not as well regarded, but I recommend it nevertheless

Stand Alone Complex - The anime tv series this game is based off of. All players should watch this, it's great.

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2002)
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG (2004)
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Solid State Society (2006) - a TV movie, direct continuation of the SAC series

There are also a couple of OVAs: The Laughing Man and Individual Eleven, but they are recaps/retellings of storylines from the TV show, and I don't know if they add anything new to the series.

Arise - The latest entry in the franchise, tells the story of Section 9's origins. It's not really a prequel to SAC nor the movies, though.

Ghost in the Shell: Arise (2013) - A series of 4 short movies
Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Alternative Architecture (2015) - The previous 4 movies, but in TV form and alternative order, and it includes two new episodes at the end of the series.
Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie (2015)

TLDR: Go watch Stand Alone Complex. Even if you don't usually watch anime. I think it's a good starting point to get into the franchise, with a healthy combination of philosophical themes, cyberpunk and action. Also it features all of Section 9's operatives (if I remember correctly, Saito, Borma and Paz are absent from the original movie).

[Lookii]

ANIME!!!!!!!!!!! :D BECAUUUUUUUUUSE BOOOBS :D

[Kriegstein]

Ghost in the Shell is an amazing franchise with a lot of depth to it. The first movie is still the best! Ghost in the Shell is a must see and a must read. Stand Alone Complex and Arise are also really good, but for me personally the first movie will always be the best. I don't think it really matters what you watch first since they are all slightly different from each other and as long as you don't skip any episodes or watch the movies out of order I think you'll be fine. It is an amazing franchise so I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[No Lives Matter]

As someone that owns every manga and anime, I recommend you this based on my personal experience:

STARTING POINT: ANIME.

Go for the 1995 movie first. It is the lowest barrier of entrance to the franchise.

Then watch the Stand alone complex and SAC2 series. After you are done, watch the recap movies to clear some loose ends.

At this point, you could go for the 1st manga, and watch GITS2 Innocence movie too.

And then... you will become quite familiar with the atmosphere, phylosophy and plot.

You will be ready to tackle the 1.5 and 2.0 Manga and the Arise prequel (it is not that bad as they say, but you will enjoy it better if you know the franchise very well. It has some major differences in Motoko behaviour, human expressions... meh wont spoil you).

For the Arise iteration, watch the Alternative Architecture fully, then go for the recap movies again, and then the New Movie.

PD: Then watch these super vids
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9v8FzQ2btg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H7fRNexE2c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De9bpbXBg-4

[76561198239254832]

the animes boring as fk watched 10eps downloaded at the start of this year... (the "plot" is also ♥♥♥♥)

[Lumos]

I would say anime for sure.

[꧁꧂Fashionisdanger꧁꧂]

Wow! Thank you for all the helpful feedback! I have already watched the 1995 classic and Innocence. I will jump on the SAC anime next :)

This is a very intriguing franchise and I must say that I really feel this game immersive thanks also to it.