Should I watch the show?

[Sand]

For the game? And I don't know what to watch, there are like 30 different spin-offs.

[Asagi]

watch the first movie then the two season show.

[FadedHistory]

Here's a guide I made for you.

S.A.C TV series

GitS: Stand Alone Complex (2002) --> 26 eps
GitS: S.A.C. 2nd GIG (2004) --> 26 eps
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex: Solid State Society (2006)



Original Films:
Ghost in the Shell (1995)
Ghost in the Shell 2.0 (2008) [A remake with new animation, soundtrack, CGI scenes,]
Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004)


GitS: Arise Film Series:
Ghost in the Shell: Arise (2013) [Made up of 5 "films"]
Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie (2015) [Continuation of the last arc in Arise)

[Lulech93]

I would highly, highly recommend watching Stand Alone Complex, which is available both as a 26-episode TV series and a movie cut, the latter of which is titled 'Stand Alone Complex: The Laughing Man". There is also a second season called 'Stand Alone Complex: Second Gig', which was then cut into a movie called 'Stand Alone Complex: The Individual Eleven'. A movie sequel to both seasons was also released, which is 'Stand Alone Complex: Solid State Society'.

So to sum up:

1. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex OR Stand Alone Complex: The Laughing Man - Highly, highly recommended.

2. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - 2nd Gig OR Stand Alone Complex: The Individual Eleven - Good, but not a masterpiece like the first. Still great for keeping the series going, though.

3. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Solid State Society - More or less unnecessary, but an excellent way to close out the trilogy.

You'll probably come across a lot of people saying to watch the 1995 movie, but honestly it isn't very representative of Ghost in the Shell and was more the vision of the movie's director, not the author of Ghost in the Shell itself. It's an interesting watch, but I don't consider it on the same level as the Stand Alone Complex series.

[FadedHistory]

Lulech, have you seen Arise? If so, what do you think of it?

[Sand]

So,

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Solid State Society

I'll watch these, thanks everyone


Also, the Stand Alone Complex series is separate from the other series/movies, right?

[FadedHistory]

Originally posted by LS:

So,

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Solid State Society

I'll watch these, thanks everyone


Also, the Stand Alone Complex series is separate from the other series/movies, right?

Yep they are separate! For now just focus on the SAC series. At some point I highly recommend watching the 1995 film (1080p remaster or even 2.0). Although Lulech is correct in saying that it's more of the director's vision as opposed to the manga, it's extremely iconic for a reason. There are some awesome action scenes in it that have inspired lots of different media (anime or Hollywood).

[ウィッチ（？）]

Anime series are great but I'd say, do not watch anime just to play this game.
Because this game does not have GItS feel other than bit of characters model/skin and you might disappoint with the game if you watch anime.

[Sand]

Originally posted by Opfer_GV:

Anime series are great but I'd say, do not watch anime just to play this game.
Because this game does not have GItS feel other than bit of characters model/skin and you might disappoint with the game if you watch anime.

that's ok I want to watch it anyway

[TheRailTracer]

I agreed that the 1995 movie does not follow the Manga completely(seen/read both). However, it is still a most see for any fan regardless. Them watch the 2 seasons and the other ovas.

Last movie is great if only for the batou "I really tried I swear, they pulled their guns" scene.

I have mixed feelings about the arise ones.