▪	RELEASED BY:		MANGA ENTERTAINMENT
		▪	ASPECT RATIO:		16:9 ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN
		▪	AUDIO:		ENGLISH DTS 5.1 & DD 2.0 JAPANESE DD 5.1 & 2.0
		▪	RUNNING TIME:		161 MIN
		▪	RATING:		13UP
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		12/18/2007
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		12/06/2007
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		HOLLY ELLINGWOOD

The entire 2nd GIG of Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex’s second season has been condensed and re-edited as a 2 ½ hour feature in Individual Eleven.

In Individual Eleven, Section 9 has been reinstated but under tight control from the new Prime Minister and under supervision of the mysterious Gohda. They become embroiled in a refugee camp’s struggle for independence and a terrorist faction after nuclear armament. Very soon Section 9 discovers that this situation isn’t all it appears to be, underneath is a sinister plot to create a coup and mastermind a new cold war – even at the cost of nuclear attack. For Major Kusanagi, this investigation becomes personal when the charismatic leader of the revolutionaries for refugee camp, a philosophical extremist known as Kuze, may have ties to the major.

The story itself is a masterpiece political thriller and comprises many of the hot-button controversies facing our world today. Individual Eleven offers a more personal look into Motoko Kusanagi’s life and her past as it reveals her beginnings as a cyborg. An assassination attempt against the Prime Minister, a race to stop the U.S. from a nuclear strike, this special covers a broad amount of tough choices, controversial situations and even more controversial actions. It carries some interesting and provocative comments on consumerist societies, immigration practices, the struggle for identity and the need for relatedness. It shies away from nothing and tackles everything head on in a stunning display of amazing visuals and powerful storytelling.

Considering this feature is less than 1/3 the length of the second season it is taken from, a great deal is sacrificed to streamline the compilation, making it faster paced by focusing on the action. With offering less back story and omitting side stories, there’s less time for reflection during the anime. Because of this, Individual Eleven offers deeper mystery due to less explanation presented during the anime. This retelling also offers a more romantic look into the relationship between Motoko, Kuze, and Batou. Although this romanticism was hinted at with nuances clearly felt in the TV series, the compilation suggests in its retelling a stronger sense of the emotions involved.

The love triangle between Motoko, Kuze and Batou is an interesting aspect to the story. The shadow politics occurring and the stronger struggle of people as nation, individuals as humanity strives to overcome its worse nature, and the sheer will to survive are all held within this one feature that plays out like a riveting movie. Gohda is enthralling as a brilliant and pathological character whose full motives are never truly understood and known until the very end. This feature does contain new dialogue and re-edited scenes. Perhaps due to this, although all the Japanese original voice actors of the series have returned for Individual Eleven, some of the English cast has changed. However, the voices are so closely matched to their originals, that the difference is barely noticeable.

The story is captivating. The stirring music by incomparable composer Yoko Kano is inspiring. The animation is beyond reproach. Incredible visuals mark the entire feature. JC Staff produced an animation that is theatrical quality even though this is a re-edited TV series formatted into a seamless feature special. Based on the manga by the legendary Shirow Masamune, the designs are faithful to his original character layouts while invigorating them with smooth motion and full color glory. Some of the most arresting scenes of course involve the action that fills the anime, but it is the quiet moments of introspection that often offer some of the more striking visuals. When Motoko and Kuze are trapped underneath rubble, awaiting nuclear destruction, it is shown effectively and the interposed image of Batou desperately digging to reach her, shown only briefly, makes a strong emotional impact. This is an unforgettable anime experience.

EXTRAS:
Bonus features are on the second disc and include other anime trailers, an all new Tachikomatic Days omake theater, and Stand Alone Complex Individual Eleven Archive. This last feature is similar to the first OVA styled Laughing Man extra. It’s an over half an hour long video interview with Kenji Kamiyama (Director/Scriptwriter) conducted by Atsuko Tanaka (Motoko Kusanagi). They discuss the changes and challenges for streamlining 2nd GIG. This feature also offers behind the scenes look at the recording sessions for the Japanese cast of Individual Eleven. This DVD also comes with a special “O sleeve” for a limited time which features the Individual Eleven insignia on the slip case.

IN SUMMARY:
Ghost in the Shell SAC: Individual Eleven special is a nearly 2 ½ hour retelling of season two of the legendary 2nd GIG TV series, its main story retold and distilled to bring out some of its most riveting plot. Ghost in the Shell remains one of the most thought provoking anime of our generation.  With re-edited scenes and new dialogue, Individual Eleven gives an intriguing new perspective to the original 2ng GIG TV season of Ghost in the Shell.