7 Anime Like Ghost in the Shell That You Must See

Posted 2022/05/30 123 0

‘Ghost in the Shell: SAC 2045,’ directed by Masamune Shirow, is a science fiction action anime set in 2045, when artificial intelligence has become an integral aspect of human life. Most nations employ advanced technologies to start and maintain wars. Major Motoko Kusanagi is fully aware of the underlying dynamics, and after leaving Public Security Section 9, she has led the mercenary outfit GHOST and fought in proxy warfare around the world. While she has no intention of rejoining Section 9, everything changes when the mercenary gang comes upon cybernetically-enhanced beings known as post-humans.

The high-stakes mission of Kusanagi and her companions to keep the planet from devolving deeper into chaos and war has captured the hearts of action and science fiction anime fans all around the world. People who enjoy the series will naturally want to watch similar shows. If you’re one of those people, we’ve got you covered. The majority of these anime, such as ‘Ghost in the Shell: SAC 2045,’ are available on Netflix, Hulu, Crunchyroll, Funimation, or Amazon Prime.

Gad Guard (2003)

Hajiki Sanada is a young boy born on Earth some hundred years from now, when the planet’s resources are depleted and human progress is slowing. While the future appears bleak, there is still hope because a rare object known as the GAD has the unusual property of altering material when it comes into contact with organic life. When Sanada gets into contact with one of them, it transforms into a Tekkoudo (robot).

However, he soon realizes that his basic worldview has failed to contemplate the potential of other Tekkoudo, which may not necessarily be under the authority of people with good intentions. While there are few parallels between ‘Gad Guard’ and ‘Ghost in the Shell: SAC 2045,’ it is a good science-fiction anime that fans will undoubtedly appreciate. You can see Sanada in action right here.

Witch Hunter Robin (2002)

Robin arrives in Japan to join the STN (Japan Division), a group tasked with catching witches alive. Unlike the usual STN divisions, STN-J strives to understand its foes by addressing their motivations in order to eventually stop these persons with superpowers. STN-J, like Section 9, specialized in tracking down unique offenders with extraordinary powers. You may follow Robin’s travels with the witch-hunting organization by clicking here.

Darker than Black (2007)

Fans of ‘Ghost in the Shell: SAC 2045’ seeking for another science fiction action anime with themes like war and mystery might look at ‘Darker than Black.’ Contractors with supernatural talents who surrendered their humanity for power increased in strength upon the appearance of Hell and Heaven’s Gate on Earth, which bent physical laws in space around them. One of these Contractors, codenamed Hei, is working for a vicious Syndicate with her allies to create an existential threat to her own species.

However, standing between the plan’s success and failure is a group of people who will not let Hei get away with the grave crimes he is about to execute. While the conflict is taking place in the shadows, the broader threat it poses is just as serious as the ones posed by the proxy wars in ‘Ghost in the Shell: SAC 2045.’ Fans of anime can view ‘Darker than Black’ here.

Eve no Jikan (2008 – 2009)

‘Eve no Jikan’ investigates concepts such as individuality and attempts to critically evaluate the boundaries of technological advances in disciplines like as robotics and artificial intelligence. The anime follows Rikuo Sakisaka, who believes in the Three Laws of Robotics in a world where androids have become rather prevalent. It shares a few themes with ‘Ghost in the Shell: SAC 2045.’ That is, until he learns about the titular cafe, which follows one rule: androids and humans are essentially the same and have no distinction. Are you curious about Rikuo and the strange environment he lives in? The show can be viewed here.

Serial Experiments Lain (1998)

Lain Iwakura is an introverted adolescent whose life is turned upside down when she gets a shocking email from her deceased classmate Chisa Yomoda. It takes her directly to a virtual world of communication networks called Wired, which is akin to today’s internet. Soon after, Lain is surrounded by weird encounters that begin to blur the barrier between online and reality.

Both ‘Serial Experiments Lain’ and ‘Ghost in the Shell: SAC 2045’ examine the subject of humanity and technology blending, albeit from very different perspectives. They also cover complicated philosophical issues while keeping the audience guessing. You can watch all of Lain’s episodes here if you want to accompany her on her life-changing journey.

009-1 (2006)

In an alternate universe where the Cold War never ended and the world is still divided by politics, a cyborg called Mylene Hoffman is tasked with fighting for the greater good. With the eastern and western blocs constantly attempting to gain an advantage through technical developments and threats of nuclear war, it is critical that Hoffman carry out her tasks appropriately. Fans of ‘Ghost in the Shell: SAC 2045’ will recognize the world as fragmented by political and societal divides, with a handful of agents attempting to restore order and prevent the worst possibilities from unfolding. As a result, we propose that you add ‘009-1’ to your watchlist.

Cyborg 009: The Cyborg Soldier (2001 – 2003)

Black Ghost is a violent terrorist organization led by Skull, who commands nine superhuman cyborgs. He utilizes them to spread his influence and consolidate control until Dr. Isaac Gilmore, Black Ghosts’ cybernetics scientist, decides to turn them against Skull and his followers. Unfortunately, the terrible terrorist is not simply defeated, and he tries to create a war using weapons of mass devastation in order to eliminate the cyborgs.

‘Cyborg 009: The Cyborg Soldier,’ like ‘Ghost in the Shell: SAC 2045,’ is constantly threatened by conflict. Both shows feature a fight between humans and cyborgs (or, in the case of ‘Ghost in the Shell: SAC 2045,’ cybernetically-enhanced persons). If you want to watch the action-packed battle between the cyborgs and the terrorists, go here.