Common Sense Media Review
Violence, sex robots in smart, visually stunning sequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence
What's the Story?
In GHOST IN THE SHELL 2: INNOCENCE, it's been three years since Kusanagi (voiced by Atsuko Tanaka in the original and Mary Elizabeth McGlynn in the English dub) disappeared, having "merged with the Net." Saddled with her old partner, Togusa (Koichi Yamadera/Crispin Freeman), Batou (Akio Otsuka/Richard Epcar) investigates a series of serial killings by "gynoids," a kind of sex robot. Why would they be "self-terminating" despite their programming?
Is It Any Good?
Almost a decade after the original, this sequel shows a lot of visually awesome jumps in animation technology. Around this time, movies like Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence started working out how to mix traditional, 3D, and computer graphics animation. While some aspects show their age, the clarity, fidelity, and artistic design of the entire package is strong, from overall vision to specific instances and moments of visual aplomb. The world is fully and lovingly crafted and built, and this future looks frighteningly possible. From the vehicles and weapons to the action sequences and scenes that feature computers and cyborg technology, this world feels real and lived-in.
Some viewers might be disappointed that Kusanagi doesn't feature as much as she could have in this sequel. Others might also not appreciate the occasionally heavy-handed way characters deliver their philosophical musings. Sometimes it feels like the filmmakers really wanted to squeeze in all their favorite quotes from various philosophers, artists, and writers. But the themes and story's core mystery are still compelling enough to captivate and prompt fascinating questions about the nature of human beings, machines, computers, AI, the internet, cyborg integration, and whether or not robots will ever have "souls."
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in anime. Did any of the bloody violence in Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence surprise you?
What do you think about humans and machines? Do you think machines, computers, or AI could ever become self-aware?
Does the world of Ghost in the Shell seem like a fun place to be? Would you want this to be the future? Why, or why not?
If everyone could do what Kusanagi did (merge with the Net), do you think they would? Would you? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 17, 2004
- On DVD or streaming : December 28, 2004
- Cast : Akio Otsuka , Atsuko Tanaka , Koichi Yamadera
- Director : Mamoru Oshii
- Inclusion Information : Asian Movie Director(s) , Japanese Movie Director(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : DreamWorks
- Genre : Anime
- Topics : Robots
- Run time : 100 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence, disturbing images and brief language
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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