Unleashing Mayhem: Jaw-Dropping Violence in Surprisingly Tame PG-13 Anime

Warning: This feature may contain slight spoilers for Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, currently available for streaming on Funimation.

There is an unwritten rule which allows PG-13 movies to depict dismemberment of robots more leniently compared to humans. However, what happens when the robots are designed to closely resemble humans? Directed by Mamoru Oshii, Innocence was released nine years after Ghost in the Shell, a film that greatly influenced The Matrix. Despite its unsettling content and multiple instances of beheadings, Innocence does not carry an R rating.

A Darker Shell

In 2004, Japan introduced a tale that revolves around the actions of Batou, a cyborg detective, and his partner Togusa as they delve into a series of murders committed by gynoids created for hedonistic purposes. Despite coinciding with the second season of Stand Alone Complex, this narrative unfolds in a separate timeline following the events of the 1995 film, subsequent to the disappearance of the Major.

In comparison to the manga and the original Ghost in the Shell, Innocence takes darkness to a whole new level. The film revolves around a perpetually nocturnal setting, where it takes nearly an hour for even a glimpse of sunlight to appear. However, this aspect doesn't detract from the movie; instead, it enhances the cyberpunk vibe, enveloping the early city scenes in a captivating neon radiance.

However, the viewer is immediately drawn into the dark alleys lurking behind the streets, as Batou defies a police blockade to track down a renegade gynoid responsible for its owner's demise. clutching the severed head of a law enforcement officer, the gynoid fights back when cornered, but is swiftly overpowered by Batou. In its haunting final moments, it gruesomely reveals its synthetic internals, and begs for assistance from its pursuer: "Please, help us."

If the benchmark for an R-rated film is measured by its intense violence and sensitive subject matter, then Innocence flawlessly encompasses both. The narrative delves into Batou and Togusa's investigation into the motives behind these pleasure-seeking robots' betrayal of their creators, delving into profound themes surrounding the notion of dolls and the humanity we project onto inanimate objects.

"Evoking images of the criminal underworld's darkest corners, from human trafficking to organ smuggling, these trades treat the human body as mere commodities. The thought-provoking philosophical discussions that defined the 1995 film become even more prominent in its sequel. In fact, they are presented in a uniquely unsettling manner that instills a sense of unease. Remarkably, the blend of 2D and 3D animation in a film released in 2004 is executed with surprising expertise.

Its impressiveness goes beyond its ambitious undertaking for its time; it genuinely enhances the visual aesthetic. While some effects may not have aged well, the digital effects used for computer displays, lighting, and reflections are often sublime. Production I.G, in collaboration with Studio Ghibli, co-produced the film to meet its budget requirements, with the 3D elements serving as an early display of Polygon Pictures' now-renowned strengths."

Nightmare Fuel

Innocence, at times, takes on the atmosphere of a neo-noir horror film, especially in its latter half, when a specific plot twist sends the characters spiraling into a mind-bending abyss. While Ghost in the Shell has explored the questioning of reality before, few installments dive as deep as this one.

The entire sequence set in Kim's mansion preys on the innate fears not only present in this film, but also engrained in the cybernetics concepts that define the franchise. The fear of one's body being hacked or dissected, exposing nothing but wires and circuits, raises concerns about personal safety, identity, and the legitimacy of being human. Through methodical and prolonged setpieces, the characters are repeatedly tricked into perceiving illusions that do not actually exist.

The MPAA's rating for this film becomes increasingly amusing over time due to the combination of body horror and disturbing imagery. Without prior knowledge of the film's rating, one would naturally assume it to be at least rated R, given the frequent occurrences of bloodsheds and decapitations.

In the climax, the film transitions from a horror genre to a full-fledged action movie. A submarine filled with crewmen and unprepared guards becomes a target for rogue gynoids, demonstrating their agility and speed. These gynoids require multiple bullets to be taken down and, if not stopped in time, they can swiftly decapitate a person with a single swipe. The rapidity at which a person can be completely eradicated adds to the effectiveness, akin to a puppet with severed strings.

A Ghost Unlike The Rest

By this point, it is widely known that each Ghost in the Shell installment has its own distinct identity, yet the individual storylines often remain coherent and cohesive. Even with the controversial change in art style, SAC_2045 manages to capture the essence of the original Stand Alone Complex at its peak moments. What's truly remarkable is how Mamoru Oshii's second and final directorial contribution to the franchise deviated so significantly from his first.

This becomes understandable when we consider that Oshii never intended for it to be perceived as a sequel. Many argue that labeling it as "Ghost in the Shell 2" goes against Oshii's vision of the film standing on its own. Indeed, except for the minor involvement of the Major, it truly stands as one of the most exceptional renditions of the franchise ever created, and without a doubt, the most unsettling.

Despite being often overlooked compared to the original film that inspired filmmakers and the TV series for which Oshii wrote the concept, Innocence served as the last directorial effort for Oshii in the Ghost in the Shell franchise. Additionally, it was the only time he was credited with the screenplay. The film's dense philosophical discussions and ambitious nature may leave some viewers bewildered, but it remains essential for any fan of the franchise. Although its rating is questionable, Innocence stands out with its unique aesthetics, accolades, and other oddities of its time. Hopefully, it will receive the recognition it deserves in the future.