View Full Version : Ghost in the Shell: SAC 2nd Gig
Today I went to the store looking for GitS:SAC 2nd Gig Vol. 3, and previously I had told myself that even though I do have a home theater capable of DTS I was only going to buy the regular versions of 2nd Gig, not the special editions (which includes a DTS version as well as some cool extras; last year I got three T-shirts and a couple CDs from the Special Editions).
So I get to Futureshop, ready to buy both Volume 3 of 2ng Gig and the Official Log 2 for the first season. I can't find the Log 2, but when I take a look at the new releases I see both the regular version and special edition of the DVD I want. Curious as to what separates the two versions (aside from $17cdn extra for the SE) I picked up the SE and read the back.
The Special Edition comes with the DTS disc in addition to the regular disc, both in a nice metal tin case, but it also came with two figurines, one of Major Motoko Kusanagi and one of a Tachikoma. I ended up buying the Special Edition for the figurines, though with the size of the box I figured they would be about the size of the small heroclix figure I got with my copy of City of Villains; I was wrong.
I got home and opened the box to find each model consisted of several pieces to be assembled, and the Major stands in at just over 3 1/4" high. The Tachikoma is smaller in height, but still a nice sized model and both have good detail. Below is an uploaded pic of the two models:
PsiKoTicK
01-24-06, 02:25 PM
Sweet, I still need to get all those special edition discs. I only have Volume 1 of Season 1 at the moment. i've been slacking.
I'm waiting on the GitS2:Innocence Special Edition to come out, since the only thing I've seen is a normal edition.
That is sweet, the Major looks great there
Tachikoooooma!
The series is a little on the...complicated side for me (seem to spend a lot fo time on techno- and politibabble), but I do enjoy it. Is it just me, or does that one blond terrorist guy whose picture keeps popping up (no name yet, at least on the Adult Swim runs I've been watching) look an awful lot like Liquid Snake?
With regards to the figurine of the Major, I figure I should mention that the base on which she stands appears to be one third of the Laughing Man logo, so my guess is that in future Special Editions there will be a Batou figurine and a third figurine (my guess is Togusa, but Aramaki is another option) which will join together to form a three person pose.
With regards to the figurine of the Major, I figure I should mention that the base on which she stands appears to be one third of the Laughing Man logo, so my guess is that in future Special Editions there will be a Batou figurine and a third figurine (my guess is Togusa, but Aramaki is another option) which will join together to form a three person pose.
Actually, those were released in Japan as a three figure set while it was still airing in Japan. I don't know if they plan to include it in the future, but that's why there are three portions.
I've since done some sleuthing and found that the Volume 4 Special Edition will also ship with figurines, so it probably means that they'll do the complete set (and I'm going to buy at least three of the special editions unless both the remaining figures are sold in the Volume 4 SE).
Soulstealer
01-24-06, 08:38 PM
i had to watch SAC twice to get the whole story.... there are allot of side tracks that really dont play in the main story at all. I dig the little models though they are cool.
DarthEnder
01-24-06, 10:31 PM
I must be used to complicated shows because I watched this subbed and I still got it all.
Also, they tell you which episodes are part of the primary storyline and which aren't on the screen that shows the title of the episode. I forget what they call them during 2nd gig, but in season 1, the oneshot episodes say "stand alone episode" and the main storylines say "complex episode".
Btw, I absolutely love both seasons of SAC. It's easily my favorite non-shonen anime.
Soulstealer
01-24-06, 11:07 PM
well FF through the opening right to the show start would explain missing all that...:roll
I actually rarely fast forward through the start of an anime, as the good ones tend to have an opening theme song which helps to put me in the mood for the show. They're usually only about a minute and a half, anyways.
Both seasons of GitS have a good opening song, as does the likes of Neon Genesis Evangelion, Cowboy Bebop, Rune Soldier, Elfen Lied, and Gunslinger Girl to mention a few.
DarthEnder
01-25-06, 11:33 AM
Both seasons of GitS have GREAT opening songs. They have great music within the episodes as well.
I loved those figures. Expecially the tank. :D
You know the pod of the tank can open too to reveal a seat and controls.
My only issue with the Major's figure was her hands, as you can see in the pic the off hand dosnt quite line up with the gun hand. I got mine pushed around so it does but it makes abit of a seam visible at the sleeves.
As for intros. I typically watch the intro and ending for the first episode then I dont watch them many more. But GitS into I LOVE the song so I end up watching it just about every episode. Only times I dont is when I really want to see what happens next.
Theres a few others that ive watched the intro more than once but typically I only want them once. More intrested in the new material of the show then watching the same intro 26 times.
With regards to the Major's hand, I don't think it's supposed to be grabbing at the gun, as with a weapon down that low a person would be jamming their forearm into their thigh to hold on with both hands. The off hand seems to be just 'following' the gun until it needs to be used, ready to brace it just before it's fired.
Ah, I guess I could see that...
But when I pushed it under the other hand it was a good fit. Like her off hand is supporting the butt of the pistol.
Speaking of butts, why didnt you give anyone a Butt Shot of the Major? :b
Think it will look pretty good when all three are together though.
I didn't take a butt shot because I didn't want Chroma hacking into my computer to delete it then crash my computer in retribution :lol.
I just took another look at the image I uploaded and noticed that the way I'd initially positioned the off hand was too upright (I was just doing the first assembly to see what the end product looked like). I've since epoxied the joints and positioned the hands right where I want them. I've uploaded the finished model:
Both seasons of GitS have GREAT opening songs. They have great music within the episodes as well.
Yoko Kanno, man. Gotta love Yoko Kanno.
Yoko Kanno, man. Gotta love Yoko Kanno.
I <3s me my Cowboy Bebop and GitS:SAC soundtrack CDs...
Estebar
01-25-06, 06:50 PM
Damn you Ruccus. I'm going to have to run to the store tonight to look for it.
Caowyth
01-26-06, 02:39 AM
Ok, I need a spider tank.
I didn't take a butt shot because I didn't want Chroma hacking into my computer to delete it then crash my computer in retribution :lol.
Fine then ill upload one.
Tsk, tsk, tsk. Chroma wouldn't use the Laughing Man logo; she's Motoko Kusanagi's online persona.
Chroma:http://www.thesafehouse.org/users/ruccus/Chroma1.JPG Motoko Kusanagi:http://www.thesafehouse.org/users/ruccus/Motoko1.JPG
I did debate using the same joke though :b
http://idata.over-blog.com/0/06/29/31/20041215tachikoma.jpg
Just attach a keyring to them and you'd have yourself the neatest keychain in the office. :thumb
I MUST have a plushy Tachikoma. This is now my purpose in life.
I MUST have a plushy Tachikoma. This is now my purpose in life.
Your purpose in life costs $130+
DarthEnder
01-26-06, 10:46 PM
Plush format makes them look more like octopi than tanks.
Tsk, tsk, tsk. Chroma wouldn't use the Laughing Man logo; she's Motoko Kusanagi's online persona.
I know, Just wanted to put the laughing man logo up in place of what I was stating I was putting up. :b
Lenilya
01-30-06, 12:45 AM
The thing that pisses me off is, since the OST of 2nd GIG is offered in the first episode DVD special edition, it's freaking impossible to find in stores. I really hate ordering things online, too :( Oh well, I'll prolly break down and get it soon.
I don't recall seeing a yellow Tachikoma on the show. I haven't seen all the episodes tho.
Not sure, but after the tachikhoma project was canceled and they were put into different jobs, didn't some of them get repainted?
Not sure, but after the tachikhoma project was canceled and they were put into different jobs, didn't some of them get repainted?
Yep, There was one that worked in a construction site. Only lasted one or two episodes though.
Yup; here's a couple uploaded pictures. Don't worry, the second one's just a flesh wound... combined with severe internal injuries.
Edit: There was also a grey tachikoma too; not sure if they made a doll out of it too though.
Ooh right, I saw that episode. Didn't know why it was yellow.
Yup; here's a couple uploaded pictures. Don't worry, the second one's just a flesh wound... combined with severe internal injuries.
Edit: There was also a grey tachikoma too; not sure if they made a doll out of it too though.
When looking for that plush image I found some black/chrome tachikoma models also.
DarthEnder
01-30-06, 01:11 PM
There's also the ones in the last episode of 2nd Gig. Those are actually a different generation though.
Lenilya
01-30-06, 08:09 PM
Uchikoma suck. :(
DarthEnder
01-30-06, 11:56 PM
I decided not to pass judgement based on their 12 seconds of screentime.
Hrothgarr
02-11-06, 02:55 PM
Sorry to necro bump this from page three, but I started watching the GitS series after getting a TiVO for Christmas. I would like to purchase the DVD's, but they seem awfully expensive on Amazon.com. Does anyone have any recommendations on a good online (or even retail) store where I could purchase them, and do they have a collected season one instead of having to purchase them all separately? Really enjoying the series, I am pretty new to Japanese Animation so this was quite a nice introduction.
Hrothgarr
Doing a quick search on the web, it looks like the first season Complete Collection will be released on March 29th. In Canada, YTV is running the first season Thursday nights (11:35) and Friday nights (midnight) but they're getting close to the end of the series (Episode 21 on Thursday, Ep. 22 on Friday, then repeats Ep. 22 the following Thursday).
The second season is still only on the third (of 7) DVD releases, so if you want that collection you're either going to have to wait a couple years or buy the three DVDs that are out now, and buy the rest as they're released.
Doing a quick search on the web, it looks like the first season Complete Collection will be released on March 29th. In Canada, YTV is running the first season Thursday nights (11:35) and Friday nights (midnight) but they're getting close to the end of the series (Episode 21 on Thursday, Ep. 22 on Friday, then repeats Ep. 22 the following Thursday).
The second season is still only on the third (of 7) DVD releases, so if you want that collection you're either going to have to wait a couple years or buy the three DVDs that are out now, and buy the rest as they're released.
You can buy all or most of the first season DVD's for about 8.00 each on DeepDiscountDVD.com, and the first three of the second season for 14.00 at the same place.
I'm thinking for eight bucks they might be bootlegs.
I'm thinking for eight bucks they might be bootlegs.
DeepDiscountDVD is a very reputable website. I purchased my first season DVD's from them, as well as half my collection is from them. Without a doubt, there are no bootlegs on this site. If you'd believe it, every 6 months they hold a 20% off sale.
It's just that I can't see Bandai offering GitS for less than $8 wholesale, unless it's a recent price drop on the first series for the purpose of promoting the second series. If someone is selling a DVD for less than wholesale, that's when you start wondering whether they're bootlegs.
It's just that I can't see Bandai offering GitS for less than $8 wholesale, unless it's a recent price drop on the first series for the purpose of promoting the second series. If someone is selling a DVD for less than wholesale, that's when you start wondering whether they're bootlegs.
It's not that I don't understand your dillema, but bootlegs are not generally sold $8 for 4 episodes. They are usually $8 for 26 episodes. And they don't usually directly say it is R1, but either don't mention it or say it's region-free. Stuff like that.
I don't find it that unbelievable, considering the best buy near me sometimes offers Ghost in the Shell at 14.95. But it certainly is suprisingly cheap, and a steal for it's price.
EDIT: Actually, the retail price may have been lowered. I noticed they mention the retail price being 16.95, as opposed to the original 24.95. Other websites seem to reflect this change, too.
Yeah, I bought all three Mezzo disks for $7/disk from ADV's site, it's just that GitS is one of Bandai's more important anime series (Mezzo isn't for ADV), so I would figure they'd milk it for as long as possible. Lowering the price on the first season does bring in business for the second season though, so it's reasonable to assume that's why the first season is less now.
I wish companies would have press releases announcing lower prices on their older series (not actual prices, just a 'we've lowered our prices on these series, so check them out from your local dealers'), especially now that the prices for legitimate DVDs are getting lower and lower.
Yeah, I bought all three Mezzo disks for $7/disk from ADV's site, it's just that GitS is one of Bandai's more important anime series (Mezzo isn't for ADV), so I would figure they'd milk it for as long as possible. Lowering the price on the first season does bring in business for the second season though, so it's reasonable to assume that's why the first season is less now.
I wish companies would have press releases announcing lower prices on their older series (not actual prices, just a 'we've lowered our prices on these series, so check them out from your local dealers'), especially now that the prices for legitimate DVDs are getting lower and lower.
Just for the sake of awareness, ADV often has these low prices at what they call "Slasher sales". Basically, they punch holes in, or slash with a knife the DVD cases and covers before selling it for those prices. They do sometimes have normal sales, but it's a buyer's beware regardless.
Yup, to prevent people from reselling the DVDs. They pop a hole in the bar code (it's not as if they put a slash down the side of the case). Here's an image from one of my Mezzo DVDs:
I went to Futureshop today with two objectives; first, get the GitS:SAC 4th volume Special Edition, then check to see if Elder Scrolls: Oblivion was in. Oblivion wasn't in, but I did pick up the latest GitS disk which came with three more figures.
The main figure was Batou, and the two others were Jameson and one of the maid androids (in combat mode) from episode 14 of the first season. The maid is a little precariously balanced (I'm going to have to do some bending and twisting to the model before I epoxy it to make sure she doesn't fall backwards) and I thought the assassin in the same episode would've made a better figure, but it's cool none the less. Below is a pic of the three figures.
Lenilya
03-21-06, 01:53 PM
Hahaha, that Jameson is awesome.