Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence
Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence
7.465%80%
In the year 2032, Batô, a cyborg detective for the anti-terrorist unit Public Security Section 9, investigates the case of a female robot--one created solely for sexual pleasure--who slaughtered her owner.
RichyE reviewedAugust 3, 2025
Set in 2032, deeper, denser and more metaphysical than ever. Beautiful to look at, but not always easy to follow.
This time, the spotlight shifts to Batô, the gruff, loyal cyborg from Section 9 as he investigates a string of murders committed by pleasure model robots.
What starts as a noir tinged mystery quickly spirals into a philosophical deep dive on identity, consciousness and the soul. If the original was a question, Innocence is a thesis.
Visually, it’s a stunner. Mamoru Oshii blends traditional animation with CGI to create a dreamlike world that feels both ancient and futuristic.
Kenji Kawai’s score returns in full force, layering the film with haunting, meditative tones that linger long after the credits roll.
But it’s not for everyone. The pacing is glacial, the dialogue dense with quotes and symbolism, and the action takes a backseat to introspection.
Some scenes feel like art installations more than narrative beats, gorgeous, yes, but emotionally distant.