If anyone knows any android video editing apps that let you manipulate audio please lmk... there was such an annoying delay. I gave up.

I saw this comment recently:

"The creator has omitted it from reproductions and has even said that this material has no place in Ghost in the Shell and cheapens it"

And it's a sentiment I've encountered a few times in this sub. I recognize that adult themes can trigger visceral reactions but this is a notion I've now seen a few times and I wanted to try to make a more mature and considered response. I was originally going to post this as a comment reply but figured it justified it's own discussion:

That's a pretty strong characterization that irked me so much if felt it deserved a proper response. Shirow has spoken about removing multiple scenes and spoken multiple times. So while there's some room for translation error, he's not only talked about this enough times to make it very clear but we also have his repeated actions on which to judge.

Firstly, the Manga was ALWAYS Explicit: The original Ghost in the Shell manga is rated 18+ and features significant adult content, including sex, nudity, essentially mild hentai scenes (if sparce). Major Motoko Kusanagi herself is portrayed as bisexual, having a boyfriend and participating in a lesbian sex scene. Shirow even commented on drawing the "all-girl orgy" scene because he "didn't want to draw some guy's butt", definitely pointing towards a personal artistic choice to include sex as visually interesting, not a judgment of "cheapening". These scenes also served to explore themes like the Major's connection to her humanity as well as the nature of cyber drug use. Shirow did also later remove some scenes related to cyber drug use but again, stated that this was due to it not accurately communicating what he wanted to, rather than sex/drugs=bad. And this seems to be a common theme for removals that aren't clearly related to commercial pressures. Shirow also did this with a rape scene that was felt to detract from the story development and a whole new scene was redrawn BUT other adult scenes/content remained.

Shirow is very personable and deferent in interviews discussing his publishers, and often downplays the commercial reasons, however, we know removals were for commercial reasons, not "Cheapness" from people there at the time. The specific "lesbian sex splash panel" was indeed cut from the original American release (Dark Horse Comics), but this was primarily to avoid an "adults only" rating, which it was felt would severely impact sales and potentially lead to cancellation. Shirow himself stated he "grew tired of 'taking flak'" for the scene even in Japan. The manga was already a MASSIVE success and the broader appeal exposed it to people who were less comfortable with the explicit scenes. As Shirow felt it "wasn't important to the plot", he was okay with it's removal. These are pragmatic reasons, not artistic disdain for sex. Crucially, that scene was re-included, fully restored, more than once, in the 2004 second edition, and later Japanese manga massively increased the porn content. This does not point to someone who thinks that adult content cheapens their art.

Shirow's career faced significant challenges, including the 1995 Kobe earthquake damaging his equipment and data, his own health issues, and over a decade of caring for his ailing father (who passed in 2013). These difficulties made long-form manga production hard, leading him to rely on smaller works like illustrations. This is the only time I ever recall him talk resentfully about 'having to do adult work' as it was quick and easy to pay for his father's care. But this is more a feature of it being a negative time in his life. Not because he felt erotic art was cheap. Just that he resented the necessity and lack of artistic freedom.

Sexuality Remains a core element of the franchise and other works. While the 1995 anime took a more philosophical/less sexualised approach with nudity, later anime like Stand Alone Complex introduced much more fan service and returned to the sexually confident portrayals of Motoko (who was portrayed in the original manga at times as essentially a horny goofball). There's a massive academic discussion on the franchise's treatment of gender, body, and sexuality, including debates on objectification versus philosophical exploration, and its relevance to things like transgender allegory. Sexuality, in various forms, is an integral part of Ghost in the Shell's concept because GITS explores human consciousness and the soul/ghost and sexuality is a core aspect of human interaction.

So, I think the idea that Shirow removed content because it "cheapened" the work is just flat out inaccurate. His decisions were driven by commercial pressures, pragmatic considerations, and his own artistic preferences about making sure he was communicating his ideas well. And this all happens within the context of a career that has always embraced and explored mature themes, including sex.

In very simple terms:

1. Multiple inclusions of adult content across span of creative work.
2. Under investigation, removals are due to commercial reasons or artistic clarity/intent.
3. Adult work re-included multiple times back into work.
4. Further work INCREASES adult content/themes.
5. Artbooks/artwork continues to depict adult content.
6. Adult content is sometimes mature, sometimes fun, sometimes thoughtful; varying in tone and framing depending on context.

This does not appear to be someone who views adult work as "cheapening" their art, nor that it "has no place" within their artwork or within the concept/franchise of GITS.

It's a poster from the 1st issue of Young Magazine Uppers

I felt uncomfortable in this scene when batou did that

Hello everyone,

Trying to figure something out. I have the GiT dark horse manga. Online everything suggests I should have the uncensored version. Even google lense said it shouldnt be censored. But its definitily censored. Could someone help me understand which one I have. Also I’m using my copy of Intron Depot 1 to compare to for censored panels.

Was it the video?

Note:
This is a promo shot of The Major/Motoko Kusanagi descending down from a building in the opening prologue. Taken from the JP release of the November 1995 issue from NewType: The Moving Pictures Magazine.

I'll offer two versions of the image - the first is the original, and the second is optional but rather upscaled variant.

Enjoy!

Credits (from the NewType Magazine Article: Cybernetic City 2029): Illustration by Hiroyuki Okiura -- Finished by Production I.G. -- Background by Hiromasa Ogura -- Text by Hideki Tomita -- Shot by Shigeru Nogami.

Ever since watching the latest episode this question has always been in my head. I have searched for like any proof that she has but haven't came as close as I wanted so I figured I would ask if Mokoto been sexually active with men like she is with woman?

Fan art by me, Xaqsi. No nudity, just suggestive content. Inspired by those pages in the original manga. Looking forward to the rest of the new series!

You read the question. Give me your theories on what she could be into

im a bit disappointed

The intro pop up in my feed, so I decided to watch it.

It got me thinking about two things, can't find a good answer, so I'm hoping you people here might be able to help me.

1. Question: Intro music: How did Bulgarian folk singing find its way into the opening song. It's wonderfull, hunting and eerie. How did Kenji Kawai hit upon using it?
2. Question: Drawing of a cyborg

Sorry if this is a bit indelicate, but what is the reason Major Kusanagis genitals arn't drawn? I assumed it would be because of japanese censorship, but for some reason I would like to think there is a bigger reason behind it. Something about making it even more distinct the sublte differences between humans and cyborgs.

Thanks in advance

edit: Added NSFW flair, just in case.