Join this week’s guest Sebastian Jensen author of Technotheoria, The Anime Elitist and Selective Contrarianism and I on the seventeenth episode of In Kino Veritās — a podcast where the guest picks a film, we both watch, and discuss.
We don’t simply review films but dive deep into their themes, characters and cultural context. In this episode we discuss the 1995 Japanese Anime film Ghost in the Shell. Seb and I then divagate into various topics ranging from anime/vidya to technology and philosophy.
Where you can stream Ghost in the Shell
(Use your local library to get a physical copy for free)
Main Points
Comparison of Ghost in the Shell and Akira
Accessibility of Ghost in the Shell
Ghost in the Shell as the "Nick Land Anime Film"
What’s the film’s appeal?
The film’s themes including Technology and Philosophy
Metaphysical Themes in Ghost in the Shell:
Comparison of the film to the anime TV series
Seb’s Introduction to Anime
Discussion of Death Note
Quality of Death Note's Ending
Shonen Genre Evaluation
Reasons for Anime's Recent Popularity
Comparison of Anime and Older Cartoons
Demographics and Intelligence of Anime Viewers
Critique of Bleach
Cyberpunk Anime Superiority
Discussion on Psycho-Pass and Algorithmic Governance
Critique of Western Adaptation of Death Note (garbage)
Anime Versus Western Media Quality
Anime Storytelling Methodology Critique
Preference for "Messy" Stories
Discussion of Media Passion and Future Takes
Anime Hot Takes: Elfen Lied and Death Note
Opinions on Bleach and Re:Zero
Fate Zero and High-Low Art Fusion
Theon Ultima's Early Anime Viewing Habits
Attack on Titan and the Concept of Nihilistic Tragedy
Critique of Attack on Titan's Later Seasons
Story Structure Issues and the Mass Effect Series
Sword Art Online Consensus on Quality
Opinions on Tokyo Ghoul and Jujutsu Kaisen
Seb’s Disdain for the Isekai Genre
The Generational Shift in Anime Acceptance (Millennial to Zoomer)
Personal Experience with the Rise of Anime Popularity
Debate on the Decline of Media Quality
Intelligence and Cultural Consumption
The Impact of Risk Aversion and Production Costs
Graphical Styles and Longevity in Gaming
Eternal Skyrim vs. Oblivion debate
Critique of Skyrim Guilds and Praise for Oblivion Narrative
Skyrim's Industry Impact and Open-World Fatigue
Pivotal Gaming Experiences and Final Fantasy VII
Favorite Game and the PlayStation 3/Xbox 360 Era
The Final Fantasy VII Remake System and Narrative Issues
Theon’s love of Resident Evil 4
Comparison Between Original Resident Evil 4 and Remake
Burnout on Soulslike games and The Witcher 3
Formative Years and Nostalgia
Discussion of Immersive Simulator Games
The Value of Immersiveness in Gaming
Comparison of Deus Ex Titles
Critique of Game Endings
