Ghost in the Shell is one of the best franchises in sci-fi anime around. Ever since the original movie premiered in 1995, fans have been enamored with the cyberpunk world the setting takes place in and the characters that populate it. So much so that a select few like to bring them to life with awesome cosplay.
Needless to say, Ghost in the Shell has found its way into the hearts of many fans throughout the world. Their love for the anime eventually manifesting into the physical world with several attempts at cosplay that found their way online. Here are some of the 10 best renditions of our favorite members from Section 9.
10 Motoko Kusanagi By Valerie Khimera
Motoko "the Major" Kusanagi is the main character and squad leader of Public Security Section 9 in the movies and the shows. She is a full cyborg tasked with protecting the public from terrorism and hacking. Most of all, she is by far the most skilled member of the team with a wide range of abilities that include military tactics, physical prowess, and hacking.
Here Valerie Khimera brings her to life in all of her badassery. Sporting one of her signature outfits in what seems to be a moment before she rides off to continue her work in protecting the public. Extra effort put into the plates she wears around her shoulders and the glasses to get the look just right.
Photo by EVA.
9 Batou by 奇行師
If Motoko is the most badass member of Section 9, then Batou is right behind her in terms of sheer badassitude. He is the second-best melee fighter in the group with an extensive military history that rivals even the Major. Though what really draws the fans to him is how well he balances those battle tendencies with his softer side. A man who loves animals, has a great sense of humor, and a wonderful heart overall.
奇行師 takes their place exactly where Batou is seen most often, right behind Motoko Kusanagi. As well as being second in command, he is the best backup the Major could ask for. This cosplayer, in particular, managing to perfectly mimick Batou's features including his cyber eyes.
8 Saito By GothX
Almost every member of Section 9 has a specialty that landed them a spot on the team. For Saito, it was his mastery behind the scope of a rifle. He is the premier marksman in Section 9 and second to none when it comes to firing a sniper rifle.
Which is exactly why GothX looks right at home in the picture. Staring down the barrel of a sniper rifle, this one-eyed bandit is almost guaranteed to make the shot. The cosplayer making sure to include Saito's prosthetic eye and the scar behind it.
7 Togusa By むさし
Togusa is one of the most human members of Section 9. That is not to say he has the most human emotions or anything of the like. He is literally the one with the least amount of cybernetic implants among the team, besides Daisuke Aramaki, who only has a cyberbrain. A simple procedure when considering Batou and Motoko's fully cyber bodies and the other implants of the members of Section 9.
The cosplayer, むさし, displays Togusa in all of his natural glory. Everything from the hair to the outfit is impeccable in his version of the character. Even the gun seems to be taken right out of the anime.
6 Daisuke Aramaki By MASA MASA
Boy, if there is one thing we love about anime it is how they have a plethora of cool old men to look up too. Age is hardly a factor when it comes to being a calm, collected, and utterly hard-boiled, and Daisuke Aramaki is a prime example of that.
MASA MASA commands respect with his Daisuke Aramaki cosplay. An air of intelligence, experience, and overall confidence radiating from the outfit and his attitude as the old man from Section 9. The perfect combination needed to properly cosplay the chief.
5 Motoko Kusanagi By Ladee Danger
Beyond showcasing all of her abilities in the series, Motoko Kusanagi is often used as a fashion model throughout the series. Always seemingly wearing the latest and greatest of what her cyberpunk society has to offer and she looks damn good doing it.
Here Ladee Danger gets her model on by wearing one of the Major's most iconic outfits. The simple (if a bit skimpy) leotard from Stand Alone Complex nicely complimented by the biker's jacket she has over it. The outfit just as stylish in real life as it was in the show.
Photo by BlizzardTerrak.
4 Tachikomas By Unknown
Tachikomas are the ever-energetic robotic companions of Section 9. Walking tanks with a childlike AI and a voice to match, they are oddly cute despite their intimidating frames. Though even considering their eccentricities, they are valuable members of the team.
At first, it might be easy to confuse them for real robots, but these are full cosplays with real people wearing them. Their bodies and feet barely visible underneath their costumes, you'd be forgiven for thinking they jumped right out of the anime. It quite the sight to see, so much so, that it is unfortunate that no cosplayers have claimed them. If you have any information on who made these masterpieces, please let us know.
3 Casual Saito By Yatu
While it is exciting to see everyone in their combat gear, it is still a treat to see them in more casual clothing. Getting a glimpse into the normal lives of the agents of Section 9 does a lot to build their characters as fully fleshed personalities that exist in and outside of work.
Yatu gives us that chance with Saito. Shedding off several layers of combat gear and getting rid of his sniper rifle for once, he seems to enjoy a game of poker with a good smoke in something more casual. Though, it does make one wonder if he cheats using his cybernetic eye.
2 Best Partners By Chewie_Chou and Super_Chris_Cosplays
To put it simply, Major Kusanagi and Batou make the best partners in all of Section 9. Not only do they work well together, but they trust and respect each other completely in their capacity to get the job done and watch each other's backs on the field. There is no other duo in Section 9 quite like them.
Even better, they look great together. Chewie_Chou and Super_Chris_Cosplays demonstrating that well in their picture. The father and daughter cosplay team doing justice to the iconic duo with just the right backdrop to complement them.
1 The Whole Gang By Various
Just like the MCU, everything up to this point was an attempt at a crossover. Some of the other cosplayers on this list coming together to do a splendid photoshoot in their cosplays and bringing a new face into the mix to cosplay Motoko for them.
From left to right, they are Yatu as Saito, Chiya as Motoko, MASA MASA as Daisuke Aramaki, 奇行師 as Batou, and むさし as Togusa to round out the group. All of them getting together in something that may look like promotion material for the series. Next time they do a live-action movie, they should definitely go to these guys for costuming advice.