How do you describe Motoko Kusanagi's dilemma?

Apr 23, 2024 10:35 AM

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Jul 2018

562340

I think it's quite easy to say that Kusanagi is a very focused and strong-willed/minded individual, however, as the story unfolds I started noticing vulnerability in her, by the time it reaches the climax, I even noticed "fear" in her during when she's out of ammo and was desperately trying to beat the tank, I think the biggest proof of her existence was her vulnerability, and it's something she already very philosophically addressed herself, although she addressed it as her shortcomings during her conversation with Batou on the boat, but I think that's because she's more capable than a human, and thinks of her abilities as something that constrains her within a certain limit, although I don't think that she never expressed anything like not feeling very human rather questioned her existence, not specifically as a life form but her very consciousness, I think her vulnerability was an answer to her question about the reality of her existence, pointed out by Puppet Master/Project 2501 with this, Your desire to remain as you are is what ultimately limits you. her desperation did bought the much required nuance to her overall personality, I think.

I'm disappoint to notice that the english dub for this anime is hammy at times, as I was watching clips on YouTube, the ones in the original language had a way different tone to them mostly because of the voice acting, the english dubbing artist for Kusanagi were just too consistent with her cyborg tone, whereas I noticed that the Japanese voice showcased the vulnerably expressive tone at times so, I think the nuance was pretty much lost in the english localization.

removed-userApr 23, 2024 10:59 AM

Apr 23, 2024 2:22 PM

tsukor

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Aug 2021

She struggles between different identities between humans, controlled machines and pure will. I think she would not ask for an experiment like this. Everyone keeps convincing her about her human self. But there are a lot more going on under the hood that the anime did not really exposed. Shes also a super computer, basically can surf through the whole network without peripheries like no one else while still command with human will. She isn’t just a female self with an artificial body but also a transcendental being without any form a “super wizard level hacker” as it was told in some of the series.
A ghost in a shell. Thats why she struggles with her own existential status and on the top of everything she is totally unique, no other in the same shoe.

Apr 24, 2024 4:08 AM

AkiraMiyazaki17

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May 2022

268

I agree that the English dub kind of butchers a lot of the character nuance.

I think Motoko is going through not just an existential but also a gender identity crisis; despite the fact that she is drawn in an overtly sexualised manner, I think her face has a very androgynous quality, and her lack of conformity to femininity is expressed in the fact that she does not see her own inherent sexuality while she is naked in front of others; whereas Batou looks away in embarrassment, she feels no shame, because her female body is nothing but a physical tether that constrains her own individuality.

I also think this is hinted at when the puppetmaster’s seemingly male voice speaks through Motoko’s body, and is finally realised when Motoko acknowledges that there is no longer any woman called the major, nor an entity called the Puppetmaster: she has transcended beyond the physical limitations of biological sex and is now a genderless, free being.

It’s a very powerful and interesting film and this is just my reading, but I’ve seen so many differing interpretations, which makes me appreciate just how brilliant a work of art it is.

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How do you describe Motoko Kusanagi's dilemma?

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