1. I notice that Motoko is shown jumping down from extreme heights a lot. What do you think this symbolizes? A bibilical fall from grace? Seems unlikely considering the cultural basis of GitS is Japanese - unless the producers are intentionally trying to appropriate Western symbolism as a means of seeming more "exotic"(not sure if this the best word) and thus escapist to a Japanese audience. But then you see precisely this is some anime (I'm thinking of Haibane).
Falling into the net? Something else? Anyway it's rather funny how Batou offers the Major a ride on the helicopter at the end of SAC 1 and she jumps off the roof instead.
2. What do assertive female leads like Motoko represent to a global audience? Or Angelina Jolie's Tomb Raider, or Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dark Angel, or Charlize Theron in Aeon Flux for that matter? There's a bunch of other examples, but these are the ones that come to mind. One important difference is that the Major's identity as female is open to question as she also questions her own humanity... Is it possible for a cyborg to be female without being human?
3. In addition, why is Motoko the only female in Section 9? Notice that while Motoko performs a sharply unconvential role for a female character, the Operators are exactly the opposite. By the way, check out the film The Phantom of the Operator if you want to examine their historical context.
Anyhow, the other post on symbolism got me thinking, so I thought I'd share.
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