Sexuality in GiTS

Discuss the philosophy found in the various incarnations of Ghost in the Shell

Moderator: sonic

Post Reply
User avatar
Torukey
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 1:48 pm

Sexuality in GiTS

Post by Torukey »

I have a lot of questions about sexuality in GiTS. For instance, are DNA/gametes robotic? Do most people retain the ability to procreate after switching over, or do prosthetic bodies dispense donated gametes? Are people all born as test-tube babies in the series? Is there modern state-sponsored Eugenics in Japan in the GiTS universe?
Some of these I recall having read about before, like in topics about Motoko's sexual orientation and elsewhere. I'm extremely interested in sexology, so I believe understanding the sexuality of the GiTS series is crucial to understanding the cultures/characters presented in the show.
User avatar
GhostLine
Posts: 638
Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2005 10:34 pm
Location: "the net is vast and infinite..."

Post by GhostLine »

If you're talking about complete cyberization, such as Motoko (other than having her brain) I don't believe they have attempted to create physical means of procreation within cyber parts with some variation of synthesized DNA and whatnot...I'm not even sure if Motoko is "fully functional"...as in Innocence just only select models of dolls are fitted as sexaroids. Not sure what is provided for human cyber sexuality. Someone may better answer that.

In the original manga...we see Motoko utilizing a digital form of sexual stimulation...connecting with some friend via cyberlink...with the help of cyber drugs and programming...and is somewhat alluded in S.A.C. #6 "Decoy." But Motoko also gets a boyfriend in the manga, however nothing is discussed about how they get it on or anything.

Sex is vey pervasive in GitS, but constantly presented in a non-conventional manner...sex dolls, sexaroids, porn movies, prostitution, cyber sex. Much of what is gaining in popularity today, especially in Japan where trends of people having children are down and acceptable outlets of sex (including some extra-marital) are up. But at the same time, is still treated as perversion in the GitS universe.

Motoko's dealings with The PuppetMaster (and somewhat Kuze in 2nd GiG) represent the innate desire to procreate, but done at a mind level...and consciousness floating in the web level. So despite the constant flood of "illicit" sexual behavior and alternative/counterfeiting to the real deal...there is still a desire for intimacy and passing on one's genes. Togusa seemed to be the only one fitting the accepted role, while I'm assuming only the real people having scores of kids in the GitS world are the poor sectors. I don't think GitS really delves into cloning.
User avatar
Freitag
Posts: 626
Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2008 3:43 pm
Location: Behind you

Post by Freitag »

GhostLine wrote:I'm not even sure if Motoko is "fully functional".
Two episodes pop to mind.

The first one answers your question. When the Major is in the hotel with the kid while looking for background info on Kuze - she offers to be fully functional with him. Because he asks that specific question.

The other is the episode with the nimrod Walter Mitty wannabe assassin. I forget the episode, but it is the one where the guy is a pilot for some important dude - and he despises cyber foods. He lots his "equipment" to a nasty bug while he was in the army and it was not replaced with a functional part.
People tend to look at you a little strangely when they know you stuff voodoo dolls full of Ex-Lax.
User avatar
Epiphany
Posts: 260
Joined: Fri Dec 08, 2006 11:48 am
Location: South Florida

Post by Epiphany »

There has always been a sexual side to anime. GITS is no different. There is a strong sexual tension between Batou and the Major. There are also hints that the major is bi-sexual. During the opening credits of the 1st movie it seems like they make her pretty complete. I think the human mind needs some type of sexual release even if it is a cyber activated fantasy.

The urge to merge is programmed to deep in our minds to live without it

Also 2nd Gig Episode 3 really hits on the point of human cybrog sexual relations. Not to mention the killer gieshias in Edisode 1 of Stand Alone Comples
The Hokie Pokie "IS" what it's all About.
User avatar
Freitag
Posts: 626
Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2008 3:43 pm
Location: Behind you

Post by Freitag »

And Shirow draws a lot of hentai too.....
People tend to look at you a little strangely when they know you stuff voodoo dolls full of Ex-Lax.
User avatar
Torukey
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 1:48 pm

Post by Torukey »

@GhostLine: That is exactly how I would describe GiTS sexuality... "pervasive". I'm thinking that the GiTS team probably already has many topics of sexuality addressed for reference in writing episodes, but the topics merely haven't been brought up... which is unusual because I think it's pretty clearly a Seinen-targeted show.
Similarly, I think the legal system in the series is probably fully explained somewhere in a file on one of the GiTS writers' computers. Hahaha. That's just how thorough I think they are. :)
Freitag wrote:The first one answers your question. When the Major is in the hotel with the kid while looking for background info on Kuze - she offers to be fully functional with him. Because he asks that specific question.
Not really... If I remember correctly, she doesn't offer to be "fully functional" with him. She actually just asks if he "wants to find out". "Sex" as procreation is different from "Sex" as recreation. I usually only watch the dub though, so maybe there was some sort of specific Japanese term used and I simply don't know. I probably should check sometime. As far as the other episode you mentioned is concerned though, I think you're right. That hooker wanted nothin' to do with the guy!
User avatar
Freitag
Posts: 626
Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2008 3:43 pm
Location: Behind you

Post by Freitag »

Oh, I was not taking "fully functional" to mean gestationally functional. I was taking it to mean mechanically functional.

Did I miss a point somewhere?
People tend to look at you a little strangely when they know you stuff voodoo dolls full of Ex-Lax.
User avatar
GhostLine
Posts: 638
Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2005 10:34 pm
Location: "the net is vast and infinite..."

Post by GhostLine »

Yeah, I think it can be agreed that cyborgs aren't fit to be gestationally functional, but perhaps recreationally...only if necessary outfits have been purchased....

And since GitS represents an age evolved from that of the Information Age...where cyber brains allows ultimate storage capacity of memory recall and instant connectivity, we can also expect porn to coincide along with that evolution, where gratification is instant and probably much more stimulative.
User avatar
GhostLine
Posts: 638
Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2005 10:34 pm
Location: "the net is vast and infinite..."

Post by GhostLine »

As for eugenics...I don't know. There is an episode in the manga where orphans/wards of the state are being brainwashed and trained to fit into normal society. No real statements have been said about refugee children or what the general cultural attitude abour child bearing in the show that I recall. SSS touches on the greatest of Japan's social worries and that is the huge senior population vs. the decreasing youth numbers to take care of them.
User avatar
Torukey
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 1:48 pm

Post by Torukey »

The only reason I really brought up Eugenics is because I thought "If gametes have become robotic, it would make sense the government or private companies would start to modify them to prevent disorders and so on." I actually haven't watched SSS yet. I've just seen the original movie and the entire TV series. I do plan on watching the other stuff I've missed very soon though.
I do know enough about Japan though to know that they have an aging population. Hard Gay even referenced it once in one of his shows... he walked past a door with a shut-in and said "this is the bright face of Japan" or something before running off. Hahaha.
User avatar
Freitag
Posts: 626
Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2008 3:43 pm
Location: Behind you

Post by Freitag »

I wouldn't trust either government or corporations to fiddle with DNA.

These are the same greedy turds that create those 'suicide seeds' so that farmers have to re-buy seed every year instead of holding some of the crop back to grow the next seasons fields.

Just imagine the eugenics version of the cola wars. Freaking little nano probes swimming around in the can and targeting your reproductive organs and introducing a sequence that makes your offspring want their brand.
People tend to look at you a little strangely when they know you stuff voodoo dolls full of Ex-Lax.
User avatar
Torukey
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 1:48 pm

Post by Torukey »

Freitag wrote:Just imagine the eugenics version of the cola wars. Freaking little nano probes swimming around in the can and targeting your reproductive organs and introducing a sequence that makes your offspring want their brand.
I would pay to see this movie.
Post Reply