English Dub Review: The Ghost in the Shell “INTERMISSION + BRAIN DRAIN I”
Overview
Motoko Kusanagi regains consciousness after a brain-dive into the Puppet Master. Although they now know the truth behind what happened, Motoko keeps sensing the Puppet Master’s presence from time to time. The Shell Squad raids a boat being used by a terrorist cell, which leads to an unthinkable mistake…
Our Take
Picking up from the previous episode, Motoko wakes from her dive into the Puppet Master with more questions than answers. Although the truth behind the mysterious entity is beginning to come into focus, she continues sensing its presence, leaving her visibly shaken and not quite herself. Meanwhile, a dangerous operation takes an unexpected turn, leading to a major blunder that quickly becomes the subject of intense media attention.
What makes this episode stand out is how well it balances political intrigue with deeper character development. Seeing the Puppet Master’s origins from its own perspective adds fascinating context to its existence, while Motoko’s increasingly uncertain state of mind raises plenty of questions about what she experienced during her dive. The episode steadily builds tension without giving everything away, making the unfolding mystery even more compelling.
Overall, this continues to be one of the most refreshing anime experiences I’ve had in quite some time, thanks to its distinctive early-2000s atmosphere, thoughtful storytelling, striking art direction, and presentation. The Puppet Master storyline has quickly become the highlight of the series, and with only two episodes remaining, Motoko’s strange connection to it and the fallout from this latest incident leave me eager to see how everything comes together.
