The Matrix =/= Ghost in The Shell?

[Soul Saver]

I've already seen The Matrix, ages back, and I watched Ghost in the Shell earlier this week. I saw ALOT of similar themes, designs, and characters.

Both are futuristic, and centred around robots, virtual reality, and so on.
Wasn't just that though.

The main character, Motoko Kusanagi/Major, and Trinity, seem quite similar.

Likewise, although the similarities between Togusa and Neo aren't so obvious, there are some similarities. Almost as if Neo=Major, and Trinity=Togusa, in the way that the roles have switched quite a bit.

You also get something about fulfilling a "prophecy" of some sort in both. It's like The Matrix expanded on that somehow.

Spoiler

Major becomes "one with the net", Neo gains some sort of heightened ability that no-one else has.

Of course, who could forget those cringe-worthy cable things that slot into the back of the neck and other parts of the body, as a link to the net and the matrix?

 

[V_Translanka]

Maybe because it's just not interesting?

Now compare Ghost In the Shell to Appleseed!

 

[Contra Fates]

Well, the creators of the Matrix did say they took influence from Ghost in the Shell.

From The Matrix Wiki:

"The "digital rain" is strongly reminiscent of similar computer code in the film Ghost in the Shell, an acknowledged influence on the Matrix series."

And this:

"Japanese director Mamoru Oshii's Ghost in the Shell was a strong influence. Producer Joel Silver has stated that the Wachowski brothers first described their intentions for The Matrix by showing him that anime and saying, "We wanna do that for real". Mitsuhisa Ishikawa of Production I.G, which produced Ghost in the Shell, noted that the anime's high-quality visuals were a strong source of inspiration for the Wachowski brothers. He also commented, "... cyberpunk films are very difficult to describe to a third person. I'd imagine that The Matrix is the kind of film that was very difficult to draw up a written proposal for to take to film studios." He stated that since Ghost in the Shell had gained recognition in America, the Wachowski brothers used it as a "promotional tool". Besides Ghost in the Shell, another anime which influenced The Matrix was the 1985 film Megazone 23."

So, there you have it. =)

 

[Casanova]

It's not just Ghost In The Shell, though. The Matrix Trilogy was inspired by anime as a whole. The Wachowski brothers always said that The Matrix would never have existed if it wasn't for Akira. When they were brainstorming for the movie they sat down with Joel Silver (the producer) and watched everything from Cowboy Bebop to Ninja Scroll.

 

[SapphireStar]

Yeah I did an essay on this back in college. People are influenced by others and to be honest I prefer Ghost in the Shell.