Motoko Kusanagi

Motoko Kusanagi

554
    Ghost in the Shell

Character Analysis

(Avoiding Spoilers)

Grew Up... unsure of her origins. Motoko supposes she must have been human at some point, but having been in a cyborg body since childhood, she doesn't remember much about her organic body. Her lack of a past troubles Motoko. As she confides to her colleague, Batou, "Sometimes I suspect I am not who I think I am, like maybe I died a long time ago and somebody took my brain and stuck it in this body.” However, she doesn't let it distract from her work.

Living... in 2029, in a Japan where technology is so advanced that the majority of the population has cyborgized body parts. In New Port City, Motoko is one of the few full cyborgs, and her top-of-the-line prosthetic body gives her many benefits.

Profession... officer for Public Security Section 9, part of the Japan's national security force. A high-ranking major, Motoko's intelligence and combat skills make her a commanding presence among both her subordinates and her superiors.

Interests... few. After becoming a cyborg, Motoko seems to have become as inhuman as her prosthetic body. However, she does have a fondness for philosophy – mostly of the dark, nihilistic variety.

Relationship Status... single. Her subordinate, Batou, seems to be very (maybe even abnormally) attached to her, but Motoko hasn't quite caught onto the situation.

Challenge... capturing the Puppet Master, a dangerous hacker on the loose. Among the criminals terrorizing New Port City, the Puppet Master is exceptionally dangerous for one crucial reason: his ability to "ghost hack," or take control of cybernetic humans. And since so many people in New Port City are at least partially cybernetic, he’s got a lot of people to choose from.

Personality... serious, solitary, and contemplative. Though respected by her colleagues and a formidable cop, Motoko is far more reserved when off the job. At heart, a lot of her guarded personality seems to result from her status as a full cyborg. With her consciousness so easily shifted between bodies, Motoko is left unsure of who or what she really is. As Motoko tells Batou, "You talk about redefining my identity. I want a guarantee that I can still be myself."

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