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The Ghost in the Shell universe contains three similar but entirely separate continuities, each with somewhat similar storylines, in a manner much like Mobile Suit Gundam. The basic setting and most significant characters appear in all three continuities and share some characteristics between their versions, but each specific version of a character is unique to its continuity. Many subplots and ideas are also featured in more than one continuity, such as the ghost dubbing storyline, of which variations are found in chapter 6 of the 1991 manga, episode 7 of the first TV series and the second film, Innocence. All three continuities use Major Kusanagi Motoko as a main protagonist, and begin with her working as a Section 9 operative. In all continuities, she leaves without authorisation as a result of her experiences and encounters; however, the events that precede and follow this point, the things that influence her decision and the depiction of the event itself vary widely.

Ghost In The Shell continuities/universes, in chronological order This list is ordered relative to each entry's position in the storyline of that continuity, not it's date of creation (these are indicated in parentheses).

Manga Series:

-> Ghost in the Shell (manga, 1991)

-> Ghost in the Shell 1.5: Human-Error Processor (manga and PC CD-ROM, originals 1991-6, collected edn. 2003)

-> Ghost in the Shell 2: Man/Machine Interface (manga, 2001)

Film Series:

-> Ghost in the Shell (film, 1995)

-> After the Long Goodbye (novel, 2005)

-> Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (film, 2004)

Stand Alone Complex series:

-> Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex - The Lost Memory (novel, 2006)

-> Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex - Revenge of the Cold Machines (novel, 2006)

-> Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex - White Maze (novel, 2006)

-> Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex (TV series, 2002-3)

-> Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex (PlayStation 2 game, 2004)

-> Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex (PlayStation Portable game, 2005)

-> Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex 2nd Gig (TV series, 2004-5)

-> Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex: Solid State Society (TV movie, 2006)

-> as-yet unknown further SAC project(s), which could also be prequels

Aberrant entries:

-> Ghost in the Shell (1997 Playstation Game)

-> The Laughing Man and The Individual Eleven (compilation DVDs, 2003 and 2005)

-> Tachikomatic Days (2002-5 shorts)

-> Ghost in the Shell live-action project (currently under discussion)

Notes:

-> what to call "Aberrant entries"? This doesn't seem right but I can't think of a better term at this point in time.

-> I am assuming that the events of the novel trilogy follow one another chronologically and precede the Laughing Man incident, as it seems important enough that it might be mentioned. I didn't like the first book much so I may have skipped or missed references, and I have not read either the second or third books.

-> There is confusion over the two SAC games; the 2005 PSP game is totally different from the 2004 PS2 one and follows it as a direct sequel. Both have plotlines linked to but different from either TV series.

-> The 1997 playstation game is probably part of the film continuity; sadly, I've never played it, although I read that Production I.G. created its cutscenes. It may however belong in the manga continuity, or may apply to both or neither continuities. Can someone enlighten me/us?

-> I've not seen the two compilation DVDs but I know they are essentially edited down from main-plot episodes of each series to make a feature-length film. I doubt they contain any new material. Since they must necessarily omit much of the detail, they exist more as alternative versions for the time-poor Japanese fan. They're not really a seperate continuity, even if the timeframe of The Individual Eleven as summarised in the episode list is out of kilter with 2nd Gig proper, but they don't tell the whole SAC story.

-> Tachikomatic Days doesn't really have a continuity, being purely for fun. Maybe you could argue that it's some kind of shared dream/hallucination/internal construction that the Tachikomas have/do/imagine, but that's hardly easy to reference.

-> I'm guessing the live action project will be a new continuity, not an extension of an existing one.