Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Pyrophoric Cult (2015)

Fire-Starter, mentioned in previous episodes but never fully explored, is the central threat in PC, pushed to the fore when a group of cyber-brain engineers are murdered. Discovering why the killings happened and why those specific individuals were targeted is a mystery that the Section 9 team must solve.
The entry picks up some loose ends that were left after Border 4: Ghost Stands Alone (2014), and it leads directly into GitS: The New Movie (2015). That means it's a bridge narrative, a situation that's very apparent, given that it has no end - it's an enjoyable adventure for the most part, but it feels like half a story. The dual purpose of Pyrophoric Cult defines it, completely, so you'll need to explore the other works in order to get the most from it.

3 game plans out of 5

Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 4: Ghost Stands Alone (2014)

In the last of the four-part Arise series an anonymous tip puts the Section 9 team on the trail of a hacker who has developed a unique cyber-brain infection program that enables memories to be overwritten and changed.
The story is complex and the action is plentiful, but Border 4 isn't as satisfying as the other three. The music didn't fit the visuals a lot of the time and the animation occasionally seemed rushed.
There was potential for dangerous hesitation and second-guessing of thought and actions (had their own memories been altered, and/or could they still trust the 'whispers' from their ghost?) but it went in a different direction - a direction that's still a very recognisable part of the Ghost in the Shell world, but a less dramatic one than I feel it could've been.

3 yellow bricks out of 5

Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 3: Ghost Tears (2014)

Motoko's forced to put her personal life on hold to focus instead on a difficult case that overlaps with her past. It’s interesting to see her exhibit strong feelings not related to duty and honour. By making her seem more human they also deepen her reasons for controlling that side of herself.
A tertiary character haunts the background from time to time, waiting for Border 4 (2014) to reveal her true intentions, no doubt.
When the team are assembled around Aramaki's desk for a mission briefing it feels just like Ghost in the Shell ought to feel. But they aren't the fully-formed Section 9 just yet. They need one more member in order to gain the privileges needed to help them be the best at what they do. And let's not forget that brave little Logicoma.

4 mermaid legs out of 5

Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 2: Ghost Whisper (2013)

Under instruction from Aramaki, ex-501 member Motoko Kusanagi begins to assemble her team, but first she must break through their prejudices and convince them that Section 9 really is the good guys. That part of it benefits from groundwork laid down in previous incarnations, but there’s a whole other politically-charged story going on at the same time to keep you glued to the screen. An investigation into which provides ample opportunity for Kusanagi to display the kind of daring and improvisation that justifies the trust and faith Aramaki places in her. The beginnings of mutual respect are born from the resulting twists and turns.

5 slip roads out of 5

Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 1: Ghost Pain (2013)

Despite the changes since SAC, there’s still much the same. The framing, scenery and even the camera movements are similar to Kenji Kamiyama's.
Of the two main differences, the first, Motoko, is less upsetting than I’d feared. It’s a prequel, so she’s younger and less experienced. She also looks odd, but only for a short time. Her confidence, her movements and her decision making is as normal, so I was able to look beyond the shell very quickly; it’s her, there’s no doubt of that.
What I found harder to accept was the change in music. There's an occasional nod to Kenji Kawai that I really liked, but elsewhere the absence of Yoko Kanno's evocative themes was heavily felt.
I’d have preferred a 3rd GIG, but the events in this kept me hooked and by the end I was completely on board; all fears were washed away.

4 absent limbs out of 5